Last Updated on February 16, 2023 by Gia Kristel Algie
There’s a lot to love in Dunedin – the beautiful architecture, the incredible beaches, and the awesome nature walks. In the same way that Dunedin will take you by surprise with its beauty, you’ll be impressed with how good Dunedin’s dining scene can be. From feel-good burgers to fine dining, you’ll love this collection of some of the best restaurants in Dunedin.
Looking for a great coffee hang-out in the city? Check out this curated list of some of the best cafes in the Dunedin.
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Tītī
Address: 24 Esplanade, St Clair, Dunedin
Situated next to the stunning St Clair esplanade at Hotel St Clair, Tītī offers outstanding dishes featuring local and seasonal produce. Tītī ‘s five-course ‘trust the chef’ dining experience for dinner is a real winner and something we highly recommend trying when you’re in Dunedin. If you’re after unpretentious, quality dining with a view over the water, Tītī is the place to be.
The menu at Tītī changes with following the seasons so check out their menu here.
No 7 Balmac
Address: 7 Balmacewen Road, Maori Hill, Dunedin
A gorgeous restaurant that is perfect for any special occasion (we had our wedding anniversary dinner here a few years ago), No 7 Balmac is one of the Dunedin standouts when it comes to dining experiences. Apart from their unforgettable mains, you have to make room for their delicious desserts! I can’t wait to have another bite of their bombe Alaska! Reserve a table here.
Vault 21
Address: 21 The Octagon, Dunedin
A captivating restaurant right in the heart of Dunedin, Vault 21 has a splendid interior and al fresco setting. Vault 21 has an wide selection of food, wines and cocktails. There’s a lot to try – perfect for any excuse to dine out with your family or friends, as we’ve done more times than we can count. I highly recommend the Vault 21 famous sticky beef wontons, and make sure to save room for their white chocolate chip cookie skillet! View the rest of their delectable dishes here.
Bacchus Wine Bar and Restaurant
Address: 1st Floor, 12 The Octagon, Central Dunedin, Dunedin
Bacchus has some of the best views of The Octagon. The beautiful building where it is located matches the delicious food and fantastic wine options. It’s an awesome spot to have a sip of wine and watch the world go by. I suggest you book a table by the window. Contact Bacchus here to reserve a table.
Emerson’s Tap Room
Address: 70 Anzac Avenue, Central Dunedin, Dunedin
Whether you’re a beer enthusiast or not, Emerson’s is a must-visit when in Dunedin. Known for their incredible array of craft beers, Emerson’s not only has great beer but amazing food to match it!. Emerson’s Taproom has some tasty bistro, gastro pub and Asian-fusion meals. Get ready with a big appetite and savour some of their mouth-watering dishes from bao buns, to fried chicken burgers and of course, you can’t go wrong with those finger-licking BBQ ribs. Check out the menu here.
I highly recommend to reserve a table if you’re dining here and choose from either the cozy atmosphere indoors or the beautifully-lit outdoor area. Don’t worry, there are blankets and outdoor heating to keep you warm.
Emerson’s also recently opened Emerson’s Brew Bar (Address: 21 The Octagon, Dunedin) right where all the action is – The Octagon. We haven’t been there yet but we’re excited to see what stuff they have. Check out their beer selection and menu here.
Two Chefs Bistro
Address: 121 Stuart Street, Central Dunedin, Dunedin
Located a stone’s throw away from The Octagon, Two Chefs Bistro has a warm and old-world French restaurant vibe. Apart from their extensive selection of wines and cocktails, Two Chef’s Bistro will impress you with their delightful dishes and set menus.
Esplanade Restaurant
Address: 2 Esplanade, St Clair, Dunedin
How do you feel like about enjoying wood fire pizza while watching the waves? At Esplanade Restaurant you’ll be spoilt with awesome views of the ocean and incredible food. Hands downs some of the best wood-fired pizzas in Dunedin. Grab a seat by the window for the best views. Enjoy the outdoor seats on a sunny day for some ocean views and people watching.
If you ever considered staying in St Clair, The Hydro Esplanade Apartments comes highly recommended with its great location and outstanding views of the ocean!
Starfish
Address: 240 Forbury Rd, Saint Clair, Dunedin
Starfish is a great dining spot close to St Clair beach. It’s a stunner on a warm sunny day with great outdoor seating options. From breakfast till dinner, Starfish has delicious food options to enjoy – take a peek here. Also, if you’re like me and have always wondered which restaurant in Dunedin serves mimosas for brunch, rejoice they’ve got them here!
RELATED POST: St Clair / St Kilda Beach, Dunedin
Laneway Cafe, Bar and Tapas
Address: 7 Bath Street, Central Dunedin, Dunedin
Tucked away in quiet Bath Street, Laneway has a wonderful selection of tapas, beers and wines. You’ll enjoy the Spanish-style dining and laid-back atmosphere here. Looking for a cozy place with a fireplace ? Laneway is the place to be!
Etrusco at Savoy
Address: 8 Moray Place, Central Dunedin, Dunedin
One of the more popular places in the Dunedin, Etrusco at Savoy is family-owned Italian restaurant that is well-loved by locals. Etrusco provides a great dining atmosphere and offers an good selection of pizza and pasta as well as an extensive wine selection to pair with it. We celebrated our anniversary a few years a go here and they gave us some complimentary drinks to celebrate – what awesome customer service!
Luna Bar and Restaurant
Address: 314 Highgate, Roslyn, Dunedin
Imagine dining with a stunning view of Dunedin at night. Luna Bar and Restaurant has outstanding food paired with mesmerizing panoramic views of the city. We have dined here a few times and we really love the food as well as the romantic atmosphere. I highly recommend dining around sunset or at night.
