Mr Yakitori Casual Dining Bar — Restaurant in North Island

I am obsessed with their bacon and banana, it is really something I crave for and would go back to once we visit Rotorua.

Flavours were good and the serving size is big per stick. They have a selection of meats, veggies, desserts and beers to choose from. It can get quite pricey but they do have special sets for about $30+ and you get different meats, a dessert, miso soup, and rice. Which is actually not bad!

I called to book for a reservation since I know they do get quite busy and it is for a birthday celebration, but when we called to ask if we can come early, they told us we weren’t booked in for a table at all. We called the number provided and it goes through the hotel’s reception. We were told they will pass on the message to the yakitori bar, but it turned out they never did. So if you plan on booking a table, just make sure to tell the receptionist to transfer the call. It is such a hassle to be told they’ll take care of it and ended up not communicating at all.

As for the service of the bar, I do understand that it gets quite busy and there’s only one waitress, but at least don’t forget to give us water when we arrive. We also had to ask three times for our coke when we were already eating. We had to follow up on some of the orders as well as she forgot to give it to us or...

We recently dined at Mr. Yakitori in Rotorua and opted for the Yakitori Deal B set menu. Overall, it was a nice experience with a cozy and casual vibe. The highlights for us were definitely the skewers—especially the scallop and bacon, which was absolutely delicious! Each skewer had a good balance of flavors, and the ingredients felt fresh.

However, there were a couple of issues during our visit. First, when we arrived, we requested to sit at a table away from the entrance, but we were told it was fully reserved. Oddly, until we left and even as the restaurant started closing, no one had occupied those tables. This was a bit disappointing, as it felt like we could have been accommodated as requested.

Additionally, there was a small letdown with the dessert. The menu advertised green tea ice cream with lychee, but unfortunately, it was not served as part of our set, which was a disappointment. I’d love to know if we can redeem this dessert another time, as it’s included in the package and we were looking forward to trying it.

Aside from these issues, the set menu provides a good variety and value. It’s a great spot for yakitori lovers, but a bit more attention to detail and consideration for seating requests would make the experience...

Mr. Yakitori is a hidden gem tucked inside a hotel, though finding it can be a bit confusing with the multiple restaurants inside the hotel lobby space. The space is cozy, with just a handful of seats at the bar, a couple of two-tops, and a few tables for four. Despite the reserved sign on our table, we were seated right away, which was nice.

The service was excellent, and the food came out quickly. Highlights for us were the bacon-wrapped scallops and the scotch beef with garlic—both absolutely delicious. The cheese and chicken skewers were a unique surprise and very tasty. Each entrée includes two skewers, so plan to order 2-4 per person, plus perhaps some fried rice, depending on appetite.

Overall, it was a fun dining experience, and we're glad we chose it for one of our...