Licensed vegan cafe opened 2018 in Oakura township, by the sea on the main road around the mountain. Offers platters, light meals, fresh breads, sweets, raw treats, and cabinet food. Menu includes vegan burgers, nachos, pizza, quiche, fries, and salads plus in-house baked goods like vegan scones, cakes, and pikelets. Fresh juices, wine, and local craft beer selection available. Relocated from New Plymouth. Reported closed March 2024.
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69 Carthew St, Okato, New Zealand, 4335
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- Outdoor seating
- Wheelchair accessible
- Accepts credit cards
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Last update on 19 Mar 2024 by DenisPankov
Update business info -
Added by Yolanda on 17 Nov 2018
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35 Reviews
First Review by Yolanda
Yolanda
Points +2460
One of the top vegan eateries in New Zealand - Edit
The jewel in the crown for super vegan friendly New Plymouth must be the newly opened Lemonwood Eatery at Oakura, 12 kms out of New Plymouth on the road that follows the coast around the mountain. There Barbara Olsen-Henderson, famous for the excellent cafe Bach on Breakwater, has excelled herself and recently opened what I'd say is one of the best vegan cafes in New Zealand.
Read moreBarbara brings decades of restaurant experience to Lemonwood and you can tell in the menu and the flavours that she knows what she is doing. She is vegan herself so understands how important it is that the food nails it on the taste front and is attractive to vegans and non-vegans alike. Creating a vegan eatery in a little coastal village away from the main centres may seem like a risk and leap of faith, but not when the food and the staff are tip top.
You can dine indoors or out and choose from a large menu or the cabinet. Everything is vegan. The cheese scones, which Barbara was famous for at Bach on Breakwater, are here but are vegan now. Best cheese scone ever. I can recommend the buckwheat pikelets with homemade lime curd and anything with Barbara’s soya mince. I am not a fan of soya mince at all – but this converted me. Full of flavour, great texture and just delish. I got to try the burger because the café manager generously offered me a bite of his lunch. Thanks! It was also very delicious and full of flavour. They have an excellent and interesting range of cakes and desserts (try the mandarin and cardamom cake, or carrot cake, or chocolate zucchini cake or perhaps one of the many raw slices). For some creaminess, ask for some coconut yogurt or coconut chia pudding to go on top for just $1 extra.
Their breakfast menu runs all day and covers a wide range of brekkie favs including eggy tofu benny, sausages, baked beans, bubble and squeak, muesli, raisin bread plus home baked fermented breads. Other food options include pot sticker dumplings, bread and dips, nachos and whatever is in the cabinet. When we were there that included corn fritters, a quiche, pizza and something wrapped in pastry. Their drinks menu includes vegan wines and craft beers.
The Lemonwood Eatery should make New Plymouth a destination for vegan foodies. I highly recommend it.
Updated from previous review on 2018-11-18
Pros: comprehensive menu, lovely staff, great flavours
Guest
Widgeorlanda
Points +52
Absolutely A Delight!!!! - Edit
Friendly, engaging, great coffee, brilliant service, AND TOTALLY DELICIOUSLY VEGAN in Aoteraoa!
Read morePros: Authentic service, Superb coffee, Truly caring for the planet and us all
Cons: Not closer to where we live
Guest
Angéline8888
Points +983
Nice place - Edit
We waited few days the opening day of the restaurant because we have read the good reviews about it!
Read moreI'd say the food was good, but not the best I tried in NZ.
The destructured coffee is quite original but I would have prefer a real good coffee.
The bread though was delicious!
I left a little bit disappointed that I waited few days for that but it's just my experience. If you're around and it's open you should still enjoy the atmosphere of this coffee, the lovely staff and it's good to support the vegan places!
Updated from previous review on 2023-11-05
Guest
marissandtim
Points +2316
Really cute place - Edit
One of the very few vegan places in Taranaki and beyond!
Read moreWe went here for breakfast and really enjoyed their options. We had their brekkie and the hashcake stack as well as some cakes which were so delicious. We also got some alcohol free wine and plant based cheese to go which we have yet to try.
Must stop if you are passing through the region!
Pros: Completely vegan, Great options, Cute interior
Guest
Christmas11
Points +299
Divine! - Edit
Everything we had was outstanding and the staff was lovely as well. Will go back a million times.
