Based in Melbourne, Robata is an izakaya-style restaurant. The name of the delicious restaurant is inspired by the Japanese word “robatayaki,” which translates to “fireside cooking.” The global creative agency Mucho designed the branding for this eatery. Inspired by neon signs found throughout Tokyo’s cityscapes, the branding system takes infinite cues from the streets of Japan.
Robata is an izakaya-style restaurant located in the iconic Herald & Weekly Times Newspaper building in central Melbourne. The name is a common abbreviation of robatayaki, a Japanese charcoal-grilling technique that translates literally to “fireside cooking”. Much like sake, robata is embedded in Japanese culture where it has been a cooking tradition for centuries. The restaurant’s ambition is to deliver an interpretation of this unique style of cooking, informed by local culture and expertise, delivered in a relaxed ‘Melbourne’ style of dining.
The Japanese kanji character for fire was adopted as a symbol for the restaurant’s identity, supported by bold typography and a playful visual language. Inspired by the neon glow of Tokyo’s night-scapes, the interior experience is futuristic and cinematic. A key component of our brief was the design of a dramatic lightbox installation that transports patrons to the streets of a Japanese super-city.
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