Restaurant
Warabi
408 Flinders Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Find Warabi
408 Flinders Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Directions ↗*Opening hours may differ during holidays.
Book NowAbout Warabi
Tucked along Flinders Lane, this sleek dining room pairs a luminous stone wall with meticulous chef’s counter artistry. Local foodies swear by the multi-course omakase, where chefs work in front of diners with unmasked respect for seasonal seafood. Mid-week brings a focused 13-course sushi lineup, while weekend seatings branch out into broader seasonal impression menus with cuts like charcoal-seared wagyu nigiri. Beverage pairings arrive in bespoke glassware tailored to every pour, from fine sake to crisp wines. For a daytime reset, CBD workers rely on the casual $55 kaiseki lunch box packed with wagyu and curated sides.
- Counter-Side Omakase: Chefs assemble multi-course seasonal sets right in front of diners at the intimate stone-backed bar.
- Tiered Tasting Menus: Mid-week services focus on nigiri and sushi, while weekends feature expanded multi-course impression menus.
- Curated Kaiseki Lunch Set: A structured daytime bento box featuring wagyu or katsu alongside seasonal sides for CBD diners.
What's On at Warabi
Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.
No events or specials listed right now.
Advantages of Dining at Warabi
Why discerning diners and celebration seekers choose Warabi in Melbourne's CBD
Front-Row Counter Artistry
Three chefs prepare each delicate course directly before diners along an intimate dining counter, sharing the origin and technique behind every seasonal dish.
The menu is Omakase style and consists of numerous small courses each chosen and prepared carefully by three chefs in front of you.
L M Culinary Theatre as Art
Masterful knife work and culinary theatre turn the multi-course meal into a visual and sensory showcase of Australian and premium Japanese ingredients.
The entire dining experience was like being in an interactive art piece.
Heche Memorable Milestone Celebrations
Warabi offers a refined, calm ambience and flawless attention to detail, making landmark anniversaries and birthdays feel truly momentous.
Warabi was the perfect setting and end-to-end dining experience for a special celebratory dinner.
Paul Gretton-Watson Attentive Occasion Hospitality
With thoughtful personal gestures and dedicated table or counter care, celebratory meals are treated with warmth and generosity.
The dishes came out efficiently and didn’t expect a Valentine’s Day surprise with a small cake as a gift.
Joseph Tran Curated Daytime Kaiseki Bento
For weekday daytime dining in Melbourne's CBD, the multi-dish kaiseki bento format delivers high-calibre wagyu, katsu, and fresh sides at exceptional lunch value.
always a beautiful experience here but their new lunch set menu is truly something special. highly recommend the wagyu option for $55, each side dish was perfectly curated and seasoned too.
melbfoodieee Tailored Menu Formats
Mid-week diners can choose a focused 13-course sushi omakase, while weekend visitors can indulge in an expansive multi-course impression tasting menu.
This 13 course mid-week sushi experience is priced at $185pp and is situated at the chefs counter.
Parttimepiggy
Most popular items
Signature dishes and featured seasonal courses
Wagyu
My favourite was definitely the A5 wagyu but all the dishes were still top notch.
Jennie Kong Kaiseki Box
The kaiseki box is delicious and very generous in size, pairing several fresh side dishes with your choice of protein.
Quincy Scampi
The food is delicate and tasty with the stand out dishes being the Scampi and Wagyu.
L M Lobster Sashimi
The lobster sashimi was fresh and succulent, enhanced by the umami of Ayu shoyu and the salty richness of caviar.
Rachel Lu
Other favorites
Complementary drink pairings and dessert selections
Drinks Pairing
The drinks pairing were perfect and being able to have the bottles on the bar was super special.
Vivian Phan Deconstructed Cheesecake
The deconstructed cheesecake also deserves a shout special out. I’m even inclined to say it’s one of the best desserts I’ve had in an omakase!
Parttimepiggy Warabi Mochi
The Warabi Mochi was perfectly chewy with a hint of sweetness.
Rachel Lu Sake Selection
There’s a great selection of sake, too.
Quincy
Beyond the menu
Thoughtful nuances and elevated hospitality touches that define the Warabi experience.
Interactive Counter Conversations with the Chefs
Chefs prepare each course directly in front of diners at the counter, chatting openly about their culinary background, sourcing, and preparation techniques.
Curated Glassware & Counterside Bottle Presentations
During paired beverage services, team members display bottles directly on the counter and introduce distinct, individually selected glassware for each drink.
Tailored Celebratory Gifts
Special milestone reservations are acknowledged with thoughtful surprises, such as a complimentary Valentine's Day cake gift.
Origin Storytelling & Dietary Adaptations
The culinary team explains the provenance and origin of each fish, tailoring the multi-course experience smoothly around dietary restrictions.
Before you head over
Practical tips on reservations, menu choices, and timing for your dining experience at Warabi.
Book Well in Advance
Reserve well ahead of time, especially for special occasions and weekend services, as counter seats fill up quickly.
Choose the Right Menu Structure
Choose between the mid-week sushi-focused omakase (Tuesday to Thursday) and the weekend Impression menu, which offers a broader variety of non-sushi seasonal dishes at a higher price tier.
Arrive Promptly for Synchronized Sittings
Arrive promptly for your allocated counter sitting, as services run synchronously across the counter and late arrivals can hold up subsequent courses.
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