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Dunedin has the area's highest concentration of good restaurants. Seafood is a big player, in part because of Dunedin's coastal location but also because of its proximity to Bluff, the home of New Zealand's great delicacy, the Bluff oysters. Many of the least-expensive options are café-like Asian restaurants; these tend to close early, around 9 pm. Locals don't usually dress up or make reservations for anything other than the most exclusive establishments.
Invercargill has a more limited selection of mostly moderately priced restaurants. Stewart Island has a reasonable selection considering its location, but in winter some places limit their hours or close.
Located in the first settlement you reach on the peninsula, this well-known café has fine views across the harbor. Scallops, prawns, blue cod, and mussels are popular, as are the tasty pizzas with smoked salmon and prawns. The brunch menu is served between 11 and 3, and the dinner menu kicks in at 5.
The owner of this eclectic store wears many hats, serving coffee, cake, and sandwiches in the small shop. There are a few tables where you can sit and enjoy your coffee, and you can browse a small gallery featuring works by local craftspeople. Upstairs, this place offers wellness treatments such as facials.
