Gosh, what a nice place! Seems they’ve recently begun operating restaurant 12-2 Tue-Sun so I visited for the first time. Service was great, friendly and helpful, and atmosphere was comfortable, including a covered smoking area.
I had a roast beef, $14, very nice. Carrots prepared in some way I’d never seen (glace?) and “pompoms” which are deepfried(?) potato balls – obviously the chef is creative and competent. And dessert, $5 – again tastefully prepared. I’ll be back.

I’d heard about ‘Wobblies’ at Forbury Park, but never been until now. I found it’s actually now been ‘Essence’ for a few months.
Anyway, their lunchtime roast was excellent! I chose the Small ($13) option, and gosh, I’d hate to see a Large – what I got was plenty, AND good quality too. These people know how to prepare a meal.
I’d thought I might eat alone, but no, this was a Wednesday lunchtime and had about 15 people enjoying the experience. Word must get around!
Ice cream sundae for a reasonable $5 was a fitting end to a pleasant meal.
The only downside was their somewhat confusing menus – there were *3* blackboards, but all with different choices, and also *3* different menu cards on each table. Oh well, all *I* ever want is a roast, and I got it.

Bought fish n chips here recently. Chips were ok (large amount for their very reasonable $1.30 minimum) – but the curry rice roll was not. Under the crisp surface was a substantial amount of uncooked dough. Ugh!

I’ve never eaten here, but went in once to see if they had roasts. They didn’t, but gosh, the barman interrupted his discussion helping explain plasma TVs to an old lady, and gave me a great outline of the nearest places that DID serve roasts!

Now THAT sort of “service” really impresses. I’ll try to actually sample his own fare next time.

I thought I saw “Roast of the Day” on their menu a few months back, so I visited one lunchtime, only to be met with a blank look, and “no, sorry, no roast”.
Then recently I noticed on MenuMania that someone had HAD a Roast of the Day. I rang and confirmed, seems they DO (and it was suggested that last time I visited perhaps they were just out of stock that day). I asked if available Mon-Fri and was told no, Tue-Fri. Their menu and info on here says 7 days.

Well, sorry, I’m really not going to bother going thru all the hoops again.

“$10 lunches” appear to nowadays be $11.50.
I had chicken fried rice – good service and good food, but too much for me. (I wish they’d offer “small” versions, for $8 or $9).
Pleasant atmosphere and surroundings, but was rather noisy, being a busy lunchtime.

Under new management.
Roast meals 12-2 Mon-Fri. $12. Tried one today – firstly I clearly asked for roast beef, and what came was pork. Tut tut!
But I ate that anyway. The potato was nigh on sensational, one large one served in aluminium foil, and yummy. Pumpkin a bit overcooked, but nicely removed from skin before serving. Other vegetables were a good combination of stirfry, usually an interesting choice, but somehow lacking a bit. And the meat was, well, not great I’m afraid (I usually like pork).

But this was only the first week they’ve been serving roasts – perhaps they’ll improve with time. Atmosphere was pleasant and comfortable.

Due to add Roast Meals to their lunchtime fare, Mon-Fri, starting 21/5/12.
(When they do, watch this space for a Review! LOL)

THAT was posted on 16/5. Turned out they DIDN’T add roast meals then, but in late June they told me they were starting very soon. So, eventually, I rang again in late August, and was told YES, we could do a roast beef at lunchtime.

Well, I took a half hour walk to get there, along with my daughter, on Fri 31 Aug, but was told they only have “bar snacks” on weekday lunchtimes. That menu includes “roast beef sandwich”, but seems even that was NOT available.

Sorry Ocean Beach, I sure tried, hard – but now I quit. There are at least 20 RELIABLE places around town for a roast meal at lunchtime – I’ll go elsewhere. :-[

Lunchtime roast (usually?) pork, $11.50. What an experience! This was a classy dining experience in a glorious atmosphere. Service was fine, food was very good (TONS of pork, not thin-sliced but thick like steaks with some delicious big chunks) on a squarish white plate (I’m always a sucker for them!), and the atmosphere:
Grab an old villa, knock out most interior walls, add paint/plaster, carpet, tables etc, a few scenic paintings on the walls. Add courtyard and tables outside too for good weather, and that’s Duufa’s Cafe Bar and Restaurant.
I’ll be back.

