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Food - Rookie Eatery, Wollongong, AU-NSW

Rookie Eatery

4.7
4.7
713 Reviews
$A41 to $A100
Creative Japanese

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 p.m.
  • Good for special occasions
  • Charming
  • Great for fine wines
Fire, smoke, and umami - RUKI is all about the good stuff.

From the team that brought you Débutant Dining comes a new experience inspired by the late-night izakayas of Japan, right in the heart of Wollongong.

Enjoy charred skewers straight off the grill, fresh seafood and cold beer.

Take a seat at the bar and let us take care of you. You deserve it.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $A41 to $A100
  • Cuisines
    Creative Japanese, Cocktail Bar, Japanese
  • Hours of Operation
    Wed, Thu 2:00 pm–12:00 am Fri–Sun 12:00 pm–12:00 am
  • Phone number
    (02) 4228 8371
  • Website
    http://www.ruki-bar.com.au/
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Executive Chef
    Daniel Sherley
  • Location
    125 Keira St, Wollongong, AU-NSW 2500
  • Neighbourhood
    Wollongong
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Additional
    Banquet, Beer, Cocktails, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Vegan, Wine

Featured in

Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

What 713 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
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.4Ambience
  • 4.5Value

Noise • Energetic

Loved For

  • New South Wales

    Best Food

  • New South Wales

    Best Service

  • New South Wales

    Great for fine wines

  • New South Wales

    Creative Japanese

  • Illawarra

    Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Rookie Eatery is celebrated for its "exceptional" food, "amazing" service, and creative menu. Diners rave about the "beautifully presented" dishes and "delicious" Asian influences. Despite its impending closure, it remains a beloved favorite in Wollongong, noted for its "friendly staff" and memorable dining experiences.

713 Reviews

  1. Casey

    Tasmania

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 1, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Farewell Rookie. A great final night, well done!!! Looking forward to Ruki

    Is this helpful?

  2. Suzi

    Canberra

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 1, 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 2
    Quality ingredients prepared and presented in a creative and delicious manner.

    Is this helpful?

  3. Kevin

    Sydney

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on February 1, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    Good food. Excellent service by wait staff, very cheerful, knowledgeable

    Is this helpful?

  4. Elle

    New South Wales

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 31, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Amazing! My favourite restaurant in the Illawarra. exceptional

    Is this helpful?

  5. Roger

    New South Wales

    14 reviews

    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on January 31, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Unfortunately Rookies is closing. They will be missed. All the best on your next venture

    Is this helpful?

  6. Jessica

    New South Wales

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on January 30, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Great food, exciting menu, lovely service, nice ambience,

    Is this helpful?

  7. Karen

    New South Wales

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on January 30, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    So sad to see Rookie go! Glad we had the chance to bid it farewell. Best of luck with your next venture.

    Is this helpful?

  8. MICHELLE

    New South Wales

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 29, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food was beyond exceptional the staff were polite, obliging and on top for service .

    Is this helpful?

  9. ryan

    Sydney

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 25, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Absolutely delicious. Such a shame these guys are closing down soon. The service and food and so good!

    Is this helpful?

  10. Martin

    VIP

    New South Wales

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on January 10, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    Always a great place but be quick closing down soon

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Rookie Eatery is rated 4.7 stars by 713 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 p.m.
Google Map for Rookie Eatery

125 Keira St, Wollongong, AU-NSW 2500

Additional information

  • Neighbourhood
    Wollongong
  • Hours of Operation
    Wed, Thu 2:00 pm–12:00 am Fri–Sun 12:00 pm–12:00 am
  • Price
    $A41 to $A100
  • Cuisines
    Creative Japanese, Cocktail Bar, Japanese
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Daniel Sherley
  • Additional
    Banquet, Beer, Cocktails, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Vegan, Wine

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