Esplanade Restaurant

About Esplanade Restaurant

Esplanade is a vibrant pizza, wine, and cocktail restaurant located right on the beach in St Clair, Dunedin. From the team behind No7 Balmac, Piccolo Bar, and Sorella Gelato comes this Italian-inspired venue that combines wood-oven cooking, craft cocktails, and a carefully curated wine program featuring New Zealand producers alongside Italian classics. The restaurant opens early (8am) with a full breakfast menu spanning from simple toasted ciabatta to more elaborate dishes like French toast brioche and the signature Esplanade breakfast featuring sage-fried eggs, prosciutto, roast tomato, and pork & fennel sausage. The lunch and dinner menus showcase wood-fired pizzas—both traditional red pizzas and innovative white pizzas—alongside house-made pasta dishes, risotto, and Italian antipasti. The cocktail menu features house-designed drinks like the Spicy Margarita and Limoncello Mezcalita, while the wine list emphasizes regional New Zealand selections alongside curated European options. The venue also offers private dining space, online reservation capability, and takeout ordering. A commitment to sustainability is evident throughout—straws are only provided upon request. Menus are updated weekly to reflect seasonal availability.

Esplanade Dunedin: Italian Wood-Fired Pizza, Cocktails & Wine on the Beach

Beach Dining in St Clair

Esplanade sits directly on the sand at St Clair, one of Dunedin's most picturesque seaside neighbourhoods. This location isn't incidental—it's central to the restaurant's identity. Diners can enjoy pizza and wine with the Tasman Sea as backdrop, the kind of setting that transforms a meal from good to memorable. From the team behind the well-regarded No7 Balmac, Piccolo Bar, and Sorella Gelato, Esplanade represents a natural evolution: wood-fired pizza, quality cocktails, and wine done well.

Wood-Oven Pizza & House-Made Pasta

The menu reflects Italian tradition filtered through a modern lens and seasonal NZ ingredients. Wood-fired pizzas anchor the offering—both traditional red pizzas (Margherita, Napoletana, Prosciutto) and creative white variations (Salsiccia with truffle oil, Vesuviana with spicy nduja). The kitchen also offers house-made pastas: pappardelle with braised lamb shoulder, risotto with butternut and walnut, ravioli with spinach and sage butter, and chitarra featuring clams, prawns, and saffron.

The attention to ingredient quality is consistent. Antipasti plates showcase cured meats, cheese, and seasonal vegetables. The wood-oven gets used beyond pizza—roasted mushrooms, baked cheese, roasted beetroot salads. Even the sides feel considered: French fries with garlic and parsley, insalata rucola with pear and pecorino.

Cocktails & Wine Worth Exploring

The cocktail list shows real craft. The Spicy Margarita combines tequila, triple sec, lime, agave, and chilli. The Limoncello Mezcalita brings together limoncello, mezcal, and cointreau. These aren't afterthoughts—they're part of the reason to visit.

The wine program emphasizes New Zealand producers: Central Otago Pinot Noir, Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, Gisborne Chardonnay. But the list also includes Italian options (Chianti, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo) and selections from further afield. Whether you want something by the glass or exploring a bottle, the range accommodates both casual dining and serious drinking.

Open Early, Sustainable Practices

Esplanade opens at 8am, unusual for a pizza restaurant, with a full breakfast menu. French toast brioche, smashed avocado, the Esplanade breakfast (sage-fried eggs, prosciutto, roast tomato, sausage)—these show the kitchen's range. Menus update weekly to reflect what's seasonal and available.

Small details suggest values. Straws are only provided on request—the restaurant explains why when asked. Private dining spaces accommodate groups. Online reservations make booking seamless. Gift vouchers are available for those wanting to share the experience. Takeout ordering means you can enjoy Esplanade's food at home.

