Excellent quick service on a busy Friday evening, we had reservations so I highly suggest making one before coming. The place was packed when we got there at 7pm, noise level was manageable we didn't have to yell to have a conversation. Our group got the karaage, eggplant, beef tataki and soft shell crab roll . Every dish was tasty and well plated. For dessert we ordered the pavlova and chocolate mud cake, which were tasty also but quite small. All in all, I enjoyed my experience here and the location in awesome, in Fed Square. read more

Chocolate Buddha - Pavlova and mud cake - Sushi Bars Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

Visiting Melbourne for a work meeting from California (SF/Bay Area/Sonoma) and a colleague picked this place for a Sunday night dinner. It was good but I must admit I was a little surprised (and disappointed) that a modern Japanese style restaurant that has such amazing access to fresh seafood here in Australia only featured three types of fish on the large mixed sushi and sashimi platter I ordered for dinner ($80). I walked all through the nearby Vic Market earlier that day and there was a ton of beautiful fish and shellfish varieties !? Sushi and sashimi was nicely plated but it was essentially just salmon, trout and a third variety (king fish?) in a variety of presentations. We sat outside and it got pretty chilly as the sun was setting but no sign of heaters?! We saw a garage band competition out in the square and that was an added bonus. Good not great. Kind of pricey IMHO. read more

See all

We browsed the menu and ordered by scanning the QR code. I liked how the menu includes pictures. We ordered 12 piece mixed sushi, chicken karaage bento, and Buddha's Fire roll. We could've went without ordering the roll, as it was included in the mixed sushi plate. The roll came with fish of the day, jalapeño, and asparagus. It's glazed and seared with a special spicy scallop sauce. It was pretty good, but I expected the roll to be warm since it was seared. The bento is served with sansai vegetable salad, steamed rice, vegetable futomaki, and miso soup. I like the sauce on top of the chicken- mustard, honey, & Japanese mayo. As for the mixed sushi, it came with 3 pieces each of 3 different fish, and 3 pieces of Buddha's Fire. The only one I didn't care for was the salmon. It had no flavor. The restaurant is located within Federation Square. I didn't realize that the tables are communal, which is ok I guess. I'm just glad they didn't seat us next to the coat racks. It would've been annoying to have people continuously walk tightly behind me in order to get their coats. read more

See all

Just the most delicious early dinner..what a find for us, Melbourne newbies. Service, vibe and food outstanding .

Overly attentive service made me feel rushed -- even though restaurant was empty. Loved the pumpkin tempura! Did not find the curry delicious. Underwhelmed with dumplings. Not sure I would go back. read more

I had a delightful lunch here with my friend. We arrived without a booking, but welcomed. We were seated at the bar area for less than five minutes before being shown to our place. We were on the end of a larger shared table but with space between us and others. We ordered lunch and wine. We were talking and didn't really notice the passing of time. It was probably more than 20 mins before the wine came, then probably that long again before food arrived. But it was good. We had the Sizzling Tofu with a Green Salad, and the Shake Ramen with salmon. Both were great. Although the tofu wasn't actually sizzling, it was very hot, so clearly just cooked. I would definitely come here again. Thank you. read more

See all

Really loved Chocolate Buddha! All around great restaurant...we tried many dishes (family of five; 2 adults and 3 kids) and we all loved sharing and trying lots of flavors and dishes, all of which were tasty! The restaurant is centrally located - great area in Federation Square just below the SBS building. Chocolate Buddha has a very zen like, modern feel and a mix of large bench style seating suitable for groups, smaller tables for a more intimate meal, and outdoor areas with heating. Decorated with alot of Buddhas...it has great ambiance. Staff are very helpful, super friendly, and attentive and the food comes out remarkably fast! We tried many dishes and loved them all, though our favorites included the seared ocean trout sushi, sashimi, spicy pork ramen, and the chicken rice dish. Suggest you try many dishes and share! Only complaint...would prefer if their seats had back rests! Worth a visit...great 4-star restaurant with excellent japanese fusion! read more

