Uncover places to eat, drink and sample local craft beers in Taranaki. Lunch in the many cafes in New Plymouth or on the road in Taranaki.
TABLE
Premium accommodation Nice Hotel has a restaurant befitting the high standard expected of such an establishment. The menu is innovative with a touch of local ingredients from Bay of Plenty avocados and paua nibbles. Enjoy a five course set tasting menu with matching wines.
TIP
Arrive early and enjoy the atmosphere of the New York style bar with its lush, opulent cosmopolitan decor.
SOCIAL KITCHEN
Perfectly located in the centre of New Plymouth in the former Salvation Army Citadel is a restaurant / cafe specialising in a sharing menu. The quirky decor features taxidermy, chandeliers and bright pops of coloured leather seating against the concrete walls. The menu is seasonal, inspired and dishes are supported by the The use of a Mibrasa charcoal oven. One of the favourites and menu staple is angus tenderloin, sweet and sour red onions. Try it and you will know why.
MONICA’S EATERY
Monica’s Eatery, adjacent to the Govett-Brewster serving contemporary Pacific fusion cafe style food offers choice and temptations. The cafe is named after a founding patron of the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery. If Monica’s is too busy or doesn’t suit there are plenty of eateries in the vicinity of the Govett Brewster Art Gallery ( the Len Lye Centre) with the coastal walkway and waterfront seating creating a tempting idea to simply eat your sandwiches watching the world go by.
MRS WHITE
A match made in tasting heaven. Pizza and beer in an attractive courtyard setting. Observe the wood oven at Ms. White with its superb selection of craft ale. They are in this little courtyard, which is shared by a couple of other food vendors. Enjoy watching your mouse become a tiny pizza guide on the website, now that’s creative fun.
KNEAD ARTISAN DONUTS
A suburban cafe with donuts is only open several times a week. And the line out the door while telling you you’re arrived. Flavours vary according to the season and ingredients. Knead might call itself a small whanau business, but the blackboard outside says it all. Donuts and coffee don’t come any better in New Plymouth.
BILLOW
Organic free trade, coffee, organic sourdough creating artisan bread worthy accompaniment to your picnic. As stated by owners, Rosie Sargisson and Jeffrey Fong. ‘ best shared with others.’ The bakery is in a converted shipping container with their bread often on the table of many New Plymouth and Taranaki cafes. Remember to stock up on the Billow’s croissants, pastries and morning buns, gone by mid-morning so be quick.
JUNO GIN
Book a tour and gin tasting at Juno’s. The gin is distilled in New Plymouth using locally sourced botanicals, water from Mt Taranaki and a still named Leila designed by a Taranaki-based engineering firm. If you’re a gin fan, be sure to book a tour of the distillery and a gin tasting with Juno’s owners Dave and Jo, who’ll share the entertaining story of how their popular distillery came to be.
MIKES BREWERY
Stalwart brewery, NZ’s first craft beer brewer. Hungry? Try mikes brewery bistro has something for everyone when it comes to beer. There is a very impressive selection. For those who want a glass of wine not an issue. Located in Urenui, accompany your drink selection with choices from the contemporary brunch / bistro style menu.
SHINING PEAK BREWING
Visit a local local spot, a craft brewery pub with mouth-watering burgers on the side. Shining Peak Brewing’s and enjoy a behind the scenes brewery tour, grab a burger (the next best thing to pizza) and sample local favourite tipple.
FORGOTTEN HIGHWAY 43 BREWERY
Forgotten Highway 43 is a craft brewery delight. Located in Stratford, pop into the tasting room and enjoy. The premises are owned and operated by a group of enthusiastic locals with a taste for quality craft beer.
THE THEORETICAL BREWER
Tasting room and online for boutique brewery The Theoretical Brewer: Craft Beer | New Plymouth | New Zealand. The golden “The First Finch” pale ale, big malty “transPorter” porter, and bohemian style light lager “Quantum Eraser” pilsner, add to the growing variety of great contemporary beers. The tap room is located in the brewery complete with pipes and scent of brewing beer.
THREE SISTERS
The name is marvellous, Three Sisters Brewery is where boutique means limited runs and meticulous care with each batch of craft beer goodness. Three Sisters Brewery is a husband-and-wife team (Joe and Sarah) who brew boutique craft beer in a garage in coastal Taranaki. Oakura locals and a place to pop in after a day surfing.
LITTLE LIBERTY CREAMERY (INGLEWOOD)
Yum, plant based ice cream with a massive dairy factory down the road. Now that’s choice in the land of cows. Natural ingredients and nut based milks are whipped into a range of different flavoured frozen treats by the scoop.
SOUL KITCHEN
Imaginative fresh contemporary food based in Opunake where the surfboard reigns. A great reason to make a day at the beach with catering sorted.
THE ORANGERY
Dinner at The Orangery is fun. The use of flames makes for a magical evening where you feel as though you are out and about being entertained while enjoying the atmosphere of people laughing during food service. Flambe definitely breaks the ice and cooking at your table is a great way to relax into the evening. Dinner is open Monday-Saturday from 6pm-10pm booking is strongly recommended.
THE VINEYARD BISTRO@OKURUKUR
The views are magnificent as well as the modern architecture on the headline overlooking the ocean. The restaurant and mezzanine floor offers a selection of framed views from Oakura to the Sugar Loaf Islands; then moving out onto the spacious deck and enjoying outstanding panoramic views from Cape Egmont to New Plymouth. The menu is fusion New Zealand.
NOTE
It pays to check opening hours as hospitality has been hard hit by covid.
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