We visited Raku in 2018 and it made our list of best restaurants for that year. When our foodie crew opted to go to Canberra, our only request was that we wanted to return to Raku. It is a sleek and contemporary fine dining Japanese restaurant with an extensive ala carte menu, as well as a tasting menu. The restaurant is located in the main CBD precinct near the Civic shopping centre and thus was easy to locate. The space is large with table seating or right up at the chefs kitchen as well private dining spaces. You can watch the chefs prepare the meats on the grill over the flame and it is mesmerising. Otherwise there's small tables or booths, it is dimly lit and has a romantic feel to it. The ambience is cool and sophisticated, but not at all arrogant and you can certainly feel comfortable dining here. We learn that Raku is named after a Japanese style of pottery (fired in open flames), which is apt for a Robata style restaurant. Secondly, the ceramics here were absolutely beautiful and demonstrated different designs and techniques. Cooking wise, the robata method enables the flavour of the flame to shine through the meat, seafood and vegetables and the blue eyed cod has to be one of the best things we've ever ordered. The Gindara saikyo yaki Alaskan black cod came with a saikyo miso w pickled cauliflower. The Smokey flavour was beautiful and it was so soft and melted in your mouth. The Ala Carte menu has so many options; from raw seafood to salads, hot dishes, tempura, maki rolls, sushi nigiri, signature dishes and robatayaki seafood, meat and veg, there is sure to be something to take your fancy. We opted for the picture perfect Hotate truffle Hokkaido scallop flavoured with truffle and ponzu as well as a beautiful maki roll filled with Spicy maguro South Australian raw tuna, Sriracha, tenkatsu, chives, takuan, cabbage. The tenkatsu crisp provided a nice crunch to the sushi. For the other two in our dining party, they ate the Hao san's tasting menu, which for $80 each is super reasonable since the ala carte diners ended up spending more than this. We do like that the restaurant enabled our dining party to have ala carte or the tasting menu (though tasting menu needs to be at least 2 people). A tasting menu is great way to do things for it enables you to experience a good range of their signature dishes. It begins with their signature Merimbula rock oysters topped with cucumber, tosazu. A light and refreshing start to the tasting. One of the favourites was the Tasmanian salmon tartar w yuzu miso & squid ink cracker that was simply stunning in both flavour and presentation. Followed up by some of the best Sashimi around; salmon, kingfish and scallop as well as 2 pieces each of the Chef's selection nigiri; Aburi salmon and tuna. Then came the lightly fried Tempura Zucchini flowers, which were beautifully done, filled with feta, goma, tofu paste and a side of dashi broth. For the main part of the tasting menu, it was an 150-day grain fed Scotch fillet, perfectly cooked medium and sliced thinly served with wasabi sour cream and a rhubarb salt. This came with a nice cup of white miso dashi w tofu, wakame & spring onion. To also accompany the main was a light Heirloom tomato salad, fried quinoa, honey soy, spicy tofu creme. We were keen for the Wagyu gyoza w truffle oil, white ponzu, mustard seed and had been talking about this well before our visit l. So when the dessert arrived we were disappointed the gyoza hadn't come. When enquiring, they had simply forgotten, so lucky we knew the menu. They were worth the wait. The tasting menu comes with a Toasted sesame ice cream w caramelised almonds sticky miso caramel, matcha wafer which did sound delightful, though being at whisky fans, we asked your we could swap out the desert for their whisky option. We are so happy they obliged. The dessert was a Japanese whisky chocolate fondant oozing with chocolate and a sticky miso caramel paired with Nikka 'from the barrel' ice cream. This is a whiskey lovers dream. Drinks wise, they have some solid cocktails with Japanese flavours, sake, beers and wines and ask for the waiters suggestion to match your meal. They also have an express $40 lunch option which sounds like a good deal too. We love Raku restaurant and this is enough of a reason to plan a visit to Canberra. read more

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Such a bummer to write a one-star review but gutted after our experience at RAKU yesterday. In almost 15 years on Yelp, I don't think I've written more than one or two one-star reviews, but this was really awful. Had a weekday birthday and I work across the street, so my sweet partner booked us in for a 6pm dinner reservation on a Wednesday evening. Arrived a couple of minutes early and was greeted by the hostess. She asked if we had a resy and checked it in the system, then walked us saying that we had 2 seating options: - The first spot offered was at the middle of a communal table sitting closer to strangers than each other, right by the door, with the associated extra light and unwelcome chill from the opening and closing of the door. Not very nice but figured the second option would be better. - Second was two seats side by side facing the sushi bar. I know people sometimes prefer and specifically book this to watch the artistry of the sushi masters, or would be happy with these seats as walk-ins without reservations, but it was not appropriate for a celebratory dinner date. (Booked online and reconfirmed on request twice by the venue, once the Saturday before and once earlier the same day.) - We saw a couple of open two-tops at the window, so my partner asked if one of those would be an option. Instead the hostess frowned at us and said that they were booked. - I don't have a great poker face and must have visibly balked, so after frowning at us some more, the hostess then relented and said we could sit at one of the available two-tops. - Which was odd because she said less than two minutes before that they were booked (presumably by people who had specifically booked and reconfirmed those two particular tables? Not sure what the issue was but it was appalling to experience.) We weighed the idea of sitting down for a dinner at a place where the team had been so unprofessional with two people who arrived on time, looking appropriate, for a (doubly) confirmed pre-booked reservation, and opted to leave rather than put the rest of our night into the hands of this venue. Super sad as we had already picked out our favourite options from the Hao San tasting menu and were very much looking forward to the food and wine pairings. A ruined night thanks to bad service at RAKU. Such a shame as otherwise this could have been such a nice option in Canberra. read more

Favorite sushi restaurant in ACT. Having lived in Australia for over a year, I've had my fair share of sushi and Raku still lingers. I keep going back. Maybe it's their classy but upbeat ambiance, or their surprisingly affordable menu, or possibly POSSIBLY because their fish is so fresh and their service is always on point. I always get the 9 piece + 6 piece sushi selection YES I order both. Then add in chicken skewers and some rolls. Their dessert selection is decadent and worth it. I usually never get dessert unless I LOVE a restaurant, and this place has great ones. I just wish they'd bring back their matcha strudel! Be sure to make reservations! read more

This was our second visit and first dinner at Raku. In the year between visits, the venue has continued its commitment to being the best Japanese dining experience in Canberra. We had the tasting option for 2 people, and it was a feast, both literally and one for the eyes! Beautifully presented and super fresh oysters, nigiri and sashimi was followed by meat gyoza and wagyu steak, and finished with a fine dessert. It's the staff that put the icing on the cake, doing a wonderful job of explaining the experience and making every guest feel completely comfortable and important. There is an extensive whiskey bar and some well designed cocktails in addition to a wine list that focuses on some of the local region's top producers. The place was very busy from quite early on a Thursday evening , proving how popular it has become. read more

This is the best Japanese restaurant that Canberra has to offer. The most delicious food and drinks right in the heart of civic. I would strongly recommend trying the salmon truffle sushi. Absolutely delicious and whenever I go I always make sure to get it. The truffle rice chips are a must have, but are very filling so order for 1 for two people. Waygu beef skewers are perfectly cooked and seasoned but very spicy. I would recommend the kiwi fruit, lime and ginger Mocktail. Refreshing and a good way to enjoy the delights of Japanese cuisine. Haven't tried dessert, but come with an open mind and be ready to try something new, and they won't disappoint. Expensive for the sizes but delicious none the less. Great place to come with a smallish party or your bill will rack up some pretty large numbers. Strongly recommend. read more