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Hours
Sun
11:30 am - 2:30 pm5:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Mon
11:30 am - 2:30 pm5:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Tue
11:30 am - 2:30 pm5:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Wed
11:30 am - 2:30 pm5:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Thu
11:30 am - 2:30 pm5:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Fri
11:30 am - 2:30 pm5:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Sat
11:30 am - 2:30 pm5:30 pm - 9:30 pm
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Ratings and reviews
4.5
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Food and ambience
Japanese, Sushi, Asian, Healthy, Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options
Does this restaurant offer highchairs for toddlers?
Details
About
Sleek Modern Japanese Restaurant featuring traditional Robatayaki, high quality sashimi and cocktail bar.
PRICE RANGE
$20.00 – $199.00
CUISINES
Japanese, Sushi, Asian, Healthy
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Drinks
FEATURES
Reservations, Private Dining, Seating, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service
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4.5
615 reviews
Excellent
465
Very good
98
Average
26
Poor
15
Terrible
11
jdnosewine
Essendon698 contributions
Feb 2020 • couples
We had the $80 banquet and sat on the stools against the kitchen bench being thoroughly entertained by the skills and teamwork of the staff. Outstanding food and service. All courses carefully explained by staff. Good selection of wines from small vineyards. As good as we have had in Japan. Highly recommend. We’ll be back.
Written 28 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
StephenR285
Canberra784 contributions
Aug 2020 • none
Our first time back since COVID, we opted to take family with us to celebrate our anniversary. We had booked for 8pm on a Sunday night and the restaurant was fairly full when we arrived. With social distancing, it was lovely to be ushered into one of their booths that can seat six comfortably and the four of us were able to sit apart easily. Our serving person was great and with three of the four of us having food allergies and/or restrictions he and the other staff made sure that no-one ordered or received foods or accompaniments that would have created problems. The resulting food order was quite complicated, but the staff dealt with it professionally and quickly and within a few minutes we were eating wonderful entrees and sipping our ordered drinks. This was to be the theme for the evening and we were able to try both some shared plates and individual orders that left each of us absolutely satisfied. So much So much so, that we had no room for dessert or coffee, but still we walked out around 10pm feeling very happy with our choice of restaurant!
Written 10 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Angelphil
Canberra87 contributions
Feb 2020 • couples
What an amazing experience. It was 5 stars from when we walked it to when we walked out. We had the $80 tasting menu and every plate that was presented was exceptional and very, very tasty. The wine list was not all that large but there was enough of a selection to keep all palets satisfied. All front end staff that served us were professional and friendly and just enhanced the food and wine experience. I highly recommend Raku for anyone from couples to groups and I know my wife and I will be back with friends next time so we can share the experience .
Written 15 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
B W
Melbourne22 contributions
Feb 2020 • none
It’s easy to be a big fish in a small pond but frankly Raku is just a big letdown. Raku sells itself as an exceptional Japanese restaurant with innovative food, service and sake. Unfortunately it doesn’t live up to any of these titles.
The menu is really pedestrian and it’s innovative angles are somewhat obtuse. We selected a range of items. The Hiramasa sashimi was terribly sliced so each piece still had thick skin. It was chewy and was the butt end of a fillet thus even the non skin part was unpalatable. The Hotate truffle was quite nice, the rest of the meal was ordinary and unmemorable.
Great service is the key to any restaurant. Their staff are the interface between the kitchen and the customer. I am often amazed when waiters project a arrogant self importance as if they themselves are restaurant owners and customers are to be looked down upon. Our waitress had obviously done a PhD in condescending attitude and curtness that was astonishing. She didn’t know the menu, nor the wine/sake list. She took our food order then returned to tell us that 2 items had sold out (it was only 7.45). I asked for a couple of minutes to make another choice but she hovered over us and twice asked testily if we were ready to reorder.
My initial drinks order was likewise not in stock and she stood over my wife as we made another selection. When my wife selected a sake by pointing at it on the list, the waitress made her pronounce it fully, smugly delighting in her mispronunciation.... “oh, you mean .....” was her reply.
When I asked for the bill, the waitress ignored us and chatted with other staff. After 15 minutes I had to ask another staff member for the bill.
All in all this place has ordinary food at high prices and incredibly bad service.
Written 14 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jodie
Canberra11 contributions
Dec 2019 • couples
We booked dinner for a special occasion and were seated at the bar. That was fine until the bartender spilled a drink on me and apologized to the guy beside me and did not acknowledge me.
Other than the bad service I enjoyed the food and would recommend the cheaper of the two tasting menus.
