All vegan as of May 2012. Daily changing lunch and dinner menus. Hot drinks are prepared with soy milk. Offers a buffet on Saturday evening - reservations highly advised; cost is approx 15 euros. Open Mon-Sat 12:00pm-11:00pm.
Category: Vegan, Western, Buffet, Beer/Wine, German
Reviews (22)
First Review by kmorgens
Contributions +239
Buffet - good, but not extraordinary - Edit
They offer a la carte or buffet. The buffet was good, but I would call it old school vegan cooking. Mixed dishes, from chili sin carne to vegetable curry, different varieties of tofu and seitan, salads etc. No clear stand-out dish. What saved it was the mango dessert, as well as the berry sauce. Excellent.
Pros: Quick, All you can eat buffet, Excellent dessert
Contributions +555
Really nice - Edit
I was so happy that this place was not far from my hotel near the main train station, and that it was open during my brief stay in Hannover.
Since it was a Monday, I didn't reserve a table but just walked over to see how busy it was. As it happened, there were plenty of tables available. This may also be because it was January 2nd and people were still in holiday mode, however.
The restaurant is quite spacious and there were a lot of things to choose from on the menu. I had a dish composed of mushrooms in a cream sauce with crusty housemade seitan over a risotto with bear's garlic (also called wild garlic, I think). It was sooooo good.
There didn't seem to be any English menu (although I didn't ask for one, so maybe there is), but the menu items were easy to figure out since German is after all not so very remote from English. ;)
Pros: great food, attractive presentation, spacious, friendly staff
Contributions +26
To recommend - Edit
Nice ambience.
Nice food.
Nice craft beer.
1 Response
AndyT 12 May 2017 - It's not "craft beer", it's normal German beer from a small brewery.
Which is, of course, just as good (but luckily more affordable) :-)
Contributions +34
Great place! - Edit
This restaurant is fantastic. The buffets on Saturday evenings as well as the dishes à la carte are very well prepared. I really like that they use a lot of regional and seasonal fruits and vegetables in their dishes.
Contributions +20
omg - Edit
I had the best soup and an even better main course, something with potatoes and carrots and a delicious kale hamburger!!! Very helpful staff too
Contributions +5637
Geburtstag Dining - Edit
The eldest meat free statesman of Germany - Quite a sophisticated and elegant place but non pretentious and very friendly. Superb menu, completely vegan. Lunch time dining here is an absolute treat where there's usually a special set menu deal. Been here three times, once for a lovely evening meal where the lighting was perfect and once in the early afternoon where it was packed out with people 'doing lunch'. The third time in April 2015 was for the Saturday evening vegan buffet which was simply divine. Fabulous selection of salads, soup, main dishes and deliciously sautéed vegetables. The deserts were also pretty inspiring, but I was so full they weren't appreciated as much as they should have been. Personally, I think Hiller is the vegetarian king of Hannover. Royalty? The only royalty I acknowledge is that of an animal friendly vegetarian nature. I'm disappointed to read the recent poor reviews. There's only one way to find out the truth!
Pros: elegant, great food, lighting
Cons: toilets outside and upstairs
Contributions +20
Vegan but not special - Edit
When we moved to Hannover we were looking out for vegan or at least vegetarian restaurants. So of course we went to Hiller.
I really tried to like it a lot. The dishes are very creative, what makes it interesting. The service is slow, the prices average, however I was not sure about the freshness of food. The taste was ok, but really nothing special. So the only plus point is, that you have different vegan options and you will probably find something that sounds good. However don't expect anything special.
Pros: creative dishes
Cons: slow service, average taste
Contributions +161
Slow service, mediocre food - Edit
Hiller is a well known name in Germany as it's the oldest vegetarian restaurant countrywide. So we decided to pay a visit when having a stopover in Hannover.
Unfortunately there was minimum staff, only one person serving the whole restaurant. But: the restaurant was only filled to about 1/8 which made us wonder why (it was friday evening), so it should've been no problem to serve everone orderly and in time. Alas, it just didn't work out.
The waitress was extremely slow, even for the menu we had to wait about 15 min. (until then we already had taken the menu from our table-neighbours). The best thing was: people that were there before us received their drinks and food after us. The waitress also mixed up some orders and was clearly swamped.
When we finally received our food the portions were big. The flavoring was okay, but nothing special. I had some kind of Schnitzel (seitan) with 2 small german dumplings which were quite firm and not fluffy at all, as one would expect. The plate was overloaded with mushrooms and the big Schnitzel, so that the meal wasn't well balanced (too much protein stuff vs. only a few carbs). I also had a mixed salad which had a nice dressing.
