A very cozy spot for drinks and food! Tuesday night does $16 for 4 dumplings and a 10 minute massage you can book online or walk in. The massage was fantastic even though it was only 10 mins. Happy hour goes till 7pm. The food was only okay. Expect small portions for the tapas. Would come back to see how the main dishes are. Overall a good fun experience for something different!
This place used to be our team's Friday lunchtime hangout spot! A Japanese pub ran by mother and son, and they serve Japanese tap beer! They had an awesome, cheap and delicious lunch menu. I would religiously order the steak don as I can never get enough of it.
We've all missed this joint since our office relocated. Our new lunch joints have not been same.
Horse Bazaar has been around for a while, and I've always missed it because I never connected the name to a Japanese izakaya. It's just that bizarre (yes, I went there).
I've had after-work drinks here with friends before, and even then I didn't realise they do food. The venue is grungy and dim, and has an eccentric vibe about it.
I took the opportunity to have lunch here through MealPal.
The mixed pork don was absolutely delicious. Pork mince and pork belly are slowly braised in a soy mirin stock and ladlded onto purple mixed rice. It's a familiar recipe that is shared with a lot of Asian countries, who each have a slight spin on it.
The pork belly is soft, gelatinous and really tasty.
My faith in the Japanese-run bar/restaurant/izakaya/music hall has been set and I'll be back for $7 pints and katsu sandwiches!
This place is pretty good as an izakaya in cbd i will recommend to all my friends. And the mackerel is a must try is super tasty. And also the yakitori and panko cheese will make u come back to this place. For drinks plz plz plz try the yuzu mojito u will love it. Great bar food, beautiful drinks, amazing service and good music
Awesome food at a great price. Funky venue! Great for lunch during the week or a beer after work. Japanese fried chicken curry is a must with 7$ pints. Highly recommend
This is a very good spot for lunch - good specials - very nice staff - food is always fresh - i think its good - my respect - its a good joint
Neat little bar on lt Lonsdale street. Serves a range of Japanese street food. The JFC or Japanese fried is pretty tasty. Not too bad on the beer selection either.
I chose this bar for a drink before moving on to my partners chosen spot for dinner (Gradi). A real shame as the menu seemed like a winner with yummy Japanese dishes that I didn’t necessarily gleam from the name. Thankfully there was a great cocktail selection too which made the trip more than worthwhile. I love a hidden bar and this by all accounts was one of Melbourne’s originals having been around for over a decade.
The lovely atmosphere and quirky interior definitely warrants a return visit to sample the food
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
A modern take on Japanese cuisine, Horse Bazaar offers an innovative range of tapas to share with friends whilst you enjoy your drinks. However there are also larger mains available if you are looking for something a bit more substantial...
I ordered the cheese okonomiyaki and wonton nachos in half sizes($5 ea or $10 ea for "full sizes"). The nachos were amazing - the fried wonton skins were not the least bit greasy and were very light and crunchy. The salsa and sauces drizzled on top were also very tasty and there was a meaty, smokey flavour to it although the dish was vegetarian. The cheese okonomiyaki was pretty nice, although it was a bit gluggy in texture and rather salty. Sadly the pork belly I wanted to order was sold out for the night :( Overall pretty decent serving sizes and interesting, modern flavours at a great price.
As it is a bar setting, you have to grab the menu yourself and order your food at the bar but otherwise service is quite friendly and they are more than happy to take bookings. We did find that the food for the mains took a little bit on the longer side to come out.
Fantastic food and super friendly staff - the place has a great vibe. The Okinawa sour which Fumi (one of the owners) helped to make is delicious and a must try. The vegetarian ramen is something special - that and Mr Ramen San are hands down the best in Melbourne.
The food is so good, we get around 5 of the smaller dishes half size, only $5 each and it was enough for 2 people! The sizes are small but it's good because it allows you to try more things on the menu without becoming full. The drinks are good price and the music they play (with and without Dj) is really good and the overall vibe is great!!!
I went in thinking it was a restaurant only to find a bar like setting. The menu was very interesting but defined catering for the drinking crowd by being finger food and easy to share. A bit overpriced and weirdly cooked in terms of consistency and flavour. But they were very accomodating when I called ahead earlier to ask if they were full by even reserving a table.
