A Neat Day in New Brighton: What to See, Eat & Do

If the salty breeze isn’t quite enough to wake you up, start your day at Switch, tucked at the end of Carnaby Lane. The café pours beans straight from Switch Espresso’s Birmingham Drive roastery, guaranteeing consistently great coffee, with specialty brews for those who like to stray from the usual. Pair your cup with a cabinet treat or settle in with a hearty brunch classic. Tip: grab a second coffee to go and enjoy it on a stroll along New Brighton Beach afterwards.

Set right on the edge of the beach, He Puna Taimoana is a must-do for locals and visitors to Ōtautahi. Take your pick from five luxurious hot pools, a cold plunge, steam room and a sauna with unbeatable oceanside views. Beyond the regular sessions, the team keeps things lively with sunrise soaks, movie nights and summer evening events. It’s less of a one-off experience and more of a weekly ritual – so bookings are essential.

Beach towns attract creative souls, and New Brighton is no exception. Pottery Capital is home to a group of passionate potters who throw, glaze and create in a bright, welcoming studio. New to clay? No problem. There are one-off workshops, six-week courses and relaxed paint-and-sip sessions for all levels. Surrounded by shelves of handmade ceramics, it’s hard not to feel inspired.

A quick drive (or a leisurely 25-minute stroll) will land you at Dune, a beloved South Brighton café with a laidback charm that perfectly matches its seaside setting (think natural textures, leafy greenery and plenty of sunny smiles). The lunch menu spans fresh sandwiches, vibrant seasonal salads, mince on toast and a rich seafood chowder. A true crowd-pleaser, Dune has something delicious for everyone – whether you’re at the table with toddlers, grandparents or foodie friends.

If rummaging for hidden treasures is your thing, head back to New Brighton’s main drag for a secondhand fix at Seaside Vintage and Menage A Trois. Wall-to-wall curios await in the form of clothing, homewares, furniture, jewellery and plenty more. Those willing to search will be rewarded handsomely. Just be prepared to lose track of time among the collectables. Hot tip: check their social media for opening hours before you go.

Fancy stretching your green thumb? Established in 2005, the New Brighton Community Gardens welcome volunteers of all ages and abilities to learn how to grow produce organically. Open Monday, Wednesday and Friday 10am–4pm, and Saturday 10am–2pm, it’s a hive of knowledge and activity. You’re welcome to get your hands dirty in exchange for vibrant greens, or simply wander through and admire the gardeners’ work. With a thriving school programme, it’s not unusual to see the next generation caring for the earth here. A happy sight indeed.

Balance out the salty air with something sweet and follow the scent of fresh Belgian waffles back to Brighton Mall. Sweet As Waffles keeps things simple: a small, local menu of consistently fluffy, crisp waffles (the result of six months of recipe testing) topped with whipped cream, icing sugar and your choice of Snickers, Oreo or Raspberry. In summer, the Sweet As Dessert Bar pops up with scoops of Appleby Farms’ award-winning ice cream.

Now’s the time to meander down the longest pier in Australasia and soak up those coastal views. Stepping out onto the 300-metre-long pier is an age-old pastime that’s charm never seems to wear off. Each visit offers something different depending on the season, wind and the colourful characters walking beside you. If luck’s on your side, you might even spot whales.

Cam and Penny started brewing under the Southpaw name in 2016, but it wasn’t until 2025 that they brought something special to their own backyard. Playing a key role in the neighbourhood’s revival, this laidback aqua-blue brewery welcomes everyone, whether you’re fresh from work or the waves. Head to the bar for a range of beers inspired by the duo’s American travels but brewed with New Brighton personality. With the brewing operation fully visible, you can raise your glass to the brewer behind your pint.

End your New Brighton day with a flavour-filled adventure at Yak&Fern, a humble Carnaby Lane restaurant quietly putting Nepali cuisine on the map in Ōtautahi. The house specialty is momos (fried, steamed or served in a comforting soup) alongside generous, traditional dishes that locals can’t stop raving about. A warm, welcoming spot to wrap up your seaside adventure.