Eat & Drink

First up, you’ll need to get your bearings in the city centre. Start at Ozone Coffee Roasters who began here in New Plymouth and are now based in Auckland and London also. You can smell Ozone’s great coffee being roasted onsite, and the brunch menu is short and delicious. Another favourite, Monica’s, exists in a beautiful space next to the stunning Len Lye Centre at the Govett Brewster Art Gallery. Enjoy an excellent breakfast, lunch or dinner here and if the hour is right try one of Monica’s famous gin cocktails. Next door the building is worth the visit alone - its mirrorlike stainless steel curved exterior walls attract visitors from all over. The Len Lye Centre is dedicated to the work of filmmaker and kinetic sculptor, Len Lye - leave plenty of time to explore it and the other galleries at the Govett Brewster. Kids will also love a visit to explore Taranaki’s past, present and future at Puke Ariki - New Plymouth’s museum and information centre which sits just back from the waterfront.

Finish with dinner in one of the hip but friendly establishments in the West End Precinct - a group of restaurants gathered around a central courtyard. Alternatively there are a couple of good gastro pubs in the city if you are dining with kids - Frederics and The Good Home - or if it’s date night, enjoy a special evening at Social Kitchen.