Akiba — Restaurant in District of Canberra Central

I first fell in love with Akiba during lockdown. Being able to order our favourites delivered during such a scary time was comforting and made it all a little easier to manage.

The restaurant is a modern space with the hip bar and open kitchen. I was excited to be back in Canberra for the day, and when we wanted to meet up with some dear friends for lunch, I was excited to hear we were locked into Akiba, enjoying the vibrancy of the Asian-fusion meal as the restaurant hummed.

The Harringtons are passionate about making Canberra just a little bit cooler, and since Akiba opened in Civic in 2014, they have created a place that feels part Tokyo night market, part relaxed corporate schmooze bar - and it works.

We all started with a drink while we waited for the others to arrive and got started with some oysters and the tuna tartare. Sadly the shots that paired with the oysters arrived long after the oysters were gone - but we still had the shots. The tuna was everything I remembered it to be.

When everyone was there, we ordered a mix of dumplings and some of the different bao buns to share. This time it was the chicken one that arrived super late after we’d asked them to follow up. The flavours of the bao buns and the food in general help you forgive some of the lapses in service.

Next we got the Wombok salad, fried rice and the silky miso-glazed eggplant went quickly as the conversations and Asahi flowed.

The beef short rib – a dish I’d been hyping in my own head and with the other diners as my favourite thing. “Just wait”, I said, the fall-apart tenderness of the meat, and the savoury, but well balanced sweetness and caramelisation of rib would be a winner. I was Pavlov’s Dog and this was my bell. It was good, but it was different, which is fine, but it was not the transcendent dish I remember. Whether the recipe has changed, or my memory of it had - my two cents is that it was different from when I was a resident and regular, and that it was not as good as it used to be. But everyone was teasing me, and we were all left full, laughing - having thoroughly enjoyed our shared experience. I’d still get it again - it definitely wasn’t bad by any stretch.

The fried chicken was a big hit, and the little bottles of sriracha sauce and kewpie mayo are an awesome way to help get the flavours as you want it. Deliciously crispy - it’s a killer dish, definitely get some.

Akiba remains something of a Canberra institution. The movers and shakers and shakers of money-makers are all regular patrons. It is where Canberra’s beautiful and influential come to enjoy the delicious slinging of fire-kissed flavours from the open kitchen and the hip vibe the venue provides.

We left content - happier for the catch-ups and shared experiences. I will be back for sure, glad to have a benchmark of quality and shared history of experiences with a place like Akiba in my...

Very disappointed. I had a stellar dining experience at Akiba the week before. I came in specifically for the short rib dish, right at opening: 11.30 am, Sunday 25th May.

Immediately upon being seated, the waitress and I talked about the short rib dish. She agreed it was a standout, her personal favourite, in fact, and she took down my order for that dish, along with two small appetisers.

I asked to taste a particular wine so I could decide what to pair with the meal.

From this point, everything went downhill. Thirty minutes passed, and in that time, yes, the two appetisers arrived. But the wine (taste) did not arrive. I ended up walking to a waitress to ask for it because even when the appetisers were brought over, there was no checking up on drinks.

Thereafter, the manager himself brought over the taste of wine. Didn't say anything else. Didn't enquire about the meal or elaborate on wine recommendations. He walked away.

I proceeded to sit and wait for the main meal - the short rib dish. Time ticked by. Soon, it was an hour that had passed. Finally, at 1pm (90 minutes since sitting down and ordering), I walked up to a waitress (because every effort I had made in making eye contact, resulted in the staff doing nothing). So, at 1pm, I enquire about the short rib dish. The waitress's face fell. She explained that it hadn't been ordered. The order wasn't put in at all.

I went to my table to get my bag and leave. I walked up to the manager and told him I was closing out my bill, expecting him to say something about the mishap. Not the case. Instead, he wordlessly pointed me to go to the front counter and pay. Keep in mind, he watched the entire interaction unfold with the waitress and I, knowing that an error had been made in the main dish not even being ticketed to the kitchen, and no one checking up on me in the 90-minute span.

He wordlessly points me to pay at front. (To the owners of Akiba, the manager you have running the restaurant has a lot of room for improvement in terms of hospitality). I then pay, the waitress apologises, and I walk out.

In all my years of dining (and working in hospitality myself), never have I seen such utter disregard for such a colossal mistake. It's one thing for a young waitress to forget a meal. It's another thing to be a manager and not train your staff to check on guests and tables. To be a manager and not interact with the guest at all when (finally) dropping off a taste of wine. To be a manager and witness a massive mistake like this, and still not take any initiative in rectifying the situation, in trying to ensure the customer can be retained for future visits.

If you're okay with coming for food but dealing with shockingly bad service and management, then Akiba is the...

Date: Monday 7 July 2025 Location/Restaurant Name: Akiba Waitress Name: Willow First Impression & Greeting – 5/5 From the moment we were seated, your friendly demeanor made us feel welcome. You greeted us promptly with a warm smile and a positive attitude. First impressions are so important, and you truly set the tone for a pleasant dining experience. Professionalism & Appearance – 5/5 You maintained a neat and professional appearance throughout the service. Your uniform was clean, and your posture and body language conveyed confidence and approachability. It's clear you take pride in your role, and it shows. Knowledge of Menu – 5/5 You were impressively knowledgeable about the menu. When we had questions about ingredients and dietary options, you answered with confidence and clarity. Your suggestions were spot-on, and it felt like you genuinely wanted us to enjoy our meal. Timeliness & Efficiency – 5/5 The pacing of the meal was excellent. You took our orders promptly, ensured drinks and food arrived in a timely fashion, and checked in at just the right moments—not too often, and never too little. You balanced attentiveness with space perfectly. Attention to Detail – 5/5 We really appreciated the little things: refilling our drinks without being asked, remembering our preferences, and bringing extra napkins just when we needed them. You noticed everything without us needing to say a word—an exceptional trait in hospitality. Communication & Attitude – 5/5 You communicated clearly and respectfully with everyone at the table, including children and seniors. Your attitude remained upbeat and professional even when the restaurant got busier. It’s clear you have great emotional intelligence and patience. Overall Impression – 5/5 Dining out is as much about service as it is about food, and you made our evening thoroughly enjoyable. You're a true asset to your team and a shining example of how exceptional service can enhance a meal. 👏 Final Comments Thank you for going above and beyond. It’s rare to experience such attentive, professional, and kind service. I sincerely hope your efforts are recognized by your management team—because we certainly noticed and appreciated them. We’ll absolutely be returning, and it will be a pleasure to be seated in your section again. Rating:...