Robata

14.5/20Updated October 7, 2026,first published November 18, 2024A 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.Good Food reviews are booked anonymously and paid independently. A restaurant can’t pay for a review or inclusion in the Good Food Guide.Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox.Sign upLast visited: May 2026More:MelbourneRobataJapaneseAccepts bookingsSeparate barVegan-friendlyGood for solo dinersLate-night diningGood for business lunchGood for groupsLicensedVegetarian-friendlyGluten-free optionsWheelchair accessPrivate dining roomPre- or post-theatreLong lunchGood for a first dateRestaurantReviewsGood Food GuideFrom our partners