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Hiakai

  1. Wellington
  2. Wellington Restaurant

Reviews, get directions and contact details for Hiakai

Hiakai

About

Restaurant opening November 2018

Story

Hiakai. Adjective. Origin~Māori.

1. Hungry
2. Having a desire, need, craving for food.

Hiakai is a pop up series devoted to the exploration and development of Māori cooking techniques and ingredients. Māori were great innovators of food and land, developing their own style of earth cookery (hāngi) and successfully adapting plants and vegetables brought with from Hawaiki to the much colder environment of Aotearoa (New Zealand). Over several centuries, these methods have been passed down, refined and still feed the hiakai people of Aotearoa today.



Māori chef, Monique Fiso is always hungry - hungry for knowledge, hungry for discovery and of course, hungry for food. Honing her skills in some of New Zealand and New York’s top kitchens - michelin starred The Musket Room, PUBLIC Restaurant, A Voce, as well as Cuisine Restaurant of the Year Winner - Martin Bosley’s to name a few. Hiakai gives her the opportunity to express her Māori heritage through kai (food).

Mission

Hiakai is a pop up series devoted to the exploration and development of Māori cooking techniques and ingredients.



"A small, intimate restaurant offering innovative menus inspired by the land, sea and people of Aotearoa New Zealand"
Address: 40 Wallace Street, Mt Cook, Wellington
Phone: 6449387360
zn.oc.iakaih@ofni
State: Wellington


Update Info

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Reviews
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
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...
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.
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.
As soon as you walk in, your not sure what's up stairs! The atmosphere is just sooooo soooo cozy!!! Its a really intimate setting, the way it's architecturally designed and interiors play a big part in the dishes served. The we had George and another lovely lady serving our table, and with each dish that came out, also had a story behind it and what inspired each one. The stars aligned when we randomly found availability and snapped it. It just happened that it fell on the weekend of our new Celebrated Public Holiday Matariki. Each dish that came out was Matariki themed and the food that had been foraged by hand from the staff was just BLOODY AMAZING!!!! For a samoan to go to a restaurant that was deeply connected to their roots and we knew where our food was coming from made it all that special for me as i thought of my own parents on their plantation when they were younger living off the land!! They really took you on journey with each dish! Best experience and highly recommend to everyone highly Fa'afetai Monique mo le mea ai matagofie
Incredible food, service, drinks and play list. Well worth the wait. I ordered the vegetarian option and could not fault.
Incredibly beautiful and thoughtful food,delicious cocktails and amazing wine. We celebrated our engagement with hiakai and it was an experience we cherish the memory of. Simply stunning.
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!
Our second time at Hiakai and it was Absolutely delicious, a very memorable dinner with my family. The service did let us down somewhat in that we booked one vegetarian and one person who didint eat fish. Despite confirming no fish or shellfish at the start of dinner my guest was not served the vegetarian option along with my other guest but given the paua which she couldn't eat so shared my other guests option. We had wine matches and non alcoholic matches. Sadly some of our drinks were dropped off without any explanation of what they were. These things took a bit of shine off an otherwise amazing meal. Also at payment time despite saying yes I've got it clealy our server insisted on reading out the total of over a thousand dollars and and saying oh just the one card, this was rather embarrassing. Why not just say ok and pass the eftpost over, then I had to request a cookbook without being offered. Which was meet with a surprised "oh oh ok". Our table felt very awkward about this interaction. Vegetarian options: Delicious be sure to let them know in advance.
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.
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