Foodies and coffee fiends on the hunt for amazing epicurean adventures will be spoilt for choice in this petite city. An astounding array of eateries can be found cossetted away in Dunedin’s heritage buildings, down alleyways, on hilltops and other equally intriguing locations. Check out some of the below suggestions for spring:
Side-on
So tasty. So new. Check out this brand spanking café in lower Moray Place. They serve a delicious, international array of foods from Euro-influenced fermented breads to panipopo Samoan coconut buns served warm with coconut milk or try fried cauliflower with haloumi and cream cheese on sourdough and a curry vinaigrette.
The Daily Coffee Company
Jay the coffee alchemist/artist serves up the perfect cup every time which makes the Daily Coffee Company one of the most popular and undeniably cool coffee joints in town.
Best of the Brews
Create your own mini beer fest by getting better acquainted with Dunedin’s blossoming brewery scene in the birthplace of New Zealand beer. Emersons, Speights, Arc Brewing Co, Noisy Brewing and Steamer Basin are all local purveyors of fine beer. Sample a few fresh brews or jump on a brewery tour to learn about the method behind the magic.
Plato
Plato has made its quirky home in a former hostel for seafarers from around the world. With an ever-changing menu that delights in the local abundance of all things seafood, this place is a firm favourite of locals. Plato also showcases a wide range of local beverages, and every visit should include a sampling of their very own house beers made onsite at Birch St Brewery.
Glenfalloch Restaurant
It doesn’t get more hidden than Glenfalloch, which literally translates as hidden valley in Gaelic! Seekers of fine food will be well rewarded for their efforts, as the head chef has a reputation for mind-bogglingly good creations. Combine a trip down the Otago Peninsula with a stop at this fabulous dining spot, which is surrounded by beautifully tended gardens and walkways, perfect for a post lunch stroll.
ADJØ
The coffee reviews are raves and the porridge lovers flock to this new café and exhibition space in North Dunedin, next to Inch Bar. Opening in the depths of this year’s winter, the owners warmed their clientele’s hearts with Frikadeller Danish meatballs, smoked mackerel smørrebrød, and very Danish danishes, plus visual feasts and art talks, too.
Vault 21
A popular Asian fusion restaurant and bar set within a former heritage bank building, hence the name. With excellent crowd watching, heated marble seating and a wide selection of signature cocktails, it’s a great stop for lunch or dinner any day of the week. For pursuers of culinary surprises make sure to order the deep-fried locusts and the candy floss cosmopolitan.
Mamas Donuts
Hot out of the cooker – this sparkly new branch of Mama’s Donuts has arisen in Vogel Street and often has a queue out the door during its Thursday to Saturday open hours. Delicious donuts made the old-school way – by hand and with a whole lot of love. They simply fly off the shelves.
Joe’s Garage
This iconic franchise now has a home in Dunedin. Tucked down Frederick Street en route to the university campus, Joe’s exudes its legendary cool vibe behind a steampunk-esque shopfront. The bright, industrial-chic interior sets the scene for Joe’s signature grills and other tasty treats, but is equally awesome for drinks.
Moiety
A revelation in taste, Moiety is an exciting addition to Dunedin’s funky Warehouse Precinct. The ever-changing menu reads like a list of surprising ingredients and features enticing snack options or a more decadent five-course degustation-style option. It’s impossible to define a particular style of food here, but there is an undercurrent of Japanese flavours that runs throughout the menu and everything is almost religiously based on locally-sourced, seasonal ingredients.
Ombrellos
Ombrellos has often been lauded as one of Dunedin’s best café bars, with a huge selection of craft beers on tap and a large and varied menu. Set in a converted villa close to the Otago Museum, it is something of a Tardis, with an unexpectedly large dining area complete with covered courtyard. Perfect for drinks or a leisurely weekend brunches, there are regular live music gigs and other events during the week.