Reviews Hippopotamus

Suburb service, well executed flavors with tea and food. Great view of wellington waterfront and stunning venue. We'll done!

I visited Wellington for my 30th birthday and decided to celebrate in the best way by treating myself to a lovely high tea at the Hippopotamus restaurant. I had such a wonderful experience, the atmosphere was incredible along with the view, lovely staff and of course the high tea itself was absolutely delicious!

I have lived in Wellington for the past 10 years and this have been the best food experience I had in this town. I only believe that it will be topped by another visit to it. The hosts made us felt like we were at home and provided us with great service and food, no requests was too much we had everything we asked for and more! The food was sensational, a treat to to the palate and is always fresh, the menu is seasonal so my pictures may not represent the current menu but it rather representes the experience and quality of it self. Thanks to the Hippopotamus staff fir helping me arranging my wife’s birthday surprise you guys are awesome.

Went there for a drink after dinner, because we stayed in the hotel. Very friendly and competent Barkeeper. Told us about the wine and my whisky. Interior is so cosy. Lovely chairs and couches. The only thing, that made it not comfortable, was the room temperature. Far to cold!!!

Wow wow wow... stunning views great wine selection. The meal was just spectacular great flavor Staff on point kind helpful and great manner.... Highly recommend AAAAAA++++++

The food here is excellent and the service is very attentive without being intrusive. This place can get very expensive depend on the cocktails you have. I started with a 28 dollar glass of champagne followed by a bottle of very nice Shiraz. The suggestion from the sommelier was an excellent choice with the rack of lamb carved tableside. The rack of lamb is for two but the kitchen easily modified the portion to accommodate the three of us. The dessert we shared was a chefs tasting plate of four items. The total for the three of us was just shy of 400 dollars New Zealand. Well worth the expense. Definitely a splurge meal.

From flying in at the airport, we were delayed in arriving and our reservation at Hippopotamus was delayed due to our lateness. The restaurant was very empathetic and understanding so we were able to still have our reservation during this busy night. When we arrived, the restaurant was beautiful and exotic with accents of wildlife amidst opulent embellishments of crystal chandeliers and a stunning seascape harbour view. Immediately, we were warmly greeted and our luggage was stored at the main desk as we were seated. The service was simply spectacular and consummately professional. We ordered glasses of Hawkes Bay Syrah and a North Canterbury Pinot Noir and we decided on the 6 course degustation menu. I was very impressed by the sommelier service as his knowledge and engagement was fascinating and enriching. Our menu started with an amuse bouche of pineapple mango tea with salmon sashimi and picked vegetable. This complementary dish was confusing and only the salmon was enjoyable. Fortunately this was followed by warm baguette and apricot bread within seaweed butter which was amazing. We were then served the first of two entrees being a pamu deer milk panna cotta with freeze dried Manuka honey, kawakawa oil, turmeric caviar on white chocolate saffron paint. The smooth texture of the panna cotta was wonderful. Following on we had the grilled brown mushroom with porcini and shallot escabeche, cream of charred cauliflower and wilted kale and truffle tapenade. This dish was delicious and complex in flavours. Our first main was chicken roulade with pear Stilton cheese filling on quince paste with pecans and walnuts finished with chestnut butter and confit garlic cream. This dish was simply heavenly and aromatic. The second main was fish of the day pan fried on a lobster bisque with couchettes, aubergine and confit garlic with roast capsicum. This dish was divine with beautiful textures and layers of flavour. A palate cleanser of kawakawa, lemon and Italian parsley sorbet was served and this was wonderful before a cheese plate of goats cheese with baguette, spinach, apricot, walnut and plum chutney. This was a lovely prelude to the closing dish and dessert 5 textures of chocolate including mousse, bavois, truffle, sorbet and soil. The dessert dishes were the perfect crescendo to the meal. Overall our dining experience was superb, the service was excellent, attentive and faultless, wine list was impressive and cuisine was mostly memorable for positive reasons. I’d love to experience more of their menu. Highly recommended with consummate distinction!