Nakano Darling

4.7

16 Reviews

$A40 and under

Japanese (Izakaya)

Make a reservation

2 people

Mar 19, 2025

7:00 p.m.

Booked 26 times today

Experiences are available.

Lively
Good for groups
Good for special occasions

If you go beyond the wooden benches and beer crates out front of Nakano Darling's ever-changing facade, you might feel like you've stepped into a different world in Tokyo.

This place is where Suntory whiskey, sake, sochu, umeshu, and beer are freely flowing, and Japanese is spoken all around. It's a spot where anyone who loves good booze and delicious food could easily lose themselves for entire nights if not days. Nakano Darling represents everything that makes the izakaya, or humble 'stay-drink-place', such a central and beloved part of Japanese culture.

Of course, you'll find all the food and drink favourites here (think homemade gyoza, karaage chicken, and whisky cocktails), but it's about more than just that. It's about the experience.

Dining areas

Additional information

Location
14 Steam Mill La, Haymarket, AU-NSW 2000
Phone number
0477 607 867
Price
$A40 and under
Cuisines
Japanese (Izakaya), Japanese Speciality, Japanese
Hours of Operation
Mon–Wed, Sun 5:00 pm–12:00 am Thu–Sat 5:00 pm–2:00 am
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Street Parking
Payment Options
AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
Delivery & takeout
Order direct

Experiences

Happy hour
Multiple dates available
Happy hour

What 16 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7

4.7 based on recent ratings

4.6Food
4.7Service
4.7Ambience
4.5Value

Noise • Energetic

Loved For

Sydney
Lively
Sydney City
Best Overall
Sydney City
Best Service
Sydney City
Best Ambience
Sydney City
Best Value
Sydney City
Good for groups
Sydney City
Great for creative cocktails
Sydney City
Hot spot
Sydney City
Neighbourhood gem
Sydney City
Lively

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Nakano Darling offers an authentic Japanese dining experience with "great vibes" and "delicious food." The service is consistently praised as "ridiculously quick and friendly," enhancing the overall dining experience. Highlights include the sriracha mayo fried chicken and pork kimchi dumplings. It's open till 2am, making it a unique late-night option.

16 Reviews

OT
OpenTable Diner
Sydney1 review
5.0
Dined on March 11, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Regularly visit Nakano Darling and am never disappointed
Is this helpful?
X
Xinyue
Sydney1 review
5.0
Dined on February 25, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Authentic food and nice sake. great staffs as well, had a really good birthday dinner here!
Is this helpful?
A
A
Sydney1 review
5.0
Dined on February 18, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great food, great atmosphere, great prices. Pre-book if you don't want to wait a while for your table. Really good experience at a reasonable price.
Is this helpful?
A
Andrew
Sydney1 review
5.0
Dined on February 14, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Every dish was delicious and service was awesome. Highly recommend for a hangout or date.
Is this helpful?
W
Will
Sydney1 review
4.0
Dined on February 14, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 3
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Great location and vibe - felt like I was back in Japan. Takoyaki was good and the cabbage with plum sauce & sesame was a real find. However, sweet tasting karage was odd - and the drinks menu limited (no wines). Pretty good all round
Is this helpful?
E
Emma
Sydney1 review
5.0
Dined on January 30, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Delicious food, ridiculously quick and friendly service. Highly recommend!
Is this helpful?
J
Jacqueline Veronica
Sydney1 review
4.0
Dined on January 21, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
We were charged 3 servings for chicken when we ordered for only two (because obviously it was just my kid and I). I remember the waitress take down our orders and saw $74 on her tablet. Noticed my daughter paid $90, while I got a glass of water, so I only saw it at home. No wonder we couldn’t finish the food on the plate…
Is this helpful?
J
Jennifer
Sydney1 review
5.0
Dined on January 18, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great and friendly customer service! My friends and I always have a good time there because of the delicious food and drinks!
Is this helpful?
K
Kris
Sydney1 review
5.0
Dined on January 3, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Thankyou for a great evening with great food, great service and amazing ambience. Chinami-san is the best waitress and we thank you for all your tips on the menu and for how to properly order in Japanese!!!
Is this helpful?
T
Trent
Sydney1 review
4.0
Dined on December 21, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
I really love Nakano , my only issue is the cost of drinks . I think they’re very expensive.
Is this helpful?

FAQs

Nakano Darling offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at 0477 607 867.

Nakano Darling is rated 4.7 stars by 16 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

Mar 19, 2025

7:00 p.m.

Booked 26 times today

Experiences are available.

14 Steam Mill La, Haymarket, AU-NSW 2000

Dining areas

Additional information

Phone number
0477 607 867
Price
$A40 and under
Cuisines
Japanese (Izakaya), Japanese Speciality, Japanese
Hours of Operation
Mon–Wed, Sun 5:00 pm–12:00 am Thu–Sat 5:00 pm–2:00 am
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Street Parking
Payment Options
AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
Delivery & takeout
Order direct

Nakano Darling

Make a reservation

Dining areas

Additional information

Experiences

Happy hour

Menu

What 16 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

Does Nakano Darling offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Nakano Darling restaurant rated?

Is Nakano Darling currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Dining areas

Additional information