Where To Eat, Shop, See & Play In Dunedin, According To Some Stylish Locals

Here’s everything worth visiting if you’re heading to this stylish southern city. Since 1999, Ōtepoti has been home to the iD Fashion Show, bringing Kiwis of all ages and stages into the colourful city. Known for its commitment to platforming emerging designers and celebrating established designers – local and international New Zealand’s longest runway is returning to the historic Dunedin Railway Station on Friday, March 19, and Saturday, March 20, 2027, as part of the wider iD Dunedin Fashion Week. For many, the showcase is their first introduction to the city. With much to experience for such a small city, it’s hard to know where to start.Three local Dunedinites have compiled their guide to the city. Here are the best places to eat, drink, shop and explore, as well as insider info about what’s to come for iD.Margi Robertson Designer and founder of Nom*D, iD board member Margi Robertson.How are you connected to iD and what do you love about it? We have participated in iD since the beginning; it’s been amazing to see the stories over the years and the changes that have evolved. I love to hear the audience’s reactions after the event as they all flock to Stuart St for a late-night drink. How has Dunedin’s fashion industry and culture changed in the last few years? We all experienced the honeymoon period post-Covid, which gave us the boost we needed after lockdown. Dunedin is a very resilient and independent city, our residents remain loyal and supportive of our industry and that feeling has remained, always.What’s your favourite thing about living in Dunedin? We live in the city, just a couple of blocks from both Plume and our workroom, so it’s easy to walk anywhere. The art and music scenes are vibrant, there is always a new gallery opening or a new eating place to try.Favourite place for dinner? No 7 Balmac in Balmacewen Rd, never disappoints. Favourite bar? Piccolo Bar in St Clair. Go-to shopping spot? Plume of course, in The Edinburgh Way in George St. Adjo across the road from Plume. Best breakfast? Noble in Lower Stuart St.Must see for anyone visiting Dunedin? The albatross down at Taiaroa Heads (check to see if any wind, they need it to fly). Favourite second? The little blue penguins down at Taiaroa Heads (dawn or dusk if the albatross aren’t flying); seeing them going out to sea or coming back in is amazing. Your most frequented place? The Town Belt walk or John Wilson memorial drive with Ziggy our greyhound. Sara AspinallDesigner & founder of Company of Strangers, iD guest judge Sara Aspinall outside her Dunedin studio.What are you expecting from this round of iD designers?I’m always blown away by the emerging designers because [they’re] so creative, as opposed to the more established designers who are more in the retail zone. It’s just great to see what trends they’re focusing on – and not so much the fashion trends, but more so the technical innovations.How has Dunedin’s fashion industry and culture changed in the last few years?It has brought us closer together... In Dunedin we’ve always been pretty tight, but the New Zealand fashion industry has been going through a bit of a rough patch, so we’re extra supportive of each other now because we’re more aware of how delicate this industry is. Everyone’s here for passion, and there’s a lot of respect for everyone who’s still working hard to keep the industry going. Best cafe for breakfast?There’s a place nestled in the Botanical Gardens called Aster. It’s a crazy old building and the space is kind of an umbrella shape, so the scenery is awesome. And then you can have a wander around the gardens after you eat. Must see for anyone visiting Dunedin?There’s a few private galleries, like Hutch – great emerging and established artists, cool space, good curation.Hutch Gallery in central Ōtepoti Dunedin.Go-to dinner spot? Piccolo. It’s more of a bar but it’s run by The Esplanade so if Esplanade is too full, I always go here. It’s intimate with a relaxing Italian vibe, and a gelato shop right next door.Favourite second-hand shop?My studio is very close to the hospice store on Vogel St. I don’t shop for clothes second-hand as much anymore but I do like collecting “ceramic fails”, which the hospice always has plenty of.Favourite thing about living in Dunedin? It’s a small city, but you really can just live in your own bubble here. Dunedin is filled with so many creative people who really like their own space, so it’s quite a private place to live while being a village at the same time. We can isolate our creative brains, but if you want to, there are so many creative brains around to bounce ideas off.Tara ViggoDirector of Paper Theory Patterns, iD board member Tara Viggo.What are you expecting from this round of iD designers? We usually get quite a lot of European designers. This