Set on lush farmland surrounded by the natural beauty of the Otago Peninsula, Augustines of Portobello is an idyllic culinary retreat just 25 minutes from Dunedin’s city centre.
It all started with Augustines of Central, a range of award-winning preserves, jams, and chutneys handmade by Gus (Augustine) Hayden, a local chef who has been showcasing the best of Central Otago produce for over a decade. Think plump apricots and Black Doris plums, tart rhubarb, pickled asparagus, peach and tomato chutney – everything you could ever want to top your porridge, toast, cracker, or dessert.
After moving back to Portobello to work and live on his parents’ farm, Gus and his partner Jana embraced the opportunity to build a permanent home for both their young family and the Augustines brand. At the end of 2024, they opened the Farmstore & Kitchen, a destination inviting guests to reconnect with nature, sample the latest preserves fresh from the source and enjoy fresh, farm-to-table food.
Augustines of Portobello is open from Friday to Sunday, beckoning inner-city dwellers to recharge after the hustle and bustle of the working week. The all-day menu is intentionally small, featuring 5-6 dishes guided by the seasons and showcasing the Augustines range. A counter of sandwiches, delicious cakes, pastries crowned in glistening fruits, and other ready-to-eat goods complement the menu – all made with love onsite. Note: the kitchen only accepts walk-ins on Friday (also known as ‘Locals Day’) but bookings are highly recommended for weekends to secure one of the 20 available seats.
Thinking about grabbing a coffee to go? Augustines is proudly free of single-use cups, offering a few options: bring your own reusable cup for a 50c discount, purchase a stainless steel cup for $15 (includes any coffee), or borrow one from the takeaway library. Our favourite option, though? Sitting back and slowly sipping our coffee while enjoying the complimentary symphony of birdsong.
Words by Neat Places
Photography Supplied
Find more about Augustines of Portobello here