Robata Grill & Sake Bar

3658 The Barnyard, Carmel-by-the-Sea - 93923
130 reviews
Sushi Bar Japanese
(831) 624-2643

This restaurant went on the "Never come back" list—dirty, uncomfortable outdoor furniture, inside sittings filled with intense fry-oil odor. The waitress was friendly but lost in priorities - instead of taking our order and walking us through the pictureless menu, she ran away. The staff locked the restaurant and left the premises before we left the table. We have an open mind for authentic places, prioritizing food quality, not the fluff. Fish in Sashimi for two, Snow California roll was ok, and Soft shell crab has slightly unfresh fishy taste. Unfortunately, menu dinner prices are upscaled and do not match online prices. Overall experience does not worth the time and money spent in this restaurant's unpleasant environment.

Believe the other reviews. Or at least don’t go for sushi and sit outside. The inside smells really moldy and mildewy. As another reviewer mentioned, the menus are covered in soy sauce stains and outdated. Do not look at the tablecloths under the paper liner.The bright spot was the miso soup - maybe a few too many raw onions, but hot and lots of flavor. I enjoy a well brewed soy sauce but theirs was so strong and salty that it overpowered the wasabi. There’s no other flavor than salt. That was unfortunate because the rice on my rolls was so dry and crunchy that I needed to soak it in something. And the ginger was the pink ginger!! Who still serves that?!

This place rocks, I’ve been eating here with my wife for decades and it’s great. My wife has been dining here for 38 years.

Great cozy spot. Has a very welcoming charm to it. Attentive hard working staff, reasonable prices and good food. Will definitely be back!

Sitting at the sushi bar made our dinner. The Fire Roll rocks. And the yellowtail and salmon sushi just melted in my mouth. So yum. Thank you

Great for family and lots of friends? Thanks

Was a favorite place for my family and I to go. It went downhill after the place sold to the current owner but now, after covid its pretty bad. I understand the deep loss that happened during the lockdown but try stay relevant?When I come in with my family, and the the menus are smeared with fingerprints and food stains, I have to question many things? Most important first impressions. If you are unable to dust, vacuum and have your menus look as if they haven't been new in years then it makes me question the other shortcuts? How clean is the back of the house when the front is so dirty? scary. To print, a new menu is cheap and allows your customer to have a good first impression.The food is ok. Expensive. The service is always great.Bring back the tuesday and wednesday night specials and clean up a bit....you will have a following once again.

Great service,rolls and drinks!

Went here (well multiple times in the last 20 years but ...) on the ONLY blind date I've ever been on! Did NOT work out but he picked a great spot!! The sushi was delicious, service was good & I liked the quiet, low-lighted, intimate atmosphere.

Used to be my favorite place for at least 8 years until they started putting a minuscule amount of real crab in my favorite crab rolls. I even mentioned something to the waitress we knew and nothing changed after several attempts for them to redeem themselves. I hope the owner reads this so he can save his restaurant!