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The Best Brunch in Dunedin: 9 Cafés to Try (2026)

A plate of brunch on a table at Buster Greens.
Story Dunedin
Brunch combines two daily meals, which means it’s got to be doubly good. These Dunedin cafés and restaurants do it best with a range of classic dishes, modern takes and plant-based options that all hinge on supreme quality and taste.

48 Hours Dunedin

The warm interior of Piccolo.
Story Dunedin
Dunedin has long been pegged as a student town with a bit of something extra. It's got good bones: Victorian, Edwardian and Gothic Revival bones, to be precise. But for many, it's never really commanded the pedigree of a go-to domestic destination. Well, give Ōtepoti a weekend and you'll be spreading the good word of the south: where dynamite food and drink and storybook specialty shops are within minutes of wild beaches and rare wildlife. Here's how to spend 48 hours in Dunedin with intention.

Where to Find the Best Sweet Treats in Dunedin

Hands holding a cone.
Story Dunedin

A guide to Dunedin's finest sugar fixes, from small-batch scoops and delightful pastries to a dessert bar where the gelato comes with a kick.

Where to Find the Cosiest Cocktails This Winter

A man making a cocktail.
Story Auckland

From speakeasy hideaways to heritage hotel bars, here are the cosiest cocktail spots to crowd into this winter across Aotearoa New Zealand. Settle in by the fire, slip downstairs into a low-lit nook, or perch at the bar while the rain does its thing outside.

One of the Locals: Your Insider’s Guide to Ōtepoti Dunedin

Patrons being served at Steamer Basin.
Story Dunedin

For those visiting Ōtepoti Dunedin for the first time, there are certain castles, coastal adventures, and crazy steep streets that you simply can’t skip on your travels. However, once you’ve ticked off the city’s top sights, the rest of your visit should be dedicated to experiencing Dunedin through a local lens.

ICYMI: New and Neat Openings Across Aotearoa

Someone putting Slice sandwich board sign outside shop
Story Auckland

There’s nothing that puts a pep in our step like news of a new opening in the local hospo and retail scene. With so many places popping up, it can be a full-time job keeping up to date with the latest arrivals in your neighbourhood. Don’t worry, we've done all the work for you, so next time you feel like going somewhere new, you know where to turn to.

Taste of Dunedin: A Food Lover’s Guide to the City

Rows of pastries at Big Lizard one of the must visit foodie spots in Dunedin.
Story Dunedin

Ōtepoti Dunedin is home to a flourishing culinary landscape, with foodies from near and far devouring what they’re putting down on the table. Surrounded by a region of thriving fruit orchards, famous vineyards, premium meat, organic vegetables, and fresh seafood, is it any wonder the city’s cafes and restaurants are having a field day in the kitchen?

The Finest Guide to Exploring Te Aka Ōtākou Otago Harbour Trail

Three people biking on a bike trail over water.
Story Dunedin

One of the newest cycle trails to hit New Zealand Aotearoa is the Te Aka Ōtākou in Dunedin. This stunning 30+ km trail circumnavigates its way around the inner Otago Harbour from Port Chalmers to Portobello with a standout 10-minute scenic ferry service to cross the Harbour.

48 Hours Port Chalmers

The sun setting over Port Chalmers.
Story Dunedin
What is it about port towns that’s so alluring? Is it the constant motion against the dramatic landscape; the people, a potpourri of creatives, earthy lifestylers with owner-operated businesses and salty locals; or a combination of it all? Whatever it is, Dunedin's Port Chalmers has it in spades.

New Zealand’s Top Hotels For Unforgettable Staycations

A massive red 'HOTEL' sign on a wall.
Story Auckland

Forget the stale hotel stereotypes; New Zealand's staycation scene is flourishing with bold character and unrivalled charm.

Dunedin's Best Accommodation - Where to stay no matter your style or budget

A well made bed.
Story Dunedin

 One of the most important considerations of any trip is where to stay.  Luckily, the options for accommodation in Dunedin are numerous.

A Guide to Dunedin Fashion and One of a Kind Pieces

Clothing on display on racks inside Company Store Dunedin.
Story Dunedin
Here’s our guide to finding the famous and more fringe Dunedin fashion stores.

7 Urban Hotels Worth Travelling For

A colourful bedroom inside The Intrepid Hotel in Wellington.
Story Auckland
In the UK, the term ‘city-break’ is frequently used to describe a weekend away visiting the European city of the moment, exploring everything on offer and most often staying in boutique accommodation. Now, we may be thousands of miles away from being able to achieve a casual few days in a European city, but here in New Zealand, we are spoiled for choice when it comes to urban hotels that are worth travelling around the country for.

