Nikuland is a BBQ restaurant in the Melbourne CBD. It is relaxed, loud enough to feel alive, and built around the idea that you should be involved in cooking and eating rather than just waiting for plates to land in front of you.

We went for the wagyu set, which is really the core of what Nikuland does. The wagyu hamburger arrives sizzling and lets you control the cook yourself. It is rich, juicy and deeply beefy, with that unmistakable wagyu sweetness. Cooking it at your own pace is part of the fun. Alongside it is the wagyu M9+ steak, which is tender, juicy and indulgent

The set comes with miso soup, rice and a simple side salad, plus pickled cucumber and pickled onions. These supporting players matter more than you expect. The pickles cut through the richness of the beef beautifully, and the rice and soup help reset your palate between bites.

We also ordered the omurice with fried chicken. This is comfort food done properly. The omelette is soft and fluffy, the rice underneath is well seasoned, and the fried chicken adds crunch and indulgence. It is not trying to be fancy, it is just satisfying.

On the drinks front, we went with two mocktails, which were thoughtfully made rather than an afterthought. They paired nicely with the food and felt considered, not sugary or flat.

The surprise favourite of the night was the ume honey cherry tomatoes. Sweet, tangy and completely moreish, they cut through everything else on the table and kept pulling me back for another bite. Of all the dishes we tried, this was the one I kept thinking about afterwards.

Dessert was the yuzu panna cotta with mixed berry cobbler. Ryan really enjoyed that one.

Nikuland is casual, interactive and fun. It is not fine dining and it is not trying to be. If you like wagyu, hands-on eating and a lively CBD atmosphere, this is an easy recommendation and a solid option for a relaxed but satisfying meal. Give it a try next time you are in the city.