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ROBATA, London,

ROBATA

4.3
4.3
1617 Reviews
£26 to £40
Japanese
Top tags:
Specialising in the long-standing tradition of Japanese charcoal cooking.

Head Chef Charles Lee has worked in a number of Michelin starred restaurants during his career before arriving at ROBATA. Possessing a strong command of Asian cuisines from across the globe, Chef Lee has devised a menu which shows the diversity of the country’s food, highlighting traditional cooking techniques and contemporary flavours, along with using the best of British produce.

ROBATA meaning ‘fireside’ specialises in robata grilled charcoal cooking, a Japanese tradition that was first introduced by ancient fishermen who took boxes of hot coals with them on their boats to warm their food at they gathered their day’s catch. While the cooking method has largely stayed the same, the menu is a modern interpretation of some of Japan’s most prized dishes as well as a number of ROBATA signatures sure to please Western pal

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2 people
22:30
Booked 27 times today
Experiences are available.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Elegant Dining
  • Price
    £26 to £40
  • Cuisines
    Japanese, Sushi, Japanese Speciality
  • Hours of Operation
    Mon–Fri 17:00–22:00 Mon–Fri 12:00–15:00 Sat 12:00–23:00 Sun 12:00–22:30
  • Phone number
    020 7287 5766
  • Website
    http://robata.co.uk/
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress Code
    Smart Casual
  • Executive Chef
    Charles Lee
  • Location
    56 Old Compton Street, Soho, London, W1D 4UE
  • Area
    Soho
  • Cross Street
    Between Dean Street and Wardour Street
  • Parking Details
    Street Parking
  • Public Transit
    Soho Leicester Square Piccadilly Circus Tottenham Court Road Oxford Circus Covent Garden
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Weekend Brunch, Wine

Experiences

  • 5 Course Bottomless Brunch with Free Flow Prosecco

    £35.00 per person

    Multiple dates available
    Experience a delightful selection of ROBATA’s signature dishes and bottomless free flow prosecco for 1.5h with a 5 course menu set menu. Guests are invited to enjoy a luxurious selection of nibbles, sushi and small plates including a choice of one main dish.
    5 Course Bottomless Brunch with Free Flow Prosecco photo

  • Japanese 8 Course Tasting Menu

    £60.00 per person

    Multiple dates available
    Experience a delightful selection of ROBATA’s signature dishes with our most premium set menu. Guests are invited to enjoy a luxurious selection of nibbles, sushi and small plates including a choice of one main dish.
    Japanese 8 Course Tasting Menu photo

What 1,617 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.3
4.3 based on recent ratings
  • 4.5Food
  • 4.1Service
  • 4Ambience
  • 4Value

Noise • Moderate

1,617 Reviews

  1. Eric

    Oxford

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    The menu is not extensive but that’s good because it focuses the mind. We had a selection of small plates and both thought the duck & grapefruit salad was excellent. We left feeling satisfied that we’d had very good tasty meal.

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  2. KentD

    London

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Another great meal at Robato. All the food was great, enjoyed by all.

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  3. Kitty

    London

    13 reviews

    4.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on 23 November 2023

    overall4food4service3ambience3
    Great casual dinner in Robata again -our favorite stop whenever in London

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  4. NeilM

    Surrey

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 23 November 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food in a relaxed atmosphere really enjoyed it. The quality of the food was excellent

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  5. ClaudiaJ

    London

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 21 November 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Would definitely go there again - the food was excellent

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  6. MLMLM

    London

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on 18 November 2023

    overall4food3service4ambience4
    The service table was good and the food was good and very tasty but the portion are small, specially the signature dish.

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  7. HenryS

    London

    3 reviews

    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 18 November 2023

    overall3food3service4ambience3
    Just fairly average sushi tbh. Thought it would be better

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  8. Knockout

    London

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on 18 November 2023

    overall2food3service1ambience3
    We went for the tasting menu for 2. Their service was super slow and food was mediocre. Also, the portion size is something for a child I reckon. I’d accept it if it was half the price I paid for but for that fancy price tag, it’s really not worth it. Shame I was looking forward to trying this place. Good marketing but I’m not sold at all. Never going back.

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  9. AlexBoone

    Liverpool

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 17 November 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Extremely delicious food set in a really lovely little restaurant in soho. The staff were welcoming and attentive. The mushroom tobanyaki was potentially the best mushroom dish I have ever tasted!

