Mike’s Bistro & Taproom occupies an intimate central New Plymouth room after moving from its former larger venue. The defining feature is a kitchen that operates entirely without gluten, allowing coeliac and gluten-sensitive diners to read the whole food menu rather than hunt for a few adaptations. Dinner runs every evening, and the atmosphere changes as the night develops, beginning as a relaxed bistro before selected live performances start later.
Small plates combine comfort and globally inflected flavours. Mike's fried chicken comes with Japanese mayonnaise, kasundi and maple yoghurt, while porcini-and-parmesan arancini hide a mozzarella centre. Salt-and-pepper or peri-peri calamari, beetroot and goat's-cheese parfait, tempura vegetables and house-baked gluten-free sourdough make it easy to assemble a shared first course without losing the kitchen's inclusive focus.
Main dishes are deliberately hearty. Scotch fillet is served with vegetables and a choice of mash or potato gratin, pork belly is roasted with ginger, fennel and star anise, and beef cheek is slow-cooked in pinot-noir jus. Ethiopian-style chicken doro wat, a creamy seafood chowder and fresh local fish broaden the range, while dessert might be a triple-chocolate brownie, vegan pear-and-apple crumble, crème brûlée or sticky date pudding with whisky caramel.
The taproom operates as a free house, rotating local and independent craft beer alongside wine, cocktails, alcohol-free drinks and botanical alternatives. Open-mic sessions, local bands and acoustic performances begin after the dining-focused part of the evening, preserving room for both dinner and a livelier late night. Groups can choose à la carte, set, banquet or grazing formats, and private events can use the permanent stage, lighting and sound equipment.
Address: 40 Devon Street East, New Plymouth Central, New Plymouth 4310, New Zealand
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