One of the great joys of shopping in Dunedin is the plethora of interesting and quirky local shops, most of which are found within walking distance of the Octagon. There’s something very alluring about stepping over the threshold of a small, owner-operated store full of fascinating finds.
We’ve put together a handy buy-local guide with some of the city’s best retail emporiums. Shop the trendy vintage stores stocked with retro treasures, find a literary gem in one of the city’s many book stores or browse the local design stores for one-of-a-kind pieces.
For other ways to shop Dunedin goods and more check out our support local page.
Gifts and Jewellery
Local design collective Guild is a trove of uniquely Dunedin wares, manned by the designers themselves. Just over the road you can also shop for lovely things at Vull Design or purchase the perfect posy at Estelle Flowers.
For festive gift inspo, pop up to Highgate and peruse the shelves at Aritsan's Bloom or to Fallow & Fox in Mornington where beautiful wares can be found amongst the flowers and plants . At Dutybound Books in the Warehouse Precinct you’ll find gorgeous handmade journals, notebooks, pencils and hot foil greeting cards, truly unique and useful gifts.
Or, for exquisite locally crafted jewellery look for Idour, Henderson Jewellery, C&V, Holly Howe Jewellery, Joanna Salmond, Robini, MVH and more.
Fashion
Dunedin is known for its original and distinctive fashion, headlined by independent designers that have their flagship stores in the city. Explore the stylish ateliers of Dunedin fashion such as NOM*d (at Plume), Charmaine Reveley and Company of Strangers or peruse the carefully curated racks at the likes of Belle Bird Boutique, Chapman Store, Slick Willy's, White by Design and GUILD.
You'll also find high street chain stores with popular national and international brands along George Street and surrounds,
Glorious Food & Drink
It goes without saying that the Otago Farmers Market should be an essential stop on any gourmand’s tour of the city, but the excellent food doesn’t end there. Stock up on festive feast supplies at Good Food Co., Blacks Rd Grocer, Marbecks Food Store, Deep Creek Deli.
Try Princes Street Butcher or Links Quality Meats explore different and equally delicious options at Taste Nature and Harvey Street Merchant.
Treats come in the form of Ocho Chocolate, Tart Tin goodies, Williams and Co cakes, Bay Road peanut butter, Evansdale Cheese and Blueskin Bay Honey, but if you’re after something to toast a special occasion, then Sandymount Distillery, Dunedin Craft Distillers and. No. 8 Distillery have you covered.
Vintage & Antiques
For aficionados of retro clothing, curios and antiques, Dunedin has numerous vintage and second-hand goods stores, tucked away in all corners of the city, just awaiting discovery. Within the beautifully styled stores of Two Squirrels Vintage Emporium, Finders Keepers, Static Age Vintage or Shop on Carroll, are an astounding array of hard-to-find vintage threads and accessories.
Dunedin’s colourful heritage comes to the fore in the numerous antique and curio stores where you can snap up a piece of history for a song at Taste Merchants or go high-end at Sue Todd Antiques.
Books & Art
As a UNESCO City of Literature with a large university, books are a vital part of Dunedin’s identity, so it’s no surprise that book emporiums of all kinds can be found here. From the shiny new tomes of the University Book Shop, or the gloriously illustrated childrens books at Pictura, to the well-loved pages and obscure titles within The Hard to Find Bookshop or Dead Souls Bookshop, there is no shortage of places to satisfy bibliophiles.
Somewhere between books and art is Dutybound Bookbinding, head to this emporium of paper delights in the Warehouse Precinct you’ll find gorgeous handmade journals, notebooks, pencils and hot foil greeting cards, truly unique and useful gifts.
Something of an artist’s hub, it’s easy to find a new piece for your art collection when you can buy direct from the maker, check out Sam Sharpe’s quirky pieces, the colourful prints from Dust and Dandelions and Mixie, the stunning photography of Derek Morrison or the maritime-themed markings of The Flying Whale.
Alternatively pop in to one of the many privately-run galleries in the city, a great way to spend a morning in between cafes and attractions. Gallery De Novo, The Artists Room, Quadrant Gallery, Moray Gallery or Milford Gallery, Pea Sea Art, FE29 or Koru Gallery will reward you with a wide spectrum of visual arts from contemporary local and New Zealand artists.
Shopping Malls and Department Stores
If a one-stop-shopping experience is more your style, then Dunedin’s three interconnected shopping malls – Wall Street Mall, Golden Centre and Meridian Mall – house a good selection of national retailers and chain stores. Farmer's Department Store has a good range of clothing, cosmetics, furniture, toys and more and the Warehouse in South Dunedin is a good choice for a wide range of personal and household goods.