Was spoilt with a visit to Ishizuka for my birthday and I, lover of all things Japanese, had actually never heard of this elegant 2-hatted restaurant tucked away in the basement of an apartment block.
The whole evening was set out in such a lovely refined way. I won’t spoil the actual 10 course menu, which is based on seasonal ingredients from Australia, New Zealand and surrounding regions, but it was crafted perfectly from entree to dessert. So thought out. Each dish had at least 6 separate elements to it. So much precision and delicacy needed, and it was a pleasure to sit and watch the chefs at work.
A relaxing atmosphere and not too pretentious, which you will sometimes find with fine dining venues. Just good well executed dishes and staff who are genuinely passionate about their food.
Would definitely come back to try its changing menu!
Took my partner here for his birthday. Let’s just say he absolutely loved it. The food, staff and environment were amazing!
From start to finish this was an experience to savor...the restaurant is nested in a basement and once you enter, you experience a wonderful journey in time to Japan. You follow a set menu and are taken from seafood to wagyu beef and then to amazing desserts. Service is fantastic, everyone is so knowledgeable...the seating allows you to watch all the chefs from any location, feeling intimate and comfortable. Simply brilliant.
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Hidden away in the CBD basement, this exotic place offers one of the best kaiseki fine dining experience you can ever get in Melbourne.
I had been to many fine dining ranging from 1 to 3 hat and this 2hatted restaurant sure to deliver its best. From food to drink, their attention to details is to the max.
I will not dare to spoil you by describing the dishes, but I can assure you that food wise, there is nothing to fault. The chef's skills are top notch. Where 80% of the time you will find that the chefs in most Japanese restaurants do not know how to use their Yanagi well, it is not the case of the chefs here, they had bring the best out of their ingredients.
Fresh and masterfully crafted even for something as basic as chawanmushi to something extraordinary as fugu, not to mention the A5 wagyu and toro (which compared to the one I had in Japan fish market, isn't far off). I would definitely recommend anyone or everyone to try this place out for an amazing culinary experience. The rest is up to you to taste and decide.
I had dined in Japan for many occasions, this place does Justice to its origin.
Food - 5*
Service - 4.7*
Ambience - 4.8*
Amazing food, equally amazing service and experience.
Very good ambience, loved the setting and the space given (Kisume’s chef table in comparison was much more squished). I loved most of the food, except the zensai which was not that much of a standout. Was pretty cool to watch the chef trim the toro as I had not seen that done before (only slicing prior to this haha). The dessert was well executed and was also treated a daifu for my “birthday”. I will be coming back when the menu changes.
There’s nothing to not love or be impressed by at Ishizuka. From the amusing treasure hunt for us to find the “secret” and secure entrance to the basement, to the impeccable and friendly service both by the wait staff and chefs to the intimate decor and setting and last but definitely not least, the beautifully crafted and thoughtfully presented fresh ingredients and delicious dishes. What a delightful culinary experience indeed!
Possibly the best Japanese in Melbourne but overpriced. Food was great nonetheless
Possibly the best Japanese fine diner I’ve been to in Melbourne. Each course was delicious and beautifully presented. The service was prompt without being overbearing. Toro was irresistibly soft and melt in your mouth.
Took my good friends here to celebrate them getting married and was not disappointed. The food and the story behind each dish was amazing. The service was professional and the atmosphere was relaxing but fun.
Amazing place to experience Kaiseki - Japanese multi-courses dinner. It’s hidden in the underground, took us a while to find. But have to say, it’s a great experience, which is even better than the one had in Kyoto.
The highlight is the Teriyaki Barramundi and Toro Nigiri. Love the fish a lot, as it comes with rich flavors and adding bit of crunches from the nuts. And I love the plate a lot! Was even joking whether can buy them from the Ishizhka ☺️ and Toro Nigiri is just that right piece of tuna belly, which melt in your mouth. Both me and my husband had an extra piece.
Highly recommend.
I came here for my birthday and boy was I blown away. The interior of the restaurant was absolutely stunning. The staff were amazing and attentive throughout the evening. It was an 11 course meal and I loved every single dish! I could not fault anything.
If I had to pick a few stand out dishes, it would have to be the toro nigiri (because I could eat 1000s of toro nigiri's and never get sick of them), scampi bonito soup and a perfectly cooked Hida A5 wagyu! We got to pick a special type of salt to pair the wagyu, which accompanied it very well.
I loved how we got to watch all the food get prepared right before our eyes and how much detail they put in into every dish.
Highly recommended if you love Japanese food and want to be blown away.
Hidden from plain sight lies Ishizuka, a fine dining Japanese restaurant offering a Kaiseki experience. Kaiseki is a traditional multi course dinner, though in modern day, Kaiseki is an art form that combines taste, texture and appearance.
Once we found the underground restaurant, we were greeted by the host and taken to the chefs table. The restaurant only seats about 12-15 people so it is an intimate experience.
We watched as the chefs prepared our food and were given a quick run down of kaiseki history and our dinner journey for the evening. Our welcome drink was a strong Japanese tea which also acts as a palate cleanser.
