OUR HISTORY

The Very Beginning

The story starts with The Bon Cafe, opened by Mr. Peter Dalessi. After selling it, he launched an identical restaurant just two doors down, naming it The BEST Cafe. These twin establishments thrived side by side for years.

The BEST Cafe featured a dining room serving hearty meals for working men, flanked by a milk bar and a fresh fish shop. In the early 1930s, Patrick Collins moved from Invercargill to Dunedin with his wife Delia and their six children, purchasing The BEST Cafe as their family business.
After returning from WWII, Patrick’s eldest son, Kevin, joined the family business and took over in the 1950s when Patrick retired.

The Conversion

Kevin transformed the business into the seafood specialist restaurant it is today. He converted the milk bar into a fish and chip takeaway shop and focused on seafood dishes in the restaurant. It remained a family affair, with his wife Frances and her mother Nessie O’Rorke managing the waitressing services. Their children worked part-time and during holidays, and in 1976, their son Tony joined full-time.

In 1977, the takeaway shop was closed to concentrate on the restaurant, which was modernized in the 70s style. Kevin and Frances retired in 1986 after forty years in the business, selling The BEST Cafe to Mabel McCormick, who continued its beloved traditions.

The business always had its own fish filleting and oyster opening room, a smokehouse, and a potato chipping area. Local fisheries staff often received parcels of cooked oysters for afternoon tea, ensuring the freshest fish was always set aside for The BEST. The potato expert at Lovell Reilly was also well-befriended to secure the best chipping potatoes.

Rugby Days

During the big rugby days of the 50s, 60s, and 70s, fans from Southland, North Otago, Central Otago, and Canterbury would swarm into The BEST Cafe for a meal before heading to Carisbrook. Rugby days were huge for business.

The Law Courts

The BEST Cafe always had regular patrons from the courtroom across the road. On trial days, it wasn’t unusual to see the judge, jury, and lawyers from both sides enjoying lunch at separate tables, with a policeman ensuring the jurors stayed apart.

Wool Sale

Generations of farmers chose The BEST Cafe for lunch when they came to town for the wool sale. Kevin and Frances often remarked on serving men who had first visited with their grandfathers.

Celebrities

The BEST Cafe was a favorite of Mr. Joe Brown, Dunedin’s “Mr. Entertainment” in the 60s and 70s. He brought celebrities like Howard Morrison, Eddie Low, John Hore, and the Irish Rovers to The BEST for lunch. It was the place to see the stars, though sadly, the list didn’t include the Beatles or the Stones.

Big Business

From the 50s to the 80s, Dunedin was home to many national businesses, and The BEST Cafe was a popular spot for management to bring out-of-town colleagues for lunch.

Today

Maintaining the essence of a cherished dining experience is paramount for two long-time friends who now proudly own Dunedin’s BEST Cafe. Greg Hay and Andy Brinsley, who have been friends since their university days, were regular patrons of the cafe during their student years.

Mr. Brinsley had known for months that the cafe was up for sale but had no plans to buy it.
However, a chance dinner conversation with Mr. Hay rekindled their fond memories of the place, leading them to purchase their beloved hangout jointly.

Mr. Hay emphasized that The BEST Cafe is a significant part of Dunedin’s culinary heritage, and preserving its legacy is essential.
They plan to act as guardians of the cafe, ensuring that its treasured traditions remain intact.