The appetizers were the star of the show for me. I loved the Crudo which tasted very fresh, and the sauce and strawberries gave it a light refreshing taste. For the hippo rolls, the butter they gave was delicious and the rolls were buttery soft. The prosciutto and burrata also tasted great with the grilled bread that they gave! I was actually pretty full just based on the appetizers my family and I shared. All the pastas they served were very unique and I'd never tasted anything like them before. The sweet corn was my personal favorite. The more I ate it, the more I liked it. The other two I actually wasn't a big fan of, but that's due to my personal preference. The grilled chicken was very flavorfully seasoned that I lowkey needed some rice lol. The vibes of this place are immaculate. The moment I stepped in I was greeted with amazing architecture consisting of high ceilings, wood aesthetic, and an open kitchen concept. We were seated next to the kitchen so it was amazing to see all the food prepared! read more

See all

Wanted to try something new in my boyfriend's neighborhood. We went to Hippo. No reservations, we were seated at the bar. I ordered the duck tagliolini, which was rich and flavorful. I really want to go try other items on the menu, but what made this place special was the service. 10/10 to the bartenders, Hannah and Carlos . My bf and I got back from France a couple of weeks ago where I discover the Hugo spritz. My bf asked if they could make it, and we got one of the best ones I've ever tried. We also had other recommendations for drinks and places. read more

See all

We've been coming to Hippo for quite some time now. It's a terrific local Italian spot. Since we just spent 10 days in Italy this summer, I wanted Italian again to celebrate my birthday. First off, it was so hard to get anyone on the phone, even during regular business hours. I needed to add 1 person to my reservation. I finally got a hold of someone 1hr prior to my reservation time. Our waitress (Valeska) seemed nice at first, but that was short lived. She barely checked in on us. It took her so long to take our order. Once our pastas arrived, she asked if we wanted Parmesan. We said yes. We waited and waited and she never came back. We said we were celebrating 2 birthdays and never got a candle on our desserts. It really ruined the whole experience for us. Not sure if we would drop $400 here again. read more

See all

I had my birthday at Hippo last night, and the food, drinks, service, vibe - all amazing. I originally had my reservation for 6:30pm for 4 people and at the last minute, changed it to 5 people, and Hippo made an accomodation for us to sit us at a 5-top table, but we had to be done by 7:30pm because another party had the table at that time. We left around 7:32pm (yes I checked) and I saw the gentleman and his party with the 7:30pm reservation walk in and he was visibily upset that we were at "his" table. So - apologies to the waitstaff and hostess for going over our time - but it was a lovely birthday nonetheless, and appreciate your flexibility. read more

Oh man where do I begin! What a rad little spot, had no idea this place excited. Found it on our way to a late night show in La and was such a cool place! The name haha obviously caught my attention first! 10/10 choice! They were a little packed, so we had to sit at the bar but I'm glad we did! Cocktails were delicious and food recommendations by the bartender were fantastic. We started with the shaved Brussels Sprouts and the Bread holy moly what a rad choice. The flavor of the Brussels light, citrusy, and refreshing! The bread, perfect amount of salt onto with the sweetest butter or spread. We chose the sweet corn pasta and the ricotta pasta - both really flavorful and delicious options. Just wish the portions were a little larger. They were however out of the Hangar Steak, that was the one thing I was so bummed about because I wanted to try it! - but next time for sure Desert 10/10 boudin pudding and the carajillos. Let me tell you the carajillo was probably one of the best I've had in a very long time. Well done Hippo. Well done read more

See all

Had been wanting to try this place for quite sometime now. Love that they make the pasta fresh in house but felt the pasta was average. I must say the Hippo rolls and Brussels sprouts were my favorite. Parking: sucks! Street metered / paid parking lots around the area. read more

