Whether you’re a Taranaki local or you’re heading to New Plymouth for a few days of surf, sun and adventure, we all need a good strong cup of coffee to get us going in the morning and a hearty feed doesn’t hurt either.
New Plymouth’s cafe scene has exploded in the last few years so we’ve sorted the best from the rest, so there’s no need to waste your time on sub-par eggs benny or a burnt cup of coffee.
From Benedicts and Buddha bowls, plant-based creations to froth over (then shove in your face) and vibrant street food, to breakfast bagels, macarons, doughnuts, raw treats and retro feeds.
Here are the best cafes in New Plymouth, for brunch and beyond.
The Federal Store & Bakehouse
Devon Street East
It’d be impossible to have anything but a good day after you’ve started with apple crumble porridge. Seriously, cinnamon stewed apple and shortbread crumble for brekky? Sign us up.
1950s retro ambience, to boot? Preach. Then again, banoffee French toast has just the right amount of flair for a stonkingly good brunch feed. And if you’re nursing a hangover (or even if you aren’t), The Federal Store’s got you with a crispy fried chicken burger and BBQ pulled pork tacos.
Most of the menu can be made gluten-free and/or vegan, too, so nobody need miss out. Choice.
Little Rogue Eatery
Devon Street East
Known for its salads and sweet treats (because, balance), Little Rogue Eatery is a little gem of a cafe, and, thanks to its calm, quiet atmosphere, it’s one of the best cafes in New Plymouth for a catch-up with friends.
Formerly known as Birdie, this spot caters to vegan, gluten-free, nut-free, dairy-free, and other dietary requirements which is always a good sign, as is a packed cabinet, which Little Rogue Eatery excels at too.
Emmalou Macaron & Coffee House
Devon Street East
You know that incredible feeling that fills you when you bite into that iconic crispy macaron shell and your teeth sink into the sweet, chewy centre? If, like us, you’re practically drooling at the mere thought, you need to get yourself to Emmalou Macaron & Coffee House, stat.
Perhaps unexpectedly, given the name, this spot isn’t just about macarons and coffee (although they do a damn good job of both). The cabinet’s stuffed with other mouthwatering creations too, like cinnabons with cream cheese icing, vegetable tart and hearty sandwiches.
They even make their own crumpets. *Swoon.*
Escape Coffee Roasters
Liardet Street
While we’re usually a bit suspicious of those places trying to juggle too many acts, Escape manages to pull off the ‘part surf shop, part cafe, part boutique, part yoga studio’ thing and they do it exceptionally well.
The coffee is some of the best in New Plymouth and they have a small selection of cabinet food like bliss balls and chia puddings which go down particularly well after a Saturday morning yoga session.
If you’ve got a pooch who is as partial to a morning out at one of New Plymouth‘s best cafes, this dog-friendly joint is the spot for you.
Elixir Cafe
Devon Street East
If you’re in need of a big breakfast that will keep you going all day (and maybe all night too) look no further than Elixir Cafe. The mince on toast is so famous you can buy custom tees dedicated to it and once you’ve seen it you’ll understand why.
Thick slices of round toast topped with chunky mince, a perfectly poached egg and creamy aioli, you’ll be hooked after one bite. There are plenty of options for vegans and vegetarians too like the avocado on Vogels and the Thai peanut Buddha bowl.
The team here is also dedicated to the war on waste and is part of the Taranaki Cup Library so you’ll never need to use another takeaway coffee cup when you’re on the go.
#antsnacks The Lunch Bar
Devon Street East
Whether you’re hankering for a carb fest or healthy vege fare, #antsnacks The Lunch Bar will deliver. Crack into their array of Benedicts, choosing from showstoppers like their lip-smackingly good Japanese mushrooms and spinach on Turkish pide, Bombay pulled pork with curry hollandaise and kasundi, fried chicken alongside all the classic pairings.
Then there’s their breakfast burger to consider, along with their Buddha bowls (including one with macaroni, grilled bacon, hash brown bites, waffle and corn chips), and loaded fries with triple cheese.
Better still, if you love their kai as much as we think you will, you can summon the team to whip up some equally tasty treats for your next celebration—the same team is behind ABC Catering.
