Let Us Tell You A Bit About Fat Hippo

Born in Newcastle in 2010 from a love of the best burgers...

Way back when in 2010, Fat Hippo was born in a cosy little end terrace in Jesmond. What started out as an ambitious business plan for our founder and MD, Mike Phillips, during his university days, our OG restaurant became a firm favourite in the popular Newcastle suburb. Known for our quality ingredients and quirky flavours as well as our welcoming atmosphere, we quickly made our name known in Newcastle for our indulgent burgers.

Fast forward three years and Fat Hippo Underground arrived. Our second restaurant, with its unique interior and relaxed vibe, opened in 2013 on Shakespeare Street/Grey Street, right in the heart of Newcastle city centre. The hidden gem, housed in an old listed bank vault, is just a few minutes walk away from Grey's Monument and is always the perfect pit stop in town for good value, great burgers.

Keeping things local, in 2016, Durham welcomed Fat Hippo to their city with the opening of our third restaurant in a gorgeous Grade II listed building on the cobbles of Saddler Street just a stone’s throw from Durham Cathedral. Our signature burgers go down a treat with students, families and tourists alike and it didn't take long until Fat Hippo became the place for the best burgers in Durham.

A few years and several trips down the A1 later, the city of Sheffield became the next place we're proud to call home. Having made our name known through the ever popular Peddler Market, we opened in the newest all day dining experience, Kommune in March 2019 and Fat Hippo Sheffield S3 was born. But things didn't stop there. We then teamed up with hottest new brand Lane 7 to bring all things burger to their new site on Matilda Street, The Moor, Sheffield in the December. Geared up with our full menu, Fat Hippo Sheffield S1 opened so the people of Sheffield could enjoy our signature beef and boneless buttermilk chicken patties.

Despite 2020 being the weirdest year ever, we were buzzed to open our brand new restaurant in Nottingham city centre. We may have only been able to open for takeaway at the start but the people of Nottingham welcomed us with open arms (and mouths) and it wasn't long before we became a firm favourite on Broad Street.

But where next? Well, after making a name for ourselves during our time in Trinity Kitchen and our little staycation at Leeds Festival, we knew it wouldn't long 'til we settled in Leeds permanently. At the beginning of 2021, Fat Hippo Headingley opened on the infamous Otley Road and we've not looked back since!

Things may have started in the North East for us but 2021 was the time to head over to the North West! It wasn't long 'til we established ourselves in the city of Liverpool. We opened our quirky new restaurant on the bustling Bold Street in May so the people of Liverpool can enjoy a Fat Hippo feast, Mersey-style!

August 2021 saw us crossing the Scottish border to open our latest concession, Fat Hippo Edinburgh, within Lane7's brand new site in St James Quarter. Phew, what a year!

With no signs of slowing down in 2022, Wales - you asked and we delivered! In May we opened our brand new restaurant on Church Street, smack bang in Cardiff city centre.

Next up, we headed to Birmingham! Our latest restaurant opened on Bennetts Hill this June and it's been amazing to welcome the people of Birmingham for 'the good kind of gluttony'.

But that isn't all... 2022 was just as exciting! We brought the best burgers to Glasgow, with our first full restaurant in Scotland. As well as opening our fourth restaurant in Yorkshire, based in York city centre.

And it didn't stop there... our London debut was a long time coming and as we opened our flagship site in the city on the iconic Great Eastern Street in Shoreditch and with the success of our first restaurant in the capital, London certainly was calling... for another! In came Soho, based in the heart of the West End right beside Leicester Square and Oxford Street. It doesn't get any better than that, does it?

But it did. The people of Edinburgh loved us so much, we had to make sure we came back for more! First a concession, and now the full works. Everyone's favourite independent burger joint is just about everywhere you go.

Where might the Hippo end up next?

GOOD FOOD. MESSY FINGERS. JUICY BURGERS.

That's our motto.

Our 'Burger Lab' is where the magic happens and we work hard to bring you a countless number of unique specials. We try our best to cater for all allergies, intolerances and dietary preferences and offer the best burgers that are gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan friendly. Our restaurants are child friendly and have a tasty treat-sized menu available for your little ones so that all of the family can enjoy a Fat Hippo feast. 

And what does the future hold for Fat Hippo we hear you ask? Well, world burger domination obviously. We have exciting plans to continue growing nationally so watch this space. The best burgers could be landing in a city near you soon.