Welcome to the Hippopotamus Restaurant. Enjoy French influenced cuisine, harbour views and a fine wine.

Exquisite food. Great views. Conveniently located. Just some of the many reasons to dine in Wellington’s Hippopotamus Restaurant. Located within the beautiful Museum Hotel in downtown Wellington and just minutes walk from many of this stunning city’s cultural venues. Dining at Hippopotamus, with its subtle ambiance, breathtaking outlook and French influenced cuisine by chef Laurent Loudeac will leave you with a sense of occasion and an overwhelming desire to find any excuse to come back again and again.

See for yourself some of the delights that await you by browsing the sumptuous menus. Lunch, high tea, dinner, dessert and of course just the right wine.

Please see our Press Article section by clicking here.

Christmas is just around the corner and now is a great time to start planning your end of year festivities.

Call or email now for information on High Tea, cocktail party, set menu or buffet options. Alternatively if you already have something in mind call us to discuss. We can assist in creating the experience you are looking for with themed rooms, musical entertainment and even Santa.

Christmas Menus

Montana World of Wearable Art™ Awards pre and post show dining

Hippopotamus' Pre show menu will be available from 5.30pm – 7pm
September 23, 24, 25, 28, 29, 30 and October 2nd

$45.00pp Pre Show 2 course set menu (entrée and main or main and dessert) including a glass of wine.

$60.00pp Pre and post show 3 course set menu. Enjoy your entrée, main and glass of wine before the show, and then return after for your dessert and tea or coffee.

Bookings are essential, please phone 04 802 8935 to make your Reservation or contact us using the reservation form on the right

"Featured in Museum Hotel's Long Gallery. From left to right works by Susan Holmes, Auckland: 2008 – Hat Couture, 2002 – Crest of the Wave, 1999 – Figurehead"

Guest Chef Phillip Johnson

Phillip Johnson, award winning chef from Ecco Bistro in Brisbane, will be guest chef in Hippopotamus Wednesday 13th October. Click here for Phillip's profile

Enjoy Phillips 5 course set menu featuring dishes from his latest book; simply conceived dishes, beautifully prepared with the freshest ingredients, which have made Philip one of Australia’s most celebrated chefs.

Carefully matched wine from the cellars of Craggy Range will perfectly complement each course.

Bookings are essential, please phone 04 802 8935 to make your Reservation or contact us using the reservation form on the right

Wednesday 13th October, 7pm.
$199.00pp

Stay in the Museum Hotel to complete your night of decadence; Premier studio and dinner for two, including complimentary parking
$650.00 Book now

"Phillip Johnson"

Melbourne Cup Long Lunch

Take the afternoon off this Melbourne Cup day. Start your lunch with a glass of bubbly followed by a 4 course set menu. All the action and glamour from Flemington will be on the big screen. Raffles a sweepstake and great prizes on the day, come dressed for the occasion and be in to win.

Tuesday 2nd November, 1pm.
$89.00pp

Bookings are essential, please phone 04 802 8900 to make your Reservation or contact us using the reservation form on the right

Photo kindly provided by Basquesse Design ltd, Wellington.

Treat yourself at the Hippopotamus Restaurant

There really is every reason to dine at Hippopotamus Restaurant.

Hippopotamus Restaurant Location

Located on level three of the Museum Hotel. Take in views of the stunning Wellington harbour while treating your taste buds to beautifully presented delicious fine cuisine. Your experience is completed by the opulent surroundings of the Museum Hotel with its collection of original artwork.

Situated over the road from the waterfront, the Museum Hotel is close to Wellington’s exciting and vibrant activity centres. Hippopotamus Restaurant is the perfect choice to commence, or complete, a night out with friends or to let the bustle of the city disappear as you enjoy a delicious lunch.

High Tea at the Hippopotamus Restaurant

The Hippopotamus offers a real variety of High Tea Options as shown below.

Museum High Tea $30 per person

Elegant High Tea $40 per person
(includes a glass of Cloudy bay Pelorus)

The Hip’ High Tea $40 per person
(includes a cocktail)

Luxury High Tea $50 per person
(includes a glass of French Champagne)

2pm – 4:30pm daily

Relax for the afternoon and enjoy High Tea at Hippopotamus Restaurant. Pastry Chef Louis Sergeant prepares delicate and delectable petite delights to tempt you. Bookings are essential, please phone 04 802 8935 to make your Reservation or contact us using the reservation form on the right

Hippopotamus’ Lobby Café and Bar

The spacious lobby features lavish décor, including two collectible motorbikes and walls adorned with original artwork. This popular meeting place for locals is a great place to start the day with an early morning coffee or relax in the intimate surroundings at the end of the day enjoying locally produced, or French wines. Always an interesting place to visit, live music plays each Friday 5.30pm to 7.30pm.

We look forward to welcoming you and to be at your service.

Laurent Loudeac
Executive Chef
Hippopotamus Restaurant