Yamato Japanese Restaurant

Very good dinner here for our first time at Yamato. Food was delicious, easy to order online via QR but marked down service as brought desserts out and placed on table but failed to clear finished main meal plates at sane time.
Otherwise was great, and we'll be back again soon.

Lovely atmosphere and food!

The decor of this place is amazing, makes for great pictures and has the vibe of bring in a brightly lit Japanese street. Lots of unique seating options for different party sizes.

The service was good and the waitress attending to us was friendly and patient with her explanations. Food was served quickly even for dessert and takeaway which we added halfway into the meal.

The food we had were delicious, especially the dessert. The mains are well portioned too. They have a self service sushi corner with free flow condiments like wasabi, soy sauce and ginger. They also have a store section for Japanese teas and snacks.

Love everything about Yamato, every dish and every meal I've had here has been wonderful. Every friend I've brought has enjoyed their meal and wants to come back. An absolute gem, don't sleep on this.

Recommend the agedashi tofu, every time. The set menu is a wonderful combo bento if you can't decide on what you want. Treat yourself to the desert cheesecakes (both are good, hojicha is a delight), and definitely get some yummy umeshu cocktails!

This restaurant truly feels like you have jumped into Tokyo! Amazing decor and atmosphere, the food is very flavourful and well priced.

Friendly service and cozy atmosphere. Food was quick, delicious and great value. The crab koroke was amazing. Currently not licensed for alcohol but hopefully that will change soon since the cocktails are only $8.3!

What a wonderful place this is. In the heart of Chinatown and up an alleyway is this great japanese restuarant.

I've been here a couple of times and on my latest visit I had a banquet dinner which was superb.

We had some delicious sushimi, fried gyozas, seaweed, tempura, a yummy soup, a BIG hot pot (I forgot the pic) and some green tea ice cream and a vanilla ice cream with red bean.

Everything was really tasty and for a city restuarant this was excellent value.

They also serve some Japanese rice beer and a variety of sakes.

I had the best time and I'm definitely going back! Happy days.

Second time here. They only just recently opened in this location from what I can gather.

The tempura is beautiful, light, tasty and absolutely 10/10

The Nabeyaki Udon. Honestly. BEST IVE EVER HAD. Total restaurant quality. Comes with shiitake mushrooms, cabbage, wagu sukiyaki and absolutely blew my mind. I eat udon everywhere I go so I don’t say it lightly. The broth was amazing.

I’m working my way through the menu but this place should be tried ASAP

Very quirky casual atmosphere. Sushi bar you can help yourself too. Warm and cold sake.

Amazing work to the chef. ThankYOU

Literally the cutest place I've seen in a long time! So much variety in the menu and even creative vegetarian options. Food was delicious I stuffed myself full. I love the little Japanese snack grocer and self-service sushi station too! The atmosphere is a winner for sure, so cozy, fun and authentic! It was like visiting a mini Japan. Definitely coming back again ♥

Nice little Japanese restaurant near qv. Affordable and decent quality. Limited seating and paid on street parking near by. Worth a visit.

Very cozy Japanese restaurant. Good for friends gathering.

This was one of the best experiences I’ve had in Melbourne. I am from a country town and don’t get to experience many high quality, varied food. I came to Melbourne with my mum in order to relax and enjoy some special stuff. Wanted Japanese and went here because it was close to where we were staying. Pleased to say the prices were very reasonable, the service was good and the staff were kind, and the food was some of the best Japanese we’ve ever had. The kind of food you keep eating even after you’re full because it just tastes so good. Maybe I’m biased as I haven’t eaten heaps of city quality Japanese but I have eaten a decent amount before and in comparison with equally or even more fancy high quality Japanese this was much better. The food was clearly made with passion, and the cute, eclectic and cosy restaurant was so homely and warm and welcoming with all the nicknacks and things on the wall and roof. Would come back anytime and have saved the address so next time I’m in Melbourne I’ll enjoy some more of their amazing food and atmosphere.

Good value for the set meal, can't fault the flavours. A bit out of the way but worth a visit!

I almost burst into tears when I discovered that Yamato came back to Melbourne! Although the outside settings of their new venue are not as cool as the old place, it's more spacious and comfortable now!

Katsu nabe is my No. 1 一番choice since ever. I'm so glad that I'll get to have it again and again in this life. WELCOME BACK YAMATO!!!

Next day update:
Yamato parfait 2 is my No. 1 一番Dessert!!!

Authentic foods with authentic settings!

Tried to visit this place about a year or two ago but was closed. This time, came across this place again and decided to give it a try.

We came here around 5pm and the tables started to fill up. The place isn't that big so I suggest to come early otherwise you may have to queue.

We ordered their banquet no.3 and the foods were very delicious. There were 8 courses including the appetizers, main, and desserts.

The salmon sashimi was very fresh and the nabe soup was very memorable! They put the chicken balls and the taste was like dumpling fillings.

The set was very good choice especially during cold weather. It warmed up or body and soul.

Will definitely come back next time to try other dishes.

Feels like travelling to Tokyo without buying the tickets. The ambiance feels authentic and food did not disappoint. Definitely would recommend!

Little Tokyo, just a bit more spacious and modern than the old Yamato ...

Plenty of good liquid (alcohol) to compliment these Japanese classics ... oishii ...

So far so good ...

Such a homey, authentic and atmospheric restaurant and truly feels like you're back in a family restaurant in Japan. One of Melbourne's hidden gems for sure, down a small alleyway and with a humble entrance with an old sign and handwritten notes, you wouldn't think too much of it were it not for the lines of people queuing in front once it's past 7. My friend and I came at 6 on a Tuesday and it was already very full in this small place, and we were asked to take our shoes off before seating on the tatami mats and cushions, and it already felt so homey.
There was a huge variety on the menu and the food was amazing. Would absolutely come back again.

From the outside it could be anything, from the inside it's a beautiful and authentic tiny Japanese restaurant with an awesome decoration. And with tiny I really mean tiny. Check it out. The service is quick and helpful, and the food was yummy. We had different rice and noodle dishes and Sushi and all was good. I like this place. Would definitely go again. This place has soul; it feels that you have left Melbourne for a bit.

Affordable and authentic Japanese food. Yamato does classic Japanese food admirably. They have been at 336 Russell St, the old Police HQ, since early 2023. For QR code ordering, you have to click on the name of the item itself to confirm the order.

Wow, some of the best Japanese food I've had Melbourne. Vibes and price are top tier too. We went 2 nights in a row.
Get the Yamato set with either teriyaki or tempura