We’ve all been there: it’s a few days until Christmas, a big event, or that birthday dinner, and you’ve been searching for a gift. But it can’t just be any gift…. You want to find something that’s impressive. One of a kind. A gift that’s well received. But unfortunately, it can be difficult to find unique presents – you won’t find them in malls and boring chain stores. That’s why I’ve created this Dunedin Gift Guide with 10 of my favourite items to help you discover new, delicious, and giftable treats. Showcasing Dunedin’s top artisan producers, these treasures not only look amazing, but are also ethically produced and most importantly, delicious!

Contents

1. OCHO
2. Tartan Sari
3. The Tart Tin
4. Bay Rd Peanut Butter
5. Dunedin Craft Distillers
6. Wild Dispensary
7. Blueskin Bay Honey
8. Wild Fennel Co.
9. Common Ground Espresso
10. Hazelnut Estate

1.      OCHO

If you haven’t tried OCHO, you’re in for a treat! Carefully made from ethically sourced cocoa, OCHO create rich and flavoursome chocolate that has become a Dunedin staple. You can even visit their stunning factory for tours and tastings.

For larger gifts, I recommend their Tasting Box packed with samples of their most popular chocolate flavours. If you’re looking for a smaller item, slip a classy chocolate block (or three) into a parcel with a card – a tasteful gift for colleagues and friends. Choose from a range of varieties: white, milk, dark, sugar free, caramel, and even spicy Kawakawa. As a bonus, the packaging of OCHO blocks is plastic-free, a perfect marriage of elegance and sustainability.

Top tip: Keep an eye out for limited edition batches like Christmas Spice and Peppermint Crunch. OCHO also makes cute chocolate love hearts, penguins, and Easter bunnies – sold at some retail outlets and their factory.

Find them at: at some supermarkets (New World), Dunedin Health 2000, at their Dunedin factory (10 Roberts Street, Central Dunedin), and online at ocho.co.nz.

2. Tartan Sari

Bright, colourful, and blended with tantalising mix of Goan and Scottish flavours, Tartan Sari’s preserves are the ideal Dunedin gift for foodies who like spice! A family-run business, Tartan Sari has grown in popularity since joining the Otago Farmers Market.

Know a friend who likes it red-hot? Try one of Tartan Sari’s rich curry pastes or one of their spicy chutneys. I personally love adding their Spicy Lime Pickle to heavy meals: the citrus cleanses your palate and cuts through any oiliness. A little bit goes a long way, so each jar is a worthwhile investment. Not only are Tartan Sari’s preserves 10/10 tasty, but they also add a pop of colour to platters and other snacks.

Find them at: several stockists around Dunedin and often at Otago Farmers Market held every Saturday. Explore and order their range online at tartansari.co.nz.

3. The Tart Tin

Pastries from The Tart Tin look so perfect, you almost feel guilty for biting into them. That is, until you’ve taken the first bite… and then you’re hooked.

From melt-in-the-mouth poached apple tarts to delicate macaroons, The Tart Tin has perfect Dunedin gift options for those with a sweet tooth. Need to bring a fancy plate to an event? Go and check out their Sweet Boxes (pick-up/Dunedin delivery). For a more post-friendly present, The Tart Tin also offers gift vouchers.

Find them at: their online store at thetarttin.co.nz, or visit their shop at 42 Queens Gardens, Dunedin Central, Dunedin (check opening hours before you visit).

4. Bay Rd Peanut Butter

Another uniquely Dunedin gift, peanut butter made by Bay Rd has boomed over the couple of years – and for good reason! Crafted from organic Argentinian peanuts by the Hastie Brothers, these butters give you the best of all worlds: healthy, top quality, and sustainable.

Whether you’re looking for smooth or crunchy varieties (or both), you’ll find your ideal match at several stores around Dunedin, including New World. I’ve gifted Bay Rd peanut butters to several of my family members over the years, and they’ve always appreciated the generous size of the jars.

Find them at: Otago Farmers Market (where you can recycle Bay Rd jars), Dunedin New World, and online at bayroad.nz.

5. Dunedin Craft Distillers

Picture this: it’s a baking hot summer afternoon. You’re sitting on the back porch with an ice-cold gin, inhaling the fresh aroma of citrus that transports you to the Spanish orange groves of Seville… or perhaps the kawakawa forests of coastal Dunedin. While you can find a variety of alcoholic beverages around Ōtepoti, Dunedin Craft Distillers stands out. Their small-batch gins and vodkas consistently impress judges on the awards circuit, and customers too – making them a stellar addition to this Dunedin gift list.

It’s the detail in each bottle that makes a difference: the elegant label, recyclable T-cork closure, and wax seal. For a beautiful, pre-packaged gift, you can order a stunning gift box with 2 or 3 spirits of your choice.