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  10. RichardM

    London

    5 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on 16 November 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    had a ,ix of wishes best of which were the skewers and pork plums special - very good

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  11. Marie

    London

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on 15 November 2023

    overall3food4service3ambience3
    we were sitting near the door which means we received a cold wave evertime someone opened the door

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  12. JoelL

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 12 November 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I went for my birthday and my sister’s and we had an amazing experience. The staff is so friendly and attentive, always there when you need them. The food quality is really outstanding. I will 100% be coming back!!!

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  13. KatherineB

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 11 November 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Brilliant food, amazing place. Can’t wait to go back!

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  14. VivianeA

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on 9 November 2023

    overall3food3service4ambience2
    Food was nice but sushi rice was hard and dry (not ideal). Food is quite expensive.

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  15. Ksmith

    London

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 8 November 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience5
    We went for the tasting menu offered at £60pp and I was hoping for more. We were greeted with a bowl of edamame beans and we ordered oolong tea to compliment the meal. It started with the cold platter selection which was 3 types of sashimi (one piece each), california roll (2 pc each) and beef tataki (2 pc each). Delicious but portions were tiny! The hot platter which had the salt and pepper squid, chicken karaage and pork gyozas were the star of the show! It was healthy portions with 3 different dipping sauces. The mains, I was disappointed with. My partner ordered they flamed beef fillet, with a disappointing 5 pieces which on the 'Robata Large' menu goes for £28. I ordered the black cod which was a tiny portion and normally offered at £32. The dish would have made the world of a difference if it came with some rice or noodles. Delicious food but a few added carbs to the mains would have made it 5 stars for me.

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  16. BarneyS

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 4 November 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Amazing sushi and Beef tataki. Had the 8 course tasting menu for 5 people which was huge amount, starters delicious and couldn’t finish it main. Good cocktails. Lovely staff, service . Nicely presented. Small place in soho but we all enjoyed. Place was full for sat lunch.. so worth booking.

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  17. spike

    Surrey

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on 1 November 2023

    overall3food3service3ambience3
    This place is actually a Korean style restaurant rather than Japanese. Too much flavour on every dish. As I was expecting Japanese Izakaya and robots grill, I was a bit disappointed.

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  18. Foodtravelfun

    London

    53 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    53 reviews

    Dined on 31 October 2023

    overall4food5service1ambience4
    Excellent options and everything that arrived was delicious. But service was so poor waiters eating in the kitchen ignoring customers. The guy who brought water seemed like he did not want to be there didn’t smile didn’t say anything looked confused when I asked him if we could order. It took over 20 minutes for our menus to arrive and then even longer to order. The restaurant was half empty. I think the waitress had friends at another table as she spent most of the time chatting to them. Would I go back maybe food quality was good but I would wait a little for new staff to start as I assume the ones working there won’t be around for long.

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  19. ArchieE

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 28 October 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Just a fantastic restaurant with amazing food and lovely service staff. Will be coming back

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  20. EmmaP

    London

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on 28 October 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Second time visiting and the food was even more delicious this time and as before, beautifully presented. Highly recommend the tasting menu, a good mixture and good size portions to share so you won't go hungry. We liked and devoured everything. It's a explosion of different flavours. The service was also very good, there when needed but not too intrusive.

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  21. SamE

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 27 October 2023

    overall5food5service3ambience3
    The food was incredible, would definitely eat here again

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  22. Jenny

    London

    54 reviews

    4.0

    54 reviews

    Dined on 27 October 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience5
    Had a lovely meal in Robata, I particularly enjoyed the sea bass ceviche and the beef tataki. The drinks service was a little slow and we found it quite difficult to get anyone's attention to order any more drinks after the first one

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  23. GillF

    London

    9 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on 26 October 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Excellent food, spicy and tasty! Friendly service and an extensive menu with lots of choice. Nice wine too!

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  24. simonaj

    London

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on 26 October 2023

    overall1food2service2ambience5
    Portions tiny, misleading menu description, service impersonal and uninformed. I will not eat there again.

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  25. JasmineW

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 25 October 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Food is brilliant, service is on point. They have the best chips I have ever had!!!

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  26. Foodie

    London

    10 reviews

    4.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on 24 October 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Pleasantly surprised with the overall experience. Most of the dishes were really nice, the iberico signature dish was outstanding as was the spicy tuna roll. However the squid was very bland and dry and the duck salad I would have expected seared duck, but there were tiny pieces of fried duck (though it could have been squid as was mostly batter). The food all was presented well, the coal bbq for the beef fillet was a nice experience and unexpected. Service was friendly and we didn’t have to wait too long for our food.

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  27. Sophie

    Edinburgh

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 22 October 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience4
    Food was fresh and delicious. Have recommended friends already.

