Truly a mediocre cafe that is Managed poorly. Do not believe the current hype around this place. In a city of 3870 cafes ( figure.co.nz) being overpriced for a mediocre experience is just not good enough.

Hill House Cafe feels like a squandered opportunity, that has gained popularity and in doing so is now unapologetically going for a cash grab from the wave incoming folk with little regard of the experience Patrons have.

The place is not properly set up for the scale they are now trying to take advantage of. Folks who arrive can't sit down due to little metal table toppers asking Patrons to see the host first, which can only be found through the front door even though one can enter the cafe area from the gardens at the back.

The dinning experience is uncomfortable with horribly small wobbly tables and uncomfortable wire frame metal chairs. Do not recommend for seniors or folk with back issues. There is little help if it starts dripping or raining, which it did, no words from management or wait staff, no offer of moving inside, the only contingency is 3-4 umbrellas that cover 3-4 tables out of the 20 or so outside tables.

I give sympathy to the bottom level staff (waiters, dishes, etc) as it is very evident that Hill House's management is the epitome of not knowing how to lead a team. Staff wander around aimless yet frantic. We overheard them 'loose' two tables' orders and not know what to do. Little to no evidence of management leading the team.

The digital system used for ordering appears to be half baked as staff were unaware if we had ordered, and once we did what we had ordered. To top that their system isn't fully set up to send receipts, my partner inputed her email address to ensure it was correct and had even hit send, thus showing the system just isnt ready (no offer of physical which I think is a good direction to go so long as you're able to actually ensure digital is working) Do not recommend this place for any business client meetings or for folk who claim on GST.

More evidence of poor management is that the staff do not appear to be assigned to cafe zones or a set number of tables to care for, thus leading to not 1 person ever really tracking the experience of the table. No one checks in on the dinning experience or if the food is correct or enjoyable.

The food and coffee it's self. There is a good number of alternative milk options which is great for Dairy free or vegan folk. It's a shame that the coffee comes burnt with little difference between a cappuccino and a flatwhite.... The food is .. fine, it's nothing to write home about but definitely overprice for quality of what you're getting.

Overall just would not recommend.

If you want amazing coffee go to Dear Deer in Onehunga

If you want amazing food go to Kreem (just down the road)

If you want an good dinning experience go to Wander Bristo and Cafe in the Wynyard Quarter.