Lunchtimes 12-2pm Tue-Sun (Note: NOT Mondays) – roast beef or pork, $9.90/$12.50 small/large. Excellent meal, 6! vegetables, and all piping hot – even the carrots were still hot after 5 minutes.. in most places they seem to cool very quickly. This place is very neat and tidy from top to bottom, including the service. I get the feeling they “care”.

Oh, and daily Blackboard Specials saw me trying the Brandy Snaps and Fruit Salad. Just $5, and had to be seen – and tasted! – to be believed. Divine!

Opened late 2011. I haven’t dined here yet, but I see they’re open for brunch and dinner, serving Seafood Chowder, Pancakes, and other things I don’t remember! Interesting intimate atmosphere.

Blimey! A Tuesday lunchtime I figured I might be the only diner, but there were over 40 people in there, all busy eating or waiting for food (and few if any who’ll see 50 again!).
Well, I guess that’s why my meal took 27 minutes – not good, but surely exceptional circumstances (though the bartender reckoned this crowd wasn’t abnormal!?!).
Anyway, $12 roast meal was very good – basic fare but nicely cooked, and plenty of it. AND they served pumpkin without its skin, something I really like!

I can only hope this was their “bad day”!
$9.50 lunchtime roast was edible, but not enjoyable. Waiting over 10 minutes may be ok for evening dining, or fancy dishes, but never for a lunchtime roast.
When it arrived I was surprised to find the delicious looking corn was cold – but when I also found the pile of peas was stone cold too I was aghast. The mashed spud was mainly piping hot, but then a corner of THAT was stone cold too – must have been left over from breakfast !?
Presentation wasn’t great either – gravy sploshed everywhere. If you don’t like your cold peas embedded in gravy – tough.
The roast? potatoes were greasy, and water lapped around the plate.
The 2 (only) staff seemed rushed off their feet – in fact at times when the chef came out to take orders, he RAN! Needless to say, there won’t be a return visit. :-[

Weekday lunchtime – Good basic roast meal, and plenty of it, for just $10. Excellent beef, and mashed potato was nice too.
Friendly service.

Takeaway fish ‘n’ chips – Very clean efficient premises, food quality fine, but main surprise was the reasonable prices ($1.20 minimum for chips is minuscule these days!). I see they also offer “small” Chinese meals like chicken fried rice for just $5 (or $4 at lunchtime, I think), 2-filling toasted sandwiches mainly $2.90, and small budget fizz bottles $1. Great.

What a turnaround! LAST time I was here I was the only diner, staff seemed to resent me, the food was just “ok”, and the whole atmosphere was seedy (it used to be locally known as The Gluepot). But – that was 15 years ago! Today I tried again – and after careful consideration had to give 5 stars.
Reasons:
***Atmosphere: Small separate dining room is cosy (with a lovely real-looking fire) yet for warm days has 2 doors opening straight onto the patio. Tables/chairs/cutlery all great. Comfortable for those who like to eat outside too.
***Waitress: Her blonde ponytail constantly glided from table to table as she seemed to treat every table with total dedication. I felt like a “person” rather than just another diner”. She was never TOO attentive, yet always there for whatever one might want.
***Oh, yes, the Food!?: Well, for a reasonable $10 the lunchtime roast beef was all class – attractively presented, with an interesting choice of vegetables. . .
I’ll Be Back!

Visited lunchtime today for their $12.50 Roast of the Day. Very well and originally presented, but actual quality disappointed me. The beef was stringy and tough, and parsnip (IS that what it was?) was wizened and tough like old boots. On the plus side I guess the carrots were cut in a cute way I’ve never seen, and the kumara and potato were ok!

Stock control of takeaways is amazing – whenever I go there there’s always 1 (and only 1!) delectable piping hot lamb & mint pie waiting. Their takeaway sandwiches are excellent too.

This couple are amazing – day after day just churning out their wide variety of takeaways. Their normal chips are great, but I love the kumara chips for something different. Spring rolls and curry rolls are nice. Chinese meals are good, but hard for one person to get through. My only complaint is their prices – they’re just too durned low!!