Signature items

• Wood-Fired Pizza
• Pappardelle Lamb
• Cocktail Programme
• Wine Selection
• Breakfast Menu
• Beachfront Location

Menu

Bread

• Bread Basket — Mixed fresh bread selection
• Pizza Bread Garlic — With garlic and rosemary
• Pizza Bread Tomato — With tomato, oregano, garlic

Pasta

• Gnocchi — Osso buco ragu, red wine, tomato, parmigiano (dairy-free option)
• Lasagne — Beef and pork ragu
• Pappardelle — Braised lamb shoulder, mushroom, parmigiano (gluten-free option)
• Risotto — Butternut, parmigiano, walnut (gluten-free, dairy-free options)
• Ravioli — Spinach, ricotta, sage butter
• Chitarra — Clams, prawns, saffron, garlic, chilli, white wine (gluten-free, dairy-free)

Sides

• French Fries — Garlic, parsley (gluten-free)
• Aioli — House-made garlic aioli
• Green Leaves — Fresh salad greens (gluten-free)
• Wood-Oven Beetroot Salad — Mozzarella, green leaves, bacon, balsamic (gluten-free)
• Insalata Rucola — Rocket, pear, pecorino, walnut (gluten-free)
• Ciabatta & Focaccia — Side bread

Desserts

• Brulee Lemon Tart — Vanilla cream, roasted pear
• Caramel Creme Pot — Butterscotch sauce, crème fraîche
• Tiramisu — Classic Italian dessert
• Flourless Chocolate Torte — Orange, hazelnut (gluten-free)
• Date & Ginger Pudding — Caramel, vanilla bean gelato
• Affogato — Vanilla gelato, shot of espresso
• Pecorino Cheese — With honey (gluten-free option)
• Gorgonzola Cheese — With pear (gluten-free option)

Antipasti

• Antipasto Carne — Cured meats, cheese, olives, giardiniera, pesto, ciabatta
• Olives & Grissini — Marinated olives with breadsticks
• Arancini — Pea, saffron, mozzarella, tomato sauce
• Formaggi al Forno — Wood-oven baked cheese, truffle oil, ciabatta
• Zuppa di Pesce del Pescatore — Fisherman's soup, toasted ciabatta (gluten-free option)
• Clams — Garlic, white wine (gluten-free option)
• Fritto di Mare — Fried calamari, fish, gremolata
• Bruschetta — Roast mushroom, truffle oil
• Crisp Calzone — Prosciutto cotto, ricotta, basil pesto
• Pork & Beef Meatballs — Tomato sauce (gluten-free, dairy-free)
• Crocchette — Besciamella, salami, parmigiana, peperonata

Breakfast

• Toasted Ciabatta — With jam
• Granola — Seasonal fruit, yoghurt, honey
• French Toast Brioche — Mascarpone, roast pear, vanilla syrup
• Crisp Fried Calzone — Prosciutto cotto, ricotta, basil pesto
• Funghi al Forno — Roast mushrooms, crispy polenta, ricotta, poached egg, salsa verde (gluten-free)
• Esplanade Breakfast — Sage-fried eggs, prosciutto, roast tomato, pork & fennel sausage, ciabatta (gluten-free option)
• Buongiorno — Poached eggs, bacon, roast tomato, basil mayo, ciabatta (gluten-free option)
• Smashed Avocado — Avocado, ricotta, preserved lemon, chilli, basil (dairy-free, gluten-free options)
• Pork & Beef Ragu — Toast, parmigiano
• Free Range Eggs — Poached or fried, ciabatta
• Panino Toastie Prosciutto — Prosciutto, piccanti salami, pesto, mozzarella
• Panino Toastie Vegetarian — Tomato, mozzarella, pesto
• French Fries — Garlic, parsley

Cocktails

• Spicy Margarita — Tequila, triple sec, lime, agave, chilli, basil
• Negroni — Campari, cinzano rosso, lighthouse gin
• Limoncello Mezcalita — Limoncello, mezcal, cointreau, thyme, lemon
• Hugo Spritz — Prosecco, elderflower, lemon, mint, soda
• Italicus Sours — Italicus, gin, lemon
• Spritz — Aperol or Campari with prosecco & soda

