Dolce Cafe, Restaurant & Bar sits upstairs in The Forum, giving central Blenheim an all-day venue that changes character as service moves from brunch into evening drinks and dinner. The dining room is open every day, with later trading through most of the working week and Saturday. Its tone is casual enough for coffee or lunch but substantial enough for a full evening meal. A dedicated bar, regular events and a bookable private dining room broaden the reasons to visit beyond the restaurant's best-known feature: its wood-fired oven.
That oven shapes a pizza list with considerably more range than the classics alone. Margherita, pepperoni and quattro formaggi provide familiar reference points, while the Sorrento combines pumpkin, kūmara, spinach and feta. Slow-cooked lamb shoulder is matched with sumac and yoghurt; brisket meets chorizo and black-garlic aioli; and the marinara carries prawns, mussels and smoked salmon. Vegetarian toppings are clearly represented, with vegan cheese and gluten-free large bases available, making a shared pizza order easier to adapt for the table.
Daytime dining has its own identity rather than simply borrowing from dinner. Eggs Benedict is built on potato rosti, banana-bread French toast comes with baked banana and bourbon maple syrup, and the larger breakfast folds eggs, chorizo, rosti and hotcakes onto one plate. At lunch, seafood chowder and penne carbonara sit beside a winter vegetable salad with labneh, pomegranate and pistachio za'atar. Filled sandwiches use buttermilk chicken, crisp pork belly, harissa-spiced lamb or barbecue brisket, covering both quick lunches and more leisurely meals.
Dinner expands from small plates of calamari, garlic prawns and wood-fired ribs into pasta and grill dishes. Butternut mezzelune uses romesco, feta and seeds, lamb pappardelle brings together slow-cooked shoulder, mushrooms, truffle and red-wine jus, and lasagne is baked in cast iron in the wood-fired oven. Ribeye and roast pork belly supply straightforward meat options. At the bar, Marlborough wine can sit beside beer, spirits, spritzes and creative cocktails, allowing Dolce to move naturally from an early meal into a longer evening upstairs.
Address: Upstairs, The Forum, Unit 11/48 Market Street, Blenheim 7201, New Zealand
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DOLCE Cafe, Restaurant & Bar Menu
Brunch Fare
Poached Eggs on Toast
two free range eggs served with baby spinach, signature seeds and toasted garlic ciabatta (GF&V- optional)
Eggs Benedict
two poached free range eggs on potato rosti, baby spinach, hollandaise and signature seeds(GF)
Banana Bread French Toast
streaky bacon, baked banana, bourbon maple syrup, sugared walnuts, vanilla mascapone (V- optional)
Breakfast Sandwich
streaky bacon, fried egg, lettuce, tomato, red onion, potato rosti, hollandaise, on a brioche bun with makikihi fries
Lumberjack Speciale
streaky bacon, two poached eggs, chorizo sausage, potato rosti, baby spinach, garlic ciabatta, hotcake stack, bourbon maple syrup
Lunch Fare
Caesar Salad
cos lettuce, spinach, parmesan, bacon, poached egg, anchovy, ciabatta croutons (GF&V optional)
Salt & Pepper Squid Salad
flash fried, fragrant salad greens, edamame, vietnamese dressing, garlic aioli, fresh lemon
Winter Insalata
sumac roasted winter vegetables, labneh, wild rocket, pomegranate dressing, manuka honey, pistachio zaatar (GF&V)
Seafood Chowder
prawns, mussels, smoked salmon, garlic ciabatta
Penne Carbonara
penne pasta, streaky bacon, free range egg, portabello mushroom, spinach, parmesan
Buttermilk Chicken Sandwich
