Kokoroya

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  7     

Tried this for the first time with my young family and some friends. Would have been great even without the very kid-friendly attitude of all the staff but that just made things so much easier (with a 1 year old making a mess!)

Had some good sashimi, gyozas and tofu. Not the cheapest in the world but will be going back for sure as the food seemed good quality and nice relaxing evening out for the family.

May 21, 2012 

6.8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  6      Service  7      Value  6     

Great Japanese food, cooked by non Japanese team. Normally I don't like eating on a Japanese restaurant where the chef and or cooks are not all Japanese, but decided to give it a go based on the review from friends.

The food was surprisingly good! The Chirashi Sushi (my favourite) was nice, the wagyu steak was decent. The only drawback is some of the item can be expensive (compare to the size) like one piece of small-medium size grilled calamari (Ika yaki) for $9.80 which is a bit too expensive (but it tastes good though).

Will we go back there? Hmmm we already did, twice!

Overall, its not a place where you want to take your date or impress someone (hence, the subtitle "Family friendly dining" on their website). The decoration is nice, but somehow they forgot to put the ceiling because you can see the aircon pipe etc that somehow kills the nice ambience.

May 07, 2012 

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  7      Service  9      Value  9     

If you are on date night avoid the early evening. This brilliant restaurant is very well equiped for families. An awesome play area and a very impressive kids menu. (I highly recommend the $5 Karate Kid dish it is Amazing!)

It does get very noisy with squeeling kids but because the majority of the diners are there with their own kids it is cool.

The food is amongst the best casual japanese I have had in Sydney. Fresh, fast and reasonably priced. The staff are outstanding and always friendly, we Love this restaurant and families should all go! Also great for birthday parties.

Mar 23, 2012 

7.3 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  6     

Lunch on Thursday at Kokoroya in Maroubra was lovely. Having tried the food at their Waterloo restaurant this venue is a little more formal and quite sleek. Traditional bamboo screens meet stainless steel and granite. I noticed a children's play area, so its very family friendly.

I had Gyoza, mini fresh Tuna rolls and a Tempura prawn roll, all were excellent although the tempura prawn was actually Ebi prawn (crumbed). It didn't matter, I still enjoyed it. Lunch came to $28 which is a little expensive but the food is excellent quality. I recommend Kokoroya.

Feb 09, 2012 

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  8      Service  10      Value  7     

A bit pricey but overall great food especially the teriyaki meat and the sushi. Great service as well and make sure to finish off with the fondue and a strawberry milkshake.

Jan 20, 2012 

8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  10      Value  7     

This restaurant is good for diners with kids, because it has a separate play area. I have been here a few times and service has been faultless. However, it is one of the more expensive restaurants in Maroubra. The food is of reasonable quality, but not exceptional. Their drinks are quite interesting and come in large servings.

Jan 07, 2012 

6.5 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  6      Service  7      Value  6     

We have been here quite a few times, both by ourselves, and also with large groups. We have never had any bad experiences, but equally this is not a "destination" restaurant. We go here because it's walking distance from home, and because on balance we enjoy it.

The food is mostly pretty good, but certainly not amazing. We often go with a selection of side dishes, tapas style: the Agedashi Tofu, Takoyaki (octopus) and Nasu Dengaku (eggplant) are usually quite tasty. Sashimi is ok. The service is mostly competent, friendly, and, thanks to the buzzer on the tables, usually quite prompt. At this point in our lives, the creche/play area is of no interest, but having "been there, done that", we think it's a great idea, and tolerate the extra noise.

That said, even if you select a seat some distance from the play area, thanks to the concrete/wood decor, it can be very noisy place. As noted by other reviewers, it's not cheap, but not outrageously expensive either: in my view, borderline acceptable for a local quick meal out.

Jun 03, 2011 

4.3 Below Average

Food  2      Ambience  4      Service  10      Value  1     

Average food, outstanding service. Way too expensive for Maroubra though. If you are in 2035 Sushi Train is by far the best choice in terms of food and value for money. Don't waste your time at Koko's. Sorry guys.

May 13, 2011 

5.5 Average

Food  9      Ambience  1      Service  7      Value  5     

We are regulars here every week. Food is fantastic, it's fresh, clean but not cheap. The service is always good, with friendly waitresses. You have a little buzzer on your table, so someone is always there to assist. The Biggest problem I have which puts me off everytime is the child care centre.

I just can't understand why you would create such a great restaurant and then stick a creche in there too. The noise is Unbelievable, especially children who insist on screaming, crying and fighting over toys with other kids in the 'play pen'.

Their parents couldn't care less and are onto their 3rd Asahi beer and probably pretend it's not their kids causing the noise. All the local parents just Love this japanese restaurant/kiddy play pen, but for most adults who go there for a night out sans children, we are left feeling deaf, annoyed and disappointed.

There is a lack of good quality resturants within the Maroubra area, so we choose to go here to support local business, but it's starting to wear thin having to put up with the kid factor every time. Ditch the creche and send the 'families' to Kingsford Mcdonalds, they have a play pen there don't they?

Apr 12, 2011 

10 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  10     

This place is amazing! From the moment we walked in to the moment we left we were greeted with friendly smiles and wonderful staff and service.

We have a small child and this restaurant with the colouring in, high chairs, child play area and similar families enabled us to stay there for 2.5 hours, which as you would know if not normal when you have a 17 month and its 2 hours outside of his bedtime!

Amazing food, service and atmosphere, we spend a bit of money but it was 100% worth it!

Mar 25, 2011