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    Hippo

    4.2 (953 reviews)
    PriceyAmerican, Italian, Bars
    Closed Closed

    Order Hippo Takeout or Delivery

    Hippo Photos

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    HIPPO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Hipster
    Casual
    Trendy
    Intimate

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    Recommended Reviews - Hippo

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    Nicole D.

    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

    Brenda C.

    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.

    Tagliolini with Duck Ragú + Butternut Squash Cappellacci
    Kaia H.

    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.

    Suki T.

    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!

    Tagliolini with Duck Ragú, Butternut Squash Cappellacci, Grilled Chicken Thighs, BBQ Honey Balsamic Hanger Steak
    Michelle J.

    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.

    Cry me a river
    Jillian G.

    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.

    Herbed Ricotta Tortelloni
    Jeremy J.

    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!

    Arlene S.

    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.

    BBQ Honey Balsamic Hanger Steak
    Libby R.

    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.

    Myra F.

    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.

    Butternut Squash Cappellacci
    Kassandra H.

    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.

    Tagliolini with Duck Ragú Tagliolini with Duck Ragú
    Alma V.

    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.

    Butternut Squash Cappellacci and Conchiglie
    Linda C.

    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.

    Cauliflower

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    Page 2 of 24

    Ask the Community - Hippo

    How are the pastas with the gluten free option?

    They are very good.

    Are we limited to the happy hour menu only if we sit in the patio?

    No. You can order from the full menu even if you are sitting at the patio.

    Is there a kids menu?

    No. It's a set menu. No chicken strips or things like that.

    Is there a non enclosed patio area I can sit?

    Yes. Their patio is open air even though i think it says on their website that its all considered enclosed dining.

    Are the hours really 5pm to 9pm now? No more breakfast, brunch, and lunch?

    Wednesday-Sunday 5p-9p. Reservations via the website only.

    Can you eat at the bar?

    Absolutely. Our full menu is served at the bar.

    Is this reservation only?

    No, but you risk not getting in if you don't have one. They fill up fast even on Monday as soon as the doors open!

    Do you have gluten free pasta?

    Hello! We have a gluten free pasta substitution for all of our non stuffed pasta options!

    Are dogs allowed on the patio?

    Yes.

    Can we host private events here?

    It would be best to call them after 5 p.m. and ask. Things may be different now due to COVID.

    Do they deliver or any services that partner with them?

    Yes they do! They are on Caviar for delivery or you can do curbside pickup. Highly recommend to-go Paloma cocktail kit.

    What is the noise level at Hippo?

    Very high. Unless you sit in the patio or eat before 7p

    When is happy hour and what days? Thanks

    It's from 5 - 6 p.m. every day.

    Can you bring your own wine? Anyone know The corkage fee?

    No outside wine allowed

    Does Hippo have parking?

    There are a few spots in the lot, otherwise there is parking on the streets nearby.

    Are they gluten-free friendly?

    Yes. They've been very accommodating. One of the waitresses is actually a celiac and had good suggestions. They have gluten free pasta and I believe they even do stuffed gf pasta. I'm not a celiac but am gluten sensitive and have had very good… 

    View All 21 Questions

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    Inside - bar area
    Inside - bar area
    Garlic Tots!
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    Chicken Tenders!

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    Chicken Tenders!

    Hippo - tradamerican - Updated July 2026

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