southern fried, lettuce, tomato, onion, b&b pickles, chipotle mayo, brioche bun with makikihi fries
Pork Belly Sandwich
crispy pork belly, sticky bbq sauce, sesame, edamame slaw, brioche bun with makikihi fries
Lamb Flatbread Sandwich
harissa spiced lamb shoulder, labneh, tomato, onion, b&b pickles, chilli oil, garlic pita with makikihi fries
BBQ Beef Brisket Sandwich
bbq brisket, bacon, pickles, mozzarella, lettuce, tomato, jalapeno onion jam, brioche bun with makikihi fries
Small Plates
Flatbread
wood-fired pizza bread with basil pesto, parmesan cheese and mozzarella (V)
Calamari Fritti
crispy fried salt and pepper squid, edamame, fragrant greens, garlic aioli, lemon
Pork Spare Ribs
slow cooked and finished in the wood-fired oven, sticky hoisin bbq sauce (GF)
Rustic Focaccia
baked with olive oil, fresh herbs, kalamata olives and roasted peppers, topped with wild rocket, prosciutto crudo, balsamic and parmesan (V- optional)
Garlic Prawns
flambe with white wine, cream, capers, and garlic butter, wood-fired ciabatta
Baked Formaggio Dip
cheddar, mozzarella, cream cheese, sour cream, parmesan, garlic, jalapenos baked in a cast-iron skillet, served with wood-fired ciabatta (V)
Main Fare
Caesar Salad
cos lettuce, spinach, parmesan, bacon, poached egg, anchovy, ciabatta croutons (GF,V optional)
Salt & Pepper Squid Salad
flash fried, fragrant greens, edamame, vietnamese dressing, garlic aioli, lemon
Winter Insalata
sumac roasted winter vegetables, labneh, wild rocket, pomegranate dressing manuka honey, pistachio zaatar (GF,V)
Pasta Di Pollo
penne pasta, chicken, spinach, creamy basil pesto sauce, sundried tomato parmesan (V optional)
Penne Carbonara
penne pasta, streaky bacon, free range egg, portabello mushroom, spinach parmesan (V optional)
Butternut Mezzelune
butternut pumpkin filled pasta, smoked roast pepper romesco, wild rocket crumbled feta, signature seeds, parmesan (V)
Lamb Pappardelle
slow cooked lamb shoulder, forage mushroom, spinach, pappardelle pasta truffle, red wine jus, parmesan, fresh lemon
Lasagne Al Forno
beef ragu, lasagna sheets, three cheese bechamel, layered in a cast iron skillet and baked in our wood-fired oven, served with insalata
Pork Spare Ribs
slow cooked and finished in the wood-fired oven, sticky hoisin bbq sauce, served with makikihi fries and seasonal insalata (GF)
Carne
all carne cuts are served with potato gratin, manuka honey glazed winter vegetables and red wine jus (GF)
250g Premium Ribeye
300g Roasted Pork Belly
Wood-Fired Pizza
Small — 23cm | 8x slice; Large — 30cm | 12x slice. Gluten Free Large Bases & Vegan Cheese 4
Margherita
tomato passata, basil pesto, mozzarella (V)
Hawaiian
classic ham and pineapple
Pepperoni
pepperoni salami, chilli flakes, mozzarella
Sorrento
spinach, roasted pumpkin and kumara, feta, garlic aioli (V)
Napoli
chorizo, portobello mushrooms,spinach, tomato
Milanese
chorizo, salami, kalamata olives, anchovies
Quattro Formaggi
gorgonzola, parmesan, feta, ricotta salata (V)
Gladiator
chorizo, ham, salami, red onion, sweet chilli sauce
Carne
chorizo, pork belly, salami, red onion, manuka bbq sauce
Sicilian
chicken, streaky bacon, spinach, red onion, peanut satay sauce
Tuscan
prosciutto, haloumi cheese, spinach, red onion, semi dried tomato, kalamata olives
Dolce Di Pollo
chicken, basil pesto, spinach, parmesan
Vege Supremo
capsicum, kalamata olive, spinach, semi dried tomato, red onion, pineapple, mushroom (V)
Verona
chicken, cranberry sauce, spinach, creamy brie
Porcellino
pulled pork, pork belly, coriander, hoisin, spring onion, sesame
Pollo Picante
chicken, chorizo, jalapenos, red onion, capsicum, sriracha mayo
