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HIAKAI Wellington Tripadvisor Reviews
Latest Reviews On Tripadvisor
16 Reviews
0 Replys |
Top-rated restaurant misses the mark
This restaurant uses local ingredients in new ways. The night's menu is not disclosed in advance. While each course had at least one tasty item, much was just so-so. The wine and beer pairings were uninspired; some of the selections are carried by local supermarkets. Best by far were the non-alchoholic drinks, but when we asked for seconds on one of them, we were told that they were not available. Each course is preceded by an explanation from the server. The music was so loud, it was difficult to hear the server and to carry on a conversation at the table. Wellington has many fine-dining options at a lower price point.
Be the first to ReplyJust wonderful!
Hiakai reinforces the truth that food is so powerful. It brings people together, and showcases history, culture and protects vital lessons from being lost in the past. Monique, through Hiakai brings Te Ao Maori alive and into the present through the language of food and how it speaks to us. It embodies everything we should be working towards. This experience has everything. Value for money is absolute with what you get.. Service is so on point and to watch them in the pass you know they are invested in this journey with you. The venue itself is calm, inviting and encourages you to relax. Last night we were introduced to new flavours and methods of preparation that we will be seeking more of again. Love it and will be heading back again. Thank you
Be the first to ReplySpecial Place Special People
Highly recommend, we had waited a long time to get a spot & it was worth the wait. The team was fantastic with Lilly & George looking after us. Its certainly an experience to be savored & enjoyed. The food was really special & unique to NZ & Celebrated Monique's Maori ancestry, culture & cuisine. Its a special occasion restaurant. The surrounding are very cool & the building has been restored/strengthened beautifully. Put this on your bucket wellington list. Thanks Haikai- see you again soon. Geoff Lott- Wanganui
Be the first to ReplyAmazing food and amazing team! But quality of service has been changed
My favourite restaurant in whole New Zealand and been multiple times. It was amazing the first time when we went to celebrage moving into a new flat. But second time we felt bit unworthy as the cocktail pairing was so less that only 3 or 4 sips of drinks was served. 3rd time they didn't add a cocktail to a course and 4th visit instead of a dessert they just served a small glass of dessert wine. Bread was not in the seven course and served as to start for the first 2 visits the now it is one of the 7 courses. I took my friends telling about how great our first experience was but it was not great the other experiences. The way they tell the stories behind the food was also now seems like staged but prior they were so enthusiased to interact with customers. Nowadays it seems like a normal restaurant rather than an experience and more commercial. So I don't think will visit again as they are lowering their standards.
Be the first to ReplySo much promised, so little delivered
I read the incredible reviews, went through the challenge of getting a booking and sat through the experience wondering WHY! Most overpriced dining experience I think Iโve experienced- I gave this a 3 star and thatโs being generous There was a booklet on the table that talked about the Mฤori kai to be experienced but it didnโt seem to make the table. No sign of vegetables, lamb and steak served - nice yes though the marrow left a bad after taste. Staff nice, service very slow Would not recommend - attend a hungi and you will enjoy better kai any day!
Be the first to ReplyLoved it
Loved it..so attentive and the food was inventive and warm. The interior is beautiful. I think our host was called George - absolutely brilliant.
Be the first to ReplySensation Kai Experience
Normally Iโd publish lots of photos of my dining experiences on TA but for Hiakai Iโve decided to pull it back to just a few words. Reason being, this was such an amazing culinary journey through the world of Maori Kai I think it would be a shame to spoil your experience Rob you form enjoying it first hand.
Venue: superb well designed layout, we sat at the chefs counter. You do feel like your a little bit on display and the seat that sits over the glass vault wobbles whenever the staff walk by but none the less you do get to see the maestro in action. On that would be nice to get a couple of words out from MF as the dishes comes out, even a โdid you enjoy your meal?โ at the end but I guess she does have her game face on and is totally focused on the food.
Menu: Well balanced, intriguing, mind opening, beautifully cooked dishes from each course. Each one sets you up for the next and build towards the main dishes at the end. We also had the wine pairing which went really well with each dish.
Service: Very knowledgeable and well informed staff the talk you through each dish with the right skint of detail.
Overall, this was 10/10 for me. Didnโt think anyone would ever top my previous favourite (Clove Club London Degustation) but this smashed it.
Canโt recommend that you give this a ho, if you can get a booking.
Excellent Aotearoa cuisine
As first time diners we were impressed. The decor is excellent and the service great. The menu offering (fixed price 8 course) was very good. We were delighted by all the dishes, bar one: a dish served on pickled cabbage featuring Titi/Mutton-bird. The problem was we could not taste the Titi. Our waiter explained that the dish had evolved, as customer feedback indicated that earlier versions were too salty. Fair enough, but it appears that salt reduction has been at the expense the distinctive Titi character. Our feedback is to please dial back up the smokey-oily-fishy flavour of the Titi, which should be mediated well by the accompanying pickle. On a final note, Haikai deserves a huge vote of support for promoting a distinctive Aotearoa cuisine drawing on Maori and other Polynesian ingredients and traditions.
