Robata
A whimsical backdrop for skewers, sake and share plates galore.
A shelf lined with Kewpie mayo bottles sits over a katana sword above the bar; below, blue LEDs at ankle height scroll through the sort of Japanese food-adjacent words a millennial might name their cat: Mochi, Yakitori. Robata revels in this sort of cheerful excess, carried through by laid-back waiters who know their menu and their sake.
Serves are small enough to encourage ordering widely: Ora King salmon sashimi, finished with an essential side of wasabi mustard, melts on the tongue. Charred yakitori thighs are skewered simply with spring onion. Sushi handrolls come as a generous DIY affair, complete with a soy tincture, while flank steak is seared to sashimi-like pinkness and arranged over wasabi butter.
Whether you’re theatre-bound or off to catch a game, Robata’s open kitchen, smooth service and eccentric interior are worth the stop.
Must-order: Ora King salmon sashimi.
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Last visited: May 2026
More:
- Melbourne
- Robata
- Japanese
- Accepts bookings
- Separate bar
- Vegan-friendly
- Good for solo diners
- Late-night dining
- Good for business lunch
- Good for groups
- Licensed
- Vegetarian-friendly
- Gluten-free options
- Wheelchair access
- Private dining room
- Pre- or post-theatre
- Long lunch
- Good for a first date
- Restaurant
- Reviews
- Good Food Guide
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