Where to Find Cheap Food in Dunedin
Everybody’s gotta eat! Even if you can’t be bothered cooking for yourself, Dunedin has some irresistible deals to justify eating out. Whether you’re a student, traveller on a budget or a local, these top cheap eats in Dunedin will give you the fuel you need for your stomach without taking too much fuel from your wallet.
For more money-saving ways in Dunedin, check out The Travel Guide to Dunedin on a Budget, 18 Free & Cheap Things to Do in Dunedin and/or the 10 Best Budget Accommodations in Dunedin.
5 Top Foodie Experiences in Dunedin
Make your meal into an experience with these food tours and activities:
- Tour the Speight’s Brewery (200 Rattray Street, Viator, Tripadvisor)
- Browse the Otago Farmers’ Market on a Saturday morning (Dunedin Railway Station)
- Join a tour of OCHO Chocolate Factory (10 Roberts Street, Viator, Tripadvisor)
- Drink real cow’s milk at Windy Ridge Dairy (31 Windy Ridge Road) or Holy Cow (101 Reynoldstown Road)
- Indulge in high tea at Larnach Castle (145 Camp Road).
For more information on each activity, head to our 8 Things to Do in Dunedin for Foodies.
© DunedinNZCheap Food in Dunedin – $10 and Under
Let’s kick off our guide to the cheap eats in Dunedin with the cheapest restaurants in Dunedin (which are actually pretty decent too).
Always Cheap!
When in need of a sandwich Hungry Hobos (187 George Street) is here to serve! Almost all of their half-size toasted sandwiches are under NZ$10. It’s also the place to try a “cheese roll”, which is a local delicacy of the lower South Island. Find out more in the 25 Foods You Have to Try in New Zealand.
Not pretending to be anything that it’s not, the Bacon Buttie Station (12 Ward Street) is where you can get a cheap bacon buttie: simple. All of their pork is New Zealand free-range and comes in the form of bacon sandwiches, roast pork sandwiches, burgers and all-day breakfasts.
Cheap Lunch Deals
You can always rely on an Indian restaurant for a NZ$10 lunch deal in New Zealand and in Dunedin, it’s no different with The Maharajas (735 Great King Street) and Too Indian (237 King Edward Street) offering just that!
[Update: Fish Hook has closed] Need a lunchtime snack? Check out Fish Hook (424 George Street) for their Thai delights. They offer plenty of lunchtime deals and snacks for around NZ$10 including spring rolls, curry puffs, fish cakes and the occasional Thai noodle soup when on special.
Cheap Desserts
More than just a dairy, the Rob Roy Dairy (500 George Street) is where you can also design your own dessert. Go nuts on ice creams or frozen yoghurt with your choice of sprinkles, lollies, waffles, and so much more!
© DunedinNZCheap Food in Dunedin – $11-$20
If you have a little bit more of a budget, check out these cheap restaurants in Dunedin with meals for under NZ$20. Do you know what else you can do for under $20? These 20 Activities Under $20 in New Zealand.
Cheap Restaurants in The Octagon
In The Octagon, check out Jitsu (135 Stuart Street) serving affordable Japanese cuisines, such as NZ$13 donburi, NZ$15.50 bento boxes, NZ$8-$16 curries and much more!
Velvet Burger (150 Stuart Street) is another city centre cheap eat serving beef, chicken, lamb, pork and vege burgers anywhere between NZ$7 and NZ$17.50.
Good Deals To-Go!
With two locations to choose from, there’s no excuse for missing Beam Me Up Bagels (9 North Road & 104 Great King Street North). Try out their range of sci-fi themed bagels in sweet or savoury from NZ$9 to NZ$16.
And what would a New Zealand city be without its local fish and chips?! Ric’s Fish and Chips (1 Harington Point Road) in Portobello is a good option with all of your usually chippy suspects, as well as seasonal Bluff oysters, for unbeatable prices. Yes, Bluff oysters are also one of the 25 Foods You Have to Try in New Zealand.
Dunedin Food Trucks
For your food truck fix, head over to Citizens – Street Food for the People for NZ$14 burgers, NZ$13 rotis, loaded fries, steamed bao buns and more! Look out for the funky Bedford Ambo truck that pops up in different locations around the city. This also features in our The Foodie Guide to Dunedin.
Usually at the University of Otago campus (362 Leith Street) or any city event with food trucks, The Dumpling Lady is your go-for for dumplings for under NZ$15!
Not necessarily a food truck, but this street food vendor you will find at the Otago Farmers’ Market every Saturday. Pick a NZ$12 vegan burger from Straight Up Vegan (Dunedin Railway Station).
More Amazing Restaurants in Dunedin
That’s it for our guide to the top cheap eats in Dunedin. If you seek more food experiences, check out the following guides:
