Kobe Steakhouse Cambridge — Restaurant in Cambridge

UPDATE 2: The Lies Keep Piling Up

After my initial review, I was asked to email management so they could “make things right.” I did. No response for 10 days. But as soon as I updated my review to Update 1 (below), suddenly the owner responded within hours.

Their approach? Gaslighting and deflection. Instead of accountability, I was accused of harassing staff (a complete fabrication), despite them offering me a £200 meal in exchange for deleting my review—which no business would do for someone truly being abusive.

The owner also falsely claimed I never called ahead, yet I have call logs proving I spoke to his restaurant at 1:39 PM that day (I have attached the picture). This shows that they are actively lying to cover up their own incompetence.

The fact that this is how they handle complaints—with dishonesty, manipulation, and reputational bribery—should concern anyone considering dining here.

UPDATE 1: It has now been 10 days since I was asked to email management directly so they could “make things right.” I did. No response.

This proves that Kobe Steakhouse’s so-called commitment to “doing better” is nothing more than damage control. Their lack of follow-through speaks louder than any empty PR apology. They are not interested in addressing discrimination, only in silencing bad press.

Until they take real accountability, my stance remains unchanged: I do not recommend this establishment to anyone.

Extremely Disrespectful and Unprofessional Service

I called ahead and was explicitly assured that walking in at 8:30 pm would secure a romantic table for my wife and me. However, upon arrival, the maître d’ dismissed us outright. She appeared inexperienced and seemed intent on turning us away without offering any assistance—an approach that defies standard hospitality practices. She claimed there were no tables available, despite several visibly empty ones, and contradicted the assurance I received over the phone: “Buddy, I’ll sort you and your wife the best table in the house.” Furthermore, we were told walk-ins weren’t being accommodated, a complete contradiction to what had been communicated earlier.

The staff’s behavior was condescending and dismissive, mirroring concerns raised in another review I’ve read, where a diner faced an abrupt kitchen closure. The manager escalated the situation further by adopting an aggressive tone, attempting to gaslight us into believing we were at fault and “didn’t know how to communicate.” This interaction was deeply unsettling and left us feeling unwelcome. It was evident that we didn’t fit the type of clientele they preferred, as the establishment and its staff projected a homogeneous atmosphere.

This experience ruined what was meant to be a special evening. No effort was made by the staff to address the situation, show contrition, or treat us with respect. Instead of being valued patrons, we were made to feel like nuisances. I cannot, in good conscience, recommend this establishment to anyone, as they seem to lack basic hospitality values.

Thankfully, our evening was salvaged by another Cambridge restaurant, The Ivy. Despite being genuinely busy, they were able to accommodate us within 20 minutes—without prior booking—while we enjoyed drinks at their bar. The Ivy’s staff demonstrated how clients should be treated, offering a stark contrast to the appalling experience at...

I usually rate places by asking myself one simple question: Would I go back? In the case of Kobe, the answer is maybe—but only if a few things improve.

The restaurant itself is very nice—stylish, pleasant, and atmospheric. The service was friendly and efficient. However, there were several things that left us feeling unsure about a return visit.

Kobe is a steakhouse, but when we sat down, the waiter immediately came over to show us the raw steaks on a board. Although we do eat meat, the presentation was quite unappetizing—the meat looked dry and aged, like it had been sitting out too long. We often dine out with my daughter who’s a vegetarian, and for someone who doesn’t eat meat, it would have been an unpleasant view. We’ve been to many steakhouses and this is the first time that’s happened. A simple question from the waiter—“Would you like to see the steak selection?”—would’ve given us the chance to say no. We know very well what raw steaks look like, even Wagyu.

The starters were okay. My husband had shrimp in a sauce, but he wasn’t given a spoon, so by the time the waiter returned, the sauce had gone cold. My chicken skewers were already lukewarm when served—not hot, not even warm.

For the main course, my husband had the Wagyu burger. Unfortunately, the bun was cold and the bottom of the bun was soggy and the fries were warm, not crispy definitely in need of improvement. I had the lobster risotto. While the lobster itself was cooked to perfection, the portion of risotto was surprisingly small, more generous portion would’ve made a better impression, specifically that rice is not very expensive 😉

Toward the end of the meal, the waiter also brought out the desserts to show us on a board. I had the brownie, which was very good. My husband chose the tiramisu, which oddly tasted more like profiteroles than tiramisu.

The question is: will we go back there? Even though I love the look of the restaurant and the atmosphere, at the moment the food...

I had the pleasure of dining at an exceptional steakhouse that left a lasting impression on my palate. Each dish was a testament to the chef’s skill and dedication to quality.

We savoured the chicken yakitori, which was an absolute treat. The skewers were grilled just right, with a perfect balance of tenderness and flavour. The sweet soy glaze was a standout, adding depth while allowing the juicy chicken to shine through. This dish was a wonderful homage to traditional Japanese cuisine.

The Wagyu Burger was, without a doubt, the highlight of the evening. The patty was incredibly juicy and rich, topped with fresh vegetables and a decadent sauce, this burger elevated the classic comfort food to gourmet status.

The pork Iberico was another standout dish. Cooked to perfection, the meat was incredibly tender with a rich, savory flavour. I would highly recommend it to anyone seeking a delicious twist on a traditional favourite.

The spiral cut fillet was a visual and culinary masterpiece. The unique presentation immediately caught our attention, and the taste did not disappoint. Cooked to a perfect medium-rare, the fillet was incredibly juicy and flavourful with parsley that complemented the beef wonderfully.

We indulged in the ribeye steak, which was a true testament to the restaurant’s commitment to quality. This cut was marbled beautifully, resulting in a rich and flavourful experience. The steak was expertly cooked, retaining all the juices and topped with a sprinkle of sea salt that enhanced its natural flavour. It was the perfect way to end our meal.

Overall, my experience at Kobe steakhouse was nothing short of remarkable. Each dish was expertly crafted and bursting with flavour, making it a destination I would highly recommend to anyone in search of a memorable dining experience. I can't wait to return and explore more...