Bistro Kai — Restaurant in Sydney

Honestly pretty disappointing. My partner and I came here with really high expectations. Place was recommended by a friend, boasting/hyping that their burgers were decently large in portion and quality for value (she came about a year ago). There was also added hype from influencers and online reviews.

We started off with $11 fries and $16 brussel sprouts. The fries were pretty good and were well salted - the best thing we had that night although we did find it quite pricey considering the size. Online we saw the burger being advertised with fries however that was not the case. The fries were sold as an appetiser and not an add on with the burger which would have made more sense considering how it was advertised online. The brussel sprouts received mixed feelings from the both of us as there was a slightly bitter aftertaste which we believe was from the intentionally burnt outer layer. However, there wasn't enough vinegar added which we found could have helped balance the taste. Overall we found the brussel sprouts were better off paired with the burger and not to be eaten by itself - but not a necessary addition to the burger.

We then moved onto our mains which consisted of a $22 burger and a ~$33 spanner crab pasta. The burger did not come with fries, was tiny in portion and tasted like a bougie big mac - however, it still tasted good. The spanner crab pasta was the most disappointing dish of the night. Their usual was not available at the time to which the waitress politely informed us that the crab would be replacing it. That was totally fine with us. When the dish came out we were honestly quite pleased with the presentation as it came with the shell. Thats the only positive thing we had to say about this dish. The portion was extremely small and there was no crab meat to be found in the pasta or the shell. Flavour wise it lacked depth and needed more salt. Pasta tasted more like leftover prawn heads mixed in with pasta sauce rather than crab. For $33 we expected more pasta especially considering there was no meat and flavour wasn't great. We checked their insta to see what the crab pasta dish looks like - it seems that it was more loaded with pasta. The total spent was $101 for 2 appetizers and 2 weeny teeny tiny mains (toddler sized burger and unimpressive pasta).

This poor rating of the food only covers what we had, I can’t comment on the rest. But once again the pasta was seriously disappointing and I feel ripped off (it's making me depressed and I'm tweaking). Overall service was sufficient - it wasn't bad but wasn't exceptional. They did the bare minimum which was fine by us its just not as exceptional as other reviews make it seem. We could tell the owners wanted the place to feel quite cosy and inviting just from the interior, the lighting and the room scent which was this lovely warm incense scent. However, we felt this was not achieved as the atmosphere of the place felt a bit cold and empty. We didn't feel extremely welcomed into the space.

I usually don’t do google food reviews but after this experience I felt compelled to do so and share my traumatic horror story (jk). In our opinion, for what little there was offered, we felt Bistro Kai was way too overpriced. One more note, I had to pull money out of my mortgage to...

Visited for lunch today. The ambiance was pleasant with a commendable decor; however, the "background" music was excessively loud, making conversation challenging. The wait staff struggled with orders, requiring raised voices to communicate across our small table. When a 4th group arrived, despite three tables being seated and orders taken, their food arrived promptly before ours, raising suspicions of preferential treatment. I suspect this may have been the owner or partner. Very disappointing if so.

We ordered 2 entrees, 2 mains, and 2 desserts. The service was disjointed; one starter was delayed, and mains were served while we were still enjoying our entrees.

Our dining experience and ratings for each dish are as follows:

Tuna with Potato Crisp: 4* Clean, fresh, and tasty. The tuna shone, and the crispy potato nest added a delightful contrasting texture.

Beef Tartare: 2* Initial impressions were positive, but the overpowering mustard dominated the dish, overshadowing the beef's flavor.

Wagyu Beef Burgers: 2* Despite a well-cooked medium-rare patty, an excessive amount of sauce overpowered the dish. The soft bun and patty offered a mushy texture, diminishing the overall experience. Fried were excellent. Needed some freshness to lift and balance dish. Edit - looking at pictures from other reviews their burgers came cut in half and in a paper wrap. Ours arrived whole on the plate, maybe rushed. Other burger buns looked well toasted too, but ours had a burnt ring on the outer edges and we're not toasted. Again maybe a sign the the chef being rushed.

Tiramisu: 5* Exceptional! Full of flavor, luxurious texture, and a delightful hit of booze. One of the best we've had.

Granita and Earl Grey Pannacotta: 3* Individually, the granita and pannacotta were good, but their combination felt peculiar. Additionally, the portion size was disappointingly small.

Overall, our experience fell short of expectations, especially considering the recommendations. At this price point, the quality and experience missed the mark. There are superior eateries in the area that offer a more satisfying...

alking into Bistro Kai, there's an immediate good feeling — the stunning décor, light chatter and sophisticated feel to it. The staff greeted us warmly, and service throughout was attentive We ordered three standout items: the Wagyu cheeseburger, Chicken Maryland, and a green‑tea (Uji) matcha cheesecake. The Wagyu Cheeseburger is one of those dishes we’ll remember for a long time. The burger arrived served open, cut perfectly in half to see the cross section, making it visually appealing. The wagyu beef was juicy and rich, with a satisfying beefy depth, cooked medium rare as suggested. The cheese complemented it and the soft bun held up well. We would order this time and time again. My pick was the Chicken Maryland, one of their signature mains and often praised by reviewers for good reason. The chicken was tender and well-cooked, with moist meat under its crust. It came with cauliflower and an abalone sauce, which was rich and umami-laced, elevating the dish without overwhelming it. The cauliflower was a thoughtful side — mild but helpful in contrast. It felt like it struck a very good balance between comfort and sophistication. Whilst it was lunch time, we couldn’t go past the Green Tea / Matcha Cheesecake. The matcha’s bitterness was tempered rather than masked, giving the cheesecake an elegant green tea character. The balance between density and lightness was good — it wasn’t overly heavy, leaving a pleasant lingering matcha note, a fine finish to the meal.

The added benefit is that they have excellent coffee, using artificer as the bean. We loved the flat white, and the most perfect cold brew, served in a plumm wine glass, providing for a crisp cool coffee. We also enjoyed the matcha latte and were super impressed with the drink options.

The cafe is outstanding. The food is creative, well thought out, and well executed. Service was friendly, polished and responsive. The restaurant atmosphere is modern and perfect whether it be for...