Written 19 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LBA28
New South Wales20 contributions
Feb 2020 • none
We had the tasting menu as we knew little of Japanese food; the food was varied, impeccably presented and delicious. Raku restaurant, when seated at the kitchen bar, is quite noisy but there is a great buzz, and the staff were helpful in explaining each dish. Wine prices were ok but talk over your wine choices with the sommelier before he leaves for the evening as other staff handling the bar did not appear as knowledgable. Overall Raku is highly recommended
Written 10 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LukeCanberra
Canberra18 contributions
Jan 2020 • friends
We had a cosy booth near the open kitchen where we were able to watch the expert chefs do their magic. The attentive wait staff were very knowledgeable and provided some great tips on items to try. Every dish was fantastic. Despite the restaurant being busy, plates were delivered fast. Oysters and sashimi are a must! Highly recommend Raku for not only amazing food but great service and exceptional presentation of each dish. Thank you to Nic and the team.
Written 24 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wheathouse
Canberra318 contributions
Sept 2020 • none
Raku has been one of our go-to restaurants. After our most recent visit, we are reconsidering.
the meal was rushed, the dishes came out at the same time rather than being delivered in a reasonable manner. the food and flavours were still of good quality, it was the service that was lacking.
it might have been that COVID was having an impact - however, the experience didn't reach 'very good'. it was more disappointing.
Written 6 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amanda B
Brisbane74 contributions
Feb 2021 • family
The food is, as you would expect given the price, excellent - there is no doubt the chefs are highly skilled and are invested in producing delicious Japanese cuisine. The wait staff however are aloof, disrespectful and inattentive, lacking in basic manners and customer service. This is not our experience in other Canberra restaurants.
Written 4 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wingecarribee
Canberra2340 contributions
Jan 2021 • none
A special treat. We thoroughly enjoyed the set menu Express Lunch for minimum 2 guests ($40 per guest), which included a nice selection of tastes: sashimi, maki roll, vegetable tempura, miso soup, scotch fillet, dipping sauces, steamed rice. Everything fresh, tasty and nicely presented. Different types of seating including indoor tables and booths and outside. We were seated at bench facing the central kitchen where you could watch the skilled chefs preparing the food. Only suggestion would be to ask for a spoon for serving because you are sharing dishes like the beef and sauces and may not be a related couple, hence no double dipping. Good service and setting. Check the menu and prices online.
Written 24 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ross m
Balmain92 contributions
Feb 2021 • couples
What a wonderful restaurant. Seated right at the counter watching the chefs prepare fresh dishes which are served up one after the other in a very efficient manner. If you are with a partner it is worth getting the $80 tasting menu. Each dish is elegantly prepared and presented from the oysters through to the ice cream at the end. An extensive wine list from reasonably priced by the glass to expensive bottles.
Written 19 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Graham M
Canberra103 contributions
Mar 2020 • none
Our third lunch visit in the past year, Raku again excelled in terms of private atmosphere, table service and quality of food. While my daughters shared the degustation option, my wife and I went a la carte, and tried some different dishes. My tempura bugs with two dips was one of the tastiest dishes that I have ever eaten. We will continue to patronise Raku for special family events.
Written 8 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tarni
Wagga Wagga20 contributions
Jan 2020 • couples
What can I say?.This place was amazing. From start to finnish I cannot give anything other than 10 stars to this establishment. The staff were all incredibly polite, friendly and so informative. The lovely waitress who took our order helped us understand sake and gave us wonderful drink suggestions. The food was such an experience it was more than just a meal to fill your belly (it does that too). We had the $80 tasting menu and you have converted my non fish eating husband to raving about sashimi!! Thankyou Raku for a wonderful evening dining experience. Your wait staff and food are perfection.
Written 16 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gecko1968
85 contributions
June 2021 • none
We had the 11 dish Hao San tasting menu. The food was good to very good, as one would expect at this price. The service was friendly but, as has been noted by other reviewers, somewhat shambolic in the delivery of dishes, which would arrive irregularly, with plates being cleared to make space while we were still eating. Herein lies the confusion as to what Raku is trying to be. Is it fine dining or is it a casual eatery? The best description would be fine dining food in a refined casual setting with casual service. Maybe this works for some but the result is that one doesn't leave with the sense of "experience" or "specialness" normally associated with a $250 meal for two.
Written 18 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Act_06
3 contributions
Jan 2020 • none
Just had thel $40 lunch banquet comprising raw fish, sushi, miso soup, tempura vegetables, wagyu beef and rice and for desert the pavlova with lychee gelati. I could not fault the meal, received excellent service and the food was divine. Highly recommended AAA++
Written 30 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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