Valeri & Trent’s guidebook
Roslyn Village
Nice cafe, popular with locals. Delectable breakfast menu, more reasonably priced than No 7 down the road.
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Rhubarb
297 HighgateNice cafe, popular with locals. Delectable breakfast menu, more reasonably priced than No 7 down the road.
Great Italian-style takeaway pizzas! Recently re-named "Pizza Mia" but it's still 100% Michael's shop.
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Mamma Mia Pizza
292 HighgateGreat Italian-style takeaway pizzas! Recently re-named "Pizza Mia" but it's still 100% Michael's shop.
Upscale bar & restaurant with stunning views over the city.
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Luna Bar and Restaurant
314 HighgateUpscale bar & restaurant with stunning views over the city.
FreshChoice Roslyn
279 HighgateFull service supermarket, open 8am-9pm daily.
Cafe in an old brick firehouse, choose a booth with views over the city! Great coffee but limited food service.
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Coffee Culture Roslyn
50 City RdCafe in an old brick firehouse, choose a booth with views over the city! Great coffee but limited food service.
Roslyn Takeaways
Classic kiwi fish-and-chips shop but other fried foods available too.
Pretty good Japanese food! We hear it's owned by Koreans ;0)
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Kamome Japanese Cafe and Bar
HighgatePretty good Japanese food! We hear it's owned by Koreans ;0)
Okay this place is NOT in Roslyn Village, but you can walk here from our place in about 15 minutes, without the dramatic elevation change required to get downtown. No 7 offers some the best upscale dining in town, local ingredients (they have a chef's garden out back!) and an impressive wine list. Great brunch on the weekends too.
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No 7 Balmac
7 Balmacewen RdOkay this place is NOT in Roslyn Village, but you can walk here from our place in about 15 minutes, without the dramatic elevation change required to get downtown. No 7 offers some the best upscale dining in town, local ingredients (they have a chef's garden out back!) and an impressive wine list. Great brunch on the weekends too.
Nearby outdoor adventures & viewpoints
Perhaps Dunedin's most spectacular stretch of coast. The walk down is ~20minutes, return a bit slower. The light is best in morning, the wee beach is more accessible at low tide.
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Tunnel Beach Walk
25 Tunnel Beach RdPerhaps Dunedin's most spectacular stretch of coast. The walk down is ~20minutes, return a bit slower. The light is best in morning, the wee beach is more accessible at low tide.
Here is where to find NZ's famous glow worms! Go at night, take the track up the left side of the creek (the MTB track is on the other side), and in ten minutes the track ends at the glow worms. Bring a flashlight/torch and expect your shoes to get a bit muddy.
Nichols Creek MTB Track
91 Leith Valley RdHere is where to find NZ's famous glow worms! Go at night, take the track up the left side of the creek (the MTB track is on the other side), and in ten minutes the track ends at the glow worms. Bring a flashlight/torch and expect your shoes to get a bit muddy.
No, there are no sand flies here. Instead you'll find sand dunes, sea lions, and (if your timing is right) yellow-eyed penguins. Penguin sightings most likely in the evening in summer months, but not unheard of at other times. Tide not a big factor in the quality of your experience at this one. Also accessible from the far end if you don't mind a longer walk, starting from the Sandymount carpark.
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Sandfly Bay
No, there are no sand flies here. Instead you'll find sand dunes, sea lions, and (if your timing is right) yellow-eyed penguins. Penguin sightings most likely in the evening in summer months, but not unheard of at other times. Tide not a big factor in the quality of your experience at this one. Also accessible from the far end if you don't mind a longer walk, starting from the Sandymount carpark.
Drive to the top of Mt Cargill on a sunny day for a jaw-dropping view of Dunedin City/Harbour/Peninsula.
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Mount Cargill Lookout
Cowan RoadDrive to the top of Mt Cargill on a sunny day for a jaw-dropping view of Dunedin City/Harbour/Peninsula.
The 360-degree view from Soldiers' Monument (the monolith visible on the skyline from your bedroom window) is not to be missed. Best on a sunny day, the surrounding sheep paddock provides a picturesque foreground for views of ocean, harbour, peninsula, and city.
Soldiers Monument Lookout
473 Highcliff RdThe 360-degree view from Soldiers' Monument (the monolith visible on the skyline from your bedroom window) is not to be missed. Best on a sunny day, the surrounding sheep paddock provides a picturesque foreground for views of ocean, harbour, peninsula, and city.
