Hillside Kitchen Cellar - Wellington

The food at this restaurant was absolutely delicious and the experience was very entertaining. The soups were crystal clear and mysterious, and all the food was made completely from scratch, including their own vinegar. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable about the dishes, and they were very accommodating to our table's allergies. Despite the high cost for a single meal, it was truly worth it. The meal lasted about 3 hours and included 7 courses, along with 3 bonus mini courses such as snacks, bread with homemade butter, and petit fours at the end. Each dish was like a work of art, with perfectly made little elements and chefs even picking fresh herbs from the garden for the dishes. I highly recommend this dining experience.

Winner of The 2019 Wellington On A Plate Innovative Dine Menu and Event Innovation Awards, Hillside Kitchen and Cellar is a standout restaurant. Head chef Max is a culinary master, constantly surprising diners with creative and inventive dishes. While Hillside offers an a la carte lunch and dinner menu, the highlight is the 5 course and 7 course dinner degustation experiences. These luxurious meals begin with snacks and freshly baked homemade sourdough breads accompanied by boutique salt peppered olive oil. The courses that follow are a culinary delight, with a total of 4 savory mains, a palate cleanser, and dessert in the 5 course option, and additional offerings in the 7 course option including a nut cheese plate and second dessert. Each degustation concludes with delightful petit fours. As an Eco-conscious, Vegetarian Vegan only establishment, Hillside prides itself on sourcing fresh, healthy, and elegant ingredients from their own garden, local foraging, and artisan suppliers. The restaurant also offers alcohol and non-alcohol drink pairings for each degustation, as well as a diverse selection of wines, cocktails, teas, coffees, juices, and more. The experience of dining at Hillside Kitchen is not only a treat for the taste buds but also for the eyes, as the restaurant doubles as an art gallery showcasing and selling works by local artists. Nestled in a charming corner of Wellington, Hillside Kitchen is a cozy haven where diners can indulge in a three-hour culinary journey.

We had an incredible evening at this restaurant! Every dish was creative and absolutely scrumptious. We opted for the 7-course dinner menu, which felt more like a 10-course meal with the complimentary bread, starter, and palate cleanser. It was truly an experience rather than just a meal – we ended up spending over 2 hours here (time flew by!) and left feeling completely satisfied. The service was fantastic and the food was delicious. While not inexpensive, it was a fantastic night out.

Often when I eat out I think I could have made that or better, I'm just too lazy. With Hillside Kitchen though there's no way I could make food as good, or even imagine such creative dishes. Everything was absolutely delicious. They were also very accommodating of special dietary requests. The wait staff were relaxed but attentive. The decor is also very smart but welcoming. A really nice balance. Certainly the price is higher than other options but I think it's a fair reflection of the work that goes into the amazing food. A special night out.

A cute little cafe. I really like that you can build your own breakfast/brunch and this is the main reason I keep going back. I have been there for dinner once and it was delicious but unfortunately overpriced so wouldn’t return for dinner but definitely go a couple of times a month for brunch.