See all

This is honestly one of my favorite pasta spots in LA. I really love their pasta selection, and I'm also a fan of the open kitchen in the back because it makes the whole place feel really lively and cozy. I'd definitely recommend making a reservation though because it gets pretty busy. My personal favorite is the duck ragu if you want something super savory and rich with that deep umami flavor. If you want something lighter and a little sweeter, the butternut squash pasta is sooo good too. Honestly just writing this is making me crave it again. The drinks here are pretty solid as well, and the servers have always been really helpful every time I've gone. read more

Hippo - Tagliolini with Duck Ragú + Butternut Squash Cappellacci - American Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I don't want to share this place because it is already too popular. I barely got in to their happy hour after waiting for a seat. I was glad I waited. The hostesses were a little off putting but the bartender gave us great service. The food & drinks were delicious. read more

My favorite way to experience a restaurant is by sitting at the bar and asking the bartender for recommendations. Today, Alexander was behind the bar, and I did what I always do: "What do you like?" I've been coming to Hippo for years, so I know the menu changes with the seasons. Alexander recommended the sweet corn cappellacci, which immediately reminded me of an old Action Bronson episode on Vice where he raved about it. No lie--it might be the best handmade ravioli I've ever had. The pasta was perfectly made, and the sweet corn filling was incredible. My girlfriend ordered the chicken thighs, which have been a staple here for years. If you're having trouble deciding what to order, you really can't go wrong with them--they're always a home run. Hippo continues to be one of my favorite restaurants. The seasonal menu keeps things exciting, the service was excellent, and sitting at the bar made the experience even better. If you've never been, give it a try. And if the sweet corn cappellacci is on the menu, don't hesitate--order it. read more

See all

Dined with friends at this cool little joint tucked behind a pizza separate pizzeria and had a highly enjoyable experience. The waitress gave strong reccomendations for the # of orders our party needed provided our hunger level. The wax beans were the star of the show followed by the burrata and the butternut squash (not pictured). As expected the serving sizes were smaller but each bite was infused with such flavor and subtle hints of layered seasonings that coated the palette in delightful awe. We made reservations for a Friday night ~1 hour before closing and were promptly seated at our table within 5 minutes despite it being graduation season (as evidenced by nearby graduates dining alongside us) read more

Wow! This place is amazing! I had heard about it from a few different people, and had it bookmarked as a place to try. It was Friday night and we couldn't decide where to go, and this place made the pick. First of all, the vibe is great. It's very lively and part of charming mini plaza off the street. The first thing I notice were the 2000s Hip Hop & RnB jams playing in the background. I was pleasantly surprised that the tunes kept going throughout the night! It definitely made me feel right at home. Finn, our server, was super friendly and helpful. But make no mistake--the star of the show here is the food! Every single item that we ordered--from the starters to mids to mains to desserts--was absolutely delicious! We will definitely be back soon! read more

See all

The house made bread and butter was amazing. Service was excellent. The bolognaise pasta and the chicken thighs were good but not that great. The panna cotta dessert was okay- toppings were nice but I didn't love it. Overall I had much higher expectations for this place but it could be that I didn't get the right dishes. read more

Enjoyed everything we ordered and would definitely come again. Felt like a modern and cool place for dinner, meet up and even just drinks. Santeria drink is a must. Pastas were fresh, meats were flavorful and the Brussels sprouts were a delicious surprise. The service was friendly and attentive and liked that you can also see chefs in action. read more

See all

Visited Hippo to celebrate my birthday with my husband with an early dinner. Everything we had was tasty. Service was great and the restaurant had a cool and fun vibe. We enjoyed the shaved Brussel sprouts, the conchiglie and the butterscotch budino! read more

See all

The restaurant is super cute with its decor, very lively very pretty. We arrived right when it opened which nice we were sat down promptly and it is set up in a way where you place your order and you place all your order, including apps and dishes and the chef times out your courses. We ordered some pasta. We ordered some appetizers and some side dishes. Everything was delicious. The Griddl'd Fett'unta Bread was amazing, hippo rolls were good but more of a sweet roll than savory. The duck ragu was also tasty it had a lot of favor, the shape brussels sprouts were fresh and light and were crunchy all at the same time one of my favorite side dishes. The parking is not the best in the area and parking enforcement is out on full force so two hours max and if you are a minute late, you will get a ticket. That's the only thing that sucks about this restaurant. read more