You can walk here from our place! You'll be walking on streets for the first 30 minutes, but once on the Ross Creek trail system you can (mostly) avoid roads, all the way to the tops of the peaks (Flagstaff & Swampy) visible from Dunedin City.
Ross Creek Access
138 Cannington RdYou can walk here from our place! You'll be walking on streets for the first 30 minutes, but once on the Ross Creek trail system you can (mostly) avoid roads, all the way to the tops of the peaks (Flagstaff & Swampy) visible from Dunedin City.
A local favourite. To the right of the jetty, a flat expansive beach leads around the corner into the harbour; to the left you'll find cool rock formations and a vertical sand dune.
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Aramoana Beach
A local favourite. To the right of the jetty, a flat expansive beach leads around the corner into the harbour; to the left you'll find cool rock formations and a vertical sand dune.
A long beach, caves, natural arches, and a Maori "pa" (fortress). Also a local favourite place to dig for cockles. Like most beaches, this one is best at low tide!
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Doctor's Point Reserve
231 Doctors Point RdA long beach, caves, natural arches, and a Maori "pa" (fortress). Also a local favourite place to dig for cockles. Like most beaches, this one is best at low tide!
Spectacular but easy walk high above the sea. Postcard-perfect lighthouse and natural scenery at the end. Nugget Point is at the north end of the Catlins, a sparsely-settled section of coast well worth a visit.
Nugget Point Car Park
523 The Nuggets RdSpectacular but easy walk high above the sea. Postcard-perfect lighthouse and natural scenery at the end. Nugget Point is at the north end of the Catlins, a sparsely-settled section of coast well worth a visit.
This place will be teeming with tourists in summer, but the boulders themselves are very cool. Go at low tide. While you're in the neighborhood be sure to stop at the Katiki Boulders (access described in the NZ Frenzy book).
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Moeraki Boulders
7 Moeraki Boulders RdThis place will be teeming with tourists in summer, but the boulders themselves are very cool. Go at low tide. While you're in the neighborhood be sure to stop at the Katiki Boulders (access described in the NZ Frenzy book).
Super cool spot in the heart of the Catlins. Choose a campsite overlooking the sea. On one side of this wee peninsula you'll find a tidal shelf with a petrified forest that offers some of the best yellow-eyed penguin viewing anywhere; on the other side is Porpoise Bay, where you have a good chance of swimming with dolphins (consider renting a wetsuit--the water is very cold!). Both dolphin and penguin sightings are much more likely in summer months.
Curio Bay Camping Ground
590 Waikawa-Curio Bay RdSuper cool spot in the heart of the Catlins. Choose a campsite overlooking the sea. On one side of this wee peninsula you'll find a tidal shelf with a petrified forest that offers some of the best yellow-eyed penguin viewing anywhere; on the other side is Porpoise Bay, where you have a good chance of swimming with dolphins (consider renting a wetsuit--the water is very cold!). Both dolphin and penguin sightings are much more likely in summer months.
Walk the loop trail counter-clockwise. The view from the carpark is spectacular, but the walk is still worth it! Closed for lambing in late winter.
Sandymount Recreation Reserve
330 Sandymount RdWalk the loop trail counter-clockwise. The view from the carpark is spectacular, but the walk is still worth it! Closed for lambing in late winter.
The Silverpeaks Track is one of our favourite day hikes! Best known for providing access to Jubilee Hut (which is indeed a real gem), the trailhead on Mountain Road is about 40 minutes drive from Dunedin. The track follows ridgelines for nearly its entire length, through forest for the first hour-plus then ascending above treeline where the views of mountain/city/coast are just stunning on a clear day. Allow 2-2.5 hours to reach the high point before turning around and re-tracing your steps.
Silverpeaks
The Silverpeaks Track is one of our favourite day hikes! Best known for providing access to Jubilee Hut (which is indeed a real gem), the trailhead on Mountain Road is about 40 minutes drive from Dunedin. The track follows ridgelines for nearly its entire length, through forest for the first hour-plus then ascending above treeline where the views of mountain/city/coast are just stunning on a clear day. Allow 2-2.5 hours to reach the high point before turning around and re-tracing your steps.
Food & Drink Downtown
If you're in Dunedin on a Saturday morning, don't miss the farmer's market! Always lively, featuring local produce, hot "food truck" meals, and buskers. There is an "Otago-grown only" rule for the fresh produce, so availability varies with the season.
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Otago Farmers Market
27 Anzac AveIf you're in Dunedin on a Saturday morning, don't miss the farmer's market! Always lively, featuring local produce, hot "food truck" meals, and buskers. There is an "Otago-grown only" rule for the fresh produce, so availability varies with the season.
