Izakaya Rin Japanese Restaurant & Bar — Restaurant in Melbourne

🍣 Salmon Truffle 🦀 Soft Shell Crab Spider Maki Roll 🐟 Kingfish Carpaccio 🦑 Ika Sugatayaki (Grilled Squid) 🍤 Ebi Wasabi Mayo (Prawns) 🐚 Hotate Mentaiyaki (Grilled Scallop)

Izakaya Rin is a Japanese restaurant in Caroline Springs out in Melbournes west. Located right on the lake of Springlake Shopping Centre, you can enjoy lunch or dinner with a view.

The menu is Izakaya tapas style, perfect for sharing. It is large so you are definitely not limited and will have to come back to try more! They have a $195 set menu for 2 people but as the value wasn’t much better than choosing yourself, we opted for a la carte.

To start we had a couple of cocktails, a nice Gin Sour and an Espresso Martini, which had delicious notes of hazelnut. There were also a few mocktails if you’re after a Non-alc option. 🍹

Everything felt super fresh and premium. Our favourite dishes were the Salmon Truffle, Kingfish Carpaccio and the Soft Shell Crab Spider Maki Rolls. 🍣

The Squid was tender but could’ve done with more spice and flavour. We expected the Ebi Wasabi Mayo to be crispy, but they don’t batter them before coating them in the sauce. We wished they did but they were super juicy! The Scallops were displayed beautifully and quite generous. 🐚

Everything was well portioned, so you will feel you have got your moneys worth. We were really impressed and satisfied with our food. Although the fitout is great, being in a centre environment it does give it a very casual feeling. Worth a visit when out west, we will be back to try more!...

Nestled in a quaint corner of the complex, this Japanese restaurant offers a culinary journey that tantalizes the taste buds with its exquisite flavors and stunning presentation. The menu boasts an array of dishes crafted with fresh, high-quality ingredients that reflect the essence of authentic Japanese cuisine.

Upon entering, one is greeted by an elegant ambiance, characterized by minimalist decor and soft, ambient lighting. Each dish is meticulously prepared and beautifully presented, showcasing the chef's skill and attention to detail. From delicate sashimi platters to savory ramen bowls, every bite is a delight for the senses.

However, the dining experience is tarnished by the lackluster service provided by the lady server, whose demeanor suggests a disinterest in her role. Throughout the meal, she appears inattentive and indifferent, often leaving diners waiting for extended periods without so much as a glance in their direction. Requests for assistance or additional items seem to fall on deaf ears, leaving patrons feeling neglected and frustrated.

Despite the culinary excellence on offer, the overall enjoyment of the dining experience is significantly diminished by the lack of enthusiasm and attentiveness from the server. It is a shame that such exceptional cuisine is not complemented by service that matches its quality. Perhaps with some improvement in staffing and training, this establishment could truly shine and provide a dining experience worthy of its...

This is my first time writing a bad review I was so disappointed.

My bf and I usually always book but this time it was spontaneous so we didn’t book in. I tried calling them up to see if they can fit us in however no one picked up. I’m about 5 minutes away so I decided to come by to check. When we got there they said they can fit us in and that it was okay. I’m not sure if it was the chef or manager but the way he looked at us as if we just killed something of his was crazy…but in the end agreed to let us dine.

Food was amazing, fresh, good portion, can’t complain about the food. Even though food was great I did not enjoy my time because all the staff kept staring at us eating? As if they were counting how long we’re going to take because our table was reserved in about an hour which we didn’t order much knowing that. Yes I know watching tables to see what you need is normal I’ve worked in hospitality before, but it was only two tables including our table. The stare was not a normal stare and it made me so uncomfortable I really didn’t want to stay but my bf reassured me.

The people working there is Vietnamese and I am Vietnamese myself but the quality of service was disappointing. We’re known to be respectful and welcoming yet I did not get any of that at all. Would I come back? Probably to pick up the food but I have second thoughts on...