Izakaya Den is such a beautiful and hidden spot in Melbourne City. The atmosphere when the place is full, with the dim lighting, and incredible food is marvellous! I had such a great meal whilst visiting, and can't wait to come back! Thank you also to the incredible service team for providing vegetarian alternatives to course meals!
I came here with my son to celebrate his birthday. The service was impeccable and the food was amazing. Every mouthful was a treat. I particularly recommend the scallops and the salmon sushimi. The waitress was really helpful giving us advice about sake, even giving us a taste of a couple of types so that we could choose exactly what we wanted. I really enjoyed my time at this restaurant.
I came to find izakaya den on my friend's birthday and was suitably perplexed. Walk down the staircase to the clothing store but turn into your first left!!
Ordered:
đ´Uemashita ($80 pp)
Review:
We got to try so many amazing little dishes! Every thing had flavour, and they were all edible and easy to enjoy. My top 3 favorites was the spicy tuna tataki, the grilled scallops and the pork belly. These all aligned with my personal preferences, and made my tastebuds dance!
The service was friendly, and booking is a must. Atmosphere is very moody, no natural light and there's quite a few suits after work. We spent roughly 1.5 hrs here, and it we a great time to catch up... albeit a little noisy since you're close to the other tables.
Great food and cocktails were yum. The salmon sashimi was very tasty, all the dishes were great! So much to choose from that sounded good, canât wait to go again to try some of the other dishes!
Had the most delicious selection of food here and the beef tataki melts in your mouth. Wanting to come back!
The food has really good Japanese food. Surprisingly large serves. The presentation of the food is much simpler than most Japanese I have eaten.
The restaurant is tick boxes on a paper menu to place the order, a bit silly since the waiter then confirms the order.
One negative, I really didnt like greasy plastic cups for drinking water.
Went here to celebrate my friendâs birthday. We ordered the $80 pp set menu which left us really really full and satisfied! Might have been a little too much for us! However, if itâs youâre first time here and would like to try most of the dishes, the $80 pp set menu might be a good option too.
The best dishes overall from the set menu and a must order if youâre not doing the set are;
- Spicy tuna tataki
-Sweet corn âkaki-ageâ
-Yuzu kosho miso daikon
-Den fried chicken
-Baked barramundi filet
-Grilled beef of the day
Will definitely come back on a special occasion. The bar table would be a good option as you get to see your dishes get prepared. Service was amazing, staffs were attentive and polite.
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
Hidden away from the general public in the basement of a building lies Izayaka Den, an elusive and cosy restaurant that can easily be missed with itâs subtle sign on the outside and the long black curtains that hide the sliding doors.
Reflective of its very chic and cool name, Izayaka Den, as Japanese as it gets, there are no irasshaimase when you walk in. Instead youâre greeted with a long basement interior with a bar and the kitchen close at hand. The restaurant resembles a typical Japanese izakaya, which is translated to a Japanese-style pub with drinks and food. The staff greet you over blaring house music by getting you to your stool with a tray of oshibori towels and two rolled up menus, one with food and one with drinks. The service is impeccable, totally Japanese and totally worth the hype to visit.
Depending on where youâre seated, if youâre lucky to miss the peak hour and be seated opposite of the kitchen, you get to see your food be cooked in front of you by young bandana wearing chefs. The best part of the visit is that the prices are extremely reasonable with filling, but not overwhelming menu options. Izayaka Den has two menus: a menu in hand and a changing menu that flashes in the back over a projector in a collectedly cool atmosphere that have first comers ooh-ing and aah-ing with delight.
Drinks comes in all varieties in a classic Japanese style, from sake, shochu, umeshu to even freshly pressed juices, and the menu is irresistible with itâs broad range of steamed figs to sea trout to even black fried rice and ox tongue (yes you read right). The restaurant holds a sophisticated yet carefree air about it that is both classic Japanese with a modern twist that reflects the Melbourne city life.
Even down to the dessert thatâs both sweet and yet still so modest, thereâs something for everyone and anyone of all interests to enjoy. The green tea and white chocolate fondue with small squared cake pieces and frozen grapes adds the finishing touch that combines both Japanese and Melbourne cuisine into one that makes it delicious, but not cloying.
It gets busy, so book first!
Had lunch here the other day, nice vibe, very nice lunch set menu, the price was decent, great food, different drinks can choose from, service was nice, would definitely visit again .
The spicy tuna tataki was my favourite and you'll know for sure its made with the freshest ingredients.Definitely worth the wait
Ordered the Uemashita set and everything tasted amazing! Great value and portion was perfect!
Went here for our anniversary dinner. Izakaya Den is a cozy yet classy underground restaurant that boasts the best of Japanese inspired flavours. We ordered the $80pp set menu, which leaves you satisfied. The quality of their sashimi is lovely; comparable to that in Japan. Overall, everything was delicious but not out of the ordinary. The dish of the night was the urobuta pork belly - melt in your mouth perfection.
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