Our night unfolded from there. Every single dish was beautifully presented with high craftsmanship and detail. Every bite was a new experience and taste rollercoaster. So much depth in flavour for Japanese food which is normally simple and fresh.
Service overall was exceptional and waiters were friendly and talkative without imposing. An unforgettable experience!
Amazing restaurant. We dined here in Feb 2019z Didn’t have high expectations but we were blown away by the end of the night. Perfectly attentive service, beautifully presented food that melts and explodes in your mouth in a minimalistic but ambient setting. Overall an exquisite dining experience. Money well-spent.
Celebrated a very special anniversary and it was a once in a lifetime fine dining experience. The Kaiseki menu changes every few weeks and is very elaborately planned. The presentation, handling and the skills behind the dishes were just spectacular. The courses were all consistently amazing taste and texture wise, and we loved the artistry behind it. The team at Ishi were also super accommodating and tended to our dietary requirements and the occasion itself.
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Rather a late review, however cannot fault my first kaiseki experience at Ishizuka.
My boyfriend and I decided to dine at Ishizuka for our 2 year anniversary, as we’ve heard many great reviews from our friends and honestly it was worth every dollar.
Their menu is seasonal therefore they change or make some tweaks to their dishes. We dined last year in July so I would assume that their dishes now are somewhat different. The kaiseki consisted of 12 dishes all together, but the highlight of my night was definitely the Sunomono which was the geoduck, scampi, persimmon, yuzu meringue (first pic) and the Oshinogi which was the toro sushi. The toro was soooo unbelievably fresh that as soon as it hits your mouth, it just melts. They also welcome you to have seconds of the toro sushi and we definitely could not reject the offer. Overall, every single dish was unique and each had a distinct flavour that was memorable. (Even until today I remember the flavours from the oshinogi dish)
I could not fault anything about the service from the night, the waiter was always consistently topping up my water and the chef describes each dish and provides background info about the ingredients used.
Overall, an amazing experience and wouldn’t mind coming again!
Such a hidden gem, we had a great night here. Staff are friendly and attentive. The menu offers a nice mixture of seafood, vegetable and beef with just the right portion. Presentation is a highlight. The ingredients are of high quality and freshness.
Very impressed by the Hida A5 Wagyu and the Toro Nigiri.
Price 235pp for the set menu and options for having pairing wines or sake for extra. Very good value And experience. Every dollar well spent here.
Will definite come back to try different daily menu.
Hidden in the basement of an apartment, you won’t expect there’s a Japanese restaurant there. Ishizuka is a kaiseki restaurant that changes menu every three months. The menu consists of 11 course: sakizuke, zensai, sakisui, otsukuri, yakimono, nimono, daimono, sunomono, oshinogi, mizugashi, kanmi. The ingredients they used all tasted very fresh and high quality. All dishes were very well-prepared, in the taste, as well as the presentation. The dishes complement each other very well, and were well-balanced. Nothing was too overpowering. Surprisingly, the sashimi was the least special. The highlights were the zensai, nimono, and kanmi. They charge a quite high price tag at $235 pp. But their quality of ingredients really stood out on the dishes. Definitely worth the price, would come back for another menu.
The best Japanese Restaurant in Melbourne! All of the dishes are nicely decorated and delicious. I love it so much. I will visit again for sue.
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Who would have thought? Buried in the basement of a non descriptive apartment megaplex is one of the finest of fine dining restaurants in Melbourne. Getting in is the hard part, you have to get buzzed in. Once you make it, you surely deserve the food that is to follow.
The menu changes from day to day, but is a chefs menu. The only choice we got to make was whether we wanted an extra piece of Toro tuna, and the drinks.
At this price point you are expecting perfection; combined with the Japanese reputation for service they’re really hit the mark. Of course you’re paying for the experience and theatre and you certainly did get that!
The food was stunning. Every course was a piece of art. There was just the right amount, and nothing was too heavy and they didn’t fill it out with carbs. Every course was well thought out, a great balance of flavours and textures. Just the right amount of theatre and fancy techniques. For example, the fish with caviar did a great job of not overwhelming the caviar.
The highlights were hard to pick, but it’s been a long time since I’ve had beef close to what I got in Japan 20 years ago; literally melt in your mouth 4 pieces is enough perfection. You got that here! The toro tuna; again another show piece of the finest tuna available on earth.
The matched wines were very well chosen, but as always my advise is to split one between two else you’ve had too much to enjoy the food!
Definitely a once (or maybe two or three times) in a lifetime experience for a special occasion. Perfect!
Mind blowing food! One of the best meal I've had! Excellent food, service, and food. Very reasonable wine mark-up. The wagyu and the toro sushi was good as well. All the food was prepared in front of us and it was true craftsmanship to watch each intricate detail. I would highly recommend this place!
This recent amazing Kaiseki experience is one worth noting,
The entrance is greeted by an gigantic floor to ceiling lantern, lit up by the reflections of roughly sawn concrete columns, complimented by the backdrop of natural Marble inspired by the looks of Fuji mountains.