See all

I like the food a lot at Hippo, but we went for happy hour and were disappointed that it wasn't really a "deal." The portions were supposedly halved for half price menu items so we could try a number of things. But the portions felt even smaller than half size and I typically go out of my way to try happy hours for the deals. The food was tasty but left me wanting more and feeling like it wasn't worth the price. Also note that happy hours is only at the bar and adjacent railing area. read more

See all

What can I say, the food here is great. Everything tasted fresh and well seasoned. From the handmade pasta to toasted/baked bread, i really enjoyed it. The only thing i wished was better, was the portions. Some things like apps or salads are generally smaller in portion, but i felt the pastas could use a little more lifting. overall, i would stop by again. parking can be found on the street. read more

This place is special. Tucked away in the back of an old post office, hence the name (Highland Park Post Office), this place has tons of charm. Our server was super friendly and insightful when making recommendations, and was nice enough to let me take some photos of the chefs cooking! The rolls are so soft and buttery they could be eaten for dessert as well haha. Both pastas were super good and the portions were fair unlike some other restaurants we've been to recently. Overall I would love to come back to try more things at Hippo! read more

See all

AMAZING FOOD AND AMAZING DRINKS ! Everything we ordered was 10/10! The service was pretty fast, but we did have reservations so not sure if that made a difference. The place was pretty full. The place has a nice romantic ambiance for a date night or a girls night. read more

See all

Checked out this restaurant because we were going to a show nearby. The server was very attentive and provided plenty of recommendations. Highly recommend the hamachi crudo and brussel sprouts which were both bright and acidic. The trout was the big star in the main dishes. Small yet lively ambiance. Definitely sit inside vs. their patio which faces a parking lot. read more

Hippos are my favorite animal. Chubby, cute, and deadly. And Hippo is one of my favorite new restaurants. I makes me chubbier, it's super cute, and the food coma I go into after isn't deadly, but it sure feels that way. Since my first visit a little over a year ago, I've been back three times - that's a lot for me as lately my going out schedule is drastically reduced. This means I like it here. A lot. Strongly recommend the hamachi crudo and any of the pastas. You won't be disappointed. read more

See all

I went to Hippo for dinner and this place impressed me from the start. Every dish we ordered was a hit, but the hangar steak and the butternut squash pasta were on another level for me. The steak was perfectly cooked and full of flavor, and the pasta had that rich, cozy vibe that makes you pause after the first bite. Easily my two favorites of the night. We also ordered the hippo rolls with honey butter (dangerously soft and addictive) and the prosciutto with burrata, which was super fresh and well balanced. For dessert, the budino was a standout -- creamy, smooth, and just sweet enough. The butter cake was also delish. Paired it with a cappuccino and it was the perfect ending. The vibe inside is chill and intimate, and the service was friendly without hovering. They played some 00's R&B. Parking: street parking is doable, but like most of Highland Park, you'll want to give yourself a few extra minutes to circle. Overall, Hippo delivered great food, great service, and a great atmosphere. I'd definitely come back -- that steak and pasta are still on my mind. read more

See all

Byron was an amazing host and waiter. We arrived late, had to leave early and yet he made our time at Hippo lovely. He helped us make selections so we could have two mains served along with appetizers for the guests who had to leave early and then kept the other two mains for the guests staying later. The butternut squash pasta was utterly disarming. So tasty and lovely. The crudo and shaved Brussels sprouts appetizers were both really nice. The crudo had a next level sauce that we sopped up with the fresh focaccia bread. Excellent! I highly recommend Hippo and will come again for certain. read more