Loved it. Amazing tapas. Really reasonably priced - my husband and I had dinner and couldn't finish it all, and only paid $30 (for 6 different tapas). Well-stocked bar and great atmosphere. Will definitely be back.
Charming lil japanese bar that serves jap and mexican fusion dishes. They have special events every Wednesdays for all you rap and hip hop lovers. It get really crowded and loud, so if u r not up for that just go in early to grab whatever u wanna. They have a wide range of liquor and provide special jap style cocktails and drinks. It has a really cool vibe, worth visits!!
This hole in the wall is great for a quick and effortless feed in a playful atmosphere. Although drinks don't come too cheap (prices are standard), the food here is quite decently priced. From $5 per Japanese style tapas, they pose as really great snacks of appetisers. Don't miss out on their $1 per piece Japanese fried chicken deal on Wednesdays! Mains are not bad also, but the tapas is definitely worth it.
Popular dish is ok. The pork Gyoza is horrible in taste. Love the cinematic view on the wall and the chill vibe tho. Gin cocktail is not my cup of tea, nevertheless would like to try next time later at night here when psychedelic music is on.
This place is good for chats and sharing food. We decided to order 5 tapas between 4 (a good way of doing it I think!). So we got the miso eggplant, wanton nachos, 'adicitive' spicy chicken wing, okonomiyaki, sweet potato chips. I highly recommend the wanton nachos and miso eggplant, delicious!
Some delicious tapas, highly recommend the pork belly and salmon sushimi. Drinks are tasty too, they got me hooked on whisky sours!
Friendly service and a great ambiance, with good music and wall-to-wall what on the screens. Love it.
From the moment I picked Horse Bazaar I knew it was going to be a unique experience. “Parmas at a Japanese cocktail bar” doesn’t exactly roll of the tongue, yet in my research of places to try on the north side of the CBD, Horse Bazaar kept appearing. How weird could it possibly be? We loaded up the parma bus and headed to Little Lonsdale street to find out.
dimly lit, laid back bar style atmosphere, whilst providing visual arts projection on the walls. I came across this bar after filtering for cheap eats in Zomato, the menu offered an amazing variety of tapas for only $5 half size or $10 full size. I was craving bite sized food with variety, that wasn’t sushi, so this was our choice of dinner that night.
Nice atmosphere and modern decoration.
Price is reasonable.
Food is not fancy but everything we ordered reaches a standard. noodle salad quite fresh and enjoyable! Sashimi don contains generous portion of sashimi.
The drink is ok.
Services are also excellent
Its a reasonably priced place with great food.
My friend who's vegetarian loves it.
I got burger n chips. Really awesome.
I couldnt believe the place is so cool for this price. They've even got DJ.
Def a great place to explore!
Went here for a friend's birthday and was not disappointed. They have a great range of vegetarian/vegan food that are not boring on the palette. Not to mention, the atmosphere is pleasantly chill. Perfect for hanging out with a couple of friends on a Saturday night. Basically, just nom nom nom!
Vegan tempura pretty yummy. Vegan soba w/ pancake was okay. ultimate tofu burger is pretty good I'd order it again. chips pretty good. Service is fantastic. My friends like their meals here too.
I've had 2 meals here: salmon with salad and rice; and tempura fish burger with chips. Both delicious. Excellent, Fast service. Good value for money ($12 for big lunch). I'll keep coming here for lunch
Thursday 2 for 1 wings. You always know what you're gonna get and it's always bang on. Tried a few other dishes but the wings can't be beaten, especially at that price.
there is interesting japanese Izakaya, I read their poster that seem like every month have some music event. Should be come to experience those event, it would be good time to enjoy music and beers； the curry rice is nice but the eggplant was too oil. the green tea is soso, nothing to expect too much.
Situated quite nicely in little Collins Street, this gem is filled with good vibes and trippy videos, none of which I knew. Tables were a little low but we were too busy bopping our heads to the funky, rustafarian tunes. I had the Fumi Bento and it was prepared excellently, ravishing lettuce, crunchy tempura chicken and succulent dumplings all in a nicely organised Bento box. Prices were very affordable and an excellent selection of beverages.
Definitely recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a fun, modern Japanese experience.