Prohibition Smokehouse
Address: 10 The Octagon, Central Dunedin, Dunedin
Adorned with vibrant modern art deco pieces with covet-worthy velvet furniture, Prohibition Smokehouse is one of our favourite restaurants in Dunedin to enjoy wood-smoked, flame-grilled and charred meats. Their sides don’t disappoint either! Check out their mouth-watering selections here.
Ombrellos Kitchen and Bar
Address: 10 Clarendon Street, North Dunedin, Dunedin
Whether your craving eggs benedict (on rosti) for lunch or crispy roast pork for dinner, Ombrellos is one of the best places for a meal in North Dunedin. From their cozy private dining rooms to their outdoor courtyard (with heaters in winter), Ombrellos offers delicious food and a great atmosphere, perfect for socializing.
If you’re into your craft beers, Ombrellos claims to be Dunedin’s premium craft beer restaurant. Check out their selection of craft beers on tap here.
Plato
Address: 2 Birch Street, Dunedin
Did you ever wonder if Dunedin has any restaurants that specialise in seafood? Located right by the Otago Harbour, Plato is a great place to enjoy locally sourced, fresh & seasonal seafood. The food is delicious and the portions are great. They have some amazing desserts. Check out their menu here.
Careys Bay Hotel
Address: 17 Macandrew Rd, Careys Bay, Dunedin
Situated next to Otago Harbour, a short drive from Port Chalmers, Careys Bay Hotel is a historic restaurant offering a good range of seafood dishes. If you’re after some fresh seafood with gorgeous views of the water, check out Carey’s Bay Hotel. Apart from fish or seafood platter and chips, their seafood chowder is a definite must-try.
The Speight’s Ale House Dunedin Bar & Restaurant
Address: 200 Rattray Street, Central Dunedin, Dunedin
There are a number of Speight’s Ale Houses in New Zealand now, but the story of Speights started in Dunedin so it’s definitely worth checking it out plus the food here is great. I highly recommend checking out one of the Founders Favourites, which also includes some beer pairing suggestions.
The Speights Brewery has been produced in this historic site since 1876 – it’s a true Dunedin classic. If you’re visiting Dunedin, make sure to check out the Speight’s Brewery tour where you’ll get to see and sample the beers and learn about history of the oldest working Brewery in New Zealand.
Gaslight Restaurant
Address: 73 Saint Andrew Street, Central Dunedin, Dunedin
Lights, camera, action! Set in a charming brick building, Gaslight Restaurant offers European cuisine by candlelight. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or after a memorable dinner, you can’t go wrong with Gaslight Restaurant.
1908 Restaurant
Address: 7 Harington Point Road, Portobello
There are a lot of reasons to visit the harbourside suburb of Portobello. Apart from the enchanting scenery of the Otago Peninsula and ample chances to spot wildlife, Portobello is home to 1908 Restaurant. 1908 has been around for ages and it’s not surprising — the food is excellent and it’s a great choice after a day of sightseeing on the Otago Peninsula.
RELATED POST: Macandrew Bay, Broad Bay and Portobello, Dunedin
Glenfalloch Restaurant & Gardens
Address: 430 Portobello Road, Macandrew Bay, Dunedin
It’s not a surprise that a lot of couples choose Glenfalloch for their wedding venue. Apart from the romantic garden setting with views of the Otago Peninsula, this stunning restaurant is a great spot to enjoy delectable dishes and desserts. Note they are only open for dinner on Fridays.
Jizo
Address: 56 Princes Street, Central Dunedin
Serving up some of the best Japanese food in Dunedin, Jizo also has a lovely ambiance. I love Japanese food and the ramen, bento boxes, and sushi (and sushi balls) at Jizo are truly unforgettable. You can’t go wrong with their yummy poke bowls too.
Another great Japanese restaurant in the city centre is Jitsu (Address: 133 Stuart Street, Central Dunedin, Dunedin). It’s an awesome spot for freshly rolled sushi and steaming hot ramen.
Spirit House
Address: 8 Esplanade, St Clair, Dunedin
This enchanting restaurant will take you and your taste buds to Asia. Spirit House has some of your favourite Asian dishes from pad thai to curries and a lot of fresh, flavourful dishes in between.
Good Good
Address: 22 Vogel Street, Central Dunedin, Dunedin
A unique dining spot situated in Dunedin’s Warehouse Precinct, Good Good is a cool spot with outstanding burgers, craft beers and bar food. We love the vibrant indoor/outdoor atmosphere here. I highly recommend their beef burger (probably the best burger in Dunedin) and buffalo chicken bites. If you visit on a weekend, Good Good sometimes has musicians playing. What more could you ask for from a good (good) night?
We haven’t visited these Dunedin restaurants yet but we’ve heard some great things:
Moeity | Address:42 Queens Gardens, Central Dunedin, Dunedin
Bracken | Address: 95 Filleul Street, Central Dunedin, Dunedin
Impression Manor Restaurant | Address: 2 Manor Place, Central Dunedin, Dunedin
Dine Dunedin
If you’re after a unique gastronomical experience, come visit around winter and check out Dine Dunedin – a seasonal celebration of Dunedin’s vibrant local food culture. Restaurants and menus change every year so best to check Dine Dunedin for the latest updates
Are you travelling to Dunedin? Check out our full Dunedin Itinerary and Travel Guide.
Have you been to Dunedin? Which restaurant in Dunedin are you most excited to visit? Let us know in the comments!
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