It’s a wonderful thing to meet an eatery you love – even better when that place welcomes you morning, noon, and night. Located along the Octagon right next to the Art Gallery, Commons Eatery opened in December 2024 and has become that delicious refuge for many Dunedin dwellers.
Locals may remember the location as the former home of Nova cafe, a culinary institution that was in operation since the 90s. It’s no easy feat taking the place of a well-loved venue, but Commons Eatery is a worthy replacement that has been warmly received. Open daily, this new destination is the perfect blend of a restaurant, bar and cafe, with something delicious at every moment of the day.
As the day kicks off, Commons Eatery is filled with regulars grabbing their daily coffee and – if they know what’s good for them – a freshly baked treat from the counter. Stacks of cheese scones, savoury and sweet scrolls, and seasonal cakes prove challenging to resist. Breakfast and brunch is served until 11.30am, with an extensive line-up of morning favourites to please all. Choose from buttery hot cakes and nourishing chia puddings, timeless egg and soldiers, eggs benny in every form, a full breakfast of grilled staples, and more.
Come midday, the kitchen let their love of European food shine, celebrating fresh ingredients and simple dishes with a few fun and creative twists in the mix. The all-day menu (which extends into dinner on Thursday to Saturday) offers something for every appetite, whether you feel like something light and fresh or a hearty feast. Plates can be shared or enjoyed individually, featuring parma ham with fresh rock melon, braised beef short rib that slips right off the bone, and prawn toast – an instant fan favourite. If the day calls for dessert, finish off with the daily pie served with ice cream and custard or a nostalgic jam roly-poly.
Coffee or cocktails, leisurely brunch or post-gallery lunch, Commons Eatery does it all and – most importantly – does it well.
Words and imagery by Neat Places
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