Restaurants in Dunedin & The Otago Peninsula
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Bisztro
Bisztro Warmed by open fires and with service smooth but relaxed, this restaurant is hidden away in an old wooden house on an almost-suburban street. Ingredients are largely locally sourced and carefully selected. The restaurant also sells its own preserves and relishes, so if your meal inspires, grab some chilli paste or pickle to cater your slow-food, roadside meals later in your travels.
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Circadian Rhythm Café
Specialising in organic Indian curries, this all-vegan cafe is also known for its cookies and cakes. The superfriendly staff will also try to tweak things to oblige gluten-free requests. Circadian Rhythm is a music venue, with a variety of interesting acts on Friday nights from 5.30pm. Dunedin’s Emerson’s and Green Man beers are both available, so you don’t have to be too healthy.
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Etrusco at the Savoy
A wonderful, large and noisy space, with magnificent marble pillars, high ceiling, fireplace and central bar, Etrusco is great for large groups of family or friends; less wonderful for a quiet romantic dinner. Pastas and thin-crust pizzas are the mainstay, and wine is encouraged. A fun night is guaranteed, though reports of the pasta itself range from magnifica to non.
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Izakaya Yuki
Cute and cosy, with a huge array of small dishes on which to graze, Yuki is a lovely spot for supper or a relaxed, drawn-out Japanese meal. Make a night of it with sake or draught Asahi beer, and multiple plates of yakitori (grilled skewers), gyoza (dumplings), or sushi and sashimi. The wall-to-wall sumo wrestling videos will ensure you don’t eat too much.
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Modaks
This funky little cafe and bar, with brick walls, mismatched formica tables, and couches for slouching, is popular with students and those who appreciate chilled-out reggae while they nurse a pot of tea. Sundaes, smoothies and beer make it a great escape from the heat, and grilled homemade focaccia bread with yummy, interesting toppings warm the insides in winter.
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Plato
A regular winner in Cuisine magazine’s Best of NZ’s gongs, Plato has a retro-themed location near the harbour and a strong beer and wine list. Try standouts like Goan fish curry or slow-braised pork belly with crispy crackling. Plato’s spin on seafood is always excellent, and Sunday brunch is worth the shortish trek from the CBD. Bookings are recommended.
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Scotia
Now relocated from the Dunedin Railway Station to a cosy heritage town house, Scotia toasts all things Scottish with a wall-full of single malt whisky and hearty fare such as smoked salmon and char-grilled venison. The two Scottish Robbies – Burns and Coltrane – look down approvingly on a menu that also includes haggis, and duck and whisky pâté.
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Mojo
Quite possibly Dunedin’s sunniest spot for a lazy brunch, the spacious and high-ceilinged Mojo teams yummy counter food, bagels and bircher muesli, with superlative coffee all the way from Wellington. From 11am a more substantial menu – think pizza and steak sandwiches – kicks in, with wine and beer also available.
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St Lees
Making great use of an old Methodist church, St Lees has interesting artworks, an open fire and plenty of comfy lounge chairs on which to sit as you enjoy coffee, a meal or a glass of wine. Their speciality is pizzas and pastas (available for takeaway too) but you should also try their unique salads and burgers.
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Potpourri
Funky, homey and very kid-friendly, this small cafe has been fattening up Dunedin’s vegetarians and vegans for almost 40 years. Tuck into big, inexpensive portions of quiche, pizza, flatbread melts and spicy samosas. There are lots of organic, free-range and gluten-free options, and takeaways are available.
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Metro Café & Bar
A safe haven for travellers, vegie/vegans, or just people after a chilled-out place for a pot of tea and a mean steak sandwich atop an inventive salad. Be warned that the delightful laid-back attitude applies to meal preparation too – not a place to go if you're in a hurry. Occasional live music/DJs.
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Saigon Van
The elegant decor looks high-end Asian, but the Vietnamese food is definitely budget-friendly. Try the combination spring rolls ($9 for six) and a bottle of Vietnamese beer to recreate lazy nights in Saigon. The bean-sprout-laden pho (noodle soup) and salads are also good.
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Bacchus Wine Bar & Restaurant
Bacchus is particularly nice for a meal for two or to celebrate a special occasion. There’s a wine list that the god of wine himself would approve of, and more than a few dishes combine local produce with subtle Asian influences. Try the pork belly slow cooked in Asian spices.
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Palms Restaurant
Hidden away at the bottom of Dowling St, Palms has long been a landmark Dunedin eatery. Food is innovative and usually locally sourced, and daily lunch specials ($10) are excellent value. How does garlic risotto with grilled halloumi cheese or steamed clams and chorizo sound?
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Nova Cafe
Not surprisingly, this extension of the Public Art Gallery has a stylish look about it. Cakes and snacks are famously creative, and Nova is also licensed for beer and wine. Escape into Dunedin’s best choice of interesting food, travel and arts magazines.
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Starfish
In a cosy, brick-clad space, Starfish is the best of the growing cafe and restaurant scene at St Clair Beach. Pop out on a weekday to score an outside table to enjoy your pizza and wine. Catch bus 8, 9, 28 or 29 ($1.90) from stand 1 at The Octagon.
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Good Oil
This sleek little cafe is Dunedin’s top spot for coffee and cake. Try the lemon and sour cream cake ($4). If you’re still waking up, maybe resurrect the day with innovative brunches such as kumara (sweet potato) hash with hot smoked salmon ($15).
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Governors
Popular with students, Governors does a nice line in early morning pancakes and other light meals. If you’re feeling a little off the pace after the previous night, a strong coffee and an eggy omelette will be just what the doctor ordered.
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Jizo
A dark and very funky little sushi café. Watch your sushi being expertly snapped together and soak up the delicious smells from the kitchen, or just sit back and relax to the strains of gentle jazz with a warm pot of sake.
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Perc
Always busy, and for good reason, the Perc is a grand place to kick-start your day. The decor’s kinda retro and kinda art deco, and there’s hearty cafe fare ranging from salmon bagels and panini to warming porridge.
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Velvet Burger
Interesting burgers with interesting names make for interesting times. Best consumed after a few beers, but Velvet Burger is also licensed if the night is young. There’s another VB at 375 George St (same hours).
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Bell Pepper Blues
One of Dunedin’s finer dining options, this restaurant boasts one of the region’s best-known chefs and is famous for its venison, freshly baked bread and desserts. There’s a $10-per-bottle corkage fee for BYO.
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Tangente
A cheerful, welcoming space with mismatched tables, toys for the kids, a funky soundtrack, and the glorious aroma of freshly baked bread. Tangente’s food is generally organic, free-range and locally sourced.
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Minami
Popular for its simplicity and its prices, Minami is almost always packed with local fans of Japanese food. One half specialises in noodle dishes, while the other side is (slightly) more formal.
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1908 Café
Salmon, venison and steak are joined by fresh fish and blackboard specials, and there’s a box of toys for the kids. It’s a beautiful old building, cheerfully embellished with local art.
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