7 South Island Road Trips to Add to Your Bucket List

A view of Punakaiki on a sunny day.
Story Christchurch & Canterbury

Fill up the tank; a South Island road trip adventure awaits.

Stock Up On Vinyl At The 8 Best Record Stores In New Zealand

Interior of record store.
Story Auckland

Give Spotify a rest and throw your money behind local artists and record retailers.

Score The Inside Scoop On New Zealand’s Best Ice Cream And Gelato Spots

Two ice creams in holder at Utopia Ice, Christchurch.
Story Auckland
Licking back an ice cream on a sweltering hot day is a Kiwi pastime we all know and love. As far as summer favourites go, it's up there with long balmy nights, beach days and sausage sizzles. Whether your vice is hokey pokey, mint choc chip or cookies and cream, the list goes on.  So it's only fair we save you the hassle of scouting out the best spots to pick up a scoop (or three) when the temperature rises. From North to South, these are the best ice cream and gelato shops in New Zealand.

A Day Guide to Dunedin Arts and Architecture

Buildings in the Warehouse Precinct in Dunedin.
Story Dunedin
Dunedin is rich in history and culture. It’s a place where creativity is abundant and old and new are celebrated, with both impressive and iconic architectural designs and quirky modern gems dotted throughout the city.

8 of the Best Dunedin Walks and Where to Treat Yourself Afterwards

Canoe Beach in Dunedin on a sunny day.
Story Dunedin
Dunedin was designed for adventure. And not only is it beautiful, but it’s also home to some of the tastiest brews and bites in the country.

A Beer Lover's Guide to Eating and Drinking in Dunedin

A group of people sat around a table drinking beer at Steamer Basin, Dunedin.
Story Dunedin

Home to the oldest beer in the country, the Dunedin brewing scene is buzzing.

12 Hours Dunedin

The Dunedin Railway Station.
Story Dunedin

Dunedin, which is Celtic for Edinburgh, is the fifth largest city in the world in terms of geographical size. Home to the University of Otago, the only breeding colony of Northern Royal Albatross, the steepest street in the world, the only authentic Chinese garden in the Southern Hemisphere, the first public art gallery in the country, and more, ‘Dunners’ is a spectacular city. With friendly people and food and drink that showcases the very best of what the bountiful region has to offer, you'll find yourself wishing you had more time. 

Why McKinlay Shoes Have Stood the Test of Time

A photo of Graeme McKinlay smiling.
Story Dunedin
Lots of Kiwis grew up wearing McKinlays shoes to school and many now take their children and grandchildren in for new pairs as they grow. The business has been operating in Dunedin since 1879.

This Local Fashion Designer Is Taking Dunedin by Storm

A photo of Sara Munro in Company of Strangers.
Story Dunedin
Designer and local, Sara Munro, built her Company of Strangers brand on a strong ethos, bright colours, and bold designs in Dunedin.

How Bruce Mahalski Brought Dunedin's Museum of Natural Mystery to Life

Bruce Mahalski wearing a skull on his head.
Story Dunedin
A museum unlike any other, Dunedin's Museum of Natural Mystery is local artist Bruce Mahalski’s greatest work.

Moray Place

People milling about on Moray Place in Dunedin.
Neighbourhood Dunedin
A forward-thinking early surveyor left the central part of Dunedin bare of buildings, making Moray Place a favourite spot to meet up with friends, have lunch in the sun, or simply soak up the Dunedin culture. A fire station built in the 1890s was moved from Moray Place 14 years after completion due to disgruntled residents being woken up by noisy trucks. Now Moray Place is a popular spot to dance the night away, and it's likely the sound of students partying that keeps neighbours up to the early hours.

Cocoa Dreamer

Liz Rowe of Otago Chocolate Company.
Story Dunedin
A passionate maker of chocolate ever since she was taught the craft by a man in Ecuador, Liz Rowe now supplies stockists up and down the country, with each bar privy to the ethos that means it can be traced right back to the very farmer co-operative where it started its life as a cocoa bean.

A Guide to New Zealand's Coffee Roasters

A coffee on a table.
Story Auckland
Not all coffee is created equal, so in our guide to New Zealand’s coffee roasters, we pay homage to those roasting, brewing, and serving it the best. You’ll find micro-roasters rubbing shoulders with the country’s biggest producers.