Be the first to ReplyAs good as the reviews
We went down having read Monique's book, and were not disappointed. The decor of the unique building, the knowledgable staff, the quality of the food which was unusual yet approachable. Excellent.
The only small complaint would be that there seemed to be a Maitre'D role missing; the staff were great but some of the final service touches you'd expect in a 5-star restaurant were not there. Not a major though - worth the experience!
Amazing. Thankyou to all the
Amazing. Thankyou to all the amazing staff, we had an awesome experience. We have waited a long time to come here and we came from the Naki just for the experience. Chef Fiso has indeed an amazing fine tuned team of talented chefs/ staff in her kitchen. Was an absolute pleasure to be sitting up front to watch. Being a chef myself, I loved every minute, taste sensation and story behind every dish. Thankyou.Thankyou. Thankyou โค๏ธ
Be the first to ReplyBeautiful, Magical, Exceptional: Hiakai makes you hungry for more in every way!
From our very first contact by phone with Olivia (who was thoughtful, intelligent, engaging and welcoming,) every aspect of our Hiakai experience was pure joy, and the momentum just kept on building!
For us, Hiakai was an exercise in grace, beauty and discovery... Hiakai is home to the very best in hospitality and the most cleverly curated, spectacular, surprising and delectable dishes that masterfully showcase extraordinary indigenous botanicals, meat and kai moana.
Chef Monique Fiso has brought her own uniquely beautiful, magical and meaningful vision to life in honouring the culinary and cultural traditions of Aotearoa/ NZ and Polynesia, and sheโs done so with profound heart, thought, care, authenticity and artistry. She leads a dedicated team of gifted hospitality professionals who go further than upholding her incredible vision... They live and breathe it, and enrich it with little glittering pieces of themselves...
Heartfelt thanks to Chef Monique Fiso, Chefs: Clary, Maddie, and Nikos, Hosts: Olivia, and George, and Everyone at Hiakai! We visited for my Husbandโs Birthday, and booked the Chefโs Counter. It was the most sublimely delicious, generous, heartwarming, honest, illuminating, inspired and uplifting food experience weโve ever had the privilege to enjoy!
We cannot recommend Hiakai highly enough - not only pure pleasure in every sense, but the only culinary experience in all our travels across many decades that we would describe as life-changing... A blessing and a treasure right here, at home, in beautiful Aotearoa/ NZ!
Itโs easy to understand why Hiakai books out months in advance... An essential experience thatโs truly exceptional in every way.
AMAZING FOOD EXPERIENCE Most
AMAZING FOOD EXPERIENCE
Most amazing dining experience I have ever had. Monique & team you exceeded all my expectations and more. The travel form Auckland, staying in Wellington CBD just go to experience your kai was worth every cent... and weโll be back for the next menu.
Nga mihi nui mล te kai, te wheako, te manaakitanga, te wairua
Mauri ora
A combined birthday dinner
This place is one of Wellington's best fine dining restaurants. We had booked a month or more in advance. Food and service is very good and friendly. The menu is a set 7 course menu, you find out on the day you arrive. You can also match your drinks to the menu. A wonderful night had by all.
Be the first to ReplyA great place nearby
Beautiful food comes from a beautiful story. Top notch service. Worldโs 100 greatest places right here in Welly!
Be the first to ReplyJust wow.
Absolutely delicious. Each dish is a feast for the eyes and sensational layers of flavours and textures. Service was fantastic and sitting at the counter watching the construction of each dish was incredible to watch.
Be the first to ReplyDegustation Aoteoroa
Loved the industrial archeology of the lime kilns morphing to the NYC chic of the dining cooking space - the open kitchen with its flame oven, the smart staff who moved seamlessly from kitchen to table.
The seven course degustation menu: seven courses for the seven sisters of Matariki; the foods of winter from the lands and the seas - beautifully, thoughtfully and artistically conceived presented with an elan that Noma would recognise.
This was food as art, a whakatauki of kai delivered with aroha and culinary excellence.
This is the end of the Matariki menu so those who come next to book will get the spring or summer menu. The wait time is a testament to how good this experience is. We booked in Jan. to eat in July!
To highlight one dish, for me it would be either the Waipunarangi:water flame cooked warehou with a cloud based Kohlrabi contained waldorfesque apple lemon and clam salad with sea greens. Did the ease out the Tupu-a-rangi:forest duck and mushroom with pikopiko served with a jus and smoke dressing.
And the whimsy of the petit four: quite quite charming.
If you want to go book now! Whatever the menu it will be transcendent!
And may I say the drink pairing was as good as the food with the non-alcoholic pairing perhaps better than the wine one?