Pizza - Red

• Piccanti — Tomato, mozzarella, spicy salami
• Prosciutto — Tomato, mozzarella, crudo di parma, rucola
• Capricciosa — Mozzarella, mushroom, artichoke, ham, olive
• Pancetta — Cured bacon, scamorza, tomato, caramelised onion
• Napoletana — Tomato, mozzarella, anchovy, caper
• Pescatora — Calamari, mussels, prawns, garlic, chilli, tomato, mozzarella
• Margherita — Mozzarella, tomato, basil oil
• Inverno — Kumara, broccolini, olives, garlic, lemon, tomato, vegan mozzarella

Pizza - White

• Padrino — Sicilian pesto, pancetta, ricotta, pistachio, mozzarella
• Salsiccia — Pork & fennel sausage, mushroom, truffle oil, mozzarella
• Vesuviana — Spicy pork nduja, cavolo nero, sundried tomato, straciatella
• Porchetta — Pork belly, thyme, fennel, garlic, olives, potato, mozzarella
• Misto Formaggi — Gorgonzola, mozzarella, provolone, scamorza
• Patata — Potato, rosemary, caramelised onion, mozzarella, parmigiano

Wine & Drinks

• Sparkling Wines — Prosecco, methode traditionelle, imported options
• New Zealand Whites — Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Riesling
• New Zealand Reds — Pinot Noir, Shiraz, Italian-style reds
• Craft Beers — Tap and bottled selection including local breweries
• Spirits — Full bar including gin, vodka, tequila, rum, bourbon, whiskey
• Non-Alcoholic Options — Spirit-free cocktails, non-alcoholic beers, soft drinks

Frequently asked questions

Where are you located?

2 Esplanade, St Clair, Dunedin. We're right on the beach in St Clair, a suburb of Dunedin on the Otago Peninsula. Easy parking available nearby.

What are your opening hours?

8am to late, seven days a week. Monday to Thursday 8am–9pm, Friday to Sunday 8am–9:30pm. Menus are updated weekly.

Can I make a reservation?

Yes. Book online at www.esplanade.co or call +64 3 456 2544 for more information. We also take walk-ins subject to availability.

Do you have private dining or function space?

Yes. We have a private room available for groups and events. Email us for details or call +64 3 456 2544.

Do you serve takeout or delivery?

Yes. Order takeout online at www.meandu.app/esplanade/pickup or call for details. We also offer gift vouchers delivered by email.

Do you accommodate dietary requirements and allergies?

Absolutely. Our menus mark vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free options throughout. Please let us know about any allergies or preferences—we'll do our best to cater for you.

What's special about your wine and cocktails?

Our cocktails are house-designed, featuring quality spirits and fresh ingredients. The wine list emphasizes NZ producers alongside Italian and international selections. Ask our team for recommendations—they know the list well.

Tips

• {"body":"Beachfront location makes this a popular spot. Weekday lunch and late dinner (after 8pm) tend to be quieter than dinner rushes.","title":"Arrive early or late to beat the crowds"}
• {"body":"The heart of the menu. Order both a red pizza (Margherita, Prosciutto, Napoletana) and a white pizza (Salsiccia, Vesuviana) to experience the range.","title":"Try the wood-oven pizza"}
• {"body":"The wine selection is thoughtful and ranges from approachable to serious. Ask your server for NZ recommendations or something by the glass.","title":"Explore the wine list with staff help"}
• {"body":"8am opening means you can experience the full breakfast menu before lunch—French toast, smashed avocado, the Esplanade breakfast are standouts.","title":"Come early for breakfast"}
• {"body":"If you're planning a group meal or celebration, Esplanade has private space. Call ahead to arrange—the setting is special.","title":"Book a private room for groups"}

Good to know

• {"wine":"Curated NZ and international selection, emphasis on regional producers","menus":"Updated weekly to reflect seasonal availability—ask what's fresh","booking":"Online reservations recommended for weekends, walk-ins welcome","parking":"Available nearby on street","takeout":"Available through online ordering or by phone","location":"Beachfront in St Clair, Dunedin—stunning seaside views from the restaurant","wood_oven":"Pizzas and many other dishes cooked in traditional wood-fired oven","sustainability":"Straws only on request—environmental commitment throughout"}