Hippo - Butternut Squash Cappellacci - American Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Came as a group of 4 on a Sunday evening. The host gave us the option of a table or the bar, one look at that wide, beautiful countertop and the choice was easy. The bar setup is perfect for dining, plenty of space, and surprisingly comfortable. We ordered a good spread: Hippo rolls - The bread was unbelievably soft, and that salt & honey butter? More dessert than dinner, but no complaints. Sweet, rich, and dangerously easy to keep eating. Cool wax beans - Delicious. Light and refreshing, served cold, kind of the ideal palate cleanser in between heavier dishes. Grilled cauliflower - UGH. This one stung. Came out WAY TOO charred, I had to cut so much of it off. You could tell it would've been a great dish if not for the burn. Disappointing, especially since I was really looking forward to it. That level of blackening isn't something i want to eat from a health standpoint. Butternut squash cappellacci - Buttery and cozy, basically autumn in pasta form. Very well done. Conchiglie - Sausage was fantastic. We all agreed this one was a hit and probably the most balanced dish of the night. Grilled chicken thighs - The potatoes underneath were excellent. Well-seasoned and full of flavor. I'm personally not a dark meat fan, so the chicken didn't wow me, but it was cooked well. Broccoli rabe ravioli - ordered this but they were sold out! Will have to come back and try it. Butter cake & cappuccinos - Polished off the meal with the perfect ending. Their coffee is DELICIOUS and with a bite of the cake I was very content. We'd definitely come back. The food overall was solid, the bar seating was beautiful, and the vibe was easygoing. Next time, though, I'll make sure to request no charred bits, that was disappointing, especially since it was the dish I'd been most looking forward to. I didn't send it back since I didn't want to hold back the group but it definitely took the shine off an otherwise good meal. Also, bonus points for location, it's walking distance to The Lodge Room, which makes it a perfect pre show dinner or post concert wind down spot depending on your timing. read more

See all

Overall, I think this was only a so-so experience for us, certainly given the price point of this restaurant. Celery root triangoli - by far the best thing we ate here. This was interesting, light, fresh, delicate. All around wonderful experience. I would get this again in a heartbeat. it's one of the more creative things I've eaten in the past year. Tagliatelle duck ragu - Nothing really stood out about this one. Kind of a really standard ragu with unremarkable flavors. Certainly not worth what they're charging for this one. Hippo rolls - these were a little weirdly dry and in need of a good drenching in oil or butter or something... Fett'unta & Burrata - Well this bread was outstanding. I want an entire loaf. And burrata on everything? yes, please. We'd order this and the triangoli again, for sure. Cauliflower - We weren't a big fan of the sauce/relish for this one, and given that it's half the dish... we didn't finish this plate and we opted not to take it home. We're normally big cauliflower fans, but this just wasn't our scene. Service was wonderful - very friendly, super knowledgeable, great recommendations and explanations. Everything was brought quickly, we never waited long for anything. The space was comfortable and nice enough. Music wasn't too loud. Parking is street or city lot in this part of town, so know that you will probably have to walk to get here. They are in back behind the Go Get 'Em Tiger & pizza place. read more

See all

Hippo represents Californian-Italian cuisine, where tradition meets fresh seasonal produce. Here, they're putting down some wonderful housemade pasta. Tagliolini: The tagliolini is like a tagliatelle, but thinner. That is to say, a delicate egg pasta ribbon with a flat narrow shape. The duck has been slowly braised until pulled apart into fine strands. The tender al dente noodles vibe with the silky meat in a sweet herb tomato sauce. The focaccia is supple, and with its rosemary, it's great for sopping up any leftover sauce. Butterscotch Budino: This is a study in textures and densities. Or, like the bartender said so good you'll want to make out with your spoon. The butterscotch is smooth with a hint of toasted bitterness. Sea salt crystals balance out the sweetness of the thick caramel. With creme fraiche on top, you'll really enjoy the velvety luxury of this dessert. Dining Area: The restaurant has a large interior space with high ceilings and walls painted with funky designs. Parking: There's plenty of metered street parking. Fun Fact: Hippo stands for Highland Park Post Office, which was the former occupant of this space. read more

