New and approved is The Spinoff’s new series highlighting fresh hospo offerings. This week, Tara Ward recommends Aster, the new cafe in the Ōtepoti Dunedin Botanic Garden.
What is it?
It’s been a year since a cafe operated out of the Dunedin Botanic Garden’s umbrella-shaped pavilion, but new cafe Aster opened there just three weeks ago. Aster is run by Caitlin Holloway and Jonas Jessen Hansen, who are also the owners of George Street’s Nordic-inspired cafe Adjø (try the porridge). Aster is named for the flowers that grow throughout the botanic gardens, and the cafe is inspired by the natural landscapes that surround it.
Where is it?
Officially, Aster’s address is 12 Ōpoho Road, but really it’s smack bang in the middle of the botanics, next to the duck pond and information centre (don’t miss the excellent $5 plant stall). It’s a welcoming oasis surrounded by trees, flowers and water, and the cafe’s elevated position means it basks in the full glory of Dunedin’s winter sun. There’s plenty of nearby parking in North East Valley, or the #8, #10 and #15 buses will drop you right outside the gardens. No matter which entrance you take, you’ll need to make a short but extremely lovely journey through the gardens to reach Aster.
What’s new about it?
Everything! In the year since the wonderfully named Croque-O-Dile cafe closed in mid-2025, Dunedin City Council has refurbished and refreshed the umbrella pavilion. The result is a bright and inviting space full of warmth and natural light.
What are the vibes?
According to its website, Aster is a place “where local voices are amplified and everyone who walks through the door feels welcome”. The good people of Dunedin have clearly been missing a spot to enjoy a coffee and a slice on their visit to the gardens, because when I arrived during lunchtime on a sunny Wednesday, the place was packed. Despite the rush, the staff were friendly and welcoming, and it didn’t take long for a seat to become available – and when I sat down, an elderly stranger sitting at the bench next to me waved hello.
Because of its location, Aster caters to a broad audience – when I was there, the customers were a mix of retirees, parents with toddlers, university students and families. There was plenty of room to manoeuvre for wheelchair users, customers with mobility walking frames and parents with buggies, and accessibility is good.
The cafe refresh has made the most of the huge glass windows that curve around the kiosk, with benches running along the bend and plenty of seating to enjoy the view onto the gardens. The atmosphere is relaxed with a Scandinavian vibe and a strong connection to the natural environment. You might be inside a busy cafe, but it still feels like you’re part of the gardens. It’s one of the best places in Dunedin to sit and watch the world go by.
What should I order?
Aster offers traditional cafe fare with a bit of a twist, and its menu will change with the seasons. The menu is small, but it’s bolstered by a selection of counter food like cumin cheese rolls, cardamom, cinnamon and apple muffins, and granola slice. I kept it simple by ordering poached eggs on sourdough toast ($16) with a side of bacon ($8), which was delicious – the eggs were perfectly cooked with the right amount of runniness, and the bacon was served in thick slices. Next time I’ll try the rice porridge with pine dust, just to see what pine dust tastes like. Around me, customers were enjoying the house broth and the green goddess, their plates piled high in cos lettuce and soft-boiled eggs. Also, the staff bring your cutlery to you on an individual silver platter, which is exactly the type of fancy I like.
What will it set me back?
Cabinet food was priced between $5 and $6.50, while menu food options ranged between $12 and $30.
Aster is open seven days a week from 8am to 4pm.
