Ports O’Call Bar & Grill occupies the ground floor of Scenic Hotel Southern Cross, but it has a clear identity beyond room service and hotel dining. The restaurant welcomes both the public and overnight guests into a relaxed dinner setting at the High Street property. Dinner begins in the early evening, while the bar opens ahead of the kitchen and continues later for drinks. This separation makes it possible to arrive for a quiet glass, settle into a full meal or combine the two without moving elsewhere in the hotel.
The kitchen frames its menu around produce from Dunedin, Central Otago and the wider South Island, then uses seasonal features to keep the offering moving. A spring promotion, for example, brings matcha and hot honey into special dishes rather than simply repeating the regular list. The main dinner menu opens with options such as summer minestrone, golden pork belly, tomato and buffalo mozzarella salad, and beetroot cured salmon. Together they move from light vegetable flavours through richer meat and smoked fish preparations.
Main courses give equal attention to seafood and the grill. Ocean to Table pairs harbour fish and Southern clams with potato rösti, broccolini, wakame and beurre blanc, while whole lemon sole is served with green beans, baby potatoes and a lemon caper butter. Ribeye, eye fillet and Lumina lamb rack cover the premium meat side, with grilled chicken as a lighter alternative. A cauliflower steak with harissa chickpeas, tahini coconut yoghurt, almonds and salad provides a fully plant based centrepiece rather than a token side dish.
The meal can be rounded out with spiced pumpkin, garlic mushrooms, salad, fries or chargrilled ciabatta, then desserts ranging from fruit sorbet to chocolate mousse and Basque cheesecake. Families have a separate children's list with fish and chips, chicken, pizza, cheeseburger and simple desserts. The bar menu also keeps familiar choices available for guests who want something less formal than the full dinner sequence. That breadth lets Ports O’Call function as a hotel restaurant, a neighbourhood dinner option and a comfortable place for an unhurried drink.
Address: Scenic Hotel Southern Cross, 118 High Street, Central Dunedin, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
Moved or closed? Tell us: Moved·Temporarily closed·Permanently closed
Ports O' Call Bar Menu
Dinner Menu – Entrées
Available 5:00pm to 9:30pm. Bar is open from 4.00pm to late. (GF) Gluten free (DF) Dairy free (V) Vegetarian (VG) Vegan (O) option available on request. All meals are prepared in a facility using products containing allergens. Please advise the restaurant team of allergies or intolerances.
Summer Minestrone Soup
A vibrant medley of seasonal vegetables simmered in a light tomato broth, served with smoky chargrilled sourdough ciabatta (GFO, DF)
Golden Pork Belly
Slow-roasted pork belly with fennel, pistachio, and pickled chilli, finished with a bright citronette sauce. Served with a crispy pork skin puff (GF, DF)
Tomato Caprese Salad
Fresh roma tomatoes and creamy buffalo mozzarella, drizzled with white balsamic and fragrant basil oil (V, GF)
Beetroot Cured Salmon
Beetroot cold-smoked salmon paired with orange caviar, brioche croutons, beetroot gel, basil oil, and cream cheese (GFO)
Dinner Menu – Mains
Available 5:00pm to 9:30pm. (GF) Gluten free (DF) Dairy free (V) Vegetarian (VG) Vegan (O) option available on request.
Ocean to Table
Fresh harbour fish and Southern Clams served with a crisp potato rösti, tender broccolini, wakame, and a silky beurre blanc sauce (GFO)
Lemon Sole Meunière
Pan-fried whole bone-in lemon sole served with sautéed green beans, baby potatoes, and a rich lemon, butter and caper sauce
Premium Ribeye
250g ribeye, served with gratin potato, roasted parsnip, mushroom ketchup, and a red wine jus (GF)
Premium Grass-Fed Eye Fillet
180g eye fillet served with creamy mashed potato, chargrilled courgette, roasted carrot, and finished with a rich red wine jus (GF)
Lumina Lamb Rack
Premium Lumina lamb rack served with rustic ratatouille, pea purée, heirloom carrots, and a rich red wine jus (GF)
Canter Valley Grilled Chicken
Grilled chicken breast served with creamy kūmara mash, charred spring onion, roasted beetroot, and finished with a rich jus (GF)
Chargrilled Cauliflower Steak
Served with harissa chickpeas, tahini coconut yoghurt, toasted almonds, and a fresh green salad (GF, DF, VG)
Dinner Menu – Sides
Available 5:00pm to 9:30pm. (GF) Gluten free (DF) Dairy free (V) Vegetarian (VG) Vegan (O) option available on request.
Roasted Spiced Pumpkin Wedges
Macerated prunes and candied walnuts (GFO, V)
Roasted Garlic Portobello Mushrooms
Confit garlic and Marlborough sea salt (GF, V, VG)
Chargrilled Sourdough Ciabatta
Whipped butter and aged balsamic (V)
Baby Cos Salad
Pickled onions, radish, and a tangy dressing (GF, DF, V, VG)
Shoestring Fries
Served with freshly grated Grana Padano and aioli (V)
Dinner Menu – Desserts
Available 5:00pm to 9:30pm.