year we have quite a large cohort from Taiwan, Japan, China. We always try to get a wide range, but we just by chance had a lot of applications from that part of the world this year. What are you most excited for with the 2027 showcase? Every year I see big progressions, and the technical skills just get more and more intense and developed. The students’ work is quite far ahead of what you’d see on the catwalk, so you get a good glimpse into the future of what trends will be coming in the next couple of years. Favourite thing about living in Dunedin? I moved back to Dunedin [after living in Britain for 18 years] for a relaxed lifestyle, and that’s my favourite thing. There are so many beaches, and such short access to the outdoors – you can escape the city in less than 10 minutes. I love going to the beach. My family and I are in the water a lot. Favourite cheap eat? The Rosalind Bread Tech. For a bakery, they might be a bit expensive, but it’s great to just grab a couple of pastries and head to the beach.Your most frequented place? The second-hand book stores. There’s one called Dead Souls Bookshop, which is really weird and kooky with lots of great art and design books. Pieces in Port Chalmers, Dunedin.The view from Carey's Bay Hotel.Must see for anyone visiting Dunedin? I’d usually take them to the harbour. There’s a great restaurant called the Carey’s Bay Hotel, and a really small little village with a really high-end second-hand store called Pieces. There’s also a great old-fashioned pub for seafood and beer... It’s a really scenic beautiful area.Margo BartonProfessor of fashion at Otago Polytechnic School of Design, iD board co-chairwomanMargo Barton during the judging of round one of the iD International Emerging Designer Awards.What are you expecting from this round of iD designers? The emerging designer talent from around the world was earth-shattering. The handmade and crafts are becoming more and more important in fashion design as a way to create unique fashions, and this was apparent in the 2027 collections. Attendees can expect intriguing textile developments and creative patternmaking, sometimes augmented through informed usage of technologies, including AI and 3D printing, and yet all still wearable.How has the fashion industry and culture changed in the last few years?Post-Covid, more Aotearoa NZ designers seem to have moved to more sustainable practices, and integrating storytelling into their designing. Wearers of fashion seem to be more discerning, when they can afford to be, buying less and buying better. Some designers are making to order, an excellent sustainable approach. Great design, using natural fabrics, will generally have a very long life.Offshore fast fashion “knock-offs” are still around, using dreadfully unsustainable textiles and designs that are often ill-fitting and rarely last very long. I understand why people make this choice, with many people struggling with the cost of living, fast fashion fills a gap, but perhaps more second-hand shopping of great design could be a better way. Favourite thing about living in Dunedin?The creativity that runs through so many aspects of the city – from its vibrant music and arts scenes to its diverse food culture and, of course, fashion. People here seem to welcome all walks of life, with diverse crowds and cultures blending effortlessly. As the Mayor of Dunedin, Sophie Barker told me recently – “there’s quirky around every corner in Dunedin”. Favourite cheap eat?Dosa etc on Hanover St. I love nothing more than a masala dosa before heading to the Dunedin Film Society, or if I’ve more time, their thali platters are magnificent. Favourite bar? Woof is such a beautiful bar, wonderful people, a vibrant spot. Great selection of drinks and food, and the team there are so very welcoming. I also really enjoy live music. Pearl Diver, a venue in town, has great local and visiting music on most weeks. Go-to shopping spot?I’m a huge fan of second-hand shopping, and going on an op-shop hop, from the Gardens area of Dunedin north, through to Dunedin south, and even out to Mosgiel or Port Chalmers, by foot, bus or car. You will find truly unique pieces, and it’s a great day out with friends too.Your most frequented place? I love the ocean, so in summer it’s the St Clair Hot Salt Water Pool, or simply grabbing a coffee at the Esplanade restaurant, or Piccolo Bar, watching and smelling the surf. In winter you’ll find me at a film, at the weekly Dunedin Film Society or at one of the many film festivals including the Whānau Mārama New Zealand International Film Festival. Barton dining at her go-to Ōtepoti breakfast spot, Noble.Best breakfast?Noble serves unbelievably delicious breakfasts; the tastes and textures are out of this world. Portions are on the big side, so don’t expect to be able to eat any lunch. More inspiring NZ destinations