Read morePros: Cute ambience , Fresh gourmet food, Delicious coffee
Cons: Nothing to dislike
Guest
emmabroomie
Points +137
Lovely! - Edit
Nice lil place! Everything vegan I believe except from the offering of dairy milk in coffees. Great to have so many options on the menu! Think portion sizes weren’t huge for the price but lovely food.
Read morePros: 99% vegan!
Cons: Pricey for what you get
Guest
edelany
Points +291
Best place to stop on state highway 45 - Edit
Cute cafe, outstanding all-vegan menu, from healthy to cakes
Read morePros: All vegan counter food and menu , Interesting food, Good for breakfast and lunch
Cons: Isolated - unless you're driving past anyway!
Guest
bepallister
Points +132
Simply the best - Edit
We all chose something different so we could try four different meals. They were all beautifully presented and tasted great. The iced mocha was amazing and we were tempted with takeouts for the drive back home. The cheese and onion scones were simply the best.
Read moreJust wished we lived closer!
Pros: Beautifully presented, Great menu with heaps of choice
Cons: Too far from home ☹️
Guest
HedenZoumboulis
Points +117
So cute and delicious - Edit
Had a lovely time there, the vegan custard pie made me travel back into my childhood in France 🥰
Read moreAnything you order there is so yummy !!
Guest
Estelle.ghost
Points +1262
Humble little place - Edit
Really enjoyed this place - the food was all vegan and really tasty. The atmosphere and decor of the place is really cute and unique. Staff were friendly and service was quick too. If I lived in New Plymouth I’d be a regular here!
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2021-07-18
Pros: Affordable , Nice atmosphere
Guest
ankelace
Points +20
Highly recommendable - Edit
We had the most amazing vegan meal, the service was fantastic, friendly staff, the setting is unique, I highly recommend this cafe
Read morePros: Lots of options, All home made
Cons: None
Guest
FraserGriffiths
Points +35
Exceptional Vegan eats - Edit
10/10 Vegan eatery. Found by mistake on a recent business trip and made sure to plan another visit between meetings. Friendly, knowledgeable and attentive staff. Outstanding food
Read morePros: All Vegan menu, Wide variety of sweet treats
Guest
HadleyAmaru
Points +18
Amazing food and beautiful people. - Edit
My wife and I loved our meal and time at Lemonwood Eatery. They served amazing food and catered really well to my allergies to wheat, diary, soy and peanuts.
Read morePros: Lots of vegan options and can cater for allergies
Cons: Very reasonable for such amazing food 🥰
Guest
Thirza
Points +24
Vegan Heaven - Edit
I just died and went to vegan heaven. Incredible meals and nothing suffered in the process. Will definitely be going back again ❤️
Read morePros: All vegan options , Delicious meals , Awesome staff
Cons: None
Guest
VanessaLillas
Points +34
Lovely place! - Edit
Stopped here twice on our trip to Taranaki. Just a 15 min drive from the New Plymouth CBD. Lots to choose from! The portions for the meals were a good size. Funky decorations inside. Staff were really friendly. Best place in Taranaki for vegan food.
Read morePros: All vegan
Cons: $12 pies
Guest
Wikiwild
Points +96
Very disappointing - Edit
All vegan menu had variety and a lot of cabinet food. The portions were very small and we left hungry. We found the presentation of the food was very poor. Paid $4 extra for a side salad and looked more like garnish than a salad. There was a family of 5 dining at the table behind us we heard complaining about portion sizes and the quality of the food. The quality was not worth the high price we paid and we would never return. In addition a15% surcharge was added to our bill for public holiday. This was not displayed anywhere in the restaurant or mentioned prior to ordering (which is the law here). Had we been made aware we would not have entered.Our lunch cost nearly $100 for two. When contacting them regarding our issues they were unapologetic and unhelpful.