Ozone
King Street
If you hail from Tāmaki Makaurau you probably already know how good Ozone is—their Westmoreland cafe in Grey Lynn is always pumping.
As luck would have it, New Plymouth has its very own Ozone too, so you can get some seriously good eats and the essential cup of Joe. Expect a cabinet that’s so stacked you’ll need to take a moment (over a coffee, of course) to figure out what you want to eat.
We recommend wrapping your mouth around one of their sandwiches that never fails to tickle the taste buds with unexpected combinations, like avocado and cheese with wasabi and pesto.
As a bonus, this place is pup-friendly. Be sure to nab yourself a bag of coffee beans from the roastery out back before you leave.
Wild Pear Kitchen
Devon Street East
The go-to spot for plant-based travellers and locals (or anybody in the mood for an epic vege feed). Slingin’ breakfast and lunch, if the hangry beast is roaring, make a beeline for Wild Pear Kitchen.
The menu ranges from a hemp seed burger—which would pair well with their polenta fries—as well as jackfruit nachos, a ‘HALT’ halloumi, avo, lettuce and tomato bun, and, of course, their Wild Wellness Bowls.
A satisfying triptych in hippie, keto rainbow or Middle Eastern-inspired flavours, they’re enough to curb the cravings of any appetite. Lest we forget their vegan doughnuts and lamingtons. This is not a drill.
Liardet Street Projects
Liardet Street
For cheap eats and food trucks, make for Liardet Street Projects. 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 Gamma Ray’s for American burgs, Veitnomnom for your fix of Pho and Bahn Mi, or refuel with a poké bowl, or swing by the Neon Robot 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.
Billow
Devon Street West
At Billow, they’re serious about sourdough, fermenting their in-house dough for up to 36 hours. The bakehouse is all about good bread and good pastry, with organic fair-trade coffee by Escape Coffee Roasters and organic tea from Libertine blends to wash it all down.
Here, the focus is on simple things done well. Stop by for loaves of bread and croissants, and other special things they’ve whipped up that day.
The Public Catering Company
White Hart Hotel, Queen Street
Pies, tarts, lamingtons and flavoured doughnuts that require an early wake-up to get your mitts on are just some of the tasty fare on offer at The Public Catering Company.
Essentially, they’re serving the 90s kid dream except we’re talking bold combinations and levelled up flavours. Pillowy doughnuts filled with cream or creme brûlée, or glazed with maple or berry; breakfast bagels with egg, salmon and dill, and loaded smashed avo toasts.
Unbaked Bakery
Devon Street West
Raw food never looked so dashing. You’ll probably want to eat everything at Unbaked Bakery so we’d recommend starting with a mixed-slice box.
Packed with their eight most popular flavours including choc raspberry caramel brownie, salted caramel, black forest cheesecake, cookie dough caramel, passionfruit lemon and coconut cheesecake, double choc hazelnut mousse slice, snickers and berries and cream, there’ll be no doubt who the favourite flatmate is.
And if you’re eating in, indulge in the cabinet food with reckless abandon, and do enjoy one of their vibrant smoothies or caffeine-free lattes.
Piccolo Morso
If you're looking for top-quality pies, doughnuts for days, gelato and cinnamon rolls to die for Piccolo Morso is the place to head. The cafe also slings some excellent Supreme coffee just around the back on Clemlow Road.
True coffee fanatics can pick up Supreme merch (the socks are legit) while you’re waiting for your coffee, or pop into the bakery in front for a pie or an Afghan.
For those who prefer your coffee to go, bring your Keepcup for 50c off, otherwise take a load off at the big table and enjoy your coffee there.
Tartan Rose
Whether you’re after coffee and cake, a simple breakfast or a bunch of flowers (or all three), Tartan Rose will sort you out.
They specialise in cakes—if you happen to be getting married in the area you’ll want to check them out—but it turns out they are just as good at making a good strong coffee as they are at decorating cakes. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, check out the sticky toffee waffles.
All fuelled up? Take a tour of the best things to do in New Plymouth.
Image credit: Little Rogue Eatery, #antsnacks The Lunch Bar, Wild Pear Kitchen, Billow, Unbaked Bakery.