The Craic Irish Tavern has looked onto Dunedin's Octagon since 2005, making the city centre itself part of the experience. Inside, an open fire reinforces the warmth expected of an Irish pub, while tables outside give diners a front-row place to watch the square when the weather cooperates. The kitchen serves food throughout the day and the doors open seven days a week, so the tavern works just as naturally for breakfast as it does for a long lunch, an early evening meal or a later drink.
Morning food makes the Irish identity tangible rather than decorative. The full breakfast brings together bacon, sausage, mushrooms, tomato, hash brown and eggs with black pudding and haggis, while corned beef hash offers another hearty start. Baked eggs, hot cakes, omelettes and eggs Benedict broaden the brunch choice for diners who want something less traditional. That range gives the early menu enough substance for a proper meal while keeping familiar cafe-style options within easy reach.
New Zealand seafood sits comfortably beside the pub classics. Local blue cod becomes fish and chips, green-lipped mussels appear as a dish in their own right, and seafood chowder provides a warming bowl for a cooler Dunedin day. An open steak sandwich and salads create lighter or more direct alternatives. This balance between local ingredients and approachable tavern cooking helps the menu feel connected to Otago without losing the straightforward generosity at the heart of the venue.
Later in the day, the kitchen leans into dishes made for appetite and a pint. Irish stew pot pie combines beef and Guinness beneath pastry, while bangers and mash, lamb shank and steak provide equally substantial routes through the evening menu. Guinness and Kilkenny are joined at the bar by New Zealand and international beers, wine, spirits and a dedicated whisky selection. Children's choices make a family meal practical, while the fire, central location and broad drinks list encourage adults to settle in rather than rush the table.
Address: 24 The Octagon, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
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The Craic Menu
Brunch Menu
Toasted Bagel
Served with cream cheese & jam
Toasted Bagel
cream cheese & basil pesto
Corned Beef Hash
Chunky seasoned fried potato, spinach and corned beef topped off with a poached egg & a balsamic tomato gf
Full Irish Breakfast
Bacon, sausage, mushrooms, tomato, hash brown, black pudding & haggis with toast and two eggs either poached, scrambled or fried (excluding black pudding and haggis $32)
Baked Eggs
Homemade baked beans with chickpeas & spinach then topped with two eggs, baked in the oven in an individual casserole dish served with ciabatta bread. Add Black Pudding $6
American Hot Cakes
With bacon & banana OR fresh fruit salad, both served with maple syrup & cream.
Children’s size hot cakes
Fresh Fruit Salad & Muesli
Seasonal fruit salad and natural yoghurt
Bacon and Free-Range Eggs
Your choice of two poached, scrambled, or fried eggs, with a generous serve of bacon, served with ciabatta toast. Add your choice of extras below.
Just eggs on toast
Eggs Benedict
2 poached eggs served on toasted ciabatta with hollandaise sauce or a GF option of two potato and herb hashbrowns (add $5) and your choice of: Wilted Spinach $20 | Bacon $26 | Hot Smoked Salmon $30
3 Egg Omelette
served with toastmade with free range eggs and your choice of 3 fillings: tomato, ham, mushrooms, cheese, spinach, onion. Extra filling $3.00 each accompanied with ciabatta toast and butter (gf on request)
Optional Sides
Homemade Hash Brown
Black Pudding
Tomato (half)
Sausage
Bacon
Spinach
Haggis
Mushrooms
Homemade Baked Beans
Ciabatta toast & butter (2 slices)
Day Menu
Garlic Bread
Breads & Spreads
Selection of fresh & toasted breads with the following dips – hummus, basil pesto, tomato pesto & olive oil and balsamic. (gf add $4)
Antipasto Platter
A selection of chorizo, salami, ham, smoked chicken, mussels, and 3 cheeses with olives, sun dried tomatoes, pickles, nuts, dips & fresh & dried fruit. Served with fresh bread & crostini. Extra person $28
Eggs Benedict
Two poached eggs served on toasted ciabatta with creamy hollandaise sauce or a GF option of two potato & herb hashbrowns (add $5) and your choice of: Wilted Spinach $20 | Bacon $26 | Hot Smoked Salmon $30
Craic Nachos
Corn chips topped with chilli mince, sour cream, melted cheese & a tomato & capsicum salsa (Vegetarian option available) gf
Smoked Chicken & Cranberry Doorstop Sandwich
Smoked chicken, brie, cranberry sauce & aioli & salad sandwiched in an American Rye bread served with fries (add aioli $3) (gf on request)
Fish & Chips
Local Blue Cod, pan fried or beer battered, served with a crisp garden salad & crisp steak fries accompanied by fresh lemon & tartare sauce (gf on request)
Salmon Caesar Salad
Hot smoked salmon on a fresh garden salad served with crostini croutons, feta & topped with a poached egg (smoked chicken option available) (gf on request)
Open Steak Sandwich
Medium rare steak topped with caramelised red onion marmalade & tomato on a toasted panini with crisp steak fries (add aioli $3)
Irish Stew Pot Pie
Ramekin filled with a rich Beef & Guinness stew topped with a puff pastry lid, served with crisp steak fries and your choice of a garden salad or seasonal vegetables.
