Kumo Izakaya & Sake Bar

Cute little gem with a cool high ceiling interior that feels fancy yet comfortable at the same time. Ramen Gnocchi lived up to the hype. Also enjoyed the Potato taco, Vegetable Gyozas and Eggplant. Happy Ending beer is also worth the try. Will be back to try the meat dishes next time.

$155 for two including drinks.

Tip: if you are getting Japanese plum liquor, don’t get by glass ($15), get one Carafe ($25) that serves at least 2 glasses per person. You can look at our bill attached.

We had:

Salmon Carpaccio
Signature Fried rice
Kimchi
Edamame
Bang bang chicken (not really a fan, could not taste lemon grass as described on the menu)

Green tea panacotta
Cheese cake (not really a cake, tastes good but it’s “deconstructed”)

Great service, very fast!

Would recommend for special occasions, calm and cosy atmosphere.

The ramen gnocchi was absolutely incredible. The staff are very knowledgeable about their menu and were helpful in advising what my partner and I can and can not have, due to allergies. Unfortunately the lobster and the salmon were a little bit fishy, but everything else was fantastic.

Every item of food on this menu has been thought out and perfected. The set menu for $69 for 7 courses is off the charts for taste and value. The owners are AMAZING, so welcoming, it’s like you’re eating with a family friend how they tend to you and look after you. I return every few months and somehow it just seems to get better and better every time. MUST recommend for anyone visiting, passing through or living in Melbourne. If you’re on the fence get off and go visit Kumo!

Loved this place. We sat at the bar for a more intimate experience. The staff are friendly and very attentive. Will be going back.

Highly recommended for vegan options. The vegan banquet was delicious. Miso eggplant, agadashi tofu, mushroom risotto, all so good.

Food was poor quality and bland. The pork gyoza were disgusting and inedible with a strange metallic taste. A small can of coke will set you back $7. The female owner/front of house was rude and unfriendly. This was a poor quality & white-washed attempt at ‘Japanese food’ and was not authentic. Consider going to better Japanese alternatives in Brunswick like Ima or Luna.

The food was overpriced and barely fed us. Also, service took 2 to 2.5 hours, and each persons meal on the set menu came out at different times. No apology was given, and the apparent owner was going around getting into conversations with people who clearly did not want to talk to him (may have just been a waiter I don’t know).

The food was great and bought out quickly. The service however was lacking, we were waiting on ordering more food and another round of drinks, though no one ever came to take our order after 35 minutes. Items ordered at the start of the night were also never bought out which was disappointing.

Really lovely restaurant, food and drinks. Nice Japanese food, great selection of food and drinks and nice atmosphere. The restaurant was extremely busy, team were busy so rhythm of serving the dishes wasn't seamless with follow-up and asking for more drinks. However it was busy and the team were friendly. Definitely would come back again

Love visiting Kumo and always leave with a smile. The food is amazing and staff are attentive and friendly. Highly recommend.

Food was creative, bursting with flavour and cooked to perfection. Paired with knowledgeable friendly wait staff this restaurant is a clear 5 stars

Food was quite average and bland. Pork gyoza were disgusting and inedible with strange metallic taste. Quite expensive given the above. Staff were friendly and atmosphere was nice.

My daughter and her friends had a great birthday dinner here. Feels like authentic Japan inside. I’ll be back to do the sake pairing menu.

Incredible food and service, eaten here a few times and every dish I’ve had is great. Fast, fresh, fantastic.

@kumoizakaya Brunswick East

? Lobster Bao
Spicy Tuna Taco
Pan Grilled Edamame
Ceviche Nori Taco
Salmon Carpaccio
Kingfish Carpaccio

Kumo is an Izakaya style restaurant located on Lygon St, Brunswick. “Kumo’ means ‘cloud’ in Japanese. The historic building was once an old ANZ bank, which the vault is now their sake store. ️

Although the heart of their cuisine is Japanese, inspiration is taken from Asian Street Food from all over. The menu is designed to share, which can be paired with an extensive range of local and imported wine, beer, spirits, sake.

The Pan Fried Edamame were served cold, wet and soggy. The Lobster Bao lacked flavour but it did taste fresh. The Spicy Tuna Taco was not spicy, but again very fresh. Both Carpaccios were nice, but tasted exactly alike and it would been nice to have different flavours.

Every time I have visited it has been very busy, the service lacks attentiveness. We had to ask for water, to order, to clear our tables ect. Our dishes were paced perfectly through the night though.

This visit was disappointing with comments to be made about each dish we tried. Nothing was bad however nothing excited us and would probably order a completely different range on a future visit.

2.8/5
$$

Food and drinks 10/10, service 10/10
Beautiful interior, nice vibe and all while being affordable for what you’re getting.

Thank you Kosta, Your restuarant is amazing and the food is super tasty. The girls and I had a great night and said your hospitality was spot on.

Superb service and food. Only complaint is v noisy.hard to hold a conversation. That said, good for those that enjoy a buzzy atmosphere

Everything we could expect or ask for was delivered with grace and attention. We had a lovely evening and the food was excellent.