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    Toko

    3.9 (50 reviews)
    PriceyJapanese, Bars
    Closed 12:00 pm - 3:00 PM, 6:00 PM - 11:00 PM

    Toko Photos

    TOKO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Trendy
    Classy
    Loud
    Good for groups

    Recommended Reviews - Toko

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    Reviews With Photos

    Prawn tempuras
    Dodo D.

    Really good japanese restaurant. I do not rate it 5 stars because I think that it is pricy compared to the quantity. But the staff is nice and giving a lot of advices. The food was really good !!

    Danielle L.

    This sleek and stylish Japanese restaurant was a shining star when it opened its doors a few years ago transforming the old MG Garage restaurant. Based on London's Zuma restaurant, Toko was a sexy newcomer heralding the change that was taking place in Surry Hills. Four years later the food is still very good. The Black Cod dissolves in your mouth, the Soft Shell Crab with Wasabi is heaven and the Nam Ban Chicken is delish. I recommend the tasting menu at $80 per person to give a good sample of what's on offer and depending how many people you have also adding in some signature dishes, like the Cod. The wine list is good, the cocktails even better and the service is efficient - if you're lucky you might just get a smile from a waiter! Toko is great for lunches, it's light and airey and can have a great buzzy atmosphere. Dinner is more low-key and the dimmed lighting creates a more laid-back environment. It is a great restaurant for groups, ideally four or more, but it is not good for couples. Every time I have been with only one other person, we are always relegated to sitting at the Robato Grill. Unlike other restaurants that provide a wide berth between diners and the grill, these seats are literally right up against the grill so the heat that comes through the glass is pretty intense. It's not just the heat that you are bombarded with from the grill seats, it's also the aromas. I always leave stinking of fish and meat, which is less than ideal! If there are a few of you, you can get a seat at the long dining tables, which is much more ideal as the tables are large and the experience is much better. Even dining out on the lower tables in the bar area is preferable to the grill seats in my opinion. I want to say that Toko is still an amazing dining experience but there are areas that need improvement, particularly the grill seats and the experience for couples. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to groups but for couples I think Toko may have lost a little of her sparkle.

    Rubarb crumble
    Ally B.

    Ate here last week. By far the most amazing Japanese I've had in Sydney. So fresh with interesting, almost french inspired flavours. I can not wait to eat here again. The deserts are not to be missed. Everything we ordered was fabulous. The rhubarb crumble was exceptionally delicious. The service was on point as was the decor and the overall decor. Cannot recommend this place enough.

    Alecia W.

    Repeat visits to this slick mod Japanese diner have narrowed down my menu choices to a reliable few. If you're a couple of people or more, you can get away with ordering a bunch of dishes to share. Start with the spider maki rolls made with soft shell crab and wasabi-spiked mayonnaise, their crispy little legs standing straight up out of the sushi. Move onto the dengaku nasu, a half an eggplant grilled in a miso marinade 'til the outside is sweet and sticky and the flesh is a piping hot mush (eat the skin, too - it's a little chewy but oh-so caramelised). For something with a bit more substance, the kamo to nashi no namasu is a pink-centred, crispy-skinned grilled breast of duck served with a delicate pickled nashi pear and sansho pepper (kind of like Szechuan). While teriyaki salmon may sound a run-of-the-mill option, make sure you order it here - it's a butter soft piece of flesh where the glaze is flavoursome but doesn't overpower the taste of the fish. And if you can't manage to get a table at this always busy diner, take to the bar for awesome cocktails - the lychee and jasmine mojito is a personal fave.

    Danielle L.

    This place is stunning and the food excellent and whenever I head to this special Japanese restaurant I always seem to spot a celebrity inside... (you can see that as a good or bad sign). The ambience is gorgeous whether you're seated at the main share table or found a secluded spot on the sidelines... it's dark and broody and definitely sets the scene for a stylish experience. Food is fabulous - may I recommend the black cod (delicious) or any of their sushi rolls.... yum yum. It's expensive but excellent quality..... Dishes are small so you will have to order more than usual...I guess that means more to sample?

    Tempura morten bay bugs
    Marie G.

    I've officially had most of the menu and nothing disappoints! Designed for sharing - every plate is fresh, and tasty! They have an extensive drinks list too for those who fancy a wine, cocktail or Japanese beverage. The spatchcock was the stand out dish for me it was very juicy and succulent. Additionally, the port ribs were on the sweet side but adding some rice with it was delicious. The sushi is also excellent. We ordered all the desserts which were presented as if it was for publishing in a magazine and also tasted yummy - check out the pictures! Says it all!

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    Page 2 of 2

    Toko Reviews in Other Languages

    Review Highlights - Toko

    . And if you can't manage to get a table at this always busy diner, take to the bar for awesome cocktails - the lychee and jasmine mojito is a personal fave.

