Dust off your casual best, coffee fans - there will be a bunch of new cafes and eateries to visit in Dunedin over the next few months.
An unscientific survey of Dunedin hospitality developments has unearthed 10 new food or coffee businesses opening over the next few months.
Other establishments undergoing refurbishments were not included among the 10. New offerings range from espresso bars to restaurants and cafes.
For experienced cafe and coffee folk Gavin Mockford and Nicola van der Jagt, it was a sign Dunedin was a city rapturous about coffee.
The couple recently sold Flax Cafe in Caversham and will open a new espresso bar and roastery in the historic 101-year-old Northeast Valley post office building tomorrow.
Initially, they would be serving coffee only, though within a few weeks would have their licence to sell food as well.
Dunedin's coffee culture had ''gone nuts'' in recent years, Mr Mockford said.
''People are becoming really interested in the craft.''
That growing interest in quality and craft also extended to whole, real, freshly made food, The Standard Kitchen owner Angela Bates said.
Opening in Princes St's Standard Building in September, the eatery would only serve ''wholefoods'' prepared on site.
People cared a lot more about what they were eating and drinking now, she said, and eateries providing higher quality food and drink were contributing to Dunedin's growing cafe culture.
Another cause could be Dunedinites' increased social demand, she said.
''It is quite a social thing. It's having somewhere to go and meet with people. The weather's not always so fine here, so having somewhere to go that's warm and comfortable is really good.''
Sam Fleury said he would open the doors to his new cafe, Recess, today. The petite space off Albion Pl would focus on Monday to Friday takeaway customers.
He put the current cafe boom down to Dunedin's creative culture.
''I think people here have good ideas. And people are excited to share things with Dunedin. And at the moment there are a lot of people sharing things at the same time.''
Maori Hill's new offering, Copper, on Highgate, was likely to open by the end of this month, owner Delvin Chin said.
He said ''weekend brunch'' at a Dunedin cafe was now a staple for many.
''And that's new for Dunedin.''
Enterprise Dunedin director John Christie said the developments were a sign Dunedin was doing well.
''It definitely shows that there is confidence from people committing to invest in and grow businesses here in the city.''
Big gains in Dunedin's visitor numbers would be contributing to the confidence of business owners, he said.
''But I think even more ... the fact people are prepared to invest shows the Dunedin economy is more buoyant than it has been.''
