Bar Kaeru

E Erin Ye 7 reviews 12 June 2026

Found this place randomly while looking for a sake bar nearby and wow, what a find! The beef tartare was ridiculously good - probably my favourite dish of the night! The chicken lollipops were also amazing, and honestly everything we ordered was delicious. The staff were all lovely, and Natsu was especially friendly and recommended some excellent sake for us! As a Melbourne sake lover, I’d say this place is absolutely worth a visit. Thank you and we will definitely be back!

I Indi Ridout 9 reviews 24 May 2026

This was a spur of the moment dinner for us and it blew us away. Honestly one of the best dinners I’ve sat down to and if we didn’t drive I would’ve sat there drinking their recommended sake all night.

P Phoebe Sudargo 10 reviews · Local Guide 22 May 2026

This bar is so versatile, can be either your friendly neighborhood bar (for you city folks), an impressive bar to bring your date to, or a cool place to hang with your friends. Hands down the best Japanese bars in Melbourne CBD with delicious food and even more impressive sake list! Sean the owner is lovely and super knowledgeable about sake. You can rely on him to give you suggestions and you will sure to be satisfied! Our highlights of the night were the beef tartlet, Japanese potato salad, and the crispy fried onigiri. All were fantastic, especially the beef tartlet. We also had wonderful sake from Aramasa to IWA 5, totally worth visiting.

S Sylvia Liu 642 reviews · Local Guide 16 May 2026

Had such a unique late-night experience at Bar Kaeru. The whole place feels like a hidden Tokyo-style sake bar tucked away in Melbourne CBD — intimate counter seating, dim lighting, incredible playlist and a super curated sake selection. We tried several different sake flights and honestly every bottle had its own personality. Some were crisp and floral, others creamy and slightly cloudy with a smoother finish. The staff were really knowledgeable and explained the flavour profiles really well, which made the experience even more enjoyable. Food-wise, the dishes matched the drinks perfectly. The creamy potato dish was unexpectedly addictive, and the savoury rice dish paired so well with the richer sake. Everything felt very thoughtful rather than overly complicated. Definitely more of an experience-focused spot rather than just “going out for drinks”. Perfect for date nights, catching up with foodie friends, or anyone wanting to explore sake beyond the usual options. Will 100% be back to try more bottles next time. 🍶✨

Q Quincy 1,009 reviews · Local Guide 30 April 2026

Incredible sake range at this semi hidden bar from the Cafe Tomi team. They have varieties across the spectrum, from classic to experimental, and are happy to help you decipher the range. The menu is also delicious, with small plates and snacks designed for drinking. I loved it all - especially the potato salad, tartare, pork and mushroom risotto. The sake dessert was also excellent.