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Restaurant

Daruma

Level1/8 Quay St, Haymarket NSW 2000, Australia

Recommended by 19 people

Updated

Find Daruma

Level1/8 Quay St, Haymarket NSW 2000, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 2 9281 2889
HoursMonday: 5:00 – 9:00 PM Tuesday: 5:00 – 9:00 PM Wednesday: 5:00 – 9:00 PM Thursday: 5:00 – 9:00 PM Friday: 5:00 – 9:00 PM Saturday: 5:00 – 9:00 PM Sunday: 5:00 – 8:00 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About Daruma

Skip the Quay Street foot traffic—Level 1 belongs to Daruma. CBD workers and regulars climb the stairs for straightforward izakaya comfort without city markups. Cold nights center on the bundled hot pot—tender marbled beef, crisp chicken, edamame, and citrus ponzu—alongside bowls of creamy mentaiko udon and beef tendon curry plated with cat-shaped rice. The staff keep frosty highballs moving and send you back downstairs with snacks for the road.

  • Complete Shabu-Shabu Spread: Thinly sliced marbled beef and fresh greens served alongside edamame, bullock chips, crisp karaage, assorted sashimi, and dessert.
  • Hearty Japanese Comforts: Standouts include rich mentaiko udon, beef tendon curry with cat-shaped rice, and seared wagyu tataki.
  • Second-Floor Hospitality: Perched on Level 1 away from street bustle, offering generous portions, cold highballs, and attentive staff who send guests off with takeaway snacks.
RestaurantJapaneseRestaurant

What's On at Daruma

Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Diners Choose Daruma

Discover why Haymarket locals and well-traveled diners head upstairs to Quay Street—reserve your table at Daruma today.

  • Rich, comforting izakaya classics

    Daruma delivers comforting izakaya staples like its acclaimed mentaiko udon, tender beef dishes, and curries at fair CBD prices.

    The standout for me was the mentaiko udon, which was easily one of the best dishes I had during my trip. It was rich, creamy, perfectly balanced, and incredibly satisfying.

    Jol F.

  • Expansive authentic izakaya variety

    Unlike single-item specialty bars, Daruma provides an expansive menu spanning multi-course shabu-shabu sets, fresh sashimi, crisp okonomiyaki, and grilled izakaya bites.

    The menu is extensive and leans very authentic, with a wide range of classic Japanese dishes that make it hard to choose.

    Ellenstein Katie

  • Genuine omotenashi hospitality

    True omotenashi defines the floor team, who guide guests through menus, assist with dietary preferences, and send diners off with treats for the road.

    Super friendly staff helped us with the menu and gifted us some snacks to go. Really made us feel welcome, felt more than a restaurant!

    junyi sun

  • Atmosphere of a Tokyo neighbourhood gem

    Tucked away on the upper level, the intimate dining room recreates the familiar, unpretentious warmth of a neighbourhood Tokyo diner.

    It appears to be a family-run restaurant, with a cozy and friendly atmosphere that brought back memories of the local restaurants I visited in Japan.

    AK

  • Lively celebrations over drinks and highballs

    A thoughtful drinks selection spanning draft beers, refreshing highballs, and umeshu creates a vibrant backdrop for high-energy celebrations.

    Daruma was the epitome of hospitality. Warm and friendly front of house, tasty food and well thought out booze selection.

    Thishana Manchanayake

  • Relaxed group catch-ups over shareable plates

    Shareable hot snacks like crisp gyoza and loaded okonomiyaki make Daruma an effortless, welcoming venue for meeting up with friends.

    Service was friendly and professional 😌, and the warm, relaxed vibe is great for catching up with friends 🙏.

    Jan Ardevaas

Customer favourites from Daruma’s authentic izakaya menu

  • Shabu Shabu Hot Pot

    The quality of the meat was outstanding with beautiful marble and incredibly tender especially delicious after dipping with their special Ponzu sauce.

    Ken

  • Beef Tataki

    The highlight was definitely the beef tataki, which was presented beautifully with a fresh lemon slice and perfectly garnished with sesame seeds.

    Lina Meier

  • Okonomiyaki

    okonomiyaki was the highlight, rich, savoury, and generously loaded with seafood, giving every bite a satisfying depth and umami hit.

    Ellenstein Katie

  • Mentaiko Udon

    The standout for me was the mentaiko udon, which was easily one of the best dishes I had during my trip. It was rich, creamy, perfectly balanced, and incredibly satisfying.

    Jol F.

Other favorites

Explore customer-recommended izakaya sides, drinks, and shareable bites beyond the headline hot pots and noodles.

  • Fried Cheese Fish Cake

    what is a must try is the fried cheese fish cake

    SydneyGR

  • Gyoza

    gyoza were fried just right

    Jan Ardevaas

  • Highballs and Umeshu

    Really enjoyed the highballs, umeshu after dinner, all the food.

    Thishana Manchanayake

  • Bullock Chips

    Bullock Chips (my favourite!)

    Ken

Beyond the menu

Memorable personal gestures and thoughtful hospitality that set Daruma apart.

  • Birthday Fanfare

    Staff celebrate guest milestones with an impromptu song and dance, bringing personal festive warmth to group celebrations.

  • Complimentary Farewell Snacks

    Guests are treated like family and sent home with complimentary takeaway snacks slipped to them as they head out.

  • Custom Off-Menu Cooking

    The kitchen goes beyond standard menu options to tailor custom dishes on request for specific dietary requirements like vegetarian dining.

  • Protective Table Care

    Floor staff notice table mishaps immediately, swiftly stepping in with a schooner of milk to comfort a child who accidentally ate wasabi.

Before you head over

Practical advice on locating the venue, navigating the menu, and securing your table.

  • Look Above Street Level for the Entrance

    Daruma is situated on the first floor above Quay Street rather than at street level, so look up for the entrance when walking past.

  • Pace Your Appetisers for the Shabu-Shabu Set

    If you order the shabu-shabu hot pot experience, hold off on excessive starters; the set already includes meat, vegetables, edamame, bullock chips, karaage chicken, sashimi, and dessert.

  • Book in Advance for Peak Evenings

    The intimate space fills up quickly with groups and evening diners sharing drinks. Reserve your table ahead to secure your spot for the night.

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