Seating for only a handful, the service was impeccable, each course was served delicately, quietly, and un-interrupted, and of course gentle it needs, my soup was served by a collectors bowl nearly 100 years old, wow, mind blow!
The complexity of each dish is incredible, the simplest vegetables will explode with summer flavors, while, the finger lime and vinegar jelly compliments the subtle ocean sweets of spanner crab, sushi and beef air freighted from Tokyo, Superb, please experience for you self!
Mind-blowing food. There's nothing I could add that hasn't already been said. Our favourites were the Blackmore 9+ wagyu cooked to perfection and the Toro sushi, which we had a sinful second helping of. The non-alcoholic pairing was superb as well. In comparison with the other greats like Kisume or Minamishima, Ishizuka definitely comes out on top in terms of food - that is not to say the former two aren't superb in their own ways.
My only gripe was the environment riddled with tiny summer flies. It didn't seem to bother anyone else but I got real sick of seeing them floating around in my drink and landing on my food. Half the meal was spent swatting them away. A little pest control would have really improved the experience.
One of the best meals I’ve had in Australia. Excellent food, service and venue. Very reasonable wine mark-up. Have struggled to find authentic Japanese food for a while until now. Highly recommend.
Wish I could give Ishizuka more than 5 🌟’s to really depict how phenomenal my experience was.
The restaurant is literally in a basement with no real signage from the outside. You walk in, and are immediately enchanted by the decor and fit out of what could’ve been someone’s car park lot or storage.
It’s an 11 course meal, but all in calculated portion sizes so you are full for your monies worth, but not heavily in a food coma when you walk out.
The stand out dish was definitely both the desserts, the Wagyu, and the toro sushi. All the food was prepared in front of us and it was true craftsmanship to watch each intricate detail.
I would highly recommend this place for avid Japanese cuisine lovers.
A beautifully hidden Japanese fine dining restaurant. We had the degustation, and each course was delicious and amazingly presented. The only negative is that on the night we went, there were fruit flies everywhere. It was very distracting and made me feel itchy and uncomfortable. For the price we paid, we didn't think there would be flies all around our food.
Definitely my current favourite.
Amazing service and experience. I’ve been twice within 6 weeks and the second time nothing was the same. Everything was spectacular.
Felt like genuine Japanese experience. Going to Japan March so the bar is set high.
This is a special place as it is well hidden in the basement. All diners sit around the cooking counter. When we dined we had the 11 courses kaiseki menu. It was fun to see the food prepared in front of you with so much care. To ensure privacy between diners, the waiting staff kinda whispered to you when you ordered drinks. Service was not as sleek as one expected with a high end restaurant as we had to ask twice to get recommendations for sake. Overall delicious delicious food.
Intimate dining experience. Expected flavours from a kaiseki menu. If I have to be very critical, their portion control could have been better, a same dish might vary a lot in amount and presentation for my friend and I. For kaiseki I think it was somewhat unacceptable. It was extremely hard to hear from the sommelier or the wait staff as every time they spoke we need to turn our heads because of the bar seats.
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Came here in May and tasted the autumn menu. Omg I was in heaven every single dish was outstanding. The toro was the freshest I’ve ever had, one piece wasn’t enough!!! Thankfully they allowed us to order more deviating from the set menu. I would go back to relive this experience all over again. Amazing. You won’t be disappointed
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4.8- Purely taking in consideration the price
I’ve had this place bookmarked as soon as it opened and finally made a booking and thank god I did . Situated underground I did not know what to expect, but walking in it was beautiful, the only seats are lined around the kitchen so you can watch the experienced chefs prepare the food right in front of you .
First course : We were presented with an avocado tofu with crystal bay prawns topped with caviar and wasabi sauce, for someone that detests wasabi the sauce was actually quite nice. The prawns were cooked to perfection and the avocado tofu was nice and creamy ( very subtle avo taste)
Second course : Winter delicacies – this was an assortment of snacks, every bite was enjoyable but my favourite was probably the duck slices, the sweet savoury mochi and also this terrine like snack
Third Course- Scallop Shinji, scampi in bonito broth, the broth was as clear as water and had a strong umami flavour , the scampi was perfectly cooked and so tender too .
Fourth course- Sashimi of tuna, garfish and flathead- amazing knife skills and fresh seafood. My favourite was the flat head
Fifth Course- Grilled miso black cod , the fish flaked off as soon as I touched it, the white miso added a very nice sweetness to the fish
Sixth Course- Kaburamushi with snapper , this steamed turnips was something I have never tried before but unfortunately the texture was not to my liking, the snapper was cooked nicely but this dish was probably my least favourite
Seventh Course- Grilled Mayura Wagyu- the highest marbling that you can get in Australia, the meat was treated with respect and melted in the mouth
Eighth Course- Chawanmushi with prawns and fresh seaweed – one of my favourite Japanese dishes and very hard to get right. The egg custard was silky and delicate
Ninth Course- Toro sushi- this was so good I ordered another piece , the tuna belly was fatty and it brought me back to Japan
Tenth Course- Udon with Sesame and truffle, the udon was creamy and mixed with the truffle and sesame it tasted very rich and luxe
Eleventh Course – Winter Fruits- very pretty but I could probably make this myself as it was just cut up fruit
Last Course- Cheesecake with cumquat, this was similar to a brulee texture wise but nevertheless a great end to a fantastic dining experience
The level of skill and precision needed for each dish was definitely high and we enjoyed everything thoroughly, well worth the splurge
I absolutely love this place!