struggled to find this restaurant. The gps made me walk past acmi a couple of times and the wall between the gray SBS building and ACMI until I discovered it's in the open air area on the corner up a small set of stairs. So, if you're lost hope these directions help.  The placemat is their menu with a lengthy set of options for lunch and dinner. If you want to go straight for the sushi go for it. But I decided to go for the set menu option. I got the bimbimbap for 22 dollars which comes with a side of brown or white rice and some miso soup. You can also add on chicken or salmon for some extra $$$. My friend got the mango tofu salad, the kale beans salad and the agedashi tofu. The waitress will oversell and my friend fell for it. So we ended up with an additional serving of tofu and miso soup.  The food arrives quickly. The waitress came to check in on us so many times, it was a bit overwhelming. She was really nice but i didn't like how she wanted to continue to sell us more items.  The agedashi tofu was just silken tofu. Delicious. The bimbimbap stole my heart with its delicious spicy sweet sauce, variety of fermented veggies. I couldn't stop eating it. The tofu mango salad was too sweet for me and there were four thin slices of mango with a lot of lettuce which made it look like a massive serving.  Food is delicious but around 40 dollars per person for a lunch menu is very pricey.  Venue is beautiful. Great for work functions as it's massive. read more

I have dined here twice with my crazy extended family and each time I love it more and more! Chocolate Buddha is a spacious communal eating space with blonde timber and a sunny atmosphere thanks to all of the glass. Be aware the seats don't have backs, but are surprisingly comfortable. They have extensive vegetarian and gluten free options and are genuinely happy to substitute any ingredient if needed. This makes them an exceptional choice for anyone dining with an allergy. The most recent visit I had the Steamed Noodle Dumplings (prawn, salmon, water chestnut & chives wrapped in brown rice noodles & steamed, served w ponzu dipping sauce) and the Ocean Trout Nigiri. Dessert was the only gf option available, one lonely scoop of vanilla ice cream! Haha. The Steamed Noodle Dumplings were To. Die. For. So amazingly good! The noodles were soft and the prawns sweet while the water chestnuts gave a delicious fresh crunch! My Nana had these as her first ever Japanese meal and she was as impressed as I was. The Ocean Trout Nigiri was awesome too, melt-in-your-mouth soft with fresh delicious sushi rice below. Everyone on the table was very satisfied and the staff were hugely accommodating as so friendly and personable. I will keep coming back here so long as they keep letting my crazy family book huge tables. read more

Chocolate Buddha - Smoked trout nigiri. - Sushi Bars Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

See all

A friend who lives locally recommended this place to me and a group of friends from Perth for our first dinner in Melbourne. I honestly didn't know what to expect from a place called Chocolate Buddha but having dined here, I'll definitely be recommending this place to anyone and everyone headed this way. Located in Federation Square just below the SBS building, Chocolate Buddha has modern interiors and a mix of large bench style seating suitable for groups, smaller tables for a more intimate meal, and outdoor areas with heating for those chilled winter nights. Appropriately decorated with Buddhas, this place is pleasing to both the eyes and the tastebuds. Staff are super friendly, helpful and attentive. Our host for the evening, Lucas, was hilarious and definitely brought us much joy throughout our meal with his insights into each dish and friendly banter. Our food and drinks came out in no time at all and although we didn't quite have enough room for dessert, everything in the 'sweet corner of the menu' looked amazing. A few of us (myself included) ordered the spicy pork ramen which I give a 9/10, the only thing missing, the traditional ramen egg. But I guess that's why they call it fusion, because they change things up a bit. If you're a fan of japanese fusion, you'll be a fan of Chocolate Buddha. My only wishes are that (1) they stayed open later, and (2) their seats had back rests. They are more than happy to do split billing here - that's a huge plus in my books! read more

Chocolate Buddha - Spicy pork ramen - easily one of my favourites here. - Sushi Bars Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

This restaurant has a great location (right in Federation Square). I was impressed with the delicacy and care with which the food was made and presented. Never experienced communal Japanese dining before, but it was a cool experience. However, be advised: it is quite pricey. Let's break it down: Edamame: good. Edamame almost always is. Kingfish and salmon roll appetizer: delicious! One of my favorite dishes. Tempura soft shell crab salad: this dish wasn't really salad; the vegetables were vastly outweighed by the noodles and crab, plus it was bit too spicy for me. Sashimi don: delicious, but ratio of rice to sashimi was way off. Too much rice, to be precise. Spicy/shake ramen: thoroughly decent. Overall, walked away feeling pretty satisfied! 3.5 star experience given the price. read more

See all

With no firm plans & having both just landed in Melbourne, we ventured into the city. As we disembarked in Fed Square, my friend remembered a good meal she'd had previously at Chocolate Buddha so we headed off to check it out. With a simplistic, zen style interior, the two glass walls of the restaurant give a good view on Fed Square shenanigans. All seating is at communal tables or bar-style seating so it's probably not the place to go for an intimate dinner with your lover. The style of the menu is largely shared plates. We ordered the lotus root crisps with miso sour cream, Korean fried chicken, beef ramen, vegetarian dumplings and the soft-shell crab sushi (done two ways), the last of which was my personal favourite. There's also a wide range of drinks available; my companion indulged in a couple of glasses of bubbles whilst I tried to warm my bones with a generous teapot of genmaicha. The service here, while perfectly pleasant, was not particularly observant. It's a small peeve, but having to flag down waitstaff when you want to order or whenever you want an additional drink can be a bit of a drag. This wouldn't, however, put me off going again - it was a delicious and low-key meal, perfect for our first night in Melbourne. read more

See all

Chocolate Buddha is easy to find, its glass walls exposes an open area with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. It's convenient, next to ACMI and situated in Fed Square. Other than this, there's really not much else going for the place. The name, why it's called Chocolate Buddha is hard to tell. There's no chocolate anywhere, and there's lots of Buddha statues, and it serves Japanese food. I'm confused even writing this review. The menu looks good at first glance, but unfortunately nothing special once you've tasted them. My eggplant was bland and undercooked, my salmon tasted plain, and worst of all, the meal was expensive. Save your money and go elsewhere. read more

Chocolate Buddha - Sushi Bars Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

See all

I've been in here a total of twice. First time, I just passed by and took a look at their menu - and their prices. Too much for my tiny university-student budget. The second time it was my birthday and I figured that I'm just going to treat myself to a massively expensive meal with absolutely no care for the consequences. Birthday entitlement? You bet. Customer Service: Actually really really good. All of the servers were incredibly kind, courteous, and attentive. The restaurant was pretty popular so I figured that my food would arrive a bit late but it actually came decently fast which was a pleasant surprise. Ambiance: Very trendy. After all, it's in Federation Square which is a lot more classy and high-end than the typical little cafe in a laneway. You have a nice view of Federation Square, and the restaurant is brightly lit so everything seems really fresh. Food: I ordered Nabeyaki Udon and Edamame. Edamame: Was kinda weird actually. Not horrible, just not what I'm used to. A bowl of Edamame, heated up and sprinkled with salt. Typically I'm more used to Edamame served cold which is honestly what I prefer but that's okay. Nabeyaki Udon: Pretty good. A tempura shrimp, chicken, poached egg, veggies, and shitake mushrooms in udon soup. The serving was pretty large and filling and all of it was pretty delicious. --- 2 stars off for the value. The food was good, but definitely not worth the prices. You can probably find better Japanese restaurants that are far more delicious than this place. I probably wouldn't come here again, honestly. But the food was alright. read more

Chocolate Buddha - Edamame - Sushi Bars Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

See all

Let's hang with the tourists on a busy Wednesday night at Federation Square. Sashimi don Broccoli Gamae-ae Vegetable Maki Kingfish maki Ramen Chocolate spring rolls Great service and the food was all delicious. This place is right by fed square so you get to enjoy the view and enjoy great food. What more could you want?! read more

See all

I didn't think I'd be lucky at today's dinner because I inadvertently ordered the beautiful Bibimbap. Alas, I couldn't handle the spice of the cooked kimchi. Just as I was that close to getting a glass of milk, our gracious waitress and her legendary manager insisted that I change my order and they apologised for not letting me know about the spice. I didn't blame them at all, but they looked after me like royalty. Love your work, folks of the Chocolate Buddha!! My replacement meal, the Teriyaki Chicken Don, was gorgeous. The others in my group had the soft shell crab and enjoy that immensely. A wonderful experience in a great setting on a fantastic day in Melbourne! A room for improvement is the smoking area. There shouldn't be one. read more

Chocolate Buddha - Yummo!! - Sushi Bars Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

Lucas was so friendly and the food was great, especially the dumplings and fried chicken. Dumplings weren't traditional... sort of water chestnuts wrapped in noodles. Excellent flavor and texture!! They were very accommodating with seating us to watch the big match. Prices a bit high, but understandable. Took a little while to get saki and servers didn't know to shake it. read more

Chocolate Buddha has a great setting and atmosphere. On the edge of Federation Square and occupying a large amount of space the restaurant is decorated with the namesake in various sizes, and modern-meets-japanese fixtures. Its setting is perfect for a quick meal on the go, and opposite Flinders Street Station it is perfect for a quick stop if you are on your way in or out of the CBD. Long tables and a simple menu makes for carefree and relaxed dining. Service is relaxed too and not as efficient as it could be. When the restaurant is busy you may struggle to get served, but the staff are well meaning and the setting distracts you away from any bother. The tempura and teriyaki are consistent, and the gyoza tasty, but the restaurant can't seem to hit the subtleties or innovation that modern Japanese cuisine embraces. Chocolate Buddha is a great place if you are on your way somewhere in the CBD and don't have time to explore. If it's high quality Japanese food you are after then you may need to look somewhere else. read more

Chocolate Buddha - Chocolate Buddha - Sushi Bars Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

Chocolate Buddha was the lunch go today and I can honestly say I was underwhelmed. The wait staff got the orders wrong twice and it was not busy at all so that wasn't the reason for the lacklustre service. As for the food well I can say for the price I probably would like my teriyaki don to be a little more flavorful and chickeny rather than the huge bowl of white rice I got with a small portion of chicken. The highlight was the lotus root crisps but even then I wouldn't be rushing back in a hurry to grab those. Mediocre food in my opinion and bad service experience leaves me not keen to head back. I might have hit and off day but cannot say I would rush back to find out. read more

Chocolate Buddha - Sushi Bars Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

If you ripped out all of the macs and iphones from an apple store - the kind steve jobs inspired - and started serving japanese food instead, you'd have an idea of what Chocolate Buddha is like on the inside. Think long communal benches. It mean your sitting closer to strangers than you might normally expect when dining out. I don't get the name at all but that doesn't matter - unless you are really lobbing-in for decadent chocolate moulded-buddhas: you wont find any. I can't comment on their sugar infused treats, but if that's your thing, they do have some very zen-looking choices. Me? I went for Gyu Ramen. $22 for "sliced rare beef w wombok, bean shoots, wakame, leek & spring onions in a hearty chicken broth served w chilli sauce on the side". It's New Years Eve and my partner and I have landed here with overseas visitors at short notice. Staff were accommodating despite the crowd and the heat. We hoped to catch the fireworks in time but you don't get that kind of a view. It does feel part of the city buzz however. Their japanese-style food was good without being particularly memorable or overly generous (nothing unusual of course when it comes to Japanese cuisine). It was cooked expertly. I think there are better value choices out there. Probably not smack bang in the middle of the worlds most livable city, not with the vibe you get at Fed Square. read more

Quick recap Good Japanese Slipper cocktail 5* Beef 5* Choya Apple Crumble 5* Ambience 2.5* due to sharing of the tables with others. read more

See all

Love this place - the kitchen's open late, which means I can count on getting a delicious feed no matter the time, and the food's out so fast that there's barely any time for your stomach to grumble! Good, reasonably priced food served by friendly staff - it's just a great place to go. read more

Chocolate Buddha - Dumplings, edamame & agedashi tofu - oh my! - Sushi Bars Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

On a cold, cold Friday night in Spring (yes I am having problems adjusting to this weather from a European summer), I met a couple of friends here for dinner before an MTC play at the Arts Centre. I like the location of Chocolate Buddha. It's smack bang in the middle of Fed Square. The staff are always 'on' and super friendly and their wine list is good. We shared the edamame which is always good, but I was not that impressed with my main meal to be frank. Ordered the grilled ocean trout nigiri for the main which was $21. And four small pieces on small rounds of rice came out. That equates to $5.25 a piece. Seriously? I wouldn't order that again. I would go for a don or ramen dish - that seemed to be a better choice for my dining companions. read more