My GF ordered some noodles au gratin with spinach and soy pattie. It also tasted okay, but the noodles were bathing in a watery "sauce" which seemed to be the spinach that had lost its water. Thats a mistake an amateuer would do, but not something one would expect from a restaurant. The "gratin" seemed just to be some kind of tomato sauce on the top.
All in all we weren't impressed much and the service was friendly, but slow and confused. We don't know how it was some months or years before, but right now the Hiller doesn't seem to be something one definately oughta pay a visit.
Pros: Outdoor seating, Nice interior, Big portions
Cons: Slow & confused service, Mediocre food
Contributions +30
Worst experience of a life time... - Edit
Been there about three weeks ago... Wish they were closed.
When you read about a super old vegetarian/vegan restaurant you expect cool atmosphere and interesting menu. None of these were present in Hiller. Moreover, my bf and I got an English menu that was outdated - choice wise and prices-wise... So the waitress took a note of the dishes' numbers and brought us whatever corresponded to them in the new menu. None of the ingredients on my plate matched what I ordered (not even a drink!)... And of course we had to pay current prices we were not even aware of. Sat there forever with empty plates - had to go to the cashier ourselves i the end... No one could care less.
Stuff was not friendly at all and only the chef could speak English...
Unprofessional in dealing with complaint, and way too laid back when we pointed out the issue to them. The food that we got was also amateurish and plain. I am more inventive in daily cooking... Waste of time and money - should have gone to Loving Hut instead...
Cons: Unprofessional personnel, Boring menu, Zero atmosphere
1 Response
AndyT 12 May 2017 - I think you have a very charmed life if what you describe is "the worst experience of a life time" :-)
I understand that the outdated English menu is a stupid mistake to make, and they should definitely address it. But, tbh, Loving hut can also be not very professional, as per my experience.
They are both vegan restaurants where the staff are vegans who do it because of their conviction, and not because of the big $$$, so I am normally willing to be a bit lenient.
Contributions +24
Very tasty - Edit
To have a view of this place, check out our review-video in German.
http://goo.gl/qGf2gL
Greetings
Pros: Very tasty
Contributions +31
Good food & service at Hiller - Edit
Visited Hiller now several times for lunch over the week and dinner on Saturday evenings.
Highly recommended to reserve a table for Saturday evenings when there is vegan buffet.
Every visit was special: food is really good stuff, staff is very freindly and open for special wishes. Interior is easy but absolutely okay. prices are absolutely okay for the very good quality you receice. Will definitively come back more often.
Pros: Changing menu, Buffet on Satuday evenings, Flexiblity of staff
Contributions +16
Great vegan food in Hannover! - Edit
The food at Hiller is excellent. I brought a non-veg friend here and she loved everything we ordered. Definitely worth a visit if you are in Hannover. Make sure to try the buckwheat pancake with salad, it is excellent!
Contributions +1464
good German food - Edit
The oldest veggie restaurant in Germany is now vegan and offers plant-based versions of classic German dishes.
It's worth a visit and the lunch offer is good value
Contributions +1178
First German Vegetarian Restaurant, now 100% vegan - Edit
Hannover is not rich in superlatives, so being the city with the oldest German Vegetarian Restaurant should certainly mean something! They are now consequently vegan and they are a restaurant that should not be missed in Hannover.
I've been to the Hiller a few times, and I must say that they have come a very long way from a nice, but a bit boring vegetarian restaurant to a place where you can indulge in delicious vegan food.
I went for their dinner menu, consisting of a very fruity and well made tomato soup, a delicious main dish of potatoes, mushrooms and "pepper steak" and an apple pancake with soy ice cream. All of these dishes were wonderful, and worth the price (EUR 18 for this menu)
Offering German "Hausmannskost" (homestyle food) in vegan versions - that is something you do not find often. They also have some slightly more exotic dishes like curry or chili. But, to be honest, if you want to have a nice Indian or Chinese vegan meal, well, there are Indian and Chinese restaurants that are either vegan or offer vegan options and might be the better place to go.
Pros: sophisticated and delicious food, friendly staff
Cons: a bit pricy
Contributions +15
Quiet but filling and friendly. - Edit
Out of the biting wind and into the warmth of Hiller i stepped to be met by a friendly welcome. The menu was all chalked up on the board as a selection of three different menus starting at 7 euros and the top price menu was only 12 euros. I plumped for the middle one 8.50 for three courses, raw veg salad to start followed by spicy mash, Brussels and tofu burger followed by plum pudding. All washed down with a carrot and orange, freshly squeezed juice, lovely. The value for money is very good bit you may need to brush up on your German before you go to work out what is on the menu. Otherwise, recommended :-))
Pros: Menu selection, Value for money, Staff
Cons: Decor is a bit dated.