Tho it was tricky to find, but I enjoyed the journey.
The whole experience was amazing, we had a set menu with matching alcohol. Everything was delicious and the matching wine was perfect!
Definitely will be back there again.
We went here back in June and absolutely loved it. It was just such a great dining experience. Service was fantastic and the food was second to none. The fish was some or the freshest I’ve ever tasted in Melbourne. Everything was served to the highest standard. I highly recommend a visit here - great place for a romantic date night!
The environment and service are very nice for anniversary！Enjoy！But food is not top as the price！by the way, this restaurant only provides set menu.
Well well well, finally had a chance to try this best Japanese cuisine. It is really really worth the money and can not give a fault of each dish. So fresh, so tasty, well prepared. Will go back to try other menus from other seasons.
From food selection, food quality, preparation to presentation, it ticks all my boxes. The autumn theme can be experienced on every small dish. Very well thought through by the team. The service is also spot on and the quiet but cosy ambience compliment well to the dining experience. It is certainly recommended to anyone who wants to experience kaiseki ryōri.
Loved everything about Ishizuka, the beautiful room, the quietness not often found, the lovely staff and the food- just wow! It was a beautiful journey that we throughly enjoyed and we will return again soon.
What an amazing dining experience! Thank-you to Tomotaka Ishizuka for introducing Kaiseki to Melbourne. I've never had this style before, but felt like I had been transported to Japan for the duration of the meal. The design of the room is quite intimate and allows the few diners to view the food preparation which enhances the experience. The sake and non-alcoholic matches were generally very good. The 12 courses themselves were all amazing, though my personal favourites were the toro sushi and wagyu. The $215 meal was definitely worth it's price-tag for me, and somewhere I would definitely go back for a special occasion. Highly, highly recommended.
PS. can be a little hard to find...go down the alley until you get to the locked entrance on your left and press B01 into the intercom. When you enter, turn immediately left to the lifts and down to the basement!
Amazing kaiseiki, I visited when they just opened up. It took quite a while to find them but I followed the directions from their website and it was fairly simple. Once inside, it looked very cosy and well thought out. I think there were maybe 10-15 seats at the chef’s table. I was dining solo and ended up making friends with this lady who there alone too. Everyone who was dining at the same time were very friendly and we were all chatting. The food quality is as good as you can find in japan, the attention to detail and service was impeccable. I’d have to come back and try it again as they change it seasonally.
Had an incredible experience at Ishizuka last night. This is a truly special restaurant. The food was perfection, as were the wine & sake matches. The restaurant itself was beautifully put together and the staff all very tolerant of my incessant picture taking.
Every dish was a work of art, hence all the photos.
I'd go back in a heartbeat.
My boyfriend took me here as a surprise for my birthday and I was blown away! From the fresh ingredients to the authentic flavours, every dish had been curated perfectly and I thoroughly enjoyed the course from start to finish.
To top it off, service was excellent and the chefs were very attentive to all customers. The restaurant had a nice atmosphere and the interior was absolutely amazing. To summarise my experience, you certainly get what you pay for here and everything we received was quality. Jason Kan
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It was a restaurant I didn't intend to dine at but my sister who is a bit of a Japanese food snob exclaimed it is the best Japanese in Melbourne. From one food snob to another, this piqued my interest. Finding the place itself is a bit of an adventure, you'd never guess a restaurant would be hiding in the basement of an apartment.
We were first to arrive at their earlier session at 6:00pm (second session 8:30pm is the more popular time), the space is just exquisite with all 16-seats facing the chefs/kitchen. A total of 7 diners for the first session, all the better because we got to interact more with the chefs. Service was very attentive, the chefs would pace themselves to serve you in intervals and would even delay a course if someone was to go to the restrooms. We were being served before the other diners but they soon overtook us because we took more breaks.
I was overwhelmed by their drinks menu, I wanted a drink of this and that but my alcohol tolerance ain't what it used to be. My friend enjoyed his wine matching and the sommelier(s) were very knowledgeable explaining how each wine paired with each dish. I on the other hand got a couple of cocktails, one based off a Japanese whiskey and the other off yuzu, strong and sweet respectively.
They serve up Kaiseki, a multi-course meal stemming from Kyoto and other niche regions in Japan. Most notably you'd sometimes get served Kaiseki at a ryokan but hey we're in Melbourne, it's served in a luxurious basement! The chef would happily chat to you about Kaiseki and how it has influenced the progression of dishes to come. Their menu changes with season to serve up dishes at the peak of each ingredient, but judging from other season's photos some dishes are retained perhaps due to popularity or the ingredient's versatility.