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    The Midnight Special

    The Midnight Special

    4.0(15 reviews)
    3.7 kmNewtown
    $$

    Came in on a Tuesday night with a fairly large group. Was pretty empty besides us. Super hipster…read morebar with a dark seediness to it. Both bartenders were quick, courteous, and gave awesome recommendations. I usually drink beer but since this was more of a cocktail bar, I started with a margarita. I asked for the basic, but the bartender quickly tried to get me to try the jalapeno margarita. I was quick to decline since I'm not into jalapeno or spicy drinks. The drink was mixed and strained into a martini glass... didn't seem to be as full as it should have been, but I wasn't upset. Drink tasted great, not too strong, too sweet, or too tart. I noticed lots of people getting the freshly pressed apple drinks, so I decided to try one. When in Rome, er, Newtown.... Asked for the Sailor Jerry and apple, but once again, the bartender was quick to recommend something different. He wanted me to try JD Tennessee Fire and apple. I know it's like Fireball, which I hate, but he was very persistent with his glowing recommendation, so I obliged. I'm glad I did, because it was delicious. You could only taste a hint of the whiskey, but mixed in with the fresh apple juice - which had a nice frothy foam on top - it was like cinnamon spiced apple sauce. Yum! If you don't listen to the bartender's advice, listen to mine! Prices? Eh, it's Sydney, not cheap. It is what it is. In the end, very pleased with my visit. Kind of annoying that both times I asked for a drink, they tried to convince me to make me something else (must have been competing on a promo or something), but hey, their advice was sound and if I didn't listen, I would't have had my delicious applesauce drink!

    Great little bar to catch up with friends or to kill time!…read more Bartender is very chilled and down to earth, very hospitable. Lots of beer choices as well as wine, fresh apple juice to go with your vodka for those on a health kick ;) First time visit and already I feel at home. If your in the area stop by for a beer and some hot dogs.

    Photos
    The Midnight Special - Dim lights, sultry scenes...

    Dim lights, sultry scenes...

    The Midnight Special
    The Midnight Special

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    The Hive Bar

    The Hive Bar

    4.5(16 reviews)
    3.1 kmErskineville
    $$

    I like hive bar for it's $10 cocktail nights. Espresso…read moreMartini relieves my depresso. The staff are all pretty cool, and even though it's a small cramped space, it provides just the right ambiance for after work drinks. The food here is phenomenal. The menus are presented inside old Vinyl record covers, ours was the sounds from Hitchcock films, which was just awkward enough to laugh at. We had the platter that included Kangaroo kebab sticks, pate... oh my.. the pate. Other charcuterie standard fare and lebanese bread. I think around $30 rods, but well worth it for a work weary start to the weekend. You can also hire the upstairs room for your party. The craft beer selection is off the hook with some nice IPAs, Young Henrys on tap as well as others in the fridge. Get on down here after work on a Friday night.

    I was only lucky enough to go in store briefly here for a brewsky while on a food tour of Sydney…read morebut what impressed me the most about Hive Bar was the wonderful service, clean floors and diversity of menu and coffee offerings this place had to provide clients outside of its nightlife entertainment. I also admire the fact that The Hive Bar has embraced its local, inconveniently located, smallness and tried to offer local flavourings on its menu, inlcuding sourcing local brews from St Peters Brewhouse! I tried the E'Vile (a.k.a the Erskenville) brew on tap and was blessed with a deliciously pleasant boldly going where no man has gone before type beer! I am definitely coming back for brunch, lunch or dinner and one of their many themed nights on my next adventure to Sydney!

    Photos
    The Hive Bar - Tricken nuggets and cheeseburger

    Tricken nuggets and cheeseburger

    The Hive Bar - 4 rotating drafts

    4 rotating drafts

    The Hive Bar - Inside bar

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    Inside bar

    Lazybones Lounge - Lazybones Lounge

    Lazybones Lounge

    4.7(24 reviews)
    5.9 km
    $$

    Wow wow wow!!! If you sneeze, you could miss the entrance since it's not all that 'in your face' on…read morethe street. There is a cover charge of $20pp to walk in the door. I'm not sure there's an elevator so if you aren't able to walk up two flights of stairs, better give them a ringy-dingy before you head over. We went for the Jazz but started out in the 2nd floor for some finger foods and drinks. What a hoot!! The menu has a good variety of choices and we had the 4 cheese pizza and chips. Both soooooo good! The volume was not so noisy so we could actually talk and hear each other. Then the first band came in and, I'm sorry to say I did not catch their name because they were incredible! Their vocalist has quite a versatile range and adorbs. The guitarists and drummer were da best!!! We sat there longer than planned because song after song was wonderful! And, make sure you check out the ceilings!! Purty interesting to say the least. (If you are more a prudish type, I suggest not looking up. No judgement!) But, eventually we did go to the jazz venue.... Jazz. Hot Jazz! Mellow, delicious and...what can I say? This band was soooo laid back....and talented! Lots of great tunes from the '50's that were well done. Oh and.....definitely (!!!) check out the ceilings in here, too. I can not imagine what this building housed before Lazy Bones, but....just check it out! Parking on a Friday night...not too much in the main drag but we found side streets had plenty of free parking available. One more thing i noticed is the variety of age. Top floor was mostly 20's and up though there was a few more mature people, too. Jazz venue I'd say 30's and older. Yeah...we were the oldies but goodies at both places!! Lol. If you like jazz, if you like good music of any kind, get yoreself over here!!!

