The Hour Glass has occupied Liardet Street since 2013, developing into a wine-led tapas restaurant. New owners Jenna and Bodie have continued that direction rather than discarding it. The venue divides into an intimate bar, a covered outdoor area and a snug side room for groups, so a visit can feel close and conversational even when the broader restaurant is busy with a tasting or evening service.
Tapas is the most expressive part of the kitchen. Baked brie with hot honey and beetroot with feta sit beside charcuterie and whipped feta dip, while pork belly, spiced prawns and mussels with chorizo carry more weight. Slow-braised lamb shoulder, duck spring rolls, lamb kofta and beef croquettes pull the selection across several European and Mediterranean traditions. Because the dishes vary so widely in richness and texture, a table can build a progression rather than simply order a row of similar snacks.
Only three dishes occupy the main-course section, giving each a clear purpose. Angus eye fillet comes with hash sticks and a choice of porcini jus or blue-cheese sauce; market fish is paired with mushroom and spinach risotto; and roast chicken arrives with creamy mash and baby carrots. Dessert is more expansive, including liqueur-filled artisan doughnuts, sticky-date pudding and apple-and-peach crumble, with a cheese board or shared dessert selection available for diners who want the final course to remain communal.
Wine is not merely an accompaniment at The Hour Glass. Jenna's interest in making it approachable shapes a cellar supported by regular tastings and paired-tapas events, several of which have appeared on the 2026 programme. Four taps rotate local breweries, while classic cocktails, gin, whisky and dessert wines broaden the choice beyond bottles and glasses of wine. That balance makes the restaurant equally credible for a guided tasting, a few small plates after work or a complete dinner with carefully chosen drinks.
Address: 49 Liardet Street, New Plymouth 4310, New Zealand
Been to The Hour Glass? Be one of the first to rate it.
+ Log your visit