Delicious kabobs, eat in the posh dining room or pay less for takeaway.
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Paasha Turkish Cafe & Restaurant
31 St Andrew StDelicious kabobs, eat in the posh dining room or pay less for takeaway.
Some of the best food in town, at reasonable prices. Try the stir-fry beef!
Saigon Van Vietnamese Cuisine
66 St Andrew StSome of the best food in town, at reasonable prices. Try the stir-fry beef!
Near the university, Ombrello's has the best selection of NZ microbrewery beer in town. The food is also excellent!
Ombrellos Kitchen & Bar
10 Clarendon StNear the university, Ombrello's has the best selection of NZ microbrewery beer in town. The food is also excellent!
Albar
135 Stuart StGreat whiskey selection.
Zanzibar
311 George StIf you're looking for gin, look no further.
Thai Hanoi
24 Moray PlWhere we get our Thai fix.
Competes with Patti's & Cream (diner & food truck) for the "best burgers in town" title. A new establishment in Dunedin, these blokes started out in a food truck ~2018 but so popular now there's often a queue out the door. Burgers piled high with meat, cheese, bacon, chicken, veggies, whatever you like... Add fried jalapenos to any burger for free. The "loaded" fries are pretty amazing too.
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Reburger
36 Albany StCompetes with Patti's & Cream (diner & food truck) for the "best burgers in town" title. A new establishment in Dunedin, these blokes started out in a food truck ~2018 but so popular now there's often a queue out the door. Burgers piled high with meat, cheese, bacon, chicken, veggies, whatever you like... Add fried jalapenos to any burger for free. The "loaded" fries are pretty amazing too.
The set menu at Moiety will be the best meal you have in Dunedin, and possibly your best meal ever. Among the priciest restaurants in town, the chef is a creative genius. Bookings essential.
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Moiety
42 Queens GardensThe set menu at Moiety will be the best meal you have in Dunedin, and possibly your best meal ever. Among the priciest restaurants in town, the chef is a creative genius. Bookings essential.
Normally "American" is not what we look for in pizza, but these guys have managed to scale up and export New York's best pizza. Not Italian but they serve a damn fine pie. Ask for extra celery with your buffalo wings.
Sal's Authentic New York Pizza - Dunedin
354 Great King StNormally "American" is not what we look for in pizza, but these guys have managed to scale up and export New York's best pizza. Not Italian but they serve a damn fine pie. Ask for extra celery with your buffalo wings.
Best bread in town...the baguette is particularly mouth-watering. Get there early before it's gone! The cafe food here is also top notch, including the takeaway sandwiches and pastries.
Side-on
326 Moray PlBest bread in town...the baguette is particularly mouth-watering. Get there early before it's gone! The cafe food here is also top notch, including the takeaway sandwiches and pastries.
Opened in 2022 by our friend Olive, this place was an instant smash success. Fashioned after the classic American milk bar, you'll find Dunedin's best ice cream and burgers here (also: the shoestring fries with house made aioli are to die for). You won't be disappointed! Best visited in off-peak hours as Olive's diner is VERY popular...
Patti's & Cream Diner
412 George StreetOpened in 2022 by our friend Olive, this place was an instant smash success. Fashioned after the classic American milk bar, you'll find Dunedin's best ice cream and burgers here (also: the shoestring fries with house made aioli are to die for). You won't be disappointed! Best visited in off-peak hours as Olive's diner is VERY popular...
Rainy Day Activities
Otago Museum
419 Great King St NDunedin's own natural history museum! Free entry.
Super cool exhibits on history of Dunedin, including a cable car that formerly traversed our property!
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Toitu Otago Settlers Museum i Dunedin
31 Queens GardensSuper cool exhibits on history of Dunedin, including a cable car that formerly traversed our property!
Beautiful historic home and gardens, you'll walk right past if you take the "quiet path" to university/stadium. Several tours daily, for a fee.
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Olveston Historic Home
42 Royal TerraceBeautiful historic home and gardens, you'll walk right past if you take the "quiet path" to university/stadium. Several tours daily, for a fee.
Yes this place is better on a sunny day, but in fact it's pretty amazing during a storm too. In bad weather you don't need to leave your car to see the views...
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Mount Cargill Lookout
Cowan RoadYes this place is better on a sunny day, but in fact it's pretty amazing during a storm too. In bad weather you don't need to leave your car to see the views...