Between scaling Mt Taranaki and hitting the mountain bike tracks around Lake Mangamahoe, surfing up a storm or soaking up the art, you’ll likely work up quite the appetite in New Plymouth. And, luckily, there’s a bunch of local eateries on hand to refuel at.
From decadent Italian and vibrant street food, and fine dining to DIY meatballs, a meat-loving paradise that also slings some pretty excellent vegetarian fare, literally flame-grilled fancies, and a sushi train, one thing’s for certain: you’re set.
Here are the best restaurants in New Plymouth.
Liardet Street Projects
Liardet Street
For cheap eats and food trucks, make for. Open for lunch and dinner, it’s a smorgasbord of flavours from all over the world which, of course, makes it the perfect spot to hit with a crew of foodies.
Hit for American burgs, for your fix of Pho and Bahn Mi, or refuel with a poké bowl, or swing by the for “the most stretchy mozzarella, the pepperiest pepperoni and the craftiest of beers”. Can’t argue with that.
And this is just the tip of the culinary dream that awaits you. Better still, the courtyard is illustrated with gorgeous street art making this lil’ spot as ‘Grammable as it is tasty.
Toret Cucina Italiana
South Road, Ōākura
One of the best restaurants near New Plymouth, especially when you’re in the mood for a boujee night out, is . It’s an authentic Italian just 17 minutes from New Plymouth.
The tastiest way to delve into this menu is via their three or four-course degustation, complete with wine match if that’s your jam, otherwise, freestyle your way through their offerings, perhaps starting with a gorgonzola mousse starter with honey and walnuts, followed by homemade gnocchi or goat’s cheese tortellini with burnt butter, sage and hazelnut.
As for dolci, their dessert menu boasts all the classics, from tiramisu to panna cotta, chocolate mousse or baked ricotta tart. Dreamy.
Polpetta
Devon Street East
New Plymouth has a creative meatball eatery. As if that wasn’t enough on its own to have you lunging for whatever device you book these things on, at you get to construct a meatball plate to match your mood. Yep, this is not a drill.
The first step is deciding on your ball with eight varieties to choose from including two vegan varieties in pumpkin coconut korma or cumin-spiked jalapeño kidney bean. Next up you choose your sauce which could be makhani curry, edamame pesto, three cheese, laksa, stroganoff, chimichurri hummus or classic pomodoro tomato.
Finally, round up your masterpiece with a plate of seasonal veggies, mac n’ cheese, pasta, green salad, risotto, sliders or mash. Damn.
Table Restaurant
Brougham Street
Situated in the boutique Nice Hotel, is an award-winning restaurant that definitely deserves a place on a list of New Plymouth's best restaurants.
The international menu showcases local produce such as paua toast with chives. For mains, the gnocchi with pumpkin, nasturtium and pine nuts and lamb rump with eggplant and semi-dried tomato are both winners.
If you don't feel like choosing, there’s a five-course ‘surprise’ tasting menu and you can opt to add matching wines (yes please). Finish off with a cocktail from the New York-style bar. The restaurant’s décor is plush and opulent and there’s outdoor seating complete with with lush tropical plants.
The Vineyard Bistro @Okurukuru
Surf Highway 45
Experience relaxed coastal dining at , a West Coast winery that’s a mere 15-minute drive from New Plymouth. The Italian-leaning menu features dishes such as yellowfin tuna ceviche, an antipasto platter and freshly made pasta of the day, but the real star of the show is the sweeping ocean views.
Grab a bunch of friends and head to The Vineyard Bistro for a long and boozy Sunday lunch or visit just before sunset, order a bottle of crisp pinot gris and sit back and relax.
There’s also a cellar door (check the opening times before you visit) where you can sample the Okurukuru sauvignon blanc and our favourite, the Okurukuru Taranaki rosé.
Fork n Knife
Devon Street West
Local favourite offers a five-course Trust The Chef set menu and you’ll do well to eat your way through it. With attentive service, meticulously presented food and, most importantly, delicious fare, you’re sure to enjoy your time here.
