Common Ground Espresso

Cafes key icon. Goods key icon.
Cafes key icon. Goods key icon.

Monday7:00 am – 2:00 pm.

Tuesday7:00 am – 2:00 pm.

Wednesday7:00 am – 2:00 pm.

Thursday7:00 am – 2:00 pm.

Friday7:00 am – 2:00 pm.

Saturday8:30 am – 12:30 pm.

SundayClosed.

Unit 11/4 Strathallan St, South Dunedin, Dunedin

03 455 5918

If you’ve been to a few cafés in Dunedin, by now you’ve likely already tried one or two of Common Ground’s roasts. These folk make it their mission to supply local cafés with the best single-origin beans they can get their hands on. They specialise in small-batch roasts of ‘nothing but quality.’

It was a quick lesson in the craft of roasting after purchasing a 5 kg roaster back in 2014. At that point, Common Ground was roasting around 150 kg of beans per week to supply two cafes. Fast-forward to today, they’ve got three roasters running and their beans can be found in numerous cafes and restaurants from Dunedin to Wānaka to Rakiura Stewart Island. The team is talented, kind, and never complacent, always focused on their core values: a quality product, produced by hand and passed along with excellent service.

Their 'House' roast features hints of citrus, caramel and milk chocolate. As a medium roast, it’s sweet and balanced – the perfect cup of coffee. ‘Grunty’ meanwhile offers toffee, malt and dark chocolate undertones with a smooth finish. ‘Fair Trade Organic’ is versatile and is suitable for any brewing method, with stone-fruit, vanilla and cocoa notes. Decaf beans are also available.

At Common Ground, it’s all about the beans, and this is hugely evident at their Strathallan Street location. Here, café orders are prepared and new beans and roasts are experimented with. They also whip up mean barista beverages at the espresso bar counter. Order your coffee of choice and get a glimpse into the research and development that goes on at this humming roastery. You’ll leave happy, with the taste of an expertly crafted coffee on your tongue, a bag of beans for home and new connections with like-minded people who frequent the place.

Words by Olivia Sisson & Photography by Nancy Zhou & supplied

Information not correct? Report an error

Location

Unit 11/4 Strathallan St, South Dunedin, Dunedin

Nearby Places

Steamer Basin Brewery & Taproom

People sitting outside Steamer Basin having a beer.
Place Dunedin
Bars key icon.

Steamer Basin is hidden, yes. Secret? No. The journey may begin to feel like a wild goose chase, but persevere and you’ll be rewarded with micro-brewing gold.

Princes St Butcher

Jars of pasta sauce and honey on display.
Place Dunedin

A complete foodie destination.

PLATO

A plate of food.
Place Dunedin
Bars key icon. Restaurants key icon.

Hidden under the Otago Peninsula Road overpass you will find PLATO, an eatery that is retro both inside and out.

Vogel St Kitchen

Fish graffiti on the side of Vogel Street Kitchen, Dunedin.
Place Dunedin
Cafes key icon.

Vogel St Kitchen wins people over with its impeccable service, awesome interior and delicious food.

Similar Places

Catalyst

A barista making coffee.
Place Dunedin
Cafes key icon.

Catalyst is all about mindful eating and conscious consuming. Even the name speaks to this mission.

Noisy Brewing Company

Close up of stout coming straight from the beer tank at Noisy Brewing Company, Dunedin.
Place Dunedin
Goods key icon.

Noisy Brewing Co. is a boutique brewing company making waves in the Dunedin beer scene.

tītī

A plate of food.
Place Dunedin
Restaurants key icon.

Offering experiential dining in a way that is exceptionally high quality but also completely approachable.

Potpourri Vegetarian Café

Stained glass window inside.
Place Dunedin
Cafes key icon.

Potpourri serves vegetarian cuisine in a warm and friendly atmosphere.