Contributions +41
Go to their buffet! - Edit
Everything here is vegan! It's literally one of my favourite places in Germany. I can really recommend the Saturday buffet, it's heavenly! Btw: it's only a few minutes walk from Hannover's central station, which makes it the perfect place to come to, even when you're just passing through.
Pros: friendly staff, amazing choice, close to the central station
Contributions +1175
Hmmmm, tasty vegan German cuisine - Edit
We went to Hiller for the three course lunch menu on a Saturday afternoon. The service was friendly and reasonably quick, I enjoyed the classic feel about the place (being a vegan I hardly ever come to traditional German restaurants). We all had different vegetable and potato dishes with seitan or soya bits. It was all very, very tasty, just a little too oily to my taste (but that's the traditional way). As for starters two of us had a tomato soup (not so speacial) and one had salad (tasty). The dessert was a delicious coconut trifle. Including three main courses, drinks and one children's dish we paid around 40€ which is a really good deal.
I am also happy to see the owners seem to be very engaged in the vegan and animal rights movement - they have a fine selection of vegan-themed books, lots of flyers and leaflets and invite people connected with the vegan scene and book authors for readings and workshops on a regular basis. Thumbs up!
Pros: tasty traditional food, friendly service, good prices
Contributions +980
Loved this place - Edit
Had a 3-course lunch here. Price depends on the main course you choose. I had a very flavorful and tomato-ey tomato soup for starter, a main course of cooked millet topped with creamed chanterelle mushrooms and some kind of a starchy patty with a piece of crispy seitan schnitzel on the side, as well as hazelnut cream with mixed berries for dessert. All for €12 only and it was already the priciest option on that day. Everything was yummy and, above all, vegan. Staff was very friendly. Wish I had come on a Saturday so I could get to try the evening buffet!
Pros: great value, good food, service
Contributions +62
Delicious hearty vegan German food - Edit
Hillier serves up some of the best vegan German food I've ever tasted! I enjoyed an evening menu of avocado salad for starter, crispy seitan, potatoes and creamy mushrooms for main, and a desert plate comprised of three different deserts- all for 17 euros.
Pros: Tasty, Satisfying, nice ambiance
Contributions +14
Hiller - habulous! - Edit
Absolutely fabulous restaurant. We were in Hannover for four days and visited this restaurant twice. First day we tried 3 different mains - all excellent! Second day we went broader and gorged ourselves on the amazing options...all recommended by a very attentive waitress who also reminded us what we ordered the last time (two days ago) and was happy to translate everything on the menu. She also remembered what everyone around us ate as we used that for reference on the first day! (very impressive). Anyway foods to definitely get... noodle soup, avocado salad, spinach "quiche", the dijon dish was loved by my wife but maybe too strong but number 42 (can#t remember the name) was excellent. The dessert of pancake was best I have ever eaten and wife tried vegan ice cream and loved that! If you only go to one restaurant here then it must be this one. Very close walk from station (about 3-4 mins). Go! We are even thinking of going back for an early dinner before we catch the plane!
Pros: Waitress, Food - range, Food - taste
Cons: Quiter than it should be
Contributions +142
Tasty food - friendly staff - Edit
Food very tasty and delicious. Wide selection and big variety of vegetarian dishes (vegan options available). They offer set meals with savings compared to single dishes.
Staff very friendly. If the restaurant is very full, you need to be prepared for longer waiting times as everything is prepared fresh and at peak times there are not enough waiters.
It's the oldest vegetarian restaurant in Germany, dating back to the 1950's. It still has some 50's atmosphere. :). Some compare it to canteen style but we think this is an unfair judgement and we didn't have this impression. There are flowers and candles on the tables and nice decoration on the walls with historic photographs.
We had two entrees, two main dishes, two soft drinks and two glasses of Cabernet Sauvignon and paid 40€ which is very reasonable for what you get.
Members of the German vegetarian association VEBU get a 10% discount.
Pros: Wide selection, Taste, Non-smoking
Cons: Waiting times
Contributions +15
Large diversity, fresh ingredients - Edit
This is the only true vegetarian restaurant in Hannover.
At Lunch it serves three menues with the same entree (salad) and desert at a very reasonable price. We usually go there Saturdays and their is hardly any repetition as they respect the seasons. Very tasty and freshly prepared.
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