What a fabulous find! Horse Bazaar is a great Australian interpretation of an izakaya... a great fusion of an Aussie pub with Japanese influences. Ambiance is very casual. We thought the DJ and music was unnecessary and distracting, and the tables and chairs were a little dirty and sticky though. Staff were really great, coming to offer hot sauce, clearing our table promptly etc, and were just generally really friendly. Drinks were well priced. Food was really delicious and well priced, especially the special for the night. Spicy wings are highly recommended! So happy to discover such a well priced fusion izakaya bar with homely food.
I really like this place. Very friendly and welcoming, the Japanese fusion food is good and prices are reasonable. Decent beers on tap. One of my favorites in the city.
As part of Horse Bazaar’s 10-year celebrations and the launch of a new gluten-free Japanese menu Gastrology were invited to experience a night at Horse Bazaar, one of Melbourne’s original hidden bars. Horse Bazaar serves fresh, home cooked Japanese soul food. The menu features a mixture of Japanese dishes and pub food with a hint of Japanese flavour/style with plenty of vegetarian and vegan options to please the masses. All food is lovingly made fresh in house and by hand. There are many gluten free, vegan and vegetarian Japanese food options. As there are almost unheard of in Japan, they required head chef Takako Enomoto to reinvent many classic Izakaya dishes.
Horse Bazaar has been kicking around the hidden laneways of Melbourne since before being in the “hidden laneways of Melbourne” was the cool thing to do. But a decade-long tenancy in Australia’s self-proclaimed foodie capital doesn’t mean they’re past their hay-day (last horse pun I use, I swear). Quite the contrary.
Really great atmosphere, with great service and clever Japanese fusion dishes. The regular-sized tapas were generous, and the ambiance, music and decor made this one of the coolest places in the city for after-work drinks.
A Chronicle Of Gastronomy
+3.5
Horse Bazaar is an casual izakaya on Little Lonsdale St, and it’s just celebrated its 10th birthday. Only one door down from the Hardware Street junction, it offers cocktails, beers, ciders, wines, spirits and special Japanese imports. In terms of food, there’s Japanese tapas to go along with the drinks, though there’s mains to feast on too.
It's a really cool venue that is unique without trying to be hipster and annoying. The food was great and well priced and the selection of drinks was great.
A very welcoming and reasonably priced Japanese fusion izakaya bar situated on Little Lonsdale st near Hardware St. Today I ordered a bento box at $18 and it was full of yummy items - minced pork on rice, three pieces of gyoza, two pieces of tempura prawns, three large pieces of chicken karaage and Mexican-style salsa salad. Delicious! My hubby had the Tokyo Tower burger with fries and it was enormous and very juicy, with onions covered in batter. Very creative. The chips weren't crispy enough but it wasn't a big deal. As I walked out I noticed that they have specials every weeknight, on Friday nights you can get the same bento for $10 between 7-10. Oh and tonight was actually steak night - 250g porterhouse steak with fries for $15 or add a mug of Kirin for an extra $5. Great deal! Will have that next time.
Horse Bazaar is a little tiny hole in the wall bar, or so you think. But inside it was lovely....It is a cute Japanese bar with some Mexican influences. For example: the salsa is Mexican. They have a huge winelist...The guys that work behind the bar are very friendly and helpful and in fact during the party RNIS chatted away to them about the food and all. For starters we both enjoyed the free chicken karriage. This was the best fried chicken ever.
The smoked aubergine with miso soup is in fact delightful, healthy comfort food right there! Once you’re done consuming any items on that platter that you can pick up with a fork, you must, and I repeat, must make sure that the last thing you do is pick up that bowl and drink the miso soup left in it.
Chicken palmy n chips. Ball-tearingly good.
Absolutely brilliant. Been here multiple times. Good happy customer service. Pub food is really great! It is a good place to chill with friends and family. Reasonable prices for the drinks. I really love this place! I tell almost everyone I know about it :)
Try the fish and chips. Fish and chips were SO GOOD. Honestly, all the food here is great so you'll be happy with anything really!
Awesome place for a cheeky beer after work, nice waiters/bar staff, Cool relaxed vibe about the place - and the food is excellent! Definitely will be going back for the plum wine, calamari, JFC, gyoza, and tacos. I had a voucher and was treated very well so I will coming back to try more cocktails and food.
