The dish team reveals where to dine during Dine Dunedin

Dine Dunedin celebrates the city’s food culture, food heroes and local ingredients. Take a look at the dish team's top picks...

From Friday June 21, for a total of 16 days, Dunedin restaurants and cafés will offer special dining experiences showcasing the city’s talent. Whatever your desired taste, from burgers to fine dining, Dine Dunedin will satisfy. Think dinner in a castle, degustation menus focusing on seafood or vegetables, menus made with rescued food, a four-course desert menu, chocolate and whisky matching, and much more. You’ll need your appetite!

Dine Dunedin begins as it intends to carry on – with generous southern hospitality. The festival kicks off with a free breakfast in the Octagon (AKA the heart of the city), at 7.30am on Friday June 21. Enjoy a hearty southern winter treat of local Harraways oats made not one, but three, ways courtesy of Nova. There will be steaming hot porridge made to order, a contemporary take on oats – chia and coconut bowls accompanied by mango puree, coconut yoghurt, granola and fresh fruit –  and baked granola served with fresh and preserved fruits and coconut yoghurt. Wash it all down with freshly-made espresso by Allpress Coffee. 

Sticking with the local theme, we recommend you visit the city’s only winery, Urbn Vino, on Sunday afternoons to sample their excellent wines made in-house with grapes from Central Otago and Waitaki.. Dunedin craft chocolate maker Ocho is joining forces with the New Zealand Whisky Collection to educate palates with a chocolate and whisky tasting session. And Glenfalloch is offering three wonderful dinners using locally sourced produce: a vegetarian degustation, a seafood degustation, or their wonderful ‘Trust the Chef' menu.  

Dine Dunedin also highlights global influences on the city’s dining culture. Immigrant chef Abdal Moneem Kyassah is offering a Syrian banquet showcasing traditional dishes from his homeland. Head to Prohibition Smoke House to savour the local take on zakuski – a Russian tasting plate of small bites. And the Italian tradition of aperitivo arrives at the Esplanade, overlooking St Clair beach, where between 3pm and 6pm every day a glass of Peroni will be served with a complimentary Italian snack.

Dunedin dining remains true to its Scottish heritage too. Taking influence from the book, and television series, a one-off 18th century-inspired Outlander dinner is on offer at Bracken Restaurant. Meanwhile, in the city, the Hungry Hobos are offering a Haggis, Neeps and Tatties Toasted sandwich. 

There will be various other unmissable offers… Pop into Black Dog and score a burger and a beer for only $20. A delicious tasting platter at Sessions Bar will also only set you back $20. Ombrellos will present you with a complementary glass of wine or beer when you opt for their two–course set menu. Fancy something a little more nutritious? Perhaps try one of Jizo’s poke bowls and receive a complementary miso soup. And don’t forget about the great Speight's deal – a brewery tour, main course and a beer for $60.

For more information, visit www.dinedunedin.co.nz Support local and eat well.

The dish team's top events for visitors:

What: A Haggis, Neeps and Tatties Toasted sandwich 
Where: Hungry Hobos
When: June 21- July 7

What: A four-course dessert menu 
Where: Sabayon
When: June 21- July 6

What: Green Heaven at Glenfalloch – a vegetarian degustation menu
Where: Glenfalloch
When: June 21 at 6.30pm

What: Seafood South at Glenfalloch – a seafood degustation menu
Where: Glenfalloch
When: July 5 at 6.30pm

What: Trust the Glenfalloch Chef XXL Menu
Where: Glenfalloch
When: June 22 - July 6

What: Moiety and Cucina Dine Dunedin Degustation
Where: Moiety
When: June 27 at 6.30pm

What: Ombrellos' Bottomless Brunch
Where: Ombrellos
When: June 27 and July 6, from 10am