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  28. IshratH

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 22 October 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Would come back here for the customer service alone !! Such lovely staff, so friendly and accommodating ! It was my birthday and they gave me a little moons with a candle on it + a polaroid picture of myself with it haha, so cute !! The food was also lovely, would recommend the J.Fried Karaage and the Truffle fries.

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  29. RichardA

    London

    5 reviews

    4.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on 21 October 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience4
    Lovely food but very expensive. Restaurant very noisy too

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  30. JoBoo

    London

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 21 October 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food and nice atmosphere, will definitely go again for the sushi!

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  31. OpenTable Diner

    Glasgow

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 16 October 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Staff so helpful and extremely kind. Thank you for the meal, it was absolutely delicious🤩

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  32. IreneF

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on 15 October 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    Service was very helpful when we asked to have our table changed to a more comfortable sitting area! They quickly obliged and we appreciated it! In general food was good especially the hay flamed beef and their signature iberico pork slices but found it to be very salty but certainly worth a try!Service was attentive and good!

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  33. JenniferB

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 15 October 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent food and service. Flavoursome. It was quiet when we visited, but this didn’t detract from the experience.

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  34. JordonD

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 14 October 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The staff were amazing and the service was great. Food ordered - Kimchi Gyoza Scallop Skewers Oyster Mushroom Skewers Soft shell Crab Boa Buns Black Cod Salt and Pepper Squid Miso Aubergine Honestly amazing. We didn't try the meat (I'm pescitarian) but it smelled amazing and also looked delicious. A little hidden gem in Soho. Highly recommend.

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  35. Marina

    Las Vegas

    6 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on 14 October 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience4
    I had a wonderful time. The ambience was great and the food was truly delicious. We had the tasting menu and sake flight which was fun and my group got to try a bunch of things off the menu. Yummy! The only downside was that Robata changed my reservation time from 8pm to 7pm with out informing me via email or text. If the friend I was meeting hadn’t checked the reservation I wouldn’t have known at all and would have missed dinner. Robata is great but better communication is needed in the future. I’m not from London and had theatre tickets that day so I was stressed rushing to the restaurant with no advance notice.

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  36. Alex

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on 12 October 2023

    overall2food2service2ambience4
    Even if it is in central london, prices are high for a very little quantity of food. Service was long (one client behind us became quite vocal about it to the waiter).

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  37. RomaE

    London

    41 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    41 reviews

    Dined on 12 October 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience4
    Wonderful first time in Robata. We will be back soon!

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  38. JamesB

    London

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 10 October 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    The sushi, karaage and Squid were all excellent. Gyoza reasonably good. The black cod was OK and the food would have got five stars were the beef fillet been better. Dry and not very tasty and the dips just didn't gel. The offered saki selection was basic but good to have. Service was very good, personable and quick... impressive for a busy restaurant. Would I go again? Yes but i would order differently

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  39. Elaine

    London

    19 reviews

    4.0

    19 reviews

    Dined on 9 October 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Very tasty food , close to the theatre district. Probably better for an evening rather than a quick bite before the theatre. Was £50 a head for 3 small plates and 3 large plates and two beers.

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  40. Tasha

    London

    63 reviews

    5.0

    63 reviews

    Dined on 7 October 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Lovely good. Good portions and reasonably priced. It’s a small restaurant but would go back for the food. Make sure you book when peak time ! The bao bun and black cod were amazing. Kimchi rice was full of flavour.

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Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitising

    • Surfaces sanitised between seatings
    • Digital, disposable or sanitised menu provided
    • Sealed or wrapped utensils used
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
    • Sanitiser or wipes provided for customers
    • Contactless payment available

  • Physical distancing

    • Limited number of seated diners
    • Distancing maintained in common areas
    • Extra space between tables

  • Screening

    • Sick staff prohibited in the workplace

FAQs

ROBATA is rated 4.3 stars by 1617 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people
22:30
Booked 27 times today
Experiences are available.
Google Map for ROBATA

56 Old Compton Street, Soho, London, W1D 4UE

Additional information

  • Cross Street
    Between Dean Street and Wardour Street
  • Area
    Soho
  • Hours of Operation
    Mon–Fri 17:00–22:00 Mon–Fri 12:00–15:00 Sat 12:00–23:00 Sun 12:00–22:30
  • Price
    £26 to £40
  • Cuisines
    Japanese, Sushi, Japanese Speciality
  • Dining style
    Elegant Dining
  • Dress Code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking Details
    Street Parking
  • Public Transit
    Soho Leicester Square Piccadilly Circus Tottenham Court Road Oxford Circus Covent Garden
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Charles Lee
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Weekend Brunch, Wine
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