Basically an overpriced Wagamama. For those of you unfamiliar with Wagamama, it's a Japanese chain found in the UK and elsewhere that you sit at large communal tables and eat decent dishes somewhat on the cheap. Chocolate Buddha isn't cheap and the service is worse. Tourist trap. The food isn't bad but I've never paid so much for a bowl of udon. $28 AUD! Much better finds elsewhere. The decor and view are interesting but you get the distinct feeling you're paying for the location and not the food itself. Service was terrible--20 minutes just to get some water. read more

Don't let the name decieve you. I first stumbled across the Chocolate Buddha almost 10years ago in search of chocolate. Instead I ended up in a Japanese restaurant with a lot of potential.Which has never been truly grasped and thrown out to the rest of the world. After nearly a 5yr absence I took a rather sad friend here for a quick meal and pick me up. The menu has changed to a more izakya style, with dishes designed to be shared. We were informed by a fresh faced waiter that this change has just happened. Other than a large entree menu and smaller general menu I couldn't see this. The thing to remember is this place is Japanese inspired. Not a Japanese restaurant. The dishes are simple and reasonably priced. The dishes are far more inner suburb then CBD high-class. The highlight for me in the simple seating and menu message. Dishes arrive as they are ready, not when the tables entire order is ready. So enjoy while it's hot! A serve of edamame, yakotori chicken and wafu steak was suficent food for two. Both dishes came with rice. Surprisingly the yakotori chicken arrived on a bed of rice and spinach leaves. For $49 it was a reasonable price for a meal in the CBD, late on a Friday night. I wont be rushing back anytime soon. read more

I would love to be more positive about Chocolate Buddha, but my last two experiences have left me wishing I had chosen somewhere else. I am a huge fan of Japanese food and eat it pretty regularly.. perhaps I have been spoiled by Izakaya Den and Kenzan @ GPO. It's not terrible but it's not amazing either. read more

I've read the other reviews and while the criticism can sometime be fair, I've given it a higher score for personal reasons. Chocolate Buddha is a favorite for date, because my wife and I can sit close to each other (not at a face-to-face 2 seat table) and both watch the sights and activity of Federation Square (TIP: NEVER get seated at an internal communal table, WAIT for an outside or window seat). We have never been disappointed with the food but admit that it is an Anglo-ised version of Japanese, and it is overpriced. However we find that the superb location, free entertainment in Fed Square and easy access to the river and Hoddle Grid it makes a great, easy date night. read more

I cannot count how many times I have eaten here. And I've been for every occasion: date nite, a quick bit before a concert or game at the G, catching up with friends and family. Initially I wasn't too keen on the whole share tables and food coming whenever it's ready, not necessarily 'entree' and then 'main' but now I think these are parts of Chocolate Buddha's charm. Sitting on share tables means you can easily see what others have ordered which can help you decide what you want, and the food coming as it is ready means there is an element of surprise! Often there is a soft shell crab roll which we always get and the edamame which comes in a range of flavours. The sushi is always fresh and the hot dishes never disappoint. In the warmer months (when it's not too hot) I love having a seat outside and watching the sky change color as the sun goes down and the world walk by. read more

Remember to bring sunglasses if you're eating lunch outside at Chocolate Buddha in Federation Square! The square's stonework glares like nobody's business when the sun comes out, it will leave you blind. Apart from this slight drawback, it's a great spot for lunch or dinner. The paper placemats-cum-menus have all the standard Japanese dishes listed. The bar has both Japanese and local beer, but I'm a sucker for sake. I was recently told that only the poorer quality sakes are served warm, but I prefer heated sake when I'm eating - it kinda feels like a digestive aid. Anyway, back to the food. Chocolate Buddha's sashimi is always fresh and a great shared starter. I'm a sucker for their udon, but the serving size is too big - I've never been able to finish it. Service at the communal tables is quick and friendly, and the glass front makes for excellent people watching even when you are seated inside. Overall, it's a convenient and tasty spot for a meal in the city. read more

Great loc. Excellent service. Tasty food. Went there with a group of internationals. The bento boxes were great and looked amazing. A little over priced but I would go back again. read more

Chocolate Buddha - Spicy pork ramen. Delish (but could have had more pork!) - Sushi Bars Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

