Dune: The Perfect Place to Brunch

This article has kindly been sponsored by Dune.

Stepping into Dune on North Street, you’d be forgiven for thinking that you have just entered an old-money sailing cottage, with its blue nautical-chic interiors transporting you far from the mediaeval surroundings of some of St Andrews’ oldest buildings. The upstairs restaurant area provides an iconic view of St Salvator’s Chapel, and the sunshine outside completes the feeling of sitting on a seaside harbour — only without the fishy smell.

The brunch menu boasts a range of mouthwatering (if slightly unconventional) options, such as ‘Kimchi Benedict’ and ‘Octopus Hotdog’— not your usual mundane stack of pancakes! Living up to the title of Waffles and Waves, three waffle dishes are also available, savoury or sweet. I have always had an impression of Dune as an expensive restaurant (likely due to the gorgeous location and décor), reserved for family visits and special occasions. However, as an avid brunch fan, the menu was very student-friendly, with most of the dishes costing less than £10.

If you want your brunch to be on the boozier side, the cocktail list is also one of the most affordable I’ve seen in my time in St Andrews. All cocktails cost under £10, and a Bloody Mary (with your choice of spirit) is only £6! Unfortunately, with work to finish in the afternoon, we instead opted for lattes, which were delicious. For food, we chose Dune’s most iconic dish — their lobster roll, accompanied by steak and eggs, a perfect balance of breakfast and lunch.  My steak was cooked to a lovely medium-rare with a wonderfully runny fried egg, and my partner’s roll was full to the brim with fresh lobster in a creamy chive sauce. Despite how busy the restaurant was, we weren’t waiting long for either our coffees or our food, and it all felt very fresh, with an admirable degree of artistry in its presentation.

Service is fundamental to any great restaurant experience, and Dune’s was certainly excellent. As students in St Andrews, it can often feel as though you’re being rushed through a meal, once the staff realise that, given your student status, you likely won’t be spending tons. At Dune, we didn’t feel like that at all — the multiple staff members that served us and the tables surrounding us were cheerful and attentive, as well as happy to chat. Mistakes and misunderstandings are impossible to avoid in the service industry, but the tact with which they are dealt with says a lot about the level of care that an establishment has for both its staff and guests.  

My academic fiancée and I were able to have a tasty wedding-planning brunch in a cosy spot, and not once did we feel rushed or ignored, which made all the difference. It was the food and its quality, however, that was the standout part of Dune, offering a unique blend of flavours and culinary skills. 

Come next weekend, whether you’re feeling peckish for great food, wanting to try something new, or simply in search of a fun meal out with friends, I would strongly recommend choosing Dune for your next Sunday brunch — boozy or not!