Hippo - Tagliolini with Duck Ragu - American Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Been here three times now and always enjoy it. The space is hipster-looking but still welcoming, with both indoor and outdoor seating that work equally well for date nights or groups. It's always crowded, so reservations are recommended as we were seated right away. The hostesses were very nice. Parking is street-metered only. Meals start with complimentary focaccia bread, which is good but would be even better warmed. I almost always get the wax bean salad and/or shaved Brussels -- generous portions, refreshing, perfectly dressed, with crunch from the nuts and just the right kick from the peppers. The crudo is fresh and tasty, but definitely on the small side for the price. A must-try, though, is the bread rolls with honey butter -- soft, warm, pillowy, and surprisingly addictive (even if it feels like carb overload with the focaccia and pastas). I've tried a few pastas here. Most recently, the duck ragu was excellent -- tender duck, well-seasoned, perfectly cooked pasta. The celery root triangoli was interesting -- sweeter than expected, very buttery taste, with the squash blossom adding some nice depth. Glad I tried it, but not sure I'd order again, and I wish the pasta had a bit more chew. Portions on the pastas run small compared to the salads, which are pretty generous. Overall, Hippo is consistently good and fun to try. Great wine list, rotating menu, flavorful dishes, and a nice atmosphere. It is on the pricier side for the amount of food, and while the service is generally good, I did mention we were celebrating a birthday and the promised candle never came. Not a big deal, but just something to note. read more

See all

As a Highland Park local, Hippo fits right in. I first tried Hippo around 3 years ago for a birthday dinner, and loved the intimate, cozy vibes and classic hipster ambiance HLP delivers. It neighbors Triple Beam Pizza, Go Get Em Tiger coffee, and Highland Park wine shop. Three great HLP staples on a popular street on Fig! What won me over? Their seared scallop appetizer was probably the best scallop I've ever had in my life - perfectly cooked, nice crisp and sear, and nice tangy garlicky lemony seasoning. Tasted like the sea, but even better. We also had their cauliflower appetizer, on a bed of tasty yogurt and pine nuts and nice smoky char. Their duck ragu tagliatelle is always a solid choice, as their pasta is always made fresh everyday. You can taste how delicate and paper thin their pasta is! We also had their Manila clams ravioli, which was a bit salty for my liking, but it was delicate and nice. Their patio seating is great on a summer night, especially when their indoor bar and regular seating is packed on a Friday night. Service was also quick and easy, as our server tended to us fast, as well as a few other 2-person tables on the patio. Complementary focaccia was so simple and perfectly salted, light oil, that I dipped that thing in all of the dishes lol. No complaints. Hippo isn't the cheapest for dining out, but it's a great meal. Pair with a glass of wine and old fashioned cocktail, and you're good to go! read more

See all

Cute date spot in HP! Friend came by for some dinner and it's our thing to be foodies and try things but always on a whim, we are not the reservation type We came by around 7pm on a Friday and they were able to accommodate us at the bar with no reservation. The restaurant was cute and very busy! We each started with a drink and we got an appetizer but I really can't remember which one we had just know we tore it up lol. I ordered a second round of drinks for me and we each got a pasta as our entree. I don't remember what the names were but taste wise both were amazing especially the red sauce one. Service was great as well and attentive. It is quite pricey for what you get though and that is my only gripe as we were hungry not much later that night when any other place we usually can just have dinner and be set for the night. But nonetheless this place was great! read more

Hippo - American Near Me - Los Angeles, California

See all

Great food but super loud! It was very hard to hear the person a yard crossed from me. The pasta was fresh, but not enough sauce for my liking and when I asked if they could make it sauce heavy they said they could not. It was very busy. The service wasn't noteworthy nor bad. My favorite was the hanger steak. It was cooked for perfection and I didn't think I would like the white beans with it, but I actually enjoyed them. The Hamachi Crudo was exceptional, but a little small. And the prosciutto was perfect, but I wish they gave more bread all in all. It was an enjoyable meal, but don't know if I would pay to come back. read more