Really enjoyed the food - it wasn't fancy Japanese food but rather good quality home-style dishes with great flavour. The bar has a great atmosphere with extremely friendly service. Is a great place to meet up with friends for drinks while having lots of little yummy Japanese dishes coming your way :)
Fantastic food and service. Loved the quality of all the meals and the authenticity will be back for sure!
Believe it or not but def the best gyoza I've had in Melbourne. What a pleasant surprise. Worth a visit
Great. Looks a bit strange from the outside but inside is quirky - friendly hard working Japanese couple. Quirky menu but wow what fantastic and value for money food. Okonomoyaki and wagu burgers. Yum. Washed down with proper draught beer at $6 a pint during an extended happy hour. "Awesome!" Highly recommended.
The $10 dumplings & massage deal on Tue is fab - we'll definitely be making this a regular thing! Dumplings are tasty & not too oily & the 10min massage is an excellent added benefit.
A great meal.... Amazing Japanese menu, friendly staff and a great selection of drinks. I also really liked the unique flavor of the decor. Very original!
Cute little bar, great atmosphere... They have All You Can Eat and Drink for $25 on a Thursday night - the food isn't amazing but it is great value. It's a great place to go when you want to catch up with a friend you haven't seen in ages or you want somewhere to go on a second date.
We have spent the last few weeks in some of Melbournes great bars – most of them with intimate lighting that results in shocking pictures! But if you did fancy a adventure one night you might like to try some of these beauties! Murmur Above the wonderous tapas of Portello Rosso is a cute little bar, a great place to just be! Stocking Boston lager for the boy and an enjoyable wine list as well as impressive cocktails – it is a damn fine spot! If you can grab one of the few seats or couches you should never leave, it’s a great place to be! Eau De Vie First time in ages we have played the “Where on earth is the door” game! Yep, good old Melbourne, down the laneway and if you can find the big heavy wooden door – don’t be scared just come inside! As described by the website this is no average bar – “E.D.V is an intimate, dimly lit, jazz infused speakeasy created for the discerning bon vivant.” There is no wine list, no beer, this is a cocktail wonderland with Alice in Wonderland eccentricit
Awesome little bar serving very good Japanese style food as well, the chicken I had was so juicy, and good value. Drinks I tried were fantastic as well and a reasonable price off the $10 board for cocktails. The Hot buttered rum was a perfect cold day warm up....
The decor is cool with projections on the walls and in the evenings they often have DJs and sometimes live acts, a great place all round. I will definitely be back
Great food, good music, great atmosphere. This bar has a really cool vibe and an awesome aesthetic. The food is incredible and very good value. My partner and I split some JFK and 3 half sharing plates and were delighted with the flavours of everything and left full. A pint of the Lager during happy hour was $7 and hit the spot!
Lovely environment for a late night meeting.
Perfect ramen. Complex flavour.
Ordered plum sake however they didn't serve warm. Pity.
A go-to place for our team lunches. Been a fan of their chicken parmy for years. The Japanese Nachos are also terrific. Love the atmosphere, the music, the cool visuals and the eclectic layout of the pub.
Interesting little bar with asian fusion food. The projections on the walls make it quite unique. The dumpling and massage evenings are highly recommended.
What a gem of a place is The Horse Bazzar in Little Lonsdale Street its a cozy bar and restaurant, our band Sam Square did a gig here recently and it boasted impressive decor and lighting the wrap around wall with a projector running continuous themes was really cool!
Bar staff were friendly and caring about customers. I decided to try the Japanese menu. Sashimi Salmon on a bed of rice came with (of course) soy sauce and wasabi plus ginger and some rocket with aoli and a fresh tomato pesto style puree.
Just perfectly balanced incredibly tasty and fresher than Tom Cruise in Top Gun if i could rate it 6 stars I wouldn't hesitate and at 16 bucks its very underpriced for what it is. Could not fault it i'm going to go back as a regular customer.
The tap beer was excellent and icy cold. Thanks Horse Bazzar for a memorable night out!
Found this place hidden by an the construction work outside. Serves really delicious food izakaya style and since good selection at the bar also.
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