    This is the most amazing new nightspot in sydney, Great…read morelive jazz bands and the best DJ's that play old records of some real classics Craig the owner and barman is out of this world this place is going to do really well. Hidden just off the main street of Marrickville up a few flights of stairs you walk in to a awesome bar with the roof painted with a huge Kama sutra mural and tin roof tiles and leather lounges. Licensed to 3am with great wines and boutique beers on tap.

    Photos
    Lazybones Lounge - Lazybones Lounge

    Lazybones Lounge

    Lazybones Lounge - X rated Ceiling mural

    X rated Ceiling mural

    Lazybones Lounge

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    Webster's Bar

    Webster's Bar

    3.0(31 reviews)
    3.4 kmNewtown
    $$

    This place has three levels? I feel like this review might be hampered by the fact that I only…read moreexperienced the ground floor drink/dine area, but with that being said the 1/3 of the pub which I did experience was a nice place to hang out. The deco is confusing, however charming. A bare brick wall, racked ceiling with chicken wire, plumbing with light globes coming out every which way. Like an outback pub trying to keep things modern and trendy. The bar lady seemed a touch preoccupied. As if she was expecting an order of something to arrive. Such behaviour isn't indicative of bad service, it was just slightly distracting to continuously see a head pop out from behind a wall to gaze over the front entrance. I went for the $12 lunch special. One Black Angus Beef Burger with thick cut chips and ketchup on the side. The chips lived up the standard thick cut. Decent amount of crunch while fluffy inside. I believe the ketchup was made in house. Tasted like smooth tomato chutney which a touch of chilli for warmth. Nice. Everything about the burger was fresh. The beef wasn't over processed. The cheese and sauces complimented everything. The bun was soft. Simplictic and wholesome. Burgers like how mum use to make... but in a pub. For $12 it was a decent meal. I was certainly filled up by the end of it but not so much that I couldn't walk. When you're in Newtown you need to be able to use your legs. I'd like to return here with a group of friends. The six seated high tables looked comfortable enough to enjoy a few drinks over the course of a couple of hours.

    This bar was nothing short of awesome, but then again I've come to expect this standard from…read moreNewtown. To say that they had a good selection of beers is an absolute understatement because, being Newtown, you are going to find great selection of beers in their pubs. The thing that I loved the most about this pub though was the rooftop bar that gives you a great view of the surrounding area. The place is relaxing, and the view is magnificent. I could literally spend ages up here.

    Photos
    Webster's Bar
    Webster's Bar
    Webster's Bar - The ground floor bar.

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    The ground floor bar.

    Earl's Juke Joint - A portion of the bar

    Earl's Juke Joint

    3.9(22 reviews)
    3.6 kmNewtown
    $$

    If you're looking for great service and well crafted cocktails, this is the place to go in Newton…read more It's and old fashioned bar masquerading behind the storefront of a butchers shop (walked past the building twice before finding it). Inside, you'll find a dimly lit but beautiful space with old pin board drink lists and a sheet metal roof. The bartenders are amazing. Friendly and attentive while quickly making some great cocktails. I opted for an old fashioned with Makers and it was one of the better ones I've had. They stuck some nuts and water in front of me and started a tab. I was all set. While it's not the New Orleans style place it's described as, the atmosphere is great. As the night goes on it gets crowded but you can still move around. Prices are on the higher side, but you're paying for quality.

    I read about Earl's, oddly enough, in the Tigerair in flight magazine. The article raved about the…read moreNew Orleans theme & I got this idea in my head of a jazz bar. I was totally keen! I got to Earl's and was met with a modern take on N'yorleans - nought ies' hip hop, hot (seriously) bartenders in singlets with beards & 40's haircuts & voodoo trinkets galore. I was hooked. I ordered "something with gin" and my friend got a dark & stormy. The drink I got was really readily drinkable, smooth & tasty. My friend said the d&s was the same. The staff were way friendly (Stefan was super hot) and the drinks were good (~$15 mark each). Overall, as they say in Instagram, "would." Definitely would.

    Photos
    Earl's Juke Joint
    Earl's Juke Joint
    Earl's Juke Joint

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    Toko - japanese - Updated July 2026

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