Starfish Cafe & Bar

Starfish Cafe and Bar brings a relaxed, all-day rhythm to Dunedin, where cafe comfort meets barroom conviviality. It is the sort of place that favours generous plates, bold flavours and an unfussy warmth, the kind of neighbourhood haunt that welcomes a morning caffeine fix as readily as a late afternoon wind-down.

The food leans into modern cafe staples with global flourishes. A signature Starfish Stack layers ciabatta, poached eggs, bacon and hash browns under its trademark “big sauce”, while smashed avocado brightens the plate with chilli, mint, lemon and feta, with the option to add bacon or salmon. Burgers run from southern fried chicken with crisp salad and chipotle and lime mayo to a Korean fried cauliflower number, glazed in gochujang and finished with slaw and vegan aioli. Crowd-pleasing sides keep things convivial — think fries with aioli or a bowl of wedges with sour cream and sweet chilli sauce — and little diners are looked after with simple comforts.

With coffees pouring and cocktails shaking, the mood is easy-going and social, equally suited to quick catch-ups or unhurried bites with the family. For a taste of Dunedin’s laid-back dining scene, book a table at Starfish Cafe and Bar and let the good times roll — surf’s up for appetites.