Manzo Al BBQ
beef brisket, chorizo, onion, mushroom, bbq sauce, black garlic aioli
Agnellino
slow cooked lamb shoulder, sumac, red onion, spinach, greek yoghurt
Marinara
prawns, mussels, smoked salmon, capers, red onion
Salmone
smoked salmon, cream cheese, spinach, capers, red onion
Sides
Makikihi Fries
served with garlic aioli and tomato sauce (GF,V)
Garlic Bread
wood-fired ciabatta with garlic butter (V)
Seasoned Wedges
sweet chilli sauce, sour cream (GF V)
Insalata
cos lettuce, mesculin, sundried tomato, kalamata olive, red onion, balsamic vinaigrette (GF V)
Winter Vegetables
sumac roasted winter vegetables, labneh, manuka honey, pistachio zaatar (GF,V)
Dessert
Eggnog Creme Brulee
spiced brandy custard, crunchy caramel, mulled wine poached pear (GF)
Apple Crostata
sweet pie crust, granny smith apple, spiced currants, served hot with fresh runny cream and maple walnut ice cream, perfect for sharing
Baileys Cheesecake
baked chocolate cheesecake, whipped cream and freeze dried raspberries (GF)
Baklava Mille Feuille
layers of sugared filo pastry, pistachio, walnut and pecan, creme patisserie
Affogato
vanilla ice cream, freshly brewed espresso, frangelico shot (GF)
Ice Cream Sundae
strawberry, chocolate or caramel, whipped cream, maraschino cherry (GF)
Dessert Cocktails
Hershey's Martini
Finlandia vodka, frangelico, Hershey’s chocolate sauce
Strawberry Cheesecake Mudslide
Finlandia vodka, strawberry, gingerbread syrup, biscoff cookie crumbs, ice cream, whipped cream
Espresso Martini
Absolut vanilla vodka, kahlua, fresh espresso
Digestif
Limoncello
Pallini, Rome, Italy
Fine Tawny Port
Sandeman, Douro Valley, Portugal
G&T Speciale
Select your premium NZ gin 45ml and your Fever-Tree tonic: Indian, Elderflower, Wild Raspberry or Mediterranean
Papaiti Whanganui Dry
Humdinger Citrus
Scapegrace, Classic, Black or Blood Orange
Dr Beak, Garden or Premium
Sandymount Ti Kouka Forest
Sandymount Ladybird Navy Strength
Sandymount Blackberry Gin Liqueur
Cocktails
Ambrosia
Haymans Gin, strawberry syrup, pineapple, apple, egg, marshmallow
Sour Apple Punch
Black Magic Rum, sour apple liqueur, apple juice, apple syrup, lemon, egg, sour candy
Rosie Paloma
El Jimador Tequila, rose syrup, grenadine, lime, pink grapefruit, tajin salt
Gin Bramble
Haymans Gin, creme de cassis, lemon, berries
Harvest Punch
Old Forester Bourbon, apple syrup, apple juice, maple syrup, lemon, Fevertree ginger beer
Chambord Sour
Finlandia Vodka, raspberry chambord, lemon, sugar, egg white
Cherry Martini
Black Magic Rum, Helmsman White Rum, cherry brandy, pineapple grenadine, lime
Sweet & Spicy Margarita
El Jimador Tequila, Cointreau, strawberry, jalapeno, lime, agave
Singapore Sling
Haymans Gin, Cointreau, cherry brandy, pineapple juice grenadine, bitters
Dolce Martini
Absolut Vanilla Vodka, peach schnapps, pineapple juice, sugar
Mango Jerry
El Jimador Tequila, peach schnapps, mango, red chilli, lime, sugar
Blueberry Sour
Finlandia Vodka, creme de cassis, blueberry jam, egg, lemon, sugar
Matcha Mucho
Mount Gay Rum, matcha syrup, banana liqueur, passionfruit, lime, sugar
Rhubarb Whiskey Sour
Slane Whiskey, sour rhubarb liqueur, orange bitters, egg, sugar
Himalayan Whisper
Slane Whiskey, honey, lime, fresh mint, pink grapefruit
Smokey Ole Fashioned
Woodford Reserve Bourbon, lapsang souchong, maple, bitters
Mojito
Flor De Cana White Rum, mint, lime, soda. Classic, Mango, Passionfruit or Raspberry
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Against typical prices in Blenheim
- Seafood chowder Typical in Blenheim: $22.75 $29.00
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