As a bonus? They cater weddings, and people are frothing their work, so if you’re on the hunt for a trusted caterer that slings delicious contemporary New Zealand eats while spotlighting local producers, you just found them.
Social Kitchen
Powderham Street
Housed in a building that was once a citadel for the Salvation Army, is about two things: meat and good vibes. And while the menu is predominantly meaty, the vegetarian options they do offer—like flaming whitestone halloumi, blue cheese gnocchi and eggplant parmigiana—will ensure any vego leaves just as satisfied as any meat-eater.
There are five options on their dessert menu, all of which spark intrigue. We’ve heard great things about their lemon curd cheesecake, and we’re here for their R18 sorbet that’s spiked with ratu rum liqueur. This is definitely one of the best restaurants in New Plymouth.
Shining Peak Brewing
Gill Street
When you’re on the craft beers, you want some food that’s on par, and that’s exactly what provides. Think truffle fries, sticky carrots, goat's cheese pannacotta and one helluva charcuterie board.
Mix and match small and large plates, follow their suggested beer pairings or order a tasting paddle to (happily) stagger through a beer wonderland. Whatever you do, leave room for dessert, and while you could opt for their sticky date pudding or lemon pannacotta, the real stars of their show are their beer ice creams.
Trust us, you might not think you need a Skunk Juice Hazy IPA and lemon ice block in your life (and your stomach), but you most certainly do.
The Orangery
Plymouth International, Courtenay Street
There’s no competition for the best restaurant in New Plymouth that comes with a side of drama. After all, what’s better than dinner? We’ll tell you: dinner and a show. At you get both thanks to the team’s penchant for flambé a.k.a. your meal cooked at your table over a fire.
Summon the heat by ordering a ‘Chateaubriand’ eye fillet or ‘Steak Dianne’ butterfly cut eye fillet—both flamed with brandy—or Pernod-fired garlic prawns, then take on a second round with Grand Marnier-soaked crêpes Suzette that are…wait for it… lit AF (sorry not sorry).
Sushi Ninja Sake Bar & Restaurant
Devon Street East
Sometimes you just want to sink your teeth into a bento bowl and, when that moment strikes, ’s got you. Bento bowls, a sushi train and ramen are their schtick during the day and, come nightfall, they’re the place to be for izakaya dining and sake.
From katsu curry to banana tempura and everything in between, book in advance and wear your loosest clothes—you’re going to need them.
Ms White
Queen Street
Our best advice? Come to if you’re hankering after some of the best pizza New Plymouth has to offer. Tucked away in the White Hart Hotel, Ms White dishes up traditional Italian pizzas with craft beer—there are over 40 to choose from and the staff rotate the taps weekly.
The pizzas are hand-rolled and have a thin base—get stuck into a garlic prawn pizza with rocket and chilli. If you’re after a vegetarian number, the pumpkin pizza with hazelnuts, kale and blue cheese is delicious.
Bring a bunch of mates, sit on the communal tables in the courtyard and play a game of cards with your pizza and beer—you can count us in.
The Hour Glass
Liardet Street
is a funky little wine and craft beer bar serving tasty tapas in the centre of town. There are some larger plates available if you would like your own meal, although we recommend ordering a few plates to share.
Kick things off with marinated olives with garlic and thyme and then move on to chorizo with tomato and crusty bread and next, the halloumi with charred corn, avocado and cheery tomatoes—heaven.
To drink, there’s a selection of New Zealand drops and craft beers on tap, including the locally brewed black sand lager, and the cocktails are worth noting. There’s an outdoor courtyard and happy hour, too.
Considering scaling Mount Taranaki? Here's all you need to know before tackling the summit.
Image credit: Social Kitchen, Toret Cucina Italiana, Table Restaurant, Fork n Knife, Shining Peak Brewery, Sushi Ninja Sake Bar & Restaurant.