Chocolate Buddha

A mainstay on the corner of fabulous Fed Square, Chocolate Buddha has been a Melbourne dining institution since its 2003 launch. But following a six-month hiatus, Angela Mathioudakis (Blue Train, Taxi, Transport, Joe’s Garage) has reopened the venue with a hefty refurbishment, courtesy of long-time collaborator and leading Australian architect Peter Maddison (Maddison Architects, Grand Designs Australia). 

Step through Chocolate Buddha’s doors and you’ll discover a restaurant built for a culinary and aesthetic experience, with a bright and lofty space that is moody, textured and acoustically softened. It is relaxed yet intimate and lush without being pretentious thanks to the handmade Japanese tiles, the Victorian Ash timber furnishings, raw cement sheeting and traditional noren (Japanese fabric dividers). 

Whilst the capacity remains unchanged – it still seats 180 guests – the windows have been pushed back several metres to create a more spacious experience. Long communal tables have been switched out for three separate dining areas: communal, individual, and, the most requested section, intimate (for 2 to 4 people). 

Down the middle of it all runs what is possibly a first for Melbourne: an impressive stainless steel sushi train with an additional high-tech ‘bullet train’ running atop. The regular train parades freshly made sushi, sashimi, maki and nigari, whilst the innovative central feature delivers express hot dishes – tempurae, Aburi Scallops, katsu rolls and Shinkansen – straight to customers, all ordered at lighting speed on a series of mini tablets. 

New head sushi chef Angelito Bautista, formerly of Ichi Ni Nana and Nobu, has added his latest creation called Buddha Fire: an inside-out roll of seared kingfish, asparagus, fiery sauce made with scallops, and togarashi (a spicy Japanese seasoning). Chocolate Buddha’s renowned head chef of four years, Alex Bazar, continues to reinvent classic Japanese meals whilst embracing vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, and kid options. 

Even dessert lovers are catered for with clever and creative sweets like yuzu-baked cheesecake, chocolate peanut butter mud cake, or the highly acclaimed white and dark chocolate-filled spring rolls teamed with a caramel miso sauce. 

The drinks list is equally stocked with choice. Eclectic cocktails, Japanese and Australian beers both on tap and by the bottle and a carefully crafted selection of boutique wines are all available. There are also Sake and Umeshu varieties galore as well as Chai, Green and Organic Teas. 

Chocolate Buddha
Federation Square, Melbourne, 3000
Open 7 days, Monday, 11:30am to 9:30pm, Tuesday to Saturday, 11:30pm to 10pm, Sunday, 11:30am to 9:30pm
chocolatebuddha.com.au