Nichol's Garden Cafe Dunedin

51 Timaru Street, South Dunedin, Dunedin 9012, New Zealand
+64 3 455 8785
$$$ Cafe
(258 Reviews)
Price Range $10–20

Welcome to Nichol's Garden Cafe Dunedin, a delightful oasis nestled at 51 Timaru Street in South Dunedin. This charming café is more than just a place to grab a bite; it's an experience, blending the serenity of a garden setting with the warmth of exceptional service and comforting flavors.

Stepping into Nichol's Garden Cafe feels like embracing a vibrant piece of nature. Whether you're indulging in a refreshing smoothie like the Mixed Berry or the invigorating Green, every sip transports you to a tropical paradise. With prices starting at just NZ$10.00 for smoothies and NZ$7.00 for freshly squeezed juices, it's a delightful way to wake up your palate.

Breakfast is a standout here, with patrons raving about the beautifully presented dishes and the engaging atmosphere. Imagine enjoying a scrumptious hot breakfast while the cool Dunedin air dances around you. It’s no wonder regulars like Dearly Dee describe the experience as their favorite—from the exquisite coffee to the scrumptious meals that simply set the tone for a perfect morning.

For the little ones, the Kids Menu offers fun and affordable options such as Waffles for NZ$8.00 and Nuggets & Fries for just NZ$10.00. The café prides itself on being family-friendly, providing a lovely sheltered playhouse that keeps the kids entertained while you savor a moment of tranquility.

As you dine, take a moment to soak in the unique surroundings; there's seating amidst the plant sections that feels particularly magical during the warmer months. Customers like Abby S have found it a perfect venue for gatherings, mentioning the accommodating nature of the space, with ample seating both inside and outside.

While the café embodies coziness, it’s acknowledged some may find the layout a bit cramped, as noted by Iain Milne. Nonetheless, the appeal of the diverse menu options and the attached nursery and gift shop make Nichol’s a top choice for locals and visitors alike. Whether you’re in for a casual lunch like Simone Templeton, who enjoyed nicely presented food at reasonable prices, or a relaxing breakfast, Nichol's Garden Cafe is bound to impress.

This is more than just a café; it’s a haven where food, nature, and community come together. With the dedication to quality ingredients and outstanding customer service, Nichol's Garden Cafe Dunedin stands out as a must-visit destination in Dunedin.

Service options
Outdoor seating
On-site services
Takeaway
Dine-in
Delivery
Highlights
Great coffee
Great dessert
Great tea selection
Popular for
Breakfast
Lunch
Solo dining
Good for working on laptop
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Wheelchair-accessible seating
Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Offerings
Coffee
Quick bite
Small plates
Vegetarian options
Dining options
Breakfast
Brunch
Lunch
Dessert
Seating
Amenities
Toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Crowd
Family friendly
Groups
Tourists
Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
High chairs
Kids' menu
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Parking
Pets
Dogs allowed
Openings Hours
Checking

Monday

7:30 AM - 3:30 PM

Tuesday

7:30 AM - 3:30 PM

Wednesday

7:30 AM - 3:30 PM

Thursday

7:30 AM - 3:30 PM

Friday

7:30 AM - 3:30 PM

Saturday

7:30 AM - 3:30 PM

Sunday

7:30 AM - 3:30 PM

258 Reviews
Dearly Dee

06 Oct 2025

Breakfast at Nichols is always a fave for me. Can't beat sitting in the garden setting, drinking fantastic coffee and having a lovely hot breakfast on a crisp Dunedin morning.

Simone Templeton

01 Oct 2025

We had lunch here, nicely presented food at reasonable prices were offered. The Cafe is situated ibside the centre with seating offered in the plant section which would be lovely on a summer day ... even found a very nice plant on sale as a thank you present.

Abby S

24 Sep 2025

Nice beautiful cafe inside a garden centre. Great selection of food and great coffee. Fairly priced coffee and cabinet food. Pretty much always open even during public holidays. Plenty of tables inside and outside, can accommodate large group. Dogs and kids friendly. Has a very nice fully sheltered play house, perfect for wet weather.

Iain Milne

07 Sep 2025

Lovely food. Good portions. Fair priced. A bit cramped and table for two is a bit on the small side. Still my go to Cafe and added bonus of nursery and gift ware.

Tracey Siepkes

25 Aug 2025

I went because a Dunedin group meet regularly and I was interested to compare it to the Nicols in Chch. I was pleasantly surprised to see it is just as popular so going early is advised, the food is great and the customer service above fantastic. I had three food items, two from the cabinet and one from the menu. The scrambled eggs I wish I could do the same at home but they were so yummy I nearly ordered more. The club sandwich really nice and the slice I took away I enjoyed at my leisure after dinner. The hot chocolate was good, so a really enjoyable time apart because our group was so large one long table and the cafe busy, hard to converse to hear others was the only negative but that happens in any cafe with large groups. I shall return.

Anna Persson

16 Aug 2025

Visiting from Canada and enjoyed popping in here a couple times for lunch. After the noon rush was a bit more relaxed but our meal was just as tasty with great coffee as well. You can always wander about in the gift shop or browse the plants while you’re waiting. Such a nice atmosphere and lovely staff.

Jennifer F

10 Aug 2025

Nice food, friendly and helpful staff. Was very busy though, had to queue. The chicken salad was nice but had a lot of raw spinach in it. Chicken and mushroom pie was delicious. Vegetable Rosti stack is delicious too for a snack/small meal

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