I got here at 7:06pm. I was seated in a nice spot by the window. It's currently 7:37pm and no one has come to take my order. I've just been sitting here...reading the menu...waiting... Don't bother with this place. read more

Nice place with good views. Not the best Japanese food I've had. Avoid the chicken karaage. Probably the worst I've had. Very floury batter which made it taste a little gluggy and very little chicken content. The soft shell crab salad is very nice. Best thing about this restaurant is the location and views. Oh, and the service is good. read more

Chocolate Buddha - Gyu Tataki Nigiri and Soft Shell Crab Salad. - Sushi Bars Near Me - Melbourne, VIC

Excellent service, but food far from amazing. Does the job, just not impressive considering the price. Guess you pay for the location here, not the food. Been thrice now over the years and have the same experience each time. In a nutshell it's the kind of place you're happy enough to go back to when a friend is organising dinner, but you wouldn't pick it yourself. read more

What better way to see in the end of a looooooong Monday working day, than dinner at this wonderful restaurant, with some of the most gorgeous ex-work colleagues a speechie could wish for? The service at Chocolate Buddha has always been attentive and friendly; the food exceptionally fresh, perfectly portioned, and delicious; with staff happy to offer suggestions, & patiently wait as we split the bill & fumble with PIN numbers - tonight was no exception. I chose vegan options from the main menu, with the edamame, tempura pumpkin rolls, and miso soup hitting both the taste and aesthetic spot. The food here is truly a thing of beauty! Added bonus to be located in Federation Square - so easy access by train / tram, & a pretty stunning city view (well, part of Melbourne city view) as dusk turns into night. The only slightly sad thing if you have a sweet tooth & are of the vegan inclination, is the lack of dessert options on the menu. In the scheme of the broader Chocolate Buddha experience however, you really won't mind! read more

See all

It's not that the Japanese food here is bad, or that the service is horrible. It's just it's not worth what you pay for it. You really are just paying for a venue and not the food. read more

Japanese food. Modern and nice atmosphere but food is only ok. Pumpkin sushi rocks but everything else is ok. Expensive!

What a shame it is that this restaurant takes up such great location and view. I went here with a group of friends for what we expected would be a quick bite and drink before seeing a show. We waited over 40 minutes for our food, asked multiple staff members when it would come, none followed up on our requests. When our food finally arrived we were really disappointing. In a nutshell: small serves of over priced mediocre food. Their 'ramen' was a joke; Maggi noodle equivalent, canned corn and powdered stock. Would not go here again. For much better Asian cuisine in Mlb CBD try Kokoro on Lonsdale St... or basically anywhere else. read more

I went to Chocolate Buddha for a work lunch recently and really enjoyed the food. I had a beef soup with egg noodles and Asian greens, which was really delicious. However, maybe it's because I'm more accustomed to eating at divey establishments where quantity is prized over quality, but I did find the serving sizes to be rather small. My colleague ordered the crab roll's, which appeared on the menu to be a main meal, but were no more than a snack really (she embarrassingly had to order another meal and we all had to wait and watch her eat). Needless to say, I snuck off to find myself some form of lunch-desert on the way back to work. The staff were also quite slow (I got the sense that several of them were backpackers, so it seems like there must be a high turnover of staff). The casual pace and the underwhelming portion sizes made this a bit of a strange choice for our work lunch, but if you aren't in a hurry and aren't starving, then Chocolate Buddha is actually quite a nice place to eat. read more

Ramen seems hard some times, it splashes. I must be one of the worst Ramen eaters, it isn't pretty and I live in fear of a photo being taken. However I had 15 mins for lunch yesterday and a flat phone battery (again). The service at Chocolate Buddha was incredible. I was seated, phone taken for charging, Ramen ordered and a view out on to Fed Square. Thanks to a serviette tucked into my collar, I left full, charged, happy and CLEAN. read more

I give only one star because if the food is ok, I think that it is not good enough or the portions big enough to justify such a high price. A total rip off. And the waiters are rude, none of them were smiling the day I tried this restaurant, no hello, no thank you, no goodbye. I was relieved to pay 35 dollars for just a salmon don and root chips and to leave this place that made me waste my time and money. read more