Taste Wild Dunedin
Dunedin's food and drink scene is deeply connected to the land and sea that surround it. From cafés serving seasonal Otago produce to award-winning breweries, distilleries and restaurants showcasing local ingredients, you'll find plenty of places where sustainability and local flavour go hand in hand.
Cafés
Taste Nature
More than just a café, Taste Nature is a destination for organic, ethical and locally sourced food. Their café serves seasonal wholefood meals using produce from their own organic gardens, while the adjoining store champions local producers, refill shopping and waste reduction.
Location: 131 High Street, Central Dunedin
Open: Monday–Friday, 8.00am–6.00pm; Saturday, 9.00am–4.00pm
The Standard Kitchen
A much-loved local café celebrating seasonal, locally sourced and organic produce. The menu changes with the seasons and features house-made baking, quality coffee and wholesome meals that showcase the best of Otago's ingredients.
Location: 201 Princes Street, Central Dunedin
Open: Monday–Friday, 6.30am–2.00pm
Catalyst Kitchen
An eco-focused café serving locally sourced, seasonal food with sustainability at the heart of everything they do, from ingredients to daily operations.
Location: 286 Princes Street, Central Dunedin
Open: Daily
Vanguard Specialty Coffee Co.
A local favourite for brunch, Vanguard creates modern dishes using fresh seasonal ingredients, sourcing locally wherever possible and preparing almost everything in-house.
Location: 329 Princes Street, Central Dunedin
Open: Daily
ADJØ
Inspired by Scandinavian simplicity, ADJØ serves seasonal brunches and exceptional coffee with a strong focus on quality ingredients and thoughtful, low-waste practices.
Location: 333 George Street, Central Dunedin
Open: Daily
Buster Greens
Known for colourful, nourishing meals made with fresh seasonal ingredients and excellent local coffee. A popular choice for healthy breakfasts and lunches.
Location: 466 George Street, Central Dunedin
Open: Daily
Maggies
A relaxed café highlighting fresh Otago ingredients, homemade baking and seasonal dishes, making it a favourite with both locals and visitors.
Location: 46 Stuart Street, Central Dunedin
Open: Daily
Blue Cockatoo
Known for handcrafted artisan gelato made with local milk, seasonal fruit and quality New Zealand ingredients. Alongside their award-winning gelato, you'll also find excellent coffee and delicious brunch options.
Location: St Clair
Open: Daily
The Duck Ōtepoti
Nestled on the shores of Macandrew Bay, The Duck is a welcoming café celebrating fresh, seasonal food, excellent coffee and one of the best waterfront views on the Otago Peninsula. It's the perfect place to refuel before or after exploring the Peninsula's wildlife, walking tracks and beaches.
Location: Macandrew Bay, Otago Peninsula
Open: Tuesday–Friday, 7.00am–4.00pm; Saturday & Sunday, 8.00am–4.00pm
Restaurants
Augustines of Portobello
A true destination restaurant overlooking Otago Harbour, Augustines showcases seasonal menus inspired by the produce of Otago and the South Island, celebrating local growers, seafood and artisan producers.
Location: Portobello, Otago Peninsula
Open: Wednesday–Sunday
Tītī Restaurant
Located inside Hotel St Clair, Tītī celebrates the best of Otago with refined seasonal menus featuring premium local seafood, meats and produce alongside stunning ocean views.
Location: St Clair
Open: Breakfast and dinner daily
Plato
One of Dunedin's iconic seafood restaurants, Plato serves fresh local seafood alongside creative seasonal dishes, championing Otago's fishing heritage.
Location: Birch Street, Central Dunedin
Open: Tuesday–Saturday
Bacchus Wine Bar & Restaurant
Overlooking the Octagon, Bacchus has been showcasing regional wines and locally sourced produce for decades, offering modern New Zealand cuisine in a heritage setting.
Location: The Octagon
Open: Daily
Breweries & Distilleries
Emerson's Brewery
One of New Zealand's pioneering craft breweries, Emerson's produces award-winning beers using quality local ingredients while supporting Otago's vibrant food scene with a brewery restaurant and tasting experiences.
