The Southland Cheese Roll

Q: Where can I try a cheese roll in Southland?

Just about everywhere . You'll find cheese rolls in cafés, bakeries and eateries across Invercargill, Bluff, Gore, Te Anau and many smaller Southland towns. They're a local favourite and one of the easiest ways to get a taste of southern food culture. Ask a Southlander where to find the best cheese roll and chances are you'll get a different answer every time.

Cheese roll icon The Southland cheese roll is one of the South's most iconic foods. Known affectionately as Southern Sushi, this local delicacy has been a staple of cafés, community fundraisers and family gatherings across Southland and Otago for generations. Crispy on the outside and filled with a savoury cheese mixture, it's become a must-try for anyone visiting the region.

Like the historic tiffs over Pavlova, Russell Crowe, Marmite, and more, the origin story of the cheese roll is also hotly debated. Truth be told, no one really knows how the cheese roll came about, but we're convinced the best cheese rolls are found in Southland!

The cheese roll is perhaps one of our most treasured traditions. Early recipes for the dish date back to the 1930s, with the earliest appearing in a New Zealand newspaper in 1935. Its popularity took off following the introduction of sliced bread in the 1950s, and today you'll find cheese rolls in cafés, bakeries, bars and restaurants throughout Southland.

However, they are more than just cheese and bread. Ask a Southlander who makes the best cheese roll, and you'll most likely receive a different answer each time, so the most scientific way to find the ultimate cheese roll is simple: try as many as possible.

It's not called "Southern Sushi" for nothing. The humble cheese roll requires finesse, an often-secret recipe and hands well-trained in the art of the roll. There are a lot of different recipes floating around, anywhere from the classic cheese roll to a cheese roll with crayfish, stuffed with chorizo, made with sheep cheese or even deep-fried! Try a Southland Cheese Roll - you're worth it.

More Than Just Cheese and Bread

Cheese rolls are more than just a snack. For generations, they've been part of everyday life across Southland and Otago, showing up at school fairs, church fundraisers, sports club events, and family gatherings.

Like many of the South's best traditions, every family seems to have their own way of doing things. Some recipes are passed down through generations, while others are closely guarded secrets. The result is an endless debate over who makes the best cheese roll and what belongs in the perfect filling.

Cheese rolls bring back memories of community events, shared meals and helping out at local fundraisers. It's this connection to people and place that has helped turn a simple combination of bread and cheese into one of the South's most enduring food traditions.

Where to Find Cheese Rolls in Southland

From Invercargill cafés and Bluff eateries to bakeries in Gore and restaurants in Te Anau, cheese rolls can be found right across Southland. You'll spot them in café cabinets, on lunch menus and at community events throughout the year. While recipes vary from place to place, that's part of the fun. Ask a Southlander where to find the best cheese roll and chances are you'll get a different answer every time. The only real solution is to try a few and decide for yourself.

Whether you're visiting Invercargill, exploring Fiordland, heading to Rakiura Stewart Island or road-tripping through rural Southland, there's a good chance your next cheese roll is just around the corner.

Or check one of the many other cafes that Southland is home to here!

Cafes & Bakeries

Make your tastebuds happy and follow the smell of freshly baked goods. From a Parisian patisserie to expert pie bakers and bread makers, Southland has plenty of mouthwatering cafes and bakeries to choose from. Or get your…

FAQ

Everything You Need to Know About Southland Cheese Rolls

Part comfort food, part local legend, the humble cheese roll has been a staple of southern life for generations. Whether you're wondering where they came from, where to try one or why locals love them so much, here's what you need to know.

What is a Southland cheese roll?

The Southland cheese roll is a southern classic made from sliced bread wrapped around a savoury cheese filling, then toasted until golden and crispy. You'll find them on café menus, at fundraisers, in community halls and at plenty of family gatherings throughout Southland and Otago.

Why are cheese rolls called Southern Sushi?

It's one of those nicknames that has stuck for generations. The rolled shape might be part of it, but mostly it's a tongue-in-cheek way of celebrating one of the South's favourite foods. Ask any Southlander and they'll know exactly what Southern Sushi means.

Where did the Southland cheese roll originate?

That's the million-dollar question. While recipes appeared in New Zealand newspapers as early as the 1930s, nobody can say for certain who invented the cheese roll. What we do know is that it became firmly woven into life in Southland and Otago, and generations of southerners have proudly claimed it as their own ever since.

What is in a traditional cheese roll?

That depends on who you're asking. Most traditional cheese rolls include grated cheese, onion soup mix and evaporated milk, but every family seems to have its own version. Some recipes are rich and creamy, others are sharp and cheesy, and many are closely guarded secrets.

Are all cheese rolls the same?

Definitely not. In Southland, asking who makes the best cheese roll can start a lively debate. Some people like them crispy, others softer. Some add extra ingredients, while others swear the classics should never be touched. The best way to decide is to try a few for yourself.

Where can I try a cheese roll in Southland?

Just about everywhere. You'll find cheese rolls in cafés, bakeries and eateries across Invercargill, Bluff, Gore, Te Anau and many smaller Southland towns. They're a local favourite and one of the easiest ways to get a taste of southern food culture. Ask a Southlander where to find the best cheese roll and chances are you'll get a different answer every time.

Why are cheese rolls so popular in Southland?

Because they're simple, comforting and bring people together. For decades, cheese rolls have featured at fundraisers, sports clubs, church events, school functions and family tables across the South. They're as much a part of Southland culture as they are a meal.

Can I make cheese rolls at home?

Absolutely. Many Southlanders grow up learning how to make them, and recipes are often handed down through families. While everyone has their own method, the basic idea remains the same: a cheesy filling, fresh bread and a hot grill until they're golden and irresistible.

When is the best time of year to eat cheese rolls?

Whenever you can get your hands on one. They're especially popular in the cooler months, when comfort food is hard to beat, but you'll find cheese rolls enjoyed year-round throughout Southland.

What food is Southland famous for?

Southland is known for several iconic foods, including Bluff oysters, blue cod and locally produced lamb and beef. But few dishes are as closely linked to the region as the humble cheese roll. Loved by generations of locals, it's become one of Southland's most recognisable food traditions.

The Southland Cheese Roll: A Southern Food Icon You'll Want to Try

More Than Just Cheese and Bread

Where to Find Cheese Rolls in Southland

This is Southland

Try a Cheese Roll Here

The Batch Cafe

Miss Cocoa

Seriously Good Chocolate Company

Winton Bakery

Sandfly Cafe

Industry Cafe

Brunel Peaks Cafe and Bar

The Cheeky Llama

Table Talk Cafe

The Snuggery

Niagara Falls Cafe

The Coffee Bomb

102 Café & Restaurant

The Grille

Cafes & Bakeries

FAQ

Everything You Need to Know About Southland Cheese Rolls

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