Soup of The Day
served with toasted ciabatta bread & butter.
Homemade Seafood Chowder
Thick & creamy white wine chowder, with prawns, mussels, calamari & smoked fish, served with fresh bread & butter.
Mussel Pot
Freshly steamed green lipped mussels served in their shells in a white wine, garlic and red onion reduction served with fresh garden salad & toasted ciabatta bread (gf on request)
3 Egg Omelette
made with free range eggs and your choice of 3 fillings: tomato, ham, mushrooms, cheese, spinach, onion. Extra fillings for $2.50 each. Accompanied with ciabatta toast & butter (gf on request)
Corned Beef Hash
Chunky seasoned fried potato, spinach and corned beef topped off with a poached egg and a balsamic tomato. gf
Lamb Shank
Slow cooked lamb shank in a red wine, rosemary, barley, tomato & vegetable broth served with potato mash
Craic Burger
Hearty homemade beef patty layered with crispy bacon, tomato, onion jam, cheese, beetroot, gherkin & lettuce. Jammed between a toasted bun & dressed with aioli & tomato relish. Served with crisp steak fries (add aioli $3)
Thai Beef Salad
Marinated beef strips on a fresh & crisp garden salad topped with crispy noodles & a lime, ginger & coriander dressing (gf on request)
Full Irish All Day Breakfast
Bacon, sausage, mushrooms, tomato, hash brown, black pudding & locally made haggis served with toast & two free range eggs, poached, scrambled or fried (excluding black pudding & haggis $32)
Bangers & Mash
Two hearty, locally made, beef, onion and tomato sausages on creamy mashed potato topped with rich onion gravy and a side of garden peas (add an extra sausage for $5)
Side orders
Crisp Steak Fries for 1
add Aioli $3 or large Aioli $5 add Onion Gravy $4
Steamed seasonal vegetables
Side Salad
Evening Menu – Entrées, Platters and Snacks
Garlic Bread
Salt & Pepper Calamari
Crunchy, deep fried calamari with lemon & aioli
Breads & Spreads
Selection of fresh & toasted breads with the following dips – hummus, basil pesto, tomato pesto & olive oil and balsamic. (gf add $4)
Antipasto Sharing Platter
A selection of chorizo, salami, ham, smoked chicken, mussels, and 3 cheeses with olives, sun dried tomatoes, pickles, nuts, dips & fresh & dried fruit. Served with fresh bread & crostini. Extra person $28
Soup of The Day
served with toasted ciabatta bread & butter.
Homemade Seafood Chowder
Thick & creamy white wine chowder, with prawns, mussels, calamari & smoked fish, served with fresh bread & butter.
Mussel Pot
Freshly steamed green lipped mussels served in their shells in a white wine, garlic and red onion reduction served with fresh garden salad & toasted ciabatta bread (gf on request)
Craic Nachos
Corn chips topped with chilli mince, sour cream, melted cheese & a tomato & capsicum salsa (vegetarian option available) gf
Evening Menu – Mains
300g Beef Rib Eye
Rib eye steak, cooked to your liking, served with garlic butter, crisp steak fries and a garden salad. Add a mushroom sauce $4 or an egg $3 for the perfect steak gf
Lamb Shank
Slow roasted lamb shank in a red wine, rosemary, barley, tomato & vegetable broth on potato mash
Fish & Chips
Local Blue Cod, pan fried or beer battered & served with a fresh garden salad & crisp steak fries, fresh lemon & tartare sauce. (gf on request)
Corned Beef Hash
Chunky seasoned fried potato, spinach and corned beef topped off with a poached egg and a balsamic tomato gf
Thai Beef Salad
Marinated beef strips on a fresh & crisp garden salad topped with crispy noodles & a lime, ginger & coriander dressing. (gf on request)
Banger’s & Mash
Two hearty, locally made, beef, onion and tomato sausages served on creamy mashed potato and topped with rich onion gravy, served with a side of garden peas (add an extra sausage for $5)
Calamari, Fries & Salad
Salt & pepper calamari served with a crisp garden salad, crisp steak fries & aioli
Open Steak Sandwich
Medium rare steak topped with caramelised red onion marmalade & tomato on a toasted panini with crisp steak fries (add aioli $3)
Craic Burger
Hearty homemade beef patty layered with crispy bacon, tomato, onion jam, cheese, gherkin, beetroot & lettuce. Jammed between a toasted bun, dressed with aioli & tomato relish. Served with crisp steak fries (add aioli $3)
Salmon Caesar Salad
Hot smoked salmon on a fresh garden salad served with crostini croutons, feta & topped with a poached egg (smoked chicken option available) (gf on request)
Irish Stew Pot Pie
Ramekin filled with a rich Beef & Guinness stew topped with a puff pastry lid, served with crisp steak fries and your choice of a crisp garden salad or seasonal vegetables
Snack Menu
Breads & Spreads
Selection of fresh & toasted breads with the following dips – hummus, basil pesto, tomato pesto & olive oil and balsamic. (gf add $4)
Wedges to share
Seasoned potato wedges served with sour cream & sweet thai chilli sauce. Add bacon $6 and/or grated cheese $4
Craic Nachos
Corn chips topped with chilli mince, sour cream, melted cheese & a tomato & capsicum salsa (Vegetarian option available) GF
Fries to share
Delicious crispy steak fries served with aioli & tomato sauce. Add extra aioli – small $3 or large $5
Salt and Pepper Calamari
Crunchy deep-fried calamari with aioli
Kids Menu – Breakfast
Bacon & Egg on Toast
1 egg poached or fried with 1 piece of bacon on toast.
