Nobi Yakiniku — Restaurant in Melbourne

I was really happy today and wanted to enjoy dinner alone. So, I decided to visit this restaurant. As I walked in, I suddenly remembered I had brought my dog with me. The staff informed me that dogs weren’t allowed, so I immediately took my dog home. However, even at that moment, I felt the staff member's attitude was a bit off. She spoke in a commanding tone, not how you'd expect someone to address a guest. Her words were along the lines of: “You can eat here, but your dog must stay outside.” While I could understand and respect the rule, her manner was unnecessarily curt. Regardless, I took my dog home right away.

On my way back, I realized I was still holding an unfinished drink. I didn’t want to make another trip home, so I thought I’d simply hand it to the staff if they minded. When I sat down at the restaurant, the same staff member immediately spoke to me in the same commanding tone: “You can’t bring drinks in here. I’m going to take this away.” I honestly didn’t mind her taking the drink—after all, this is a place I’ve been to multiple times because of their great food and fresh ingredients, even though it’s not exactly cheap. What bothered me was her tone and attitude.

I politely asked, “Could you speak to me more nicely? This is the second time you’ve spoken to me like this.” But before I could finish my sentence, she interrupted me multiple times, claiming that I was the one being aggressive and having an attitude. I replied, “I came here alone for dinner. How could I possibly have an attitude?” She responded by saying I was getting the service I deserved because I was rude first. I then asked, “Do you want to keep arguing, or can I just eat my meal?” She replied dismissively, saying she didn’t care if I stayed or left.

When I asked for the manager, she said she was the manager. When I asked for the owner, she claimed she was the owner. At that point, I realized there was nothing I could do. As I left, she even slammed things down in front of other diners, showing zero professionalism.

I’ve never encountered someone with such a hostile demeanor. I respect and follow restaurant rules—I even made a second trip home without hesitation and didn’t mind spending a lot for a good meal I was looking forward to. But what I care about is attitude. I didn’t expect to be treated like this today. She accused me of having an attitude, saying I wasn’t smiling and that I was aggressive. But friends, I was dining alone. Was I supposed to talk to myself? Smile to myself? Isn’t it normal for someone’s face to relax when they’re by themselves?

Well, I can only wish this restaurant...

Images on the website show a charcoal grill but when we arrived I noticed they only had stoves which was a bit of a disappointment. Didn't think it would make a huge difference but it absolutely does. The cuts of meat and presentation all looked promising. But cooking them on a stove plate was an absolute waste of money. You can't enjoy the meat the same when when it's not cooked properley, the difference is night and day. I've been to a few of these Japanese BBQ restaurants and do have one that I regularly go to, all of which though have been great. This one however fell short by miles. If you want the full flavour experience this ain't it, not even close. Sitting on hard wooden chairs didn't help either. Cook on a charcoal grill and you savour every bite of meat you have. Cook on a stove and it's just horrible. We ordered the premium set and there wasn't a single cut that we throughly enjoyed. Not something you want to encounter when spending this much on a meal, it just felt like a complete waste. This place has many great reviews and I was hoping to share other people's experiences. Unfortunately though, ours was unfulfilled and disappointing. Would...

Nobi Yakiniku has been our go-to spot for special occasions over the past few years, and they have never disappointed. The food is always delicious, with a variety of quality cuts that are expertly prepared and served with care. What really sets Nobi Yakiniku apart, though, is their consistently excellent service.

We have a family member with a severe food allergy, and it can be a challenge to find a restaurant that takes our requests seriously. Nobi Yakiniku has been incredibly diligent and attentive, ensuring that our allergy concerns are addressed with care each and every time. It’s such a relief to dine here knowing that they take our needs seriously, which isn’t something we find easily elsewhere.

Overall, Nobi Yakiniku has become a place where we feel comfortable, cared for, and well-fed. I can’t recommend them highly enough for both their exceptional food and their top-notch service. We look forward to many more special meals here...