Restaurant
Chocolate Buddha
Federation Square, Swanston St & Flinders St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Find Chocolate Buddha
Federation Square, Swanston St & Flinders St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Directions ↗*Opening hours may differ during holidays.
Book NowAbout Chocolate Buddha
Prime Fed Square turf minus the tourist kitsch—Chocolate Buddha turns out dependable Japanese comfort right beside the concourse. Regulars steer straight toward the teriyaki chicken donburi with pickled radish and miso, or vegetable hotplates drenched in their sizzling vegan sauce. Tables run a hybrid format: pluck plates straight off the sushi train or order kitchen bentos while floor staff cross-check dietary restrictions table-side. Pour a three-taster sake flight and finish on the tart Yuzu Cheesecake Bomb.
- Dual Sushi Train & Table Service: Guests can pluck plates directly off the sushi train or order hot noodle bowls and bento sets straight from the kitchen.
- Rigorous Dietary Protocols: Floor staff confirm allium, vegan, and gluten-free restrictions directly with the kitchen before plates hit the table.
- Curated Sake Flights: Curated multi-pour sake tasting flights pair alongside lunch and dinner menus.
- Fed Square Concourse Setting: Perched in Federation Square with indoor seating and outdoor tables overlooking the plaza screen.
What's On at Chocolate Buddha
Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.
No events or specials listed right now.
Why Diners Choose Chocolate Buddha
Discover why locals and visitors make this Federation Square fixture their Japanese go-to—book your table to experience it yourself.
Generous, Flawlessly Executed Japanese Staples
Guests rely on generous, expertly prepared Japanese staples like teriyaki donburi bowls and bentos that maintain consistent quality across repeat visits.
The chicken is always cooked perfectly, the flavours are spot on, oh and the portions never disappoint.
J B Hybrid Sushi Train and À La Carte Service
A dual-format dining room allows parties to pick quick plates straight off the revolving sushi train while also ordering cooked hot dishes and bentos from the kitchen.
We had the option of sushi train or ordering off the menu. We both got bentos and babe had some plates off the sushi train.
Celia Chirnside Effortless Anchor for Federation Square Outings
Positioned directly at Federation Square, the restaurant provides an effortless dining anchor when attending exhibitions, live music, or cultural visits in the CBD.
After a really enjoyable visit to ACMI, my family of 3 had an equally enjoyable visit to Chocolate Buddha.
Sim Bryce Scenic Views Across the Plaza
Indoor and outdoor plaza-facing seating delivers a lively Melbourne backdrop overlooking the activity and big screen of Federation Square.
It was lovely sitting overlooking Fed Square and the food was delicious.
Stephanie Milford Curated Multi-Glass Sake Tasting Flights
Structured taster flights give guests a guided way to explore diverse regional sakes alongside their meal without committing to a full bottle.
I tried the V1 Saki flight which was very generous and let me try some very different Saki.
Anita Basevi Inventive Flavors and Standout Signature Sauces
Signature creations like the vegetable hotplate and inventive sushi rolls move far past basic vegetarian fare, anchored by deeply flavorful house sauces.
It's been well over a week since my family and I dined at Chocolate Buddha and I am *still* thinking about their "sizzling vegan sauce".
OddlyEndearing
Most popular items
Standout dishes and signature dining experiences frequently celebrated by guests.
Chicken Teriyaki Don
The chicken is always cooked perfectly, the flavours are spot on, oh and the portions never disappoint.
J B Sushi Train
if you sit in the sushi train you can just pick the sushi and eat right away.
Ana Montes Yuzu Cheesecake Bomb
and we even got the Yuzu Cheesecake Bomb, delicious!!
Celia Chirnside Sake Flight
I tried the V1 Saki flight which was very generous and let me try some very different Saki.
Anita Basevi
Other favorites
Complement your meal with house-made sides, appetizers, and refreshing specialty drinks.
Renkon Chips
The renkon chips were perfectly crispy
Sarah Corcoran Veg Gyozas
the veg gyozas were spot on.
Sarah Corcoran Miso Soup
The miso soup I received with it was simply lovely. Bold flavour and you can tell it was brewed over time.
Nova Bridge Yuzu-Based Cocktails
Tasty yuzu based cocktails were a hit, but other drinks are available.
Sim Bryce
Beyond the menu
Thoughtful hospitality gestures and vigilant care that elevate casual dining at Fed Square—book your table now.
Sparkler Birthday Celebrations
Note a celebration in your reservation and the team brings desserts to the table crowned with sparklers and an impromptu birthday chorus.
Multi-Tiered Dietary Verifications
Floor staff immediately suggest tailored options for intricate restrictions like allium intolerances and conduct multi-step verification checks between order-taker and runner upon delivery.
Unprompted Outdoor Meal Replacements
If plaza wildlife interrupts an outdoor meal, staff step in unprompted within minutes to clear the affected dish and deliver a freshly made replacement.
Proactive Comfort Seating
Staff proactively spot guest comfort needs upon arrival, presenting tailored seating swaps for expectant mothers before settling in for unhurried catch-ups.
Before you head over
Practical guidance to make the most of your visit to Federation Square—reserve your table in advance for an effortless experience.
Navigating Dietary Requirements
Check the dedicated gluten-free column on the menu and notify floor staff of any specific restrictions—team members readily advise on modifications and run multi-step server checks for allium-free and vegan requests.
Choosing Your Service Format
If you are short on time, sit by the sushi train to grab plates immediately; for hot mains, bentos, or groups with young children, book a table where you can freely combine à la carte dishes with train selections.
Timing and Reservations
Doors open at midday, and prime meal slots fill quickly around Federation Square arts and live events—reserve online in advance and flag any special occasions directly in your booking notes.
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