American Style Hot Cakes
with bacon & banana or fresh fruit salad both come with maple syrup and cream.
Kids Menu – Lunch & Dinner
Includes a main course, ice cream sundae & small drink $15
Kids platter
Cheese sandwich, yoghurt, raisins, piece of fruit & marshmallows
Fish Bites
Served with fries and tomato sauce
Ice Cream Sundae
2 scoops of vanilla ice cream, sprinkles, wafer & a choice of chocolate or strawberry sauce
Bangers & Mash
Mashed potato & sausage served with tomato sauce or gravy
Mini Nachos
Corn chips topped with chilli mince, sour cream & melted cheese
Beer & Cider
Emerson's 1812 India Pale Ale
Marmalade characters with toffee maltiness, balanced by complex, orange and earth hop notes.
Oranjeboom
An easy-drinking Dutch lager.
Kilkenny
An Irish cream ale from the maker’s of Guinness.
Guiness
The one and only!
Emerson's Pilsner
Citrus and passionfruit aromas with early malt sweetness.
Emerson's Bookbinder
A wonderfully drinkable interpretation of a classic English ale.
Bulmer's Cider
The original Irish Cider.
Wine
Akarua Brut NV
A fresh aperitif style sparkling wine, with a complex Pinot Noir background that leads to a long, creamy finish.
Mionetto Prosecco
Golden apples & white peach with a clean dry finish.
The Maker ‘The Jewel’ Blanc de Blancs Brut NV
Elegant & fresh with exotic fruit characters including grapefruit & a touch of granny smith apple.
Lindauer
Lindauer Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc
The Maker ‘Fleur de lis’
Ripe passion fruit, stonefruit & hints of green capsicum with a sweet, lingering finish.
Jules Taylor
Fresh herbal flavours are layered over ripe tropical fruit & citrus notes.
Ports
Taylors Fine Tawny Port
Mellow nose of ripe berry fruit with aromas of butterscotch, figs & prunes interwoven with nutty & spicy aromas.
Taylors 10YO Port
Smooth & silky on the palate & full of ripe figgy, jammy flavours which persist on the long finish.
Sandeman Ruby Port
Brilliant red ruby in color, with clean aromas of red fruits, plums & strawberries, rich, full flavors & well balanced.
Cocktails
Margarita
Cointreau, Tequila & fresh lime shaken with ice.
Martini
Gin or Vodka & Vermouth shaken with ice.
Creamy Jack
Jack Daniel’s, Kahlua & Frangelico shaken with toffee sauce & milk.
Mojito
Mount Gay Silver Rum combined with fresh lime and mint.
Cosmopolitan
Vodka, Cointreau & cranberry juice.
Pina Colada
Malibu, Mt Gay Silver Rum, pineapple juice and cream.
Daiquiri
Mt Gay Silver Rum muddled with lime or strawberry.
Non Alcoholic
Coffee
Short Black, Long Black, Flat White, Cappuccino, Latte, Chai Latte, Mocha, Americano, Hot Chocolate.
Soft Drinks
Lemonade, Coca Cola, Diet Coke, L&P, Ginger Beer, Red Bull. Soda Water.
Iced Drinks
Iced Chocolate, Iced Coffee, Chai Latte.
Irish Coffee
with a nip of Irish whisky.
Special Coffee
Baileys, Galiano or Kahlua
Juices
Tomato, Orange, Cranberry, Apple, Pineapple.
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+ Log your visitHow prices compare
Against typical prices in Dunedin
- Eggs benedict Typical in Dunedin: $24.00 $20.00
- Seafood chowder Typical in Dunedin: $21.00 $18.00
- Garlic bread Typical in Dunedin: $12.00 $10.00
- Fish and chips Typical in Dunedin: $28.80 $38.00
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