First up was abalone tofu, abalone and caviar. This small starter really got me hyped up, I love abalone and this dish just encapsulates it's very essence. The tofu itself was silky smooth and the reduction had punchy flavours of abalone.
Their Autumn delicacies was an arrangement of little morsels, that of which we watched them arrange on the plate meticulously. A couple pickles, a mini unagi (or anago) nigiri and a baby abalone (they know my weakness!), all to get the juices flowing.
The next dish was a soup (one of three), a core dish in Kaiseki. It was a bonito based broth which was nice and soothing. I wolfed down the snow crab so fast I don't remember tasting it!
An assortment of sashimi came next, tuna, garfish and live bug. The highlight for me was the bug, it was fresh, slimy and sweet.
Next was Hokkaido scallops and black cod sitting in in a hallowed out persimmon (I think). Can't believe how sweet and meaty the scallops were and the cod which was beautifully cooked. The melted cheese paired well as it usually does with various grilled seafood.
We're onto broth #2, a nice firm duck breast with assorted vegetables. A nice thick savoury broth, it was pretty concentrated so I took small sips at a time, very hearty.
You can see the chefs cooking up a nice fatty wagyu steak which we are told is full-blood Mayura wagyu beef from South Australia with a marbling score of 9+. The first moment we took a bite just about everyone was making indecent noises. Chef looks over and I acknowledged with an "oishii!!!". He knew what was up. The fat just coats your mouth, full of flavour it's gaurenteed to make your eyes roll back. I must have been so distracted that I didn't try the ice leaf, oops. Try the ice leaf people, it's not a decoration!
Continuing on we were served with a small portion of scampi, torigai (Japanese cockle) with yuzu meringue. Sweet and fresh. It's obvious they don't skimp on the quality of seafood here, a lot of which had to be imported from Tsukiji market.
The chef whips out a large slab of o-toro, we know exactly what's to come. He starts preparing the ginger with his Japanese knife which is a spectacle of its own. With a cleanse of the palate I pop the o-toro into my mouth. It was like having butter in your mouth and it was somehow disappearing dispite not even chewing on it. I was in a bit of a daze, another nigiri was offered for $12, no one in their right mind could say no. After the second one we decided to call it quits before we burn a hole into our wallet and the fat hits our waistline.
Third broth consisted of a rice ball sitting in broth topped with salty bonito and truffle. We were asked to mix the ingredients together, loved it. Salty, crisp from the crackers, couldn't taste the truffle however as it was consumed with more potent flavours. Another hearty broth.
Something light to wind us down were an arrangement of fruits. Didn't quite catch the name of the Japanese green fruit but it was a first for me and I really enjoyed it.
Before dessert we sip on some matcha tea, bitter and very strong. The chef says he wants to pay homage to Kaiseki as it is tied in with a tea ceremony.
The dessert looked simple but it was amazing, I do love asian desserts as their are not overly sweet. The chrysanthemum jelly was slightly florally and pleasant. The espresso creme caramel was so smooth and addictive I just kept going back for more.
Everything was perfect. All the dishes were delicious with balanced flavours coupled with some insanely naughty bites. Service again had been great and the chefs looked the part and played the part, very friendly and you're given one of the best seats out there to watch it all unfold. I'll definitely be back one day.
I would say the food is ok, the price is a bit high but the environment and services are nice. Worth a try if you like Japanese food, but maybe only worth once.
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Heard about Ishizuka by word of mouth - it was highly recommended and we were not disappointed. As other reviewers have noted, it's not easy to find. At the building entrance you need to key in the location B01 on the keypad and then ring the bell. It was promptly answered and the door opened for us. By the time we reached the basement via the elevator, one of the staff was holding the restaurant door open for us. All the staff were very friendly and throughout the evening provided excellent service and detailed explanations of the food and the wine. Dining is restricted to 16 guests at any one time. We had booked for 8.30 pm and arrived at 8.20 and were immediately ushered to our seats at the dining bench. The restaurant is decorated in a very simple style but very roomy, modern and clean - the same applies to the toilets. The 12 courses of food were uniformly of an excellent quality - lovely flavours and texture. We chose the wine pairing which was equally excellent and we had very enjoyable and interesting discussions with the sommelier about each wine. My only criticism is that the amount of wine is a little too generous - I think we drank the equivalent of about 4-5 glasses of wine during the evening - thank goodness for public transport! It was our wedding anniversary and the restaurant threw in an additional small glass of plum wine to finish our celebration. The dish I enjoyed most was the black cod but really, everything was amazing. It's not cheap but the combination of food, service and ambience will have us returning for another special occasion.
The location is a bit hard to find. Need to press the door bell to let them open the door. We were 15 mins early than the time we booked so been told to wait outside until they set the table. Menu just changed to autumn one. From flavor to presentation both quite good, but i cant say its amazingly impressed me. Its a little over priced of what you get. Overall its not a bad experience, and worth to try. And also the ambiance and service are outstanding.