Top tip: Around Christmas, look out for their limited batches of mulled gin… but act quick because stock doesn’t last long!

Find them at: at the Otago Farmers Market, and online at dunedincraftdistillers.nz where they also list other stockists

6. Wild Dispensary

Do you know a friend who is always feeling a bit under the weather? Perhaps it’s time to check out Wild Dispensary, a Dunedin-based health company that specialises in herbal remedies. If you’re feeling sickly from *too many* drinks, consider their award-winning Liver Bitters to support your digestive system. Another popular item is their Vira-Defence Elixir, which is designed to help support your immune system and help defend you against the flu, and other nasty illnesses.

Find them at: Otago Farmers Market, Dunedin health food stores, and online at wilddispensary.co.nz.

7. Blueskin Bay Honey

Hailing from Blueskin Bay, a beautiful seaside town in northern Dunedin, Blueskin Bay Honey is the go-to place to find authentic raw honey and beeswax. Their Manuka, Kanuka, and wildflower honeys all slightly vary in their taste and colour, ranging from pale gold to dark amber. Need a gift for somebody who enjoys DIY? Consider gifting a beeswax block which is super useful for anyone wanting to give wooden furniture a spruce-up.

PLUS, did you know that Blueskin Bay Honey have also started a new skincare range? I love the fact that their ingredients are totally natural, and feature their beautiful honeys. Honey is a natural antibacterial and hygroscopic (meaning it attracts water), so it can help with healing blemishes and hydrating your skin. I recommend their natural SPF+50 sunscreen to shield your face from the scorching summer rays. Unlike some of the runny eco-sunscreens I’ve tried, this one is thick and super effective. Formulated with honey, I’ve also noticed that it leaves my skin super soft afterwards.

Find them at: Otago Farmers Market and at blueskinbayhoney.co.nz.

8. Wild Fennel Co.

Ever cooked a meal, had a taste, and felt like there’s something missing… but you don’t know what? Forget about the flavour struggles and enjoy the convenience of Wild Fennel Co.’s spice sachets, that help you bring the best out of any dish.

Blended with quality herbs and spices, Wild Fennel Co. sachets are a great gift for foodies who often find themselves cooking in a rush. Slip them into a parcel for a wee surprise present.

Find them at: Some special supermarkets such as Dunedin City New World, and online at eggspoon.co.nz.

9. Common Ground Espresso

Savour Dunedin’s coffee culture with Common Ground Espresso, a batch roastery that provides freshly roasted coffee grinds and beans to customers all over New Zealand. Full bodied, rich, and expertly roasted – the coffee at Common Ground is also a favourite of several Dunedin cafes. Gift a pouch of this tasty coffee to anyone who enjoys a perk-up from the comfort of home.

Find them at: the Otago Farmers Market, and online at commongroundespresso.co.nz.

10. Hazelnut Estate

Smokey, chocolatey, and filled with healthy goodness… Hazelnuts are one of those rare gems that taste amazing and are actually good for you (in moderation). Hazelnut Estate provide the best roasted hazelnuts I’ve ever tasted, presented in elegant paper pouches. Admittedly, my friends might be getting tired of receiving hazelnut-inspired gifts, but I keep getting them because they are that good!

Want a Dunedin gift that you can send overseas? Try Hazelnut Estate’s rich chocolate and hazelnut spread. It will level up your toast to 10/10, like a healthier (and more stylish) version of Nutella. Made with top-notch ingredients, I also like how it has a relatively low quantity of sugar per serving. Even better: add a teaspoon of this spread inside a crispy croissant from the oven and voila – you’ve got a pain au chocolat!

Find them at: Otago Farmers Market, and online at hazelnutestate.nz

Conclusion

There’s not many places like Dunedin where you can find authentic gifts that satisfy every craving – spicy, sweet, spirits, and the odd healthy addition too… If you’re looking for a family gift, consider peanut butter, honey, and herbal remedies that preserve well and can be used repeatedly. For a heavenly gift trio, combine OCHO chocolate, a pouch of coffee, and roasted hazelnuts. Not only can they be enjoyed solo, but the lucky recipient can also combine in a baking session (a mocha-hazelnut tart anyone?). For pre-packaged gift boxes, I recommend checking out Tartan Sari, OCHO, Dunedin Craft Distillers, and The Tart Tin to see their stunning options.

Tips for gift shopping

For more Dunedin gift ideas, check out: Artisan Producers – Ōtepoti | Dunedin New Zealand official website (dunedinnz.com)

Interested in learning more about Dunedin? Check out my guide on the Top 10 Things to do in Dunedin for must-do activities and places to discover.

This article is not sponsored and represents my genuine experiences and recommendations 🙂