Tanuki Restaurant Sydney — Restaurant in Sydney

@tanukisydney has been on my radar for a hot minute so i was v keen to try their set menu at $80pp (with extras ofc) 🙂‍↕️

to start is the Edamame (classic) and Kingfish Sashimi served with ikura, pickle jalapeno and a truffle dashi yuzu soy which was so delicious

Wagyu Beef Tartare served with quail egg felt like it was missing something a bit punchier, this definitely wasn't my fave tartare as it came across a bit bland and boring imo

we added on the Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice, Eggplant Tempura Sticks and the Tanuki Sushi Roll. the crispy rice was okay, we found the the rice not as crispy as it should be and comes nowhere near the level that Nobu's is - which is still my fave crispy rice ever. the Tanuki roll on the otherhand was divine! def recommend ordering this one. Eggplant sticks were also quite good, a little mushy in the middle but the sauce with it was delicious enough to distract 🍆

Sweet Corn 🌽 with miso kimchi butter was fine, and i was really excited for the Scallop & Prawn Toast but again, felt let down with its blandness. i think the best one i've had was at Cho Cho San, and in comparison this doesn't live up to the hype

Chicken Karaage was fine, nothing special but still yummy. for mains we had the Steak of the Day 🥩 which was a Scotch Fillet served with a Tanuki Salad and a Potato Salad. it was a nice steak, bit fatty but nothing to rave on about. instead the Miso Toothfish was the winner, and would recommend that as a main over anything!!

for a sweet ending was the Matcha Tiramisu 💚, and i loveeeedd this! so airy and light, with beautiful layers and a rich green tea taste. i adored the milk crumbs scattered inside to provide a surprisingly yummy crunch. definitely order this!

the general consensus overall that visiting @tanukisydney is better in smaller groups rather than large, as several members of the table expressed they enjoyed it better on those occasions, so perhaps i need to give...

Tanuki, nestled in the heart of Double Bay, offers a sophisticated take on modern Japanese dining with a beautifully designed venue that blends contemporary and traditional Japanese elements. The atmosphere sets the tone for an elegant dining experience, though there are areas where the food and service could benefit from a bit more polish to match the venue's high-end appeal.

We began with the Kingfish with Ikura, Pickled Jalapeno, and Truffle Dashi Yuzu Soy. Fresh and light, this was a pleasant introduction to the meal. The flavours complemented each other well, and it was a great start.

Next was the Wagyu Gyoza with Yuzu Ponzu. The wagyu filling was delicious, and while the wrapper was a bit thinner than expected, the dish still showcased great flavours.

The standout dish was the Scallop & Prawn Toast with Tobiko and Yuzu Mayo. This one was truly a highlight — creamy, balanced, and perfectly executed. So good, in fact, that we ordered a second round.

The Grilled Octopus, unfortunately, didn’t quite hit the mark, as the octopus was a bit overcooked, but the accompanying flavours were well thought out. The Spicy Tuna Roll was interesting but didn’t quite live up to expectation.

The Salmon Avocado Roll was lovely and solid but didn’t offer anything particularly new. It’s a classic, though, so it still hit the spot!

Service was professional but could benefit from a little more warmth and attention to small details (such as, water top ups, introduction of the specials, wine service etc). The pacing of the meal was generally good, but there were moments when the wait between some plates stretched over 40 minutes.

Tanuki has undeniable potential. The venue is beautiful, and the menu has the bones of something great. With some refining — tighter execution, improved service flow, and bolder dishes — it could very well continue to grow as a strong player in Sydney's Japanese...

I recently hosted my 21st birthday at Tanuki, and it was an absolutely unforgettable experience. From the moment we walked in, the ambiance was inviting and the decor exquisite. The staff at Tanuki went above and beyond to ensure that every detail of the evening was perfect.

The service was nothing short of impeccable. The team was attentive, professional, and incredibly friendly, making everyone feel welcome and well taken care of. They managed to seamlessly cater to our large group with efficiency and grace, ensuring that no one was left waiting for anything.

The food at Tanuki is phenomenal. Each dish was a delightful blend of flavors, presented beautifully and tasting even better. Our guests couldn't stop raving about the variety and quality of the menu. The drinks were equally impressive, with a great selection that perfectly complemented the meal.

What truly made the night special was the extra effort the staff put in to celebrate my milestone. They arranged candles for the dessert and even organised surprise shots on the house for the entire table. Their genuine care and attention to detail turned an already wonderful evening into a truly memorable one.

The ONLY negative thing I could say about this place is they time you on your booking. To have a casual lunch or dinner here is fine but I did find it a little rushed as we were only given 2 and a half hours seating time, we wanted to keep drinking but we were told that other guests were coming for our table and needed to leave. If you’re wanting to have an event with a long seating time this probably wouldn’t be suitable, but other than that it was wonderful.

I can't recommend Tanuki highly enough. It was an experience I'll cherish forever, thanks to their exceptional hospitality and...