Sunday - Saturday 07:00 AM - 09:00 PM
About The Press Club
The beautiful historic Wains building is steeped in Dunedin history and links to its literary community. In the 1870’s, as the Southern gold rush hit its stride and the region thrived, the hotel was home to Dunedin’s very first Press Club
– the inspiration for this bar and eatery’s name.
For a time, the eponymous Press Club occupied a suite in the hotel, where editors and reporters from local newspapers set up a library and would often meet. The poet Thomas Bracken was among their members; an esteemed free thinker who penned New Zealand’s national anthem.
Yellow beams that darted
from the sinking King of Day
And bathed in a yellow flood
Dunedin from the Bay.
Availability
Thank you for a wonderful evening which you made very special. A top restaurant and a top team.
First time at the Press Club and we will be back!
It was such a treat and so lovely to have the option of a vegan and gluten free High Tea at no extra cost. It was beautifully presented, absolutely delicious with great service. My friend and I loved it!
High Tea was good as a one off but would probably go for something else next time. Restaurant is beautifully decorated and would have more atmosphere when its full.
Amazing food and service - thank you!
Wow what an amazing experience. The High Tea exceeded all expectations. The food was delicious and the service was 5 star. The staff were extremely attentive, professional and friendly. Will be recommending to everyone and have already rebooked for my mums 80th birthday.
Attentive service. Staff really tried to make it special. Thanks. Would prefer to have fewer sandwiches and with finer slices of bread. Maybe a couple amuse-bouche instead? Finer crockery would be more appealing and renewing the plates and cutlery midway would also be appropriate. Loads of potential- hope it continues.
Felt there wasn’t much love in this restaurant.. The restaurant was over air-conditioned and chilly. Our oysters had to go back as they weren’t fresh and the food was just ok. There were items on the wine list unavailable. We were expecting it to be fabulous, but it just felt like they were going through the motions. Such a shame, potential to be amazing.
Fabulous food. Very helpful, well informed, friendly staff with expert knowledge of food and wine. Thoroughly enjoyed my evening. Although dining alone my fellow diners were inclusive as we discussed the excellent food and compared dishes.
Young waiter was adorable but basically untrained. Bread was nice. Mains were an undercooked cauliflower and the wild fallow, which came on a cold plate with cold sauce so was luke warm at best. Tasty enough though it was. Add to that a table barely screwed into its base and it was all pretty tragic. Gorgeous space though.
Great service and the meal was excellent. We will need to go back and try some of the other items on the menu. Will be back.
Sorry but probably won't return. Atmosphere was not relaxing. Staff constantly lingering near table. Asked for gluten free specifically but entree came out not gluten free. Main of filet steak arrived luke warm. Asked for this to be warmed up. Arrived back slightly warmer but not much. Didn't bother with dessert as disappointed in first two courses. My husband and I eat out a lot and not impressed. Such a shame as we were looking forward to trying somewhere new
Delicious food the scotch fillet was amazing great staff very attentive service from John who looked after us . Love the decor & atmosphere great night will be back.
A beautiful atmosphere, great food, excellent service - we will definitely return to your restaurant. Thank you.
Great atmosphere
I have given 5 stars for 'value for money' even though I didn't have to pay because I won the Facebook competition for the High Tea. I worked at Wains Hotel in 1965 and the refurbishment of the ground floor area is first class. My friend and I had the most amazing High Tea and we would highly recommend the experience to anyone wanting to celebrate a special occasion. Bev Smith Mosgiel
Beautiful, almost to many sweets but grateful to be provided with a box to take them home
Really nice experience and accommodating to allergies. Good for a special occasion!
We went to the Press Club for my daughter’s birthday on 13 March 2021...it was amazing beautiful surroundings, service and food. We would highly recommend High Tea for a special occasion.
Wonderful atmosphere for first dinner visit. Appreciated the complementary snacks with pre dinner drink. Georgia our waitress was excellent.
Fantastic service and amazing food! Would highly recommend and I will definitely be back.
We had a lovely High Tea this afternoon. Thank you very much.
Lovely staff & delicious food, thank you!
Great service and exceptional food.
A wonderful evening made special by Chef coming out to talk to us and concierge showing us around hotel and being able to tell us all about the restoration. A wonderful asset to Dunedin.