I’ve been a few times for their lunchtime roasts (just Wed/Thu/Fri??) – reasonable price, good service, good food, and pleasant atmosphere inside OR outside on sunny days.

I used to go for lunches here 30 years ago. $3.50, and honest, there were always queues outside at noon when they opened, then hardly a seat to be had! Well it’s had a few ownership changes since, and became Logies in early 2011, I think. Still good budget food – lunchtime roasts 11:30-2:00 Tue-Sat, $9.90 or $13 – good honest tucker, though veges a bit bland and overcooked to my way of thinking.

And the staff all pitch in – cooks and all – to chat with patrons and ensure everyone’s happy. I do feel guilty if I sneak out without saying goodbye!

Seems they have a special lunchtime Roast fortnightly on Pension Day. I tried it once, and enjoyed it. Very nice atmosphere. (Pity I live away in Tainui!)

Their website confirmed special Roast on Fridays 12-2. . . Well, we arrived at 1:35 to find a “Roast sold out” notice. They sure didn’t look “busy” at the time – MAYBE this was a one-off, but I’m not going back to find out. Grrrrrr

My favourite meal in all Dunedin USED to be the $10 Chicken Curry here. But then sadly around early 2011 it came as orange instead of yellow, and tasted dreadful. After trying hard I quit, and took the 3/4 plateful back to the friendly boss, saying I couldn’t eat it. I was sure he’d offer a refund, or something, but no, he just said that was a pity. . . . I’ve never been back.

I went at lunchtime and was shown a menu. Only LATER after my meal did I happen to notice another menu tucked away somewhere offering pensioner specials. Yes, I think I look like an obvious ‘pensioner’! Oh well…… anyway, the food was great, and dining out on the deck, with a view of distant sea, was pleasant.

Great food . . . though a couple of lunchtimes I’ve been there it was pretty full, and so a bit noisy.

I’ve been here often over the years. Great food (roasts especially), reasonable prices, and good service.

A little jewel I fluked on one day, tucked in the base of the Dunedin Casino building! Seems a daily blackboard special over lunchtime for $8.50 – I’ve so far had 3 different ones, just BEAUTIFUL each time (e.g. chicken fricassee, beef stew & rice) . . . . . . I also grabbed some takeaway cheese rolls one day – well-priced, and given to me in a bag with plastic knife and sachet of butter. Cute!

Over the years I’ve been here in evenings – good food nicely presented, and also at lunchtimes – food is fair though veggies somewhat overcooked often. Lunch special (roast) was $9.90 till early 2012 – now $11.50, still good value.

I’ve been here a few times, purely for dining – and find the food quality and presentation is great. Also very moderately priced ($10-$20 lunchtime?). . . .

The selection’s not great though. . . .

And the highlight for me – the most magnificent cutlery I’ve ever seen anywhere! Honest, I HATE dirty knives, and forks with bent prongs, or maybe too small to fit my hand.

I only went there once, a lunchtime in middle of 2011.
Chose a seat, sat, waited. Waitress came delivering food to next table, but seemed to have no interest in me – I was waiting for her to turn and address me, but no.

After waiting at least 10min – I left. :-[

Visited weekday lunchtime for $9.90 special roast (winter only?). . . .
Food was fine, service a little slow, atmosphere pleasant. Cutlery very nice!

Comfortable dining area – I often visit for their great roast meal (specials: $8.90 small, $11.50 large, I think).
Ex-English chef presents a nice meal – though I don’t like having 2 or 3 nice roast potatoes PLUS a scoop of mashed potato!
However, he’s one of the very rare places who serves pumpkin without the shell, so I don’t have to struggle and scrape – just barge in and gobble it, all! LOL

I like their Special Roast meals (lunchtime and evening). Interestingly the vegetables are stirfry – but hey, that doesn’t mean Watties or similar, these appear to be prepared from scratch onsite, and really are yummy. The chef is brilliant!
Pleasant atmosphere – tables outside for smokers too.

Mondays & Tuesdays 12-2pm ‘Pensioners’ Special’. Actually available to anyone, for $11 you get roast beef or pork and vegetables, all cooked and presented to perfection – plus a nice desert. These roast meals are the best I’ve found anywhere – the chef is a magician. I never leave without a satisfied smile on my face!