HIAKAI - Mount Cook

Name: HIAKAI - Mount Cook
Address: HIAKAI 40 Wallace Street, Mount Cook, Wellington 6021, New Zealand, 6021, Zealand

4.9/5 ★ based on 8 reviews

HIAKAI - Hiakai.co.nz

Hiakai is a New Zealand based restaurant specialising in Maori Cuisine.

About HIAKAI

Hiakai. Adjective. Origin~Māori. 1. Hungry 2. Having a desire, need, craving for food.

Hiakai began in 2016 by Chef Monique Fiso as a pop up series devoted to the exploration and development of Māori cooking techniques and ingredients. Māori were great innovators of kai (food) and whenua (land). Developing their own style of earth cookery (hāngi) and successfully cultivating plants and vegetables brought with them from Hawaiki (ancient homeland) to the much colder environment of Aotearoa. Over several centuries, these methods have been passed down, refined and still feed the tāngata (people) of Aotearoa today.

Since its launch, Hiakai has established itself as a leading innovator in the New Zealand food scene. In 2019, Katie Monteith joined the team as General Manager and Co-owner. Katie's leadership and creativity has been pivotal to Hiakai’s evolution. Together, Monique and Katie have made history in 2022 as the first wāhine (female) led restaurant to receive not only three hats at the Cuisine Good Food Awards but also Chef of the Year, as well as a host of international accolades.

The sophisticated boundary-pushing menus created by the Hiakai team are challenging the status quo of Māori food in New Zealand, while playing a leading role in keeping Kai Māori and Polynesian food culture alive.

Contact HIAKAI

Address :	HIAKAI 40 Wallace Street, Mount Cook, Wellington 6021, New Zealand
Phone :	📞 +987
Postal code :	6021
Website :	http://www.hiakai.co.nz/
Categories :	Fine dining restaurant ,

HIAKAI 40 Wallace Street, Mount Cook, Wellington 6021, New Zealand

Best Fine dining restaurant in New Zealand

M	Miri S on Google ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ We went here for an eight course dinner. The story they created around the dishes was so interesting and personalised the experience. It’s fine dining with a friendly vibe as the staff sit down next to you and explain the dishes. The food was very well thought out and left us not being able to pick just one favourite dish.
C	Chłoe L on Google ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ I went last night with some friends and really enjoyed my evening at Hiakai. Our waitperson, George was very accomodating and knowledgeable about the food as well as the restaurant. The theme this season is raumati, based around summer fruits, bright colours and a sweet acidity. Each course was well paced and delicate yet comforting. Both alcoholic pairings and non-alcoholic pairings were great, the standout to me were the Kawakawa drinks. The one thing I had hoped for was more kaimoana on my plate, but it does not diminish anything at all. I can really appreciate the concept behind the well orchestrated menu, which I think is also mirrored in the interior design. A very remarkable meal and hoping to be back again.
K	Kate on Google ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Simply the best restaurant I have been to, food was beautiful both in taste and visually. The story made it a much fuller experience, with even the music chosen to supplement this. Waiters were also fabulous. Booked to return the same evening, just a shame we have to wait until April, can’t wait for the next tale and food journey!
L	Loren Savage on Google ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Incredible food, service, drinks and play list. Well worth the wait. I ordered the vegetarian option and could not fault.
F	Filip S on Google ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ The best food experience I had in Wellington. The menu is delightfully crafted with meaning and purpose. Visually it's art and not only that, each dish tells a story. We get to plunge into the richness of the Māori culture and folklore, and eat what grows around our unique New Zealand bush. Monique Fiso thank you. Beautiful service with knowledgeable, personal and caring staff.
G	Georgia Bennett on Google ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ An amazing night with stunning food all dedicated to showcasing what makes NZ special. The service here is on par with the dishes. The staff are incredibly knowledgeable about the stories and ingredients being used. This absolutely a dining experience rather than just restaurant. Highly recommend.
C	Claire Wastiaux on Google ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Wonderful culinary experience! Every dish is subtily prepared with a complex mix of tastes, textures and colours. You can pair with wine according to to each dish or go with your own pick. Perfect service with explainations on Maori traditional use of ingredients. We were delighted from delicate entry to surprising dessert. We would have loved to meet the chef...
C	Cara Marshall on Google ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Such an amazing place. The decor and music is just so chilled out. The team running about are super amazing, friendly and knowledgeable. All questions were answered and the passion which they talked about their products and processes was heartening. The food and ethos behind it are incredible, I love the fact that there is an over all story tying the menu together, and each course is a chapter in that story A bit of a long night though, four hours from start to end, so make sure you have good company (or take advantage of their unique takes on classic cocktails ?) The husband had a valid criticism, a lot of the flavours seemed to be in the same wheelhouse (bitter, vinegary... shrub like?) For me, they were absolutely amazing, they weren't quite up his alley (even though he still ate it all and didn't give it to me...) All in all, I will definately be going back every season ?