Read morePros: Staff very friendly , Restaurant was clean and had a lovely feel to it, Wine was great (Sav)
Cons: Very small servings, poor value for money, Added 15% surcharge with no notice, Quality of food mediocre & presentation needs work
Guest
KrissyDobson
Points +27
Delicious and Comfy - Edit
Popped in here on my way out of New Plymouth after finding it on Happy Cow. Definitely worth it! Haven't had wontons in over 3 years and I miss the crunch... These were delicious especially with the sauce. The salad was also fresh and flavourful. Beautiful, cosy clean atmosphere, love it! I'll be back whenever I come this way again.
Read morePros: Everything is vegan! , Cosy, chill atmosphere
Guest
jamessotiri
Points +90
OMG!! Heavenly - Edit
Me and my girlfriend came here for breakfast and was definitely not disappointed. The menu is amazing so many different options to choose from and thats not even including the cabinet food they have to offer. Everything is vegan and there are so many gluten free options which was perfect for my girlfriend. The decor is beautiful and the staff are amazing we felt right at home. The restaurant has won awards and I can see why the food is delicious and the service is perfect. The most satisfying meal we have had in a long time. We highly recommend
Read moreGuest
KelharDanüel
Points +23
Yum - Edit
Delicious self baked bread, cakes and good coffee.
Read moreHealthy food & great staff.
Nice atmosphere and clean place.
Pros: Excellent food, Great staff, Atmosphere
Guest
Siolovesplants
Points +386
Vegan Oasis! - Edit
This place is a must visit! Oakura is such a nice beach side township only about 15 mins out of New Plymouth. So worth the beautiful coastal and rural short drive to this amazing cafe. Vegan dream, cabinet full of fresh goods, cakes, slices, sandwiches, scones and more! Menu is incredible too can't wait to come back and try it all! Staff are lovely and awesome atmosphere! Can't say much more except do yourself a favour and check it out!
Read morePros: 99% vegan! Choose anything it's great!
Cons: Slightly pricey but not too bad
Guest
NicoleJNZ
Points +16
Friendly staff, helpful service - Edit
Great little eatery - we really enjoyed the food, the staff were friendly, attentive, and went above and beyond to explain different things to us (after we mentioned we're relatively new to a Plant Based diet).
Read moreOh, and we may have taken away a few sweet treats for afterwards... not that they actually lasted long - they were so good we had to devour them promptly!
Guest
HappyPineappleKix
Points +1160
Delicious! - Edit
Yummy food and lovely people working there. Will definitely come back whenever visiting this part of NZ!!!
Read morePros: Such good food, Lovely atmosphere
Guest
eatplantsnotanimals
Points +16
Delicious! - Edit
LOVE everything about Lemonwood, from the staff to the spiced chai lattes, sweet treats, cabinet food and extensive menu. The jam donut was incredible. Definitely planning a trip back to this beautiful cafe very soon.
Read morePros: Entirely vegan
Guest
AnnikaMason
Points +89
Great menu, tasty food, lovely staff - Edit
A little drive out of New Plymouth and totally worth it. The drive out there is beautiful. Menu varied and food super tasty. Definitely recommend
Read moreGuest
ConcertoSD
Points +103
World Class Vegan! - Edit
I wish I could add more review stars — this place is absolutely fantastic! From the deconstructed flat white, to the muffins to the breakfast (and we wish we had room for more!) we enjoyed every bite. The cabinet is stocked with delectable cakes and more, and the menu was extensive for breakfast and lunch. We plan a detour back before we leave this part of the coast. Highly recommend!!!
Read morePros: Wonderful menu, Excellent staff, Lovely surroundings
Cons: Not open for dinner , Not available in the US!
Guest
Shellz_111
Points +74
Love 💖 - Edit
Beautiful food, very friendly staff and the decor is so cool. Need to go back soon!
Read moreGuest
KerryThackaberry
Points +147
Next level - Edit
This place is the absolute bomb diggity. There is indoor and outdoor seating and plenty of it. Lovely decor and great service from awesome staff. You can choose from a full menu which has a mix of breakfast and lunch options, or from the hot/cold cabinets and man there was so much choice. There was also a specials board and a soup option! We both had a full breakfast which was next level, then we ordered some things to take away (coffee, cheese and onion muffins, jam doughnuts - for lunch of course). Its clear to see a lot of love goes into everything they do. I can't recommend this place enough and I can't wait to go back and try more!
Read morePros: All vegan, Delcious hot and cold foods, Lovely staff
Guest
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