Location: Anzac Avenue, Central Dunedin
Open: Daily
Noisy Brewing Co.
A family-owned microbrewery crafting bold, small-batch beers in the heart of Dunedin. Their ever-changing range means there's always something new to discover, making it a must-visit for craft beer lovers.
Location: 7 Anzac Avenue, Central Dunedin
Open: Thursday–Saturday, 12.00pm–9.00pm; Sunday, 12.00pm–6.00pm
ARC Brewing Co.
Located in beautiful Blueskin Bay, ARC Brewing Co. produces handcrafted beers inspired by the surrounding landscape. Pair a tasting paddle with a visiting food truck and enjoy a relaxed afternoon just north of the city.
Location: 1870 Waikouaiti–Waitati Road, Evansdale
Open: Friday, 4.00pm–8.00pm; Saturday & Sunday, 12.00pm–8.00pm
Steamer Basin Brewery & Taproom
Tucked away in Dunedin's historic Bond Quarter, Steamer Basin is a neighbourhood brewery crafting small-batch seasonal beers inspired by Otago and brewed with New Zealand-grown hops and malt. Relax in the hidden laneway taproom with a fresh beer and pizza while soaking up one of the city's most unique dining spaces.
Location: Steamer Basin Brewery & Taproom, No Name Alley, Bond Quarter, Central Dunedin
Open: Wednesday–Sunday, 3.00pm–8.00pm
No8 Distillery
An award-winning boutique distillery producing handcrafted gin, whisky and spirits using locally sourced ingredients and traditional family recipes. Visitors can enjoy tastings, tours and expertly crafted cocktails.
Location: 90 Bond Street, Central Dunedin
Open: Tuesday–Friday, 10.00am–5.00pm; Bar open Friday & Saturday evenings
Dunedin Craft Distillers
Known for its innovative "Bread to Bottle" range, Dunedin Craft Distillers transforms surplus bread into premium gin, vodka and other spirits, putting sustainability at the heart of every bottle.
Location: 8 Roberts Street, Steamer Basin
Open: Wednesday, 1.00pm–4.00pm (tours by booking)
Sandymount Distillery
Sandymount Distillery is New Zealand's first certified carbon-neutral distillery. Every award-winning gin, vodka and spirit is handcrafted using native botanicals, natural spring water and sustainable practices, capturing the unique flavours and stories of the Peninsula. Visitors can enjoy guided tastings and discover how the surrounding landscape inspires every bottle. Sandymount Distillery
Location: 71 Sandymount Road, Otago Peninsula
Open: Tastings by appointment (email bookings@sandymount.nz to arrange a visit); bottle sales available at the cellar door.
Producers & Makers
Otago Farmers Market
Held every Saturday beneath the iconic Dunedin Railway Station, the Otago Farmers Market brings together more than 60 local growers, producers and artisan food makers. It's one of the best places to sample fresh seasonal produce while meeting the people behind it.
Location: Dunedin Railway Station
Open: Saturdays, 8.00am–12.30pm
OCHO Chocolate
New Zealand's only South Island bean-to-bar chocolate maker, OCHO creates ethical chocolate using sustainably sourced cacao while supporting fair trade farming communities.
Location: 8 Roberts Street, Steamer Basin
Open: Monday–Friday
Wild Dispensary
Inspired by the wild landscapes of Otago, Wild Dispensary creates award-winning herbal tonics, teas and natural remedies using sustainably foraged native plants and locally grown ingredients. Every product is handcrafted in small batches, celebrating the healing power of nature while supporting sustainable harvesting practices.
Location: 401C Princes Street (via No Name Alley), Central Dunedin
Open: Monday–Friday, 9.00am–5.00pm
Evansdale Cheese
A family-owned artisan cheesemaker producing handcrafted cheeses using traditional methods and local milk. Their award-winning cheeses can be found at markets and selected retailers throughout Otago.
Location: Evansdale
Available at retailers and the Otago Farmers Market
Wild Fennel Co.
Celebrating the flavours of Central Otago and the South Island, Wild Fennel creates handcrafted preserves, relishes and artisan food products using locally sourced ingredients.
Location: Available through selected retailers and markets
