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

It all started with Augustines of Central, a range of preserves, jams and chutneys that celebrate the superior fruits of Central Otago. In more recent years, Gus Hayden and Jana Reulecke moved from Wānaka to Portobello and established a permanent base for the Augustines brand, surrounded by the beauty of the Otago Peninsula. Together they have built a farm, cafe and family home, where they grow most of their produce, from tart rhubarb to fresh blackcurrants and heritage apples. The kitchen is open from Friday to Sunday, inviting guests to explore the land, taste the latest preserves fresh from the source, and enjoy seasonal dishes. There are 5-6 dishes on the menu for breakfast, brunch and lunch, alongside ready-to-eat sandwiches and delicious cakes and pastries topped with beautiful fruits. Note: Fridays are locals day with walk-ins welcome, but it’s recommended to book a table on weekends as space is limited to 20 guests.

Not to be dramatic, but when Side On announced its closure, it may as well have been a day of mourning for Ōtepoti bread lovers. Thankfully, they weren’t left grieving for long as owners Renee Hope and Alan Baxter announced their new venture: Big Lizard. With an extroverted lime green entranceway and a colourful checkerboard floor, this place became an instant icon. Unlike its previous cafe, Big Lizard offers takeaway only, but the menu concept is familiar to Side On fans and – praise be – carb-forward. From 8-10am (or sold out) there’s sweet and savoury baked goods, breakfast focaccia and potato rolls to accompany your coffee. From then on, it’s all about the filled baguettes, sourdough toasties and other heavenly things between two slices of bread. Gluten-free? You can swap focaccia for herbed brown rice on a couple of the sandwiches.

Patti’s & Cream started out from the window of a food truck, lovingly known as Betty, and quickly established a huge local following. After six years of service, Betty retired in May 2024. Luckily, there were no calls for tears as Patti’s & Cream opened both a permanent ice cream shop in Mornington and an American-inspired diner on George Street. The Scoop Shop offers a specialty range of ice cream flavours – ranging from classic to nostalgic to wonderfully wacky – available in a handmade waffle cone or a take-home tub. The novelty ice cream tacos should not be overlooked either. Back in the city centre, the diner is the place for juicy LA-style burgers on pillowy milk buns, fried chicken, and a slice of apple pie. Swing by on weekends for a breakfast dominated by pancakes every which way.

Located within an intimate and inviting space in Ōtepoti’s historic Warehouse Precinct, Moiety offers a memorable multi-course culinary experience without the fine dining status. Sam and Kim opened this small owner-operator restaurant in 2018, and have continued to cultivate a casual and approachable atmosphere for guests to enjoy delicious, interesting and ever-changing dishes guided by local produce. The menu is short and sweet, with a simple line-up of snacks to enjoy between friends with a local wine – or to tide you over before settling into the five-course feast. Moiety has held onto its Cuisine Hat since 2019 – and we expect it won’t be going anywhere.

Perched on top of Māori Hill, No.7 is quite the success story in Dunedin’s food scene. Since opening in 2009, this beloved neighbourhood restaurant has rightfully earned itself a reputation for championing high-quality, locally sourced ingredients. An onsite garden of fruit, vegetables and herbs keeps the kitchen well-stocked, with free-range and organic produce from local growers and farmers filling in the gaps. Open daily for breakfast until dinner, the menu blends classic favourites with a modern playfulness that has kept guests interested for well over a decade. Whether you’re in search of coffee and a baked treat or a special dinner out, head for the hills.

An exciting departure from typical New Zealand fare, ADJØ is a cosy cafe and eatery on George Street, introducing visitors to the wonders of Nordic inspired cuisine and culture. Owner-operator Jonas first opened ADJØ in the North East Valley in 2019, before making the shift into the city a few years later. Expect comforting and delicious dishes that are an ode to Jonas’ home in Denmark, with everything made in-house using locally supplied produce. A dedicated porridge menu is anything but boring, sardines are served on housemade rye bread, and “boller met ost” – a bread bun with cheese – will have you mystified by its delicious simplicity. The drinks list is just as thrilling. Beyond your standard coffee there’s a range of creative caffeinated brews, hot apple gløgg (add rum if you wish), beer and wine, cocktails and more.

A proud Dunedin institution since 1932, Best Café is the place to go for your fix of seafood with a complimentary trip down memory lane for those who studied in these parts. Fuss-free and perfectly happy to stick in the previous century as far as interiors go, Best puts all its focus on serving the tastiest and freshest seafood presented in the form of classic Kiwi dishes we’ll never fall out of love with. There’s fish finger sandwiches, Bluff oysters, fish sarnies, prawn cocktails, a bottomless supply of free bread and butter, and – obviously – really good fish and chips.

In amongst the action of central Dunedin, The Corner Store is a welcome refuge for those seeking good organic fair-trade coffee brewed by friendly baristas, a leisurely weekend brunch or a wholesome lunch on the go. The all-day brunch menu is a hit, full of hearty favourites, from simple free-range eggs on toast to smoked ham hock and potato hash served with peas and a fried egg. Plus, there’s an abundance of gluten-free and veggie options in the mix. Nearby workers are treated to a delicious cabinet of baked goods, fresh focaccia sandwiches, pies, and interesting salads to carry them through the day. The Corner Store’s clean and contemporary fit-out creates a relaxed atmosphere, with stained-glass windows, high ceilings and other original features shining through.

Every Saturday since 2003, the carpark of the famous Dunedin Railway Station has transformed into the Otago Farmers Market, playing host to the passionate growers, farmers, and artisan producers of the wider Otago Region. Staying true to the original purpose of a farmers market, this one is solely food-focused, offering fresh produce to take home as well as boutique food trucks and coffee stalls keeping you very well fed throughout the morning. In peak season, the market features up to 65 vendors, selling everything from fresh fruit and free-range eggs, sourdough bread and Syrian street food, baked treats and bacon butties, crepes and cheese… the list goes on. Balmy or bitter weather, the show goes ahead every week 8am-12.30pm (no doubt with hardy Southerners sporting shorts in every season).