The Good Oil Cafe

cafe — Dunedin Central · Dunedin

About The Good Oil Cafe

The Good Oil Cafe has been serving Dunedin premium coffee and quality food since 2003. Built on a philosophy of fresh, seasonal ingredients and espresso served the way customers love it, the cafe has become one of the city's go-to spots for breakfast, lunch, and a decadent cabinet treat.

The George Street cafe offers an all-day menu of a la carte and cabinet food, from cooked breakfasts and gourmet salads to hand-made pies made fresh on site every day. The kitchen uses free-range eggs and Deep Creek Deli pork, and caters to gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian diners, with gluten-free bread available on request.

The cafe is also known for its sweet treats - gooey caramel slices, decadent brownies, lemon and sour cream cake, fruity friands, and cinnamon swirls that have reached cult-like status with regulars. Beyond the counter, The Good Oil Cafe offers private catering for functions of eight to fifty people, from business lunches to birthdays and launch parties.

The Good Oil Cafe: Dunedin's Home of Great Coffee and Cult-Favourite Cinnamon Swirls

Since 2003, The Good Oil Cafe has been a fixture of the Dunedin cafe scene, built on a simple formula: fresh, seasonal ingredients and the best espresso, served the way customers love it. What started as one cafe has grown into two well-loved Dunedin locations, each known for the same tasty food, great coffee and friendly service.

An All-Day Menu Built on Fresh Ingredients

The George Street cafe serves an all-day menu of a la carte and cabinet food designed to satisfy at any time of day. Cooked breakfasts, muesli, French toast and omelettes cover the morning rush, while gourmet salads, hand-made pies and fresh sandwiches carry through to lunch. The kitchen uses free-range eggs and Deep Creek Deli pork, and offers gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian options, with gluten-free bread available on request.

The Cinnamon Swirls Everyone Talks About

No visit to The Good Oil Cafe is complete without trying the cinnamon swirls, which have built an almost cult-like following among regulars. They sit alongside a rotating cabinet of gooey caramel slices, decadent brownies, lemon and sour cream cake, and fruity friands - the kind of teatime treats that keep customers coming back for their afternoon coffee stop.

Great Coffee, Every Time

Coffee is at the heart of what The Good Oil Cafe does, backed up by a full range of hot drinks including loose leaf tea and hot chocolate, plus cold drinks and smoothies served in a signature jar. Customers consistently praise the quick, friendly service that keeps the cafe a popular meeting spot for locals, workers and visitors alike.

Catering for Your Next Function

Beyond the counter, The Good Oil Cafe offers fuss-free catering services for private events and functions ranging from eight to fifty people. Whether it's a business lunch, an after-work function, elegant canapes for a special event, or a celebration like a launch party, birthday or graduation, the team can put together a tailored menu that includes gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options.

Visiting The Good Oil Cafe

The George Street cafe is open seven days a week from 7.30am to 4.00pm. Whether it's a quick coffee, a leisurely breakfast, or a working lunch, The Good Oil Cafe has built its reputation on consistency - fresh food, good coffee, and friendly service, visit after visit.

Signature items

  • Cinnamon Swirls
  • Hand-Made Pies
  • Salmon Salad
  • Smoked Chicken Pasta
  • Eggs Benedict

Menu

Drinks

  • Cold Drinks — Smoothies and juices, served in a jar
  • Hot Drinks — Great coffee, loose leaf tea and hot chocolate

Breakfast

  • Cooked Breakfasts — Classic cooked breakfast options
  • Muesli — House muesli
  • French Toast — Classic French toast
  • Omelettes — Made to order omelettes

Sweet Treats

  • Cinnamon Swirls — Truly sensational - achieved cult-like status
  • Slices — Including gooey caramel slice
  • Cakes — Including lemon and sour cream cake
  • Muffins — Fresh baked muffins

Lunch & Cabinet Food

  • Gourmet Salads — Healthy salad-based options, including a popular salmon salad
  • Hand-Made Pies — Carefully made on site every day
  • Sandwiches and Rolls — Fresh sandwiches and rolls

Frequently asked questions

What are The Good Oil Cafe's opening hours?
Open seven days a week from 7.30am to 4.00pm.
Where is The Good Oil Cafe located?
At 314 George St, Dunedin 9016.
Does the cafe cater to dietary requirements?
Yes, gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian options are available, and gluten-free bread can be requested.
Does The Good Oil Cafe offer catering?
Yes, private catering for functions and events from eight to fifty people, including tailored gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan menus.
What is The Good Oil Cafe known for?
Its cult-favourite cinnamon swirls, hand-made pies, and consistently great coffee.
Are hand-made pies available every day?
Yes, they are carefully made on site every day.
Does the cafe serve breakfast all day?
It serves an all-day menu of a la carte and cabinet food alongside its breakfast options.

Tips

  • {"body":"They've achieved cult-like status among regulars - worth sampling.","title":"Try the cinnamon swirls"}
  • {"body":"The morning coffee rush gets busy, so come early to avoid the queue.","title":"Arrive early for breakfast"}
  • {"body":"Gluten-free bread is available on request alongside other GF, vegan and vegetarian choices.","title":"Ask about gluten-free options"}
  • {"body":"Catering is available for private events from eight to fifty people.","title":"Book ahead for functions"}

Good to know

  • {"family":"Private catering available for functions of eight to fifty people","dietary":"Gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian options available; free-range eggs and Deep Creek Deli pork used; gluten-free bread on request"}