Overall, restaurant atmosphere was nice with a beautiful decoration! Except the small street to enter to the restaurant was dirty and smelly rubbish. Building and lift were still under construction. That’s why I gave 4.5 stars here. Restaurant is located at the basement of the residences in Melbourne city. Most dishes were over average and were delicious, staff were very polite and had a very good customer services! Restaurant atmosphere and Toilet were clean. Everyone had to sit in front of the chef table to watch the chef cooking. Price of food was very expensive! I highly recommend to book this restaurant in advance.
Very tricky and hidden place to find.
Loved the minimalist interior!
Service: 4/5
Food:3/5
Ambiance: 4/5
Personally for the price... I think there could be more improvements on the variety and choice of food served to customers.
The flavouring was excellent and the wine pairing was great. But I am not sure I can rate this restaurant anything special. I understand that this is a new business for the head chef and I do wish to see further improvements in the coming year.
Would I recommend for family and friends? Maybe
Would I visit Ishizuka again? Perhaps when the restaurant becomes more mature. I would love to give it a try again.
Would have rated this as 4.5* Everything was excellent - food, service and environment. Wagyu was superb, even better than the David Blackmore at Heston Crown. Wine pairing and attention to detail in each course was sublime. Otoro sushi was melt-in-your -mouth delicious. Duck didn't work for us texturally - tender but. perhaps am acquired taste for those used to a more French style of preparation. Venue unusual and interesting and elegantly atmospheric
Style was Kaiseki Kaga so very fortunate to have this available in Melbourne. Interesting to watch the chefs at work (knife skills!) and traditional techniques. Very fine dining in an intimate venue.
amazing fine Japanese dining. Very traditional. Every single dish is awesome! Perfect sashimi, so fresh and good. Best in melbourne. Highly recommended.
Beef and toro sushi is my favourite
My first kaiseki experience
Really enjoy every thing
I will bring my parents here when they visit Melbourne next time
Wow. What a lovely experience. The best ingredients perfectly cooked with delicacy and restraint and presented like works of art. Wonderful staff. A truly beautiful room. Our evening felt like being in a small theatre watching artists of the highest calibre at work. We couldn’t decide on a favourite dish, but the wagyu beef was certainly the best beef I’ve ever had. A huge thank you. We will be back.
Everything is excellent standards, 12 courses are impressive, Toro tastes similar with I tried before at Usuki Fugu Yamadaya. The only bad thing is the three people bullshit talking beside at all night, broke the quit atmosphere.
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Thank you chef Ishizuka for bringing us to such an amazing food adventure! When we entered the wooden door, it felt as if we entered into another dimension. The decoration from the origami to the "lantern-like" bubble pre-dining seating space, and the interesting texture on the walls, you'd not remember you are in the basement of an apartment building. Chef Ishizuka and his team were extremely inviting and the attention to detail to their service were just at another level of excellence. During the serving of the seasonal delicacy, because one of our cups were on the food mat, some of the components of this dish changed position ever so slightly and chef Ishizuka immediately reorganized on another plate prior to serving. The food was just simply outstanding with an amount of attention to detail that I can barely imagine. For example, for the Sakisui (soup) dish, ingredients appeared so simple yet the soup was bursting with flavors and it didn't just feel like a soup but the edible ingredients were also so delicious. Another example is the Otsukuri (White fish Kobujime) and Sunomono dishes (Abalone&spanner crab) that I did not see many people commented but I felt needed more attention. For the white fish dish, every single ingredient had a purpose like the yellow drizzles on the snapper sashimi took 3 days to make as described by the server. For the Abalone/spanner crab dish, there were jellies made from vinegar to complement the spanner crab flavors as well as the abalone liver made into paste to complement the abalone slices. Not to mention, chef Ishizuka fully demonstrated his mastery skills when he made the Otoro sushi from cutting the tuna belly to holding the rice and putting the nigiri altogether. The Kuzu Nankin dessert is probably one of the most interesting dessert we've ever had with the sugar water complementing the pumpkin-derived skin wrapping strawberries and redbean. We've never thought strawberry and redbean taste so good together. You can see the passion in his eyes on every single dish he puts out. Thank you again chef Ishizuka for bringing such a wonderful dining experience to our lives and we will be sure to visit again! Simon & Sophie
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Ishizuka is a must. Simple. The best Kaiseki experience I've had.
Heading into the basement of an inter-city residential building, much like many experiences in Japan, we are greeted professionally to Ishizuka and start with some cocktails. The cocktails were sublimes, many hinted with summer fruits such yuzu, peaches, cherries, nothing sickly, just enough to give a freshness to the palate.
Then started the twelve courses. First an edamame tofu with scampi and caviar, nothing overpowering, but enough to get the palate started. Next was a mind-blowingly presented entree platter, with seven bite sized morsels, all delicious. The a light broth, not overpowered, with a seafood focus, and crazily textured local Japanese greens. After this, we moved into a sushimi plate, with some lovely spices Japanese mustard and wasabi.
