12 Hours Dunedin

Fuel up for the day at Maggies, just east of the Octagon. It’s the kind of place that serves ridiculously good coffee, food and organic juices. The menu is bursting with colour and flavour; the kimchi scrambled eggs with portobellos is not to be missed. The cabinet features a range of delectable baking like their famous cinnamon pinwheel. 

Find your orientation in Dunedin by taking a morning city walk. Make St Paul's Cathedral your first stop. The building stands in the heart of the Octogan and is an impressive gothic-style stone cathedral worth exploring.  From there take the short sojourn to Queens Gardens, and onto Lan Yuan Dunedin Chinese Garden, a truly unexpected delight. The gardens at Lan Yuan are an authentic example of a late Ming/early Ching Dynasty Scholar's Garden and celebrate Otago's Chinese heritage. 

Make a short intermission during your Queens Garden stroll by calling into The Tart Tin to see what all the fuss is about. Office workers, tourists, travellers and locals alike queue up as soon as the doors open. From there the flow remains steady until the cabinet is bare. Yes, The Tart Tin sells out daily. We recommend grabbing a treat or two (one for now, one for later) before they're all gone. 

Wandering through the Warehouse Precinct’s streets and alleyways reveals some incredible gems. Art and architecture, boutique stores, street art and sculpture sit alongside one another like old friends. The layers of history here show how the city has evolved from its industrial roots. While you're in the precinct, it'd be remiss not to swing by Dead Soul Books for a wee browse and Vanguard if you need a coffee hit. 

For lunch, step inside ADJØ on George Street and immerse yourself in the calm and cosy atmosphere that’s marked by wooden floors, warm-hued walls and hanging lamps. With its laid-back energy, it’s the perfect spot for a midday pause. The Danish-inspired menu ranges from Light (think pickled egg with a range of condiments, or stewed apples with crunchy toppings) to Lunch to good old Eggs, and there’s even a deliciously extensive Porridge section (a staple food in Denmark) of oat- or rice-based bowls, topped with all sorts of goodies — homemade caramel, fresh or stewed fruit, cinnamon and cardamom sugar and even sweet preserved lemons. House-made bread accompanies many of the dishes here, there are plenty of vegan options, and most can be made gluten-free. From homemade schnapps and sodas to locally grown organic teas, the drinks menu warrants its own entry. You’ll have to go and see for yourself.

Two Squirrels Vintage Emporium stocks the best of old and new clothing and accessories and is a destination for retail therapy you can feel good about. Owners Vanessa and Warren have been in the vintage game for almost two decades and their collection is curated, high quality, and full of one-off gems you can’t find anywhere else. New Zealand-made products complement the vintage pieces perfectly, with items like Lamington’s merino socks, Lazybones headbands and McKinlay’s shoes (which are made just down the street in South Dunedin).

Now it's time to head to Royal Terrace to visit The Dunedin Museum of Natural Mystery (note: the museum is a little out of the city centre so either grab a rideshare or bus). Enter the old villa and be immersed in a world of fossils, relics, tribal art, masks, animal skeletons, and other artefacts. The museum is local artist Bruce Mahalski’s ‘greatest work’ and the man himself is often available to share the curious, humorous and ever-intriguing stories that exist behind each piece in the collection. DMNM makes childhood tales of larger-than-life fossil hunters, palaeontologists, adventurers, explorers and ghost chasers come alive. It’s a place to play and explore science at your own pace, in a way that’s fun and totally unique.

Take a stroll down George Street and discover Dunedin’s fast-paced fashion scene. You’ll find plenty of unique and modern clothing and jewellery and a genuine commitment to New Zealand-made and manufactured goods.

Pop into Charmaine Reveley to explore the racks of delicious fabrics and the dresses which have defined this homegrown Dunedin brand. You can even inquire about a custom design for your next event.

Don’t miss Plume, home of famous Aotearoa brand NOM*D, either. The super cool heritage fit-out is home to original designs from the dark and witty brand that put NZ fashion on the map way back in 1999.

You’ve had a full day in Dunedin and now it’s time to relax. Kick off the evening with a pint at local favourite Albar. The most subtly Scottish pub this side of the equator, it's a buzzing social hub for many. With Emerson’s on tap, it's easy to make a beverage choice. Emerson’s brewery will always launch a new or limited edition beer from Albar first so keep an eye out for one of those. 

Moiety earned a Cuisine Good Food Awards Hat in 2019 with their five-course dinner menu, which is built upon local ingredients sourced from Otago’s best farmers, fishers, foragers, and artisanal producers. While that first line might have you thinking Moiety is an uppity fine dining establishment, we’re pleased to report it’s anything but. The menu is short and sweet, starting with a few snack options and then briefly listing the main components of each course. Expect exciting dishes at Moiety; flavourful, colourful, delicious representations of the region and the stories that accompany them go out with every plate.

Wrap up your Ōtepoti adventure with a nightcap at Woof. This lovable spot comes with the comfort of a diner, the welcoming atmosphere of a pub and the late-night appeal of a cocktail lounge. The cocktail list is large and includes monthly specials and creative concoctions in addition to all of the classics. Give yourself a few minutes with the menu and discover tasty drops akin to past specials like the ‘Honey Bee’ made with Bacardi rum, freshly squeezed orange and lemon, and Arataki honey. The non-alcoholic cocktail list is one of the most robust we’ve found and also delivers on taste and creativity.