Take a bite of the good life - Top Eats Around Taranaki Maunga
(Pictured above) Toret Cucina Italiana – Ōakura
Add these top local eats to your itinerary the next time you visit Taranaki Maunga.
Taranaki has played a foundational role throughout Aotearoa New Zealand’s history.
Today the region is leading the drive towards a prosperous and sustainable future with fresh thinking and an innovative spirit, providing the perfect mix to create authentic and unique food and drink experiences.
Buoyant coffee, honey, craft alcohol, authentic Italian, fresh produce, and baked goods businesses are on the regional menu – leveraging Taranaki’s unique story and fertile growing conditions to produce high-quality products that are capturing the attention of global markets and resonating with customers.
Taranaki is humming! Make a trip of it and check out some of the Top Eats around the Maunga.
Toret Cucina Italiana – Ōakura
Your local Italian that’s all about sharing good food, a few laughs, and a drink or two with family and friends.
Toret is an owner-operator run restaurant that doesn’t compromise on quality or taste. Located on the main street of Ōakura, the atmosphere, cuisine and experience is uniquely Toret. From the exceptionally delicious food to the genuine service, it is everything you would find in Northern Italy, but unlike any other venue in Taranaki.
Toret is authentic, rooted in the Italian tradition of crafting simplistic dishes based on seasonal, local produce, with skilled preparation and cooking techniques. Fall in love with their handmade pasta, wood-fired pizza, undeniably delicious mains, and exceptional desserts.
Wild Pear Kitchen – New Plymouth
Wild Pear Kitchen
Fresh Fast and Healthy, Wild Pear Kitchen welcomes all to come and try their plant-based, vegan, vegetarian kitchen.
Wild Pear Kitchen is a plant-based café in New Plymouth's CBD with plenty of outside seating right in the heart of the city.
It can be tricky to locate local plant-based kitchens around Aotearoa, Wild Pear Kitchen is the new go to for all herbivores when in Taranaki. Offering fresh, flavoursome superfoods that cater for vegan, vegetarian, and plant-based diets, this is an experience not to miss.
Liardet Street Projects – New Plymouth
Liardet Street Projects
Tucked away in central New Plymouth, Liardet Street Projects is a vibrant communal courtyard of food trucks and stalls, offering a wide range of authentic street food and cheap eats. It’s the perfect spot for when the crew can’t agree on just one type of cuisine.
Gamma Ray’s, Liardet Street Projects
Available cuisines include American-style burgers, Vietnamese, Hawaiian/Japanese fusion, Spanish, Californian-style pizza, and artisan coffee, there’s also a piano at the entrance (kindly donated by a local high school) for anyone to play a tune, and loads of Instagram-worthy Street Art on the surrounding walls.
The Burnt Place – Hāwera
The Burnt Place Bar & Kitchen
At The Burnt Place Bar & Kitchen the team will ensure your experience will be more than ordinary.
An upmarket bar with an emphasis on great food, the decadent menu of small and large plates is designed to be shared with the entire table. Whether it is for a meal, a quick bite, or a taster of their extensive drinks menu, The Burnt Place Bar & Kitchen serve up exceptional food, an eclectic cocktail list, ambience, and great service.
The Burnt Place is seriously so hot right now.
Café Fika – Pātea
Café Fika
Home-baked food. L’affare Coffee. Local artwork.
'Fika' (pronounced fee-ka), a Swedish word meaning 'a moment to slow down and appreciate the good things in life' which is exactly what this cosy cafe offers.
Head through the front door to find a cute vintage interior, friendly staff, delicious hot coffee, and tasty treats. With easy street parking, there's no excuse not to stop by to refuel your puku.
The menu boasts hearty meals all named after local attractions around Pātea and the Taranaki region, such as 'The Whale Bone Breakfast' (big brekkie), 'Egmont Street Bene' (eggs benedict), and 'Boat Ramp' (Fish 'n' chips), as well as a kids menu. A huge range of fresh tasty cabinet food, both sweet and savoury is available too.
Situated on the main street of Pātea with a bicycle parked out front - Cafe Fika is a must-stop if you're in or passing through Pātea.
Shakee Pear Café at Pioneer Village – Stratford
Handily positioned at Stratford's Pioneer Village.
The Shakee Pear Cafe is adjacent to the Pioneer Village and is the perfect place to go after you have walked or taken the wee train around a slice of history. Make a morning or afternoon of it and get your fill of either hearty brunch and lunch options.
The surroundings are cozy, warm and inviting, with easy parking and a playground that will give the little ones a chance to burn off some energy if you're just passing through.
Hospitality comes naturally here – our door is always open. And, with our food and hospitality industries flourishing, the opportunity to champion community, create memories and enjoy tasty new experiences has never been better (or more satisfying).
Taranaki. Food, Drink and Hospitality Like No Other.
For a taste of Taranaki today, and to discover more about this region ‘like no other’ click the link below or follow Taranaki Like No Other on Facebook or Instagram.Taranaki.co.nz/visit
Facebook: @TaranakiNZ
Instagram: @taranaki_nz
latest issue:
Issue #118
The most highly anticipated issue of dish for the year is HERE! Christmas just wouldn’t be complete without our annual festive magazine, a collector’s edition jam-packed with feasting fare. For 2024 we have compiled a selection of our favourite classics, with all the traditional dishes you know and love, with ham, salmon, beef and turkey galore. But this year, we’ve dialed the fun up a notch with loads more to delight – a long Italian Christmas lunch, festive Mexican-inspired fiesta and celebration ‘barbecue-style’. With options for vegetarians and a sensational selection of sides, there’s also show-stopping desserts to finish with flair. The Christmas issue of dish is ON SALE NOW!