Bar Wa Izakaya — Restaurant in Hobart

During my visit to Tasmania I researched best places to eat in Hobart and given the wide praise this restaurant had I was very excited, but once I left I think this restaurant is very overrated, perhaps restaurant standards are lower in Tasmania.

Cocktails were not good and are overhyped, we ordered 4 altogether and each one was disappointment after disappointment, particularly the bloody mary one which tasted like I was drinking straight soy sauce, I could not finish this, syrups/sauces in the cocktails were too overpowering and did not blend well Waitresses were clueless, we had the wrong food and drinks brought to our table 3 times, you would think learning the basics of where tables are and what food was ordered would be covered in training Food was disappointing, one of our meat dishes was served cold and felt like it had just been sitting in the kitchen for hours, oysters were doused in flavours that were too overpowering and didnt mesh with the oysters at all, dont think I ate one dish I was satisfied with, there was a consistent trend in food/drinks where sauces and “flavour” was too overpowering to appreciate the “base” (meat, seafood, cocktails)

We did keep ordering more dishes or drinks to give this restaurant another chance and maybe the first cocktail or dish we received was just not up to standards by chance, but the food and drinks we kept ordering was underwhelming everytime.

I will give that the decor, atmosphere and menu design was beautiful and on brand, however I would prioritise ensuring service, food and drinks is up to par.

I would note that perhaps I just came at a bad time or busy night and usually this restaurant’s food and service is better, but I still think these factors should be consistent, especially after paying...

Having enjoyed a memorable dining experience at Bar Wa Izakaya in 2023, we eagerly returned, expecting the same high standards. Unfortunately, this second visit left much to be desired.

The night started with a lively atmosphere, but that energy soon turned into impatience as we faced prolonged waits (over 30 minutes) between each dish. For a menu focusing on fried and seared items (they aren’t making a soufflé), the delays were surprising and concerning. It felt as though the kitchen was overwhelmed, struggling to keep up with the demand.

When the food finally arrived, it was, sadly, just "ok." The seared Wagyu, which should have been a highlight, was disappointingly chewy. The karaage chicken was saturated with oil from crumb to the centre of each piece, making it heavy leaving an undesirable after taste. Even the Brussel sprouts, which could have been a delightful side, were overpowered by an excessive amount of butter, masking their natural flavors.

We understand that it was a busy night, but the overall experience didn't match the hype (on Google reviews) surrounding this venue. The slow service combined with the underwhelming food made for a disappointing evening. It's clear that the kitchen was under pressure, but that pressure resulted in a noticeable drop in quality.

Bar Wa Izakaya has the potential to shine, as we experienced in our first visit. However, on this occasion, they missed the mark. We hope this was just an off night and that the restaurant can regain the consistency and quality we previously enjoyed.

This review acknowledges the past positive experience while offering constructive criticism about the...

We visited this restaurant during our Hobart trip (11 Nov 2024). Initially, we received a warm welcome from the bartender and host, which set a positive tone. However, things quickly went downhill when we tried to place our order. Although the staff seemed busy, no one acknowledged us or indicated that we’d need to wait. Instead, one staff member—a man in a black, long-sleeve shirt—rudely told us he was busy, then took our order while making several mistakes. Fortunately, we caught these errors before he submitted the order.

The food was a mixed experience. We ordered the wallaby wings, which were the highlight and the best dish of the night. Other items included beef tataki, okonomiyaki, yakitori (chicken thighs), and belly trout from the chef’s special menu. The okonomiyaki had large pieces of ginger on one side, suggesting the batter hadn’t been properly mixed. The trout was bland and had an off-putting smell. For drinks, we had beer, cider, Japanese whiskey, and a cocktail called "Sakura," which was just average.

Our biggest disappointment was the waiter’s attitude, especially the man in the black long-sleeve shirt on the evening of 11/11/24. We waited more than 20 minutes for the okonomiyaki, and when we asked about it, he dismissively replied that it takes 20 minutes to cook, with no apology or courtesy. If this is considered acceptable service, management should reevaluate their standards, as staff are key to a positive dining experience. Although the bartender and host provided warm hospitality, the waiter’s rude behavior left a lasting negative impression. Overall, the restaurant felt overrated based on our...