NOTE: AKATOMBO HAS UNFORTUNATELY CLOSED DOWN AS OF 2017 AND HAS BEEN REPLACED BY ANOTHER JAPANESE RESTAURANT.
The discovery of a good café or restaurant is generally placed into two categories for food lovers and food bloggers. Category one: tell friends, family and readership instantly, or category two: wanting to tell everyone, but just wanting to keep it to yourself a little longer. I have kept Akatombo to myself or from the internet for well over five years. They have been featured in the Age Good Food Guide several times, but somehow it just remains one of those places that people have rarely heard of although they’ve walked past its Greville St location a thousand times.
I have been going to Akatombo for close to six years, before it opened up, it’s location was home to the amazing Jamon Sushi which moved to Caroline St in South Yarra and sadly closed shop 2 years ago. Any friend of mine would have either heard me talk their ear off about Akatombo or I have taken them there. The service is by no means perfect, sometimes you can be waiting an excruciatingly long time not only to be served but for your food to come out, often some of the waiters will not have the strongest command of the English language, but I have returned time and time again because the food itself is so good, consistent and of the highest quality I have experienced in Melbourne (apart from when Jamon Sushi was open in Caroline St!)
Although they offer many classic Japanese offerings like Chicken Teriyaki, Nasudengaku, and even a mushroom based Miso variation their real strength are seafood dishes. I highly recommend their Sushi and Sashimi Moriawase, the scallop dumplings (similar to the sea perch dumplings from France-Soir), their oysters are always excellent, and if it is in season you must try Sanma (Japanese sardine), sea urchin and scallop nigiri – all excellent. It isn’t cheap but apart from California rolls or a meal at Samurai in Hawthorn not many Japanese restaurants are, needless to say you get what you pay for!
If there is one food spot I miss the most in Melbourne it is this small restaurant. Akatombo, I will happily wait the next few months through to be reunited with you again.
JC x
Trading hrs: Closed Mondays, Tuesday – Saturday 12pm – 2:30pm, 6pm-10pm, Sundays 12-2:30pm
Bookings: I would suggest bookings for Friday and Saturday nights.
Address: 205 Greville St, Prahran
Ph: (03) 9510 0577
Facebook: Akatombo Restaurant
Notes: Akatombo also offer a set menu on weekends which is great value and the best way to sample their menu.
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Please note that menu items, management or trading hours may have varied since time of review. Our thoughts and opinions are based on our experience only.
