Tess’s guidebook
Best Restaurants
From cheap and cheerful to elegant and innovative, there are some wonderful places to visit in walking distance of the Apartment.
Lively with a zingy menu of Asian fusion tapas and cocktails. Vault 21 is always a buzz with a commanding view to the Octagon.
41 locals recommend
Vault 21
21 The OctagonLively with a zingy menu of Asian fusion tapas and cocktails. Vault 21 is always a buzz with a commanding view to the Octagon.
A local institution. The kitchen at Bacchus consistently provides the best dining in the city. Situated upstairs on the corner of the Octagon and lower Stuart St, it has service, ambience and a menu that never disappoints.
17 locals recommend
Bacchus Wine Bar & Restaurant
12 The OctagonA local institution. The kitchen at Bacchus consistently provides the best dining in the city. Situated upstairs on the corner of the Octagon and lower Stuart St, it has service, ambience and a menu that never disappoints.
It's worth taking a taxi to Plato for it's quirky setting and generous seafood menu. Fresh blue cod, paua and whitebait appear frequently on the menu and the decor is a like a museum of retro bric a brac to keep your eyes amused.
30 locals recommend
Plato
2 Birch StIt's worth taking a taxi to Plato for it's quirky setting and generous seafood menu. Fresh blue cod, paua and whitebait appear frequently on the menu and the decor is a like a museum of retro bric a brac to keep your eyes amused.
Take a walk down the hill across Queens Gardens to the mouth-watering Tart Tin for cakes and pastries too tempting to resist.
The Tart Tin
42 Queens GardensTake a walk down the hill across Queens Gardens to the mouth-watering Tart Tin for cakes and pastries too tempting to resist.
A caravan inside a basement with tables and stools and a unique vibe is tucked away on nearby Vogel St across the Queens Gardens. Enjoy a juicy burger, kumara fries and root beer that has fans coming back for more!
15 locals recommend
Good Good
22 Vogel StA caravan inside a basement with tables and stools and a unique vibe is tucked away on nearby Vogel St across the Queens Gardens. Enjoy a juicy burger, kumara fries and root beer that has fans coming back for more!
Dunedin's latest restaurant offering a fresh modern decor, and a menu with plenty of classy proteins. Sharing platters make for a convivial group experience as well as an innovative and elegant menu for a romantic night out.
8 locals recommend
Prohibition Smokehouse
10 The OctagonDunedin's latest restaurant offering a fresh modern decor, and a menu with plenty of classy proteins. Sharing platters make for a convivial group experience as well as an innovative and elegant menu for a romantic night out.
Fancy a little Sunday yum cha? Or a cheerful Chinese banquet on a Friday night, wander in to Papa Chou's. It has a cute vintage-inspired interior with classic menu items that everyone loves. Great for families.
6 locals recommend
Papa Chou's Yum Cha & Chinese Dining
18 Stuart StFancy a little Sunday yum cha? Or a cheerful Chinese banquet on a Friday night, wander in to Papa Chou's. It has a cute vintage-inspired interior with classic menu items that everyone loves. Great for families.
Quiet and elegant, this little tapas and wine bar is tucked away on Bath St but still just a stone's away from the Octagon and Regent Theatre. Worth booking a table before a concert or show.
Laneway Cafe Bar Tapas
7 Bath StQuiet and elegant, this little tapas and wine bar is tucked away on Bath St but still just a stone's away from the Octagon and Regent Theatre. Worth booking a table before a concert or show.
Treat your body to a healthy, mouth-watering menu and locally roasted coffee from Common Ground. Fresh deli-style offerings with modern ingredients and great scones and cakes in the cabinet daily.
The Corner Store Cafe
134 Stuart StTreat your body to a healthy, mouth-watering menu and locally roasted coffee from Common Ground. Fresh deli-style offerings with modern ingredients and great scones and cakes in the cabinet daily.
If you're a little arty, and love a good coffee, you must visit Morning Magpie. It's a short stroll toward the Railway Station and makes a mean avocado smash and the best scrolls. A great way to start the day, Dunedin style.
8 locals recommend
Morning Magpie
46 Stuart StIf you're a little arty, and love a good coffee, you must visit Morning Magpie. It's a short stroll toward the Railway Station and makes a mean avocado smash and the best scrolls. A great way to start the day, Dunedin style.
An absolute must on a Saturday morning. Take your pick of vendors from French crepes to bacon butties, baguettes, artisan pies and porridge with Otago apricots. We recommend getting there early - it's pretty much over by 12.
59 locals recommend
Otago Farmers Market
27 Anzac AveAn absolute must on a Saturday morning. Take your pick of vendors from French crepes to bacon butties, baguettes, artisan pies and porridge with Otago apricots. We recommend getting there early - it's pretty much over by 12.
Toitu Otago Settlers Museum
31 Queens GardensYou can travel the world and the sushi and sashimi at Jizo still compares with the best. Moderately priced, friendly restaurant that consistently punches above its weight. You always feel satisfied and nourished after a meal at Jizo.
17 locals recommend
Jizo Japanese Restaurant
56 Princes StYou can travel the world and the sushi and sashimi at Jizo still compares with the best. Moderately priced, friendly restaurant that consistently punches above its weight. You always feel satisfied and nourished after a meal at Jizo.
A sociable place for a drink in the Octagon. It's easy to find, therefore easy to meet with people here.