Hippo - BBQ Honey Balsamic Hanger Steak - American Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Their spagetti is so flavorful! I would definitely recommend the Spaghetti Pomodoro. It is so delicious with so much flavor. Their bread is delicious! It has a taste of sweet and savory. Reservation highly recommended. The server was very awesome and gave recommendations regarding to food and drinks. I paired my spaghetti with a great red wine. We will definitely come back great place for date night. It's also a great place for big groups read more

Hippo - So - American Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Hippo has been on my list for awhile, it certainly did not disappoint. I kicked it out with the royal hamachi crudo, a nice citrus taste with a kick. I paired it a fistful of dollars cocktail, boozy cocktail and a great way to kick off the night. I followed it up with the herbed ricotta tortellini, tasted light and spinach with herbal flavors complements the creamy ricotta with a crunch from the walnuts. Majority of the pastas are made in house, you can taste the difference in quality. Finished with the gelato (3 flavors): peanut butter, rum raisin (boozy), and dark chocolate (highly recommend this combo). Paired dessert with a carajillo, coffee forward and paired very well with dessert. I liked the chill ambiance, laid back with great quality. Service was great, the bartenders and the server were very attentive. Overall, a dope spot in Highland park. read more

See all

Love their pasta selection here. The duck ragu tagliolini was deliciously saucy, without it being too gamey. The hamachi crudo was fresh and flavorful too. From their food and cocktails, everything was solid. What an enjoyable meal! read more

The hostess was able to find me a table for two on a busy weekend and while normally I'd wonder what the fuss was all about, it became very evident after the first bite (the only picture I took). I had the hippo buns, a couple of pasta dishes, and tried a couple of cocktails. The food and service were exceptional. I only wouldn't recommend the rum raisin ice cream (of which I'm usually a huge fan) because it tasted like vanilla ice cream with lots of raisins thrown in. read more

Hippo - Hippo buns - American Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Came for my husband's birthday. Easy to make reservations but I always find it odd when you check in and they ask if you can leave by a certain time cause they're fully booked. Totally off putting. The food was good but scarce. We had to flag down our server for refills. It's a cute hipster place but for the price, service and amount of food, I'd rather go elsewhere. read more

See all

Take out proportions for the pricing are horrible. 7 pieces or ravioli for over $30 is insane. read more

Hippo - 7 ravioli for $26... then tax and tip putting it over $30. - American Near Me - Los Angeles, California

We used to go here quite regularly, but it has gone downhill. The food is very salty. For $28 each, not worth the price. The pasta dishes are over-sauced, gloppy, and not al dente. We ordered the bread, but for $9 you get two small pieces, not even a piece each for the 4 of us. (It would cost $18 for 4 pieces!l The brussel sprouts salad was the best item. Ask for the patio if you want to have a conversation, way too noisy inside. read more

This place has an amazing atmosphere. We went out to dinner as an early valentine's celebration. Our waiter, Byron, was very friendly and attentive. I asked for additional balsamic vinegar or hot water, and everything came out perfect. The food is delicious. Don't make the same mistake ordering too many bread like we did (we got too greedy haha). Also if you're sitting near the long bar seats people could watch you eat which is kind of silly Other than that I love the place and would definitely love to go again! read more

Hippo - "Hippo Rolls" SO GOOD! definitely order this!! The butter was amazing as well. - American Near Me - Los Angeles, California

See all

Love this place for pasta. Definitely interested in trying their proteins next time. My girlfriend and I came with another couple and decided to share and try some of their pastas. My personal favorite was the pork ragu and the butternut squash cappellacci. 4 pastas, shaved brussel sprouts, and some bread was enough for all of us to be satisfied. Service was great and was kind enough to make recommendations and break down some dishes for us. read more

Hippo - American Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I came for a bday dinner with a group of 13 and the service was really good. We were seated in the outdoor space. The menu was a pre fixe menu. The first were hippo rolls, shaved brussel sprouts, grilled cauliflower. The pasta was duck ragu and butternut squash cappellacci. The duck ragu was good but butternut squash was too sweet. The grilled chicken thighs and tandoori spiced striped bass both were on the salty side. The service was very good throughout from start to finish. read more

See all