Trio of Sorbet
Mango, passionfruit, and mixed berry. Subject to availability
Affogato
Vanilla bean ice cream, hazelnut praline, espresso, and Amaretto liqueur
Dark Chocolate Mousse
Macerated cherries, honeycomb, cherry gel, and vanilla ice cream
Burnt Basque Cheesecake
Served with berry coulis, pistachio crumb, and chocolate biscotti
Kids Dinner Menu – Mains
Available 5:00pm to 9:30pm. (GF) Gluten free (DF) Dairy free (V) Vegetarian (VG) Vegan (O) option available on request.
Port Chalmers Fish & Chips
Fish bites and chips
Carlton Chicken
Chicken nuggets and chips
Boldini Mini Pizza
Hawaiian pizza with cheese and pineapple
Rail Trail Cheese Burger
Beef patty and chips
Garden Salad
Add chicken – $4.00 (V, VG, GF, DF)
Kids Dinner Menu – Desserts
Available 5:00pm to 9:30pm.
Southern Cross DIY Sundae
Choice of strawberry or chocolate flavours, served with sprinkles & marshmallow
Fruit Kebabs with Passionfruit Syrup
(DF)
Bar Menu
Available from 5pm. (GF) Gluten free (DF) Dairy free (V) Vegetarian (VG) Vegan (O) option available on request.
Ports Fish and Chips
Beer-battered market fish served with Makikihi Fries, side salad and tartare sauce
Caesar Salad
Crisp cos lettuce tossed with smoky bacon bites, golden croutons, soft poached egg, and shaved parmesan, finished with a creamy anchovy Caesar dressing. Add chicken – $7.00 (GFO)
Seafood Chowder
A rich, creamy medley of Southern Clams, Marlborough mussels, and fresh market fish, infused with dill leaves. Served with chargrilled sourdough ciabatta
NZ Angus Burger
Pure New Zealand angus beef patty (180g), layered with Hellers smoked bacon, a free-range fried egg, crisp lettuce, ripe tomato, beetroot, and caramelised onion. Served in a toasted French Bakery brioche bun with Makikihi Fries
Ports Classic Steak, Egg & Chips
250g of tender sirloin steak, topped with a golden fried egg. Served with Makikihi fries, tomato sauce, and a fresh dressed salad
Bar Menu – Sharing Plates
Available from 5pm. (GF) Gluten free (DF) Dairy free (V) Vegetarian (VG) Vegan (O) option available on request.
Garlic Bread
Truffle infused garlic bread (V)
Warm Marinated Olives
Olives marinated in aromatic herbs, Lot 8 Olive Oil and garlic confit, served with grilled ciabatta (V)
Korean Fried Cauliflower
Sweet and spicy battered cauliflower, sesame seeds, spring onion, pickled cabbage (GFO, VG)
Prawn Twisters
Prawns wrapped in a crispy pastry, served with chipotle mayo
Crispy Salt and Pepper Calamari
Lightly battered calamari, seasoned with cracked pepper and sea salt, served with aioli and lemon
Whitestone Cheese Selection
Dried fruits, nuts, crackers, pear and fig chutney (GFO, V)
Shoestring Fries
Served with freshly grated Grana Padano and aioli (V)
Bar Menu – Pizzas
Available from 5pm. (GF) Gluten free (DF) Dairy free (V) Vegetarian (VG) Vegan (O) option available on request.
Margherita
Crisp stone-baked base topped with rich tomato sauce, creamy mozzarella, and fragrant fresh basil (V)
Spicy Pepperoni
Zesty tomato base, fresh mozzarella, and generous slices of spicy pepperoni. Finished with a hint of chilli
Bar Menu – Desserts
Available from 5pm.
Trio of Sorbet
Mango, passionfruit, and mixed berry. Subject to availability
Affogato
Vanilla bean ice cream, hazelnut praline, espresso, and Amaretto liqueur
Dark Chocolate Mousse
Macerated cherries, honeycomb, cherry gel, and vanilla ice cream
Burnt Basque Cheesecake
Served with berry coulis, pistachio crumb, and chocolate biscotti
24 Hour Room Service Menu
Minestrone Soup
Served with grilled ciabatta
Mac & Cheese
Housemade cheesy macaroni, champagne ham
Butter Chicken Pie
Classic housemade butter chicken pie
Southern Style Cheese Rolls
Two traditional cheese rolls served with butter (V)
Magnum Ice Cream Bar
Home Grown Winter – Whisky Inspired Dishes
As part of our Home Grown story, we’re proud to showcase Laughing Owl whisky. These dishes are available as part of our hotel’s dinner service.
Whisky-Glazed Pork Ribs with Makikihi Fries
Tender pork ribs slow cooked and glazed with Laughing Owl whisky, local honey and warming spices. Finished with garlic aioli and fresh coriander, served alongside crisp South Canterbury Makikihi Fries and a crunchy red cabbage slaw (GFO, DFO)
Traditional Scottish Cranachan with Laughing Owl whisky
A winter classic, toasted oats caramelised in butter and brown, folded through raspberries and whisky infused mascarpone cream. Finished with crunchy golden oats and fresh berries for a rich perfectly balance finish
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+ Log your visitHow prices compare
Against typical prices in Dunedin
- Seafood chowder Typical in Dunedin: $21.00 $28.00
- Garlic bread Typical in Dunedin: $12.00 $16.00
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