9 locals recommend
Stuart St Mac's Brew Bar
12 The OctagonA sociable place for a drink in the Octagon. It's easy to find, therefore easy to meet with people here.
Best florist in Dunedin we think. Bouquets and flower arrangements that are tasteful, artistic and beautiful!
Estelle Flowers
26 Moray PlBest florist in Dunedin we think. Bouquets and flower arrangements that are tasteful, artistic and beautiful!
The longest established vegetarian cafe in Dunedin, is just a short walk to Stuart St, next to Gallery de Novo. The hot jacket potato with beans and sour cream is classic comfort food and the vegetable lasagne is also a goodie!
9 locals recommend
Potpourri Vegetarian Cafe
97 Stuart StThe longest established vegetarian cafe in Dunedin, is just a short walk to Stuart St, next to Gallery de Novo. The hot jacket potato with beans and sour cream is classic comfort food and the vegetable lasagne is also a goodie!
Famous for its injectable donuts (think salted caramel, vanilla custard or jam and cream), Nova is an all-day restaurant next to the Dunedin Public Art Gallery in the Octagon. Coffee, wine and a solid all-day menu. It's handy to the movie theatres.
24 locals recommend
Nova Cafe
29 The OctagonFamous for its injectable donuts (think salted caramel, vanilla custard or jam and cream), Nova is an all-day restaurant next to the Dunedin Public Art Gallery in the Octagon. Coffee, wine and a solid all-day menu. It's handy to the movie theatres.
Fancy a small cinema screening with an espresso and pottle of lollies? Check out the screening times at the quirky Metro Cinema. It's a memorable experience.
16 locals recommend
Metro Cinema
Moray PlaceFancy a small cinema screening with an espresso and pottle of lollies? Check out the screening times at the quirky Metro Cinema. It's a memorable experience.
Right across the road - there's no excuse not to stretch your muscles and find some inner peace.
The Dunedin Yoga Studio
449 Moray PlRight across the road - there's no excuse not to stretch your muscles and find some inner peace.
The gym that everyone knows is directly behind our building on Dowling Street. Blast out a few cobwebs with one of their calorie-busting classes and you'll enjoy that beer so much more.
Les Mills Dunedin
287 Dowling StThe gym that everyone knows is directly behind our building on Dowling Street. Blast out a few cobwebs with one of their calorie-busting classes and you'll enjoy that beer so much more.
Take in a little culture and view the exciting works showing at Milford Galleries. Home to some of New Zealand's most prominent artists their programme is beautifully curated and the walls constantly carry something you'll want to take home.
Milford Galleries Dunedin
18 Dowling StTake in a little culture and view the exciting works showing at Milford Galleries. Home to some of New Zealand's most prominent artists their programme is beautifully curated and the walls constantly carry something you'll want to take home.
Folksy, authentic, delicious cafe food. At night it becomes a live music venue. Very popular amongst the art crowd.
26 locals recommend
Dog With Two Tails Cafe & Bar
25 Moray PlFolksy, authentic, delicious cafe food. At night it becomes a live music venue. Very popular amongst the art crowd.
If you need something new and infinitely fashionable then head straight here for a store brimming with options and lovely staff with great advice.
Slick Willy's
323A George StIf you need something new and infinitely fashionable then head straight here for a store brimming with options and lovely staff with great advice.
Just the walk here will give you a visual taste of Dunedin's heritage and beautiful old buildings. VSK as it's known, is a great spot to meet for an appetising breakfast or lunch.
36 locals recommend
Vogel St Kitchen
76 Vogel StJust the walk here will give you a visual taste of Dunedin's heritage and beautiful old buildings. VSK as it's known, is a great spot to meet for an appetising breakfast or lunch.
Perfect for large groups, there's a vibrant bustling atmosphere upstairs at Etrusco that keeps people happy. Or maybe its the pasta, pizza and great service?
33 locals recommend
Etrusco at the Savoy
8 Moray PlPerfect for large groups, there's a vibrant bustling atmosphere upstairs at Etrusco that keeps people happy. Or maybe its the pasta, pizza and great service?
This intimate bar can be hard to find but you won't forget it. Down a little alleyway across from Rialto cinemas, it is the ultimate late night cocktail spot. Great DJ's and a snug number of people. One for the A-listers.
16 locals recommend
Pequeno
50 Princes StThis intimate bar can be hard to find but you won't forget it. Down a little alleyway across from Rialto cinemas, it is the ultimate late night cocktail spot. Great DJ's and a snug number of people. One for the A-listers.
There's something so friendly and unpretentious about The Jitsu that you always feel happy when you leave. Serving light, healthy Japanese meals from sushi to bento and teriyaki, it's a great option for a quick meal and family-friendly too. Popular with students who love to book the large tables and sit low on the floor, Japan-style.
10 locals recommend
The Jitsu
133 Stuart StThere's something so friendly and unpretentious about The Jitsu that you always feel happy when you leave. Serving light, healthy Japanese meals from sushi to bento and teriyaki, it's a great option for a quick meal and family-friendly too. Popular with students who love to book the large tables and sit low on the floor, Japan-style.
Need to look sharp? This popular barber shop is just down the hill on the corner of Burlington St and Dowling St.
BLOKE Barber
2 Dowling StNeed to look sharp? This popular barber shop is just down the hill on the corner of Burlington St and Dowling St.