Robun
Wagyu smoking on a hot stone at the robata, chilli threads curling in the heat
炉端robata
Robun
Bath · 4 Princes BuildingsAA Rosette · Trencherman’s GuideOpen 12–11, every day

Japanese sharing plates, cooked over fire.

A modern take on yakiniku in the heart of Bath: meat, seafood and vegetables over the robata charcoal, sushi cut to order, and a deep bench of sake, Japanese whisky and cocktails.

chapter 01 · hi · fire

The grill at the heart of the house.

A celebration of authentic Japanese food and drink: a modern take on yakiniku, grilling meat, seafood and vegetables over a traditional robata charcoal fire, with sushi and sashimi, tempura, gyoza and bao buns alongside an unparalleled list of sake, Japanese whisky and cocktails.

The robata originates with the centuries-old cooking style of northern Japanese fishermen, who gathered around a communal sunken fire called an irori: a cooking area and a source of heat in one. At Robun the fire still does the talking: smoke, char, and a plate set down the moment it is ready.

A server carrying a stone bowl pouring with smoke
The smoke service · from their own dining room
A glass cloche lifted from a plate, smoke escaping
The reveal · smoke under glass
A woodblock print in the style of Kanagaki Robun's era: two figures beneath an umbrella beside a page of Japanese text仮名垣魯文 · Kanagaki Robun · Meiji-era serial author

chapter 02 · fude · the brush

Named for the man who wrote yakiniku into Japan.

The restaurant is a tribute to the Japanese author Kanagaki Robun, who wrote Seiyō ryōritsū in 1872. The book took inspiration from Western barbecue and introduced the concept of yakiniku to Japan. A man of many talents, Robun also collaborated to create Japan's first ever manga magazine.

The hand-painted murals on the walls are a further nod to the enduring influence of his work. Eat under his pages; leave through his ink.

chapter 03 · ha · the blade

Cut fresh, cut properly.

The sushi and sashimi menu works with a specialist supplier for fish that is both sustainable and exceptionally fresh, elevated by the meticulous knife skills of the chefs.

A sashimi platter dressed with flowers and ice
The sashimi platter · signature selection, 20 pieces, 44
A chef's hands carving a whole tuna loin
The tuna, broken down · at the counter
Sushi rolls and gyoza served in wooden boats
Geisha and Samurai rolls · 15 each

chapter 04 · taku · the table

Order wide, share everything.

Their menu says it plainly: order a variety of dishes and let the journey unfold, one bite at a time. These are the plates the room orders again and again.

Bluefin Tuna Tartaresesame dressing, kizami wasabi, fried seaweed
15
Wagyu Beef Tatakilightly seared, ponzu and truffle miso
14
Geisha Rollsalmon, cream cheese, avocado, yuzu mayo · 8pcs
15
Samurai Rollseared Akami tuna, ebi tempura, spicy mayo · 8pcs
15
Robun Bao Bunsconfit duck or Korean pork
15
Katsuobushi Takoyakioctopus dumplings, yuzu mayo, okonomiyaki sauce
12
Black Codmarinated and glazed with sweet den miso
27
Smoked Lamb CutletsKorean glaze, crispy onion, daikon
23
Wagyu Ribeyetrio of sauces: red namijn, truffle teriyaki, Japanese black pepper
49
49 per person · wine or sake pairing +30

Taste of Osaka

Citrus edamame · takoyaki and gyoza · sashimi and nigiri set · black cod, lamb cutlets or wagyu sirloin · mochi ice cream

Read in full
85 per person · wine or sake pairing +35

Taste of Robun

Citrus edamame · butterfish carpaccio and wagyu tataki · omakase sashimi and sushi · black cod and A5 wagyu ribeye with three sauces · kimchee fried rice with truffle and Burford Brown egg · yuzu tiramisu

Read in full
Seven courses · six to eight guests

The Chef's Table

A seven-course tasting menu for six to eight guests at the ornate marble table, with a fireside view of the open kitchen. The head chef introduces each course as the yakiniku, sushi and sashimi are prepared in front of you.

Enquire
A server holding the wooden afternoon-tea cabinet, its pigeonholes filled with sushi, bao buns and desserts

the tea cabinet

Sandwiches swapped for sushi, scones for bao buns.

Japanese-inspired afternoon tea, 35 per person. every day, midday to 5pm, with seven teas poured bottomless for ninety minutes at 8.95.

chapter 05 · sake · the pour

The whisky trolley does the rounds.

Imported from Japan's most revered distilleries · every bottle on the whisky trolley chosen to show a different side of the craft. From the fresh and fruity to the unfiltered and rice-centric: some of the finest rice wine brewed in Japan today.

Flamboyant, refined and faultless · built on Japanese spirits and liqueurs. The Robun Sour: gin, herbal liqueur, mango, lemon · 12.

Happy hourMonday to Friday, 12 to 6
2 cocktails 12
Tokyo Tapas Tuesdayany three agemono dishes, all day Tuesday
18
The Robun Sourgin, herbal liqueur, mango, lemon
12
Japanese whiskies lined along the back bar
The trolley bench · Japan’s revered distilleries
Three cocktails on the marble bar
At the marble · signatures from 12

chapter 06 · ma · the room

Upstairs: the Kanagaki Suite.

Upstairs: a private dining room and cocktail bar for celebrations of 16 to 50, with whisky flights, sake pairings and cocktail masterclasses to order.

For meetings, three delegate packages named for the ranks of the samurai:

Gokenin
40 per person
Goshi
50 per person
Hatamoto
65 per person

Sales & Events: info@robun.co.uk

The Kanagaki Suite's long table beside the wall-set fire
The suite, fire lit · seats 16 to 50
The suite's print wall above a laid table
Under the prints · the author on every wall

chapter 07 · uta · the song

Karaoke, down the stairs.

A karaoke party in full voice, arms in the air
The Karaoke Bar at Robun · private parties by enquiry

Private karaoke in the heart of Bath: top-notch tunes, Tokyo Tapas, and cocktails to match. Food and drink packages for the whole night; private parties by enquiry.

chapter 08 · yado · the inn

Four bedrooms over the rooftops.

The maisonette's living room in soft daylight
Stay at Robun · sleeps eight over two floors

A four-bedroom maisonette overlooking the rooftops of Bath, split over two floors: four individually designed double bedrooms, two ensuites and a family bathroom, a full kitchen, and a wine fridge where a minibar would be.

Call 01225 433200 direct for special rates, last-minute availability and midweek deals.

A green-walled double bedroom
The maisonette's blue kitchen
A double bedroom with a golden headboard
Robata plates and skewers across a dark table
This is fine dining at its best, unstuffy and great value for money. Gochisousama, Robun!
· Bath Magazine

last orders

George Street, every day, 12 till 11.

4 Princes Buildings, George Street, Bath BA1 2ED. Open Monday to Sunday, 12pm to 11pm.

Parties of 9 or more: bookings@robun.co.uk for availability and group menus. Tables of more than 8 dine from the celebration menus: Osaka Delights, Taste of Tokyo, Taste of Robun.

Hours

Open Monday to Sunday, 12pm to 11pm

Find us

4 Princes Buildings, George Street, Bath BA1 2ED · 01225 433200

The best experience you will ever have. The ambience and design of the restaurant are of high standards and really captivates the Japanese spirit
· Bath Life