Now we moved onto the big boys, the dishes that really started to get us closing our eyes and savouring the flavours of umami. An amazing Cod that had me losing my mind. Don't eat the walnut on the side until you've finished your fish. Then followed by one of the best dishes of the night, a traditional soup based on the season, a fatty duck consomme, with the Japanese style vegetables. The broth was more like a delicious gravy, packed with umami.
Now a simple and flavour packed 9+ Wagyu. Locally sourced pure-bred, served traditionally with a light ponzo, and salt/wasabi to add as you see fit. Some of the best Wagyu going around in Australia, great level of marbling and cook perfectly. The hits just kepted coming, we moved to a spanner crab/abalone dish. Sweet Jesus. The spanner crab poached in front of you, a bonito jelly, the abalone, so many elements going on in this dish, and it was absolutely perfect. I closed me eyes eating it.
Next up. I've eaten at Jiro Sushi in Tokyo, and this sushi piece had me remembering that night. A decadent fatty tuna, that melts in your mouth. Bonus seconds were offered, we did not hesitate. Then a green tea soba with quail egg and black truffle, so good. Home straight, some simple fruit followed by a traditional desert.
All in all, this was brilliant, and a great experience. I'd expect it getting three hats as soon as it's eligible.
Finding Ishizuka was abit of an adventure. We had to walk through an alley that smelled of rubbish and get access to the basement. The restaurant was beautiful and service was excellent. The food was nice but more traditional. The experience was somewhat hit and miss. I thoroughly enjoyed the black cod and wagyu beef dish. Unfortunately, the soups were a little bland for me as I prefer more robust flavour profiles. I specifially did not enjoy the duck stew as the components didn't go well together. The traditional Japanese dessert was delicious though. Sake options were also excellent.
And yet another 5 Star review, and with good reason. Just an extraordinary restaurant, from the clarity and quality of ingredients with each course, to the efficient and warm service, the elegant surrounds and stunning service ware. Get in while you can. Once word gets out, finding a seat will not be easy.
Amazing atmosphere with amazing food and absolutely amazing service as you would expect from the world's most beautiful people (the Japanese). This place is amazing - you must try it!
I recently came back from Japan and after trying all their restaurants in the ‘world100 best restaurants’ list, I got to say Ishizuka is definitely on par with them!! Loveeeeee this place. The interior is beautiful. The service was amazing. I loved all the dishes especially the toro nigiri (had to get seconds). That one piece was better than than all the fish that the oh so famous Jiro served us in Japan. I loved the black cod as well, it was flaky and caramelised beautifully. The wagyu was sooooooo delicious, melt in your mouth.
Coming to this restaurant felt like a trip down memory lane. Like many restaurants in Japan, this is also a hidden wonder! You have to go down a tiny alley to reach what looks like an apartment building. Don't panic, the address on the window says exactly where you need to be! Ring the basement to get invited into the restaurant.
10/10 one of the best Japanese restaurants in Melbourne I have been to!
With each bite came a flavoursome shock to your taste buds. The dishes came out at a good pace, the staff were all friendly and enjoyed a good laugh, the atmosphere was intimate and inviting.
What an AMAZING experience! Was lucky enough to book a time my partner and I wanted after seeing it was booked out. Was a wonderful treat for the both of us.
It was little tricky for us to find, hidden away down into the basement, which made it feel a little extra special instead of having the place seen in the streets. Calming place and made me feel like I was in Japan!
The food itself is something else. Watching the chefs carefully master each dish in front of you with precision was heart warming. Each dish has its own unique flavour with the freshest ingredients on the day - something like I never had before. Was asked by the chef which was my favourite dish and I honestly couldn’t choose!
Amazing! Ishizuka has a special place in my heart.
Unbelievably delicious. We had to rush to the restaurant because we were running a little late but instantly felt relaxed after walking in because of the wonderful atmosphere! The cocktails were really nice. We had the summer peach and the yuzu. The food was amazing well presented. Toro and the cod marinated in miso was definitely the highlight for me. Also, the service was like the cherry on top, 11/10
I want to give this place 10 stars. Probably the best meals I've ever had. A little clinical in terms of atmosphere but we quickly relaxed after a glass of wine and enjoyed the exquisite kaiseki dinner. Take a full wallet with you and enjoy!
Simply extraordinary. Traditional Japanese style in an amazing space. A beautiful experience from the moment you walk in - impressive in every way. Service, decor and some absolutely wonderful food. The finest details are covered.
Celebrated our one year at Ishizuka. Absolutely beautiful experience, great food and venue, love the dishes so pretty. Got the opportunity to learn about Kaiseki, the traditional Japanese dinner, fascinating culture. Chef and waiters all very lovely people, Chef was very passionate about his cooking and always keen to answer questions.
I went there with my husband on my birthday. It’s a haute Japanese cuisine, a tasting course characterized by the perfection of its preparation and elegant presentation.
Food: We had twelve courses and I loved them all. The third course featured a crayfish dish in the centre with other tasting items on the bowl. The Toro sushi was great too.
Ambience: This place is hidden off the busy CBD and located at lower grand of an apartment. Dishes will be prepared and served in front of you with the seats fronting the Chef’s counter. Which feels more special.
Service: Amazing, attentive service with good knowledge of Sake.
A beautiful experience!
Finally there's a traditional Kaiseki Ryori in Melbourne!
Kaiseki Ryori is the high end of traditional Japanese food which generally cost about AUD300pp in Japan.
The whole experience made me feel like I'm back in Japan again!
All 12 dishes are bite-sized, delicious and artistic (of course as it’s Kaiseki), from the ingredients to chef’s skills, everything is just so perfect, including the tableware, all the ceramics are handmade by artist all with different patterns.
Dishes included Lobster soup, Grade 9 Wagyu, Tuna Toro from Tsukiji Market in Japan, with enough variety to give you a taste the whole of Japan.
When the meal came to an end, I worried about the dessert as I was pretty full, and chef Ishizuka surprised me again, the combination of strawberry and red bean is definitely a highlight, it is so refreshing and I finished the whole thing!
This is definitely a MUST TRY restaurant!
They have the same quality with the top Kaiseki restaurants in Ginza, Tokyo!
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As an avid fan of Japanese food, I was thrilled to hear that an authentic kaiseki restaurant has finally come to Melbourne. Kaiseki style food is regarded as Japan's most exquisite culinary achievement (not your everyday sushi/sashimi), with an elaborate dining experience that you will not forget. The venue itself resembles those high end Michelin star awarded restaurants I have been to in Ginza, Tokyo, where the seat capacity is limited to 12-16 people on any given night, to provide the best quality and experience.
Took my girlfriend there for a special occasion, and we are one of the few lucky enough to get a booking there. Head chef Ishizuka was very charming and thorough in explaining each dish, and you can see up close the craftsmanship, precision and discipline that goes into the making of the dishes. I was told that the ingredients are fresh and sourced directly from Japan, and menu changes almost everyday. The service provided was impeccable, the waiters are knowledgeable and professional, so don't hesitate to ask them for sake pairing.
The food stayed true to its Japanese roots, usually characterised by their refined flavour. A total of 12 courses, with each dish designed to showcase a traditional Japanese cooking technique, including boiled, grilled, deep fried, steamed, and vinegared dishes. The chefs meticulously pour their souls into every dish to make them a work of art, served on exquisite traditional Japanese tableware which results in a final product that is worthy to be on the front page of any food magazine.
My favourite dishes are the signature grade 9 wagyu, Kamo Jibuni and grilled alphonsino, as they are the authentic flavours I have only had in Japan. The Wagyu beef is the best I have had in Australia - the way it melts in your mouth, and the crispy, perfectly grilled edges is well worth the price. Kamo Jibuni is their signature duck dish, traditionally prepared with the best ingredients. The flavour of the soup base is definitely a standout, as it is impossible to achieve that flavour without the right ingredients and an experienced chef (tastes the same as the one I had in Kyoto). A special mention to dessert of the night (Kuzu Nankin), and it perfectly blends sweetness of strawberry and red bean with the bitterness of tea jelly, resulting in a very unique tasting experience.
Overall this restaurant would be one of the few that I would give 5 stars, as it ticks every box for me from food, service, venue to the whole experience. I would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who is into fine dining, and looking for an authentic Japanese dining experience, or take your special someone there for a dining experience you won't forget.
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Prepare to embark on an adventure that will stimulate your taste buds and astonish your minds! Upon entering Ishizuka, I was immediately welcomed by their smiling staff. As I was being ushered to my seat, I couldn't help but to admire the stunning interior design of this place.
The overall vibe that i got after being seated: Modern, Minimalistic and Clean - reminiscent of high end dining in Japan.
Chef Ishizuka skilfully prepared and explained each course with professionalism. I was told the 12 course meal consisted of only the freshest and finest ingredients of the day. I was mind-blown by the amount of luxury ingredients I tasted on that night which consisted of black caviar, lobster, grade 9 wagyu, toro (airfreighted from Tsukiji Market overnight) , crab, abalone just to name a few.
Don't get me started on their drinks menu, they have an extensive range of local and Japanese alcohol to choose from which complements perfectly with the food. My favourite is the yuzu cocktail - the refreshing sour taste cleanses palates and increases appetite at the same time!
I thank the Ishizuka team for such a unique and impeccable experience, will surely be back very soon. Ishizuka is without a doubt the epitome of fine dining!
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Have not seen much Kaiseki around here in Australia. Lucky enough I got my seat reserved as soon as I heard of this one and this one just did a perfect job throwing me back to Tokyo. (Oh my throw back Thursday XD)
A hidden gem just like most boutique restaurants in Ginza, Tokyo. Located in a basement for foodies like me to discover, such a fun experience to have.
If you r getting tired of other Japanese fine dining restaurants like I am, this one is a MUST to visit. I’m very impressed by the creativity master chief Tomo bring to us. And this is the ONLY Japanese restaurant here in Melbourne that I’ve visited knows Japanