Ichoume — Restaurant in Sydney

We entered the restaurant after playing at darling harbour, lured by the promise of a memorable dining experience, only to find ourselves trapped in a nightmare of epic proportions.

The clock seemed to taunt us as we waited for our food, each passing minute feeling like an eternity. Thirty minutes stretched into forty, and still, our table remained barren, our stomachs growling in protest. Glancing around, we noticed that we weren't the only ones suffering; another table nearby shared our fate, their expressions a mix of impatience and frustration.

Summoning the courage to seek assistance, we called upon the staff not once, but twice. The first attempt was met with outright ignorance, as if our pleas for help were beneath their notice. The second time, we managed to snag the attention of a staff member who promised to check on our order. However, that fleeting glimmer of hope soon faded as he disappeared into the depths of the kitchen, never to return.

When the food finally graced our table, it was a cruel joke. The much-hyped Wagyu beef, priced at a hefty $32, was nothing short of a disappointment. Dry, flavorless, and disappointingly small, it bore no resemblance to the succulent delicacy we had anticipated. In fact, I dare say I've had better meals from the freezer aisle of my local supermarket.

But the atrocities didn't end there. Oh no, the incompetence of the waitstaff only added insult to injury. Our glasses remained empty, our requests for more water falling on deaf ears. And don't even get me started on the tissue situation; one measly tissue for a table of three is simply unacceptable.

In the end, we left the restaurant feeling utterly defeated, our hopes of a satisfying meal dashed against the rocks of incompetence and indifference. To anyone considering dining at this establishment, I offer this advice: save yourself the trouble and steer clear. Trust me, you'll...

An extensive drinks menu.

Presently they are playing host to a month-long collaboration with Suntory to promote draft poured ‘Suntory Premium Malt’s’ in various incarnations - including lager, a half’n’half lager+dark ale, a ‘sunset’ of lager with dark ale foam, and dark ale alone. All with a stamp branding of variations on the name, Sydney Opera House and other images onto the top of the foam. A very successful marriage of these Suntory beers with some seasonal menu additions as ‘otsumami’ (drink snacks). The brand ambassador roaming the floor welcoming patrons is super professional and full of energy.

With regard to the permanent floor staff of the restaurant, service can vary from patchy and surly to attentive and professional, depending on who is working.

Lighting is a little too bright inside for my taste. A dimmer more ‘Izakaya’ lighting would be better and more conducive to a longer, comfortable stay. The outdoor tables are better-lit, and enclosed in weather-proof plastic with gas outdoor heating, so quite comfortable.

There are some hits and misses on the menu. The crunchy soba-encrusted deep-fried prawns with thousand island dressing are superb, as are the super freshly shucked juicy Pacific oysters and grilled cheesy scallops. The marinated raw squid is also great (shiokara). However, the okonomiyaki (Kansai cabbage pancake with your choice of meat, seafood or veg) was lousy. It was essentially a tasteless lump of under-cooked dough taken out from the freezer, reheated and dished up with pan-fried pork belly, sauce, mayo and shaved bonito on top. Embarrassing really, and should be either taken off the menu or replaced with real okonomiyaki.

It’s also fairly expensive for what it is. A middie of Suntory beer for $13 isn’t great value.

Overall, a fun night out, but expect to pay at least $150 per couple for a modest feed and...

Incredible Food & Outstanding Service – Perfect for Group Dining! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

We had a group booking for 13 at Ichoume and were thoroughly impressed from start to finish. The staff were fantastic to deal with—professional, friendly, and thoughtful. They even called on the day to confirm our booking and check our preferences for the main course, as we had selected their 4-course menu for all guests.

On arrival, we let them know that three of our guests couldn’t make it, and despite having already prepared everything, the team was so kind and accommodating. Rather than charge us the full meal price, they offered a reduced cancellation fee to cover the entrees already made. We were more than happy to pay for those and enjoy them ourselves—especially because the entrees were incredible! The scallop dish in particular was absolutely divine.

We were seated outdoors and had expected it to be chilly, but the roof heaters worked amazingly well—we were warm and comfortable the entire night (coats even came off!). The ambiance was lovely, and the food throughout the evening did not disappoint.

They have a great drink selection including both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options, which was perfect for our group. Just a heads-up: they don’t split bills, but it was easy enough to transfer to one person and pay in one go. There’s also a 10% weekend surcharge to keep in mind.

Every staff member we interacted with was lovely, and the whole experience was seamless and enjoyable. We'll definitely be back—and next time we’ll be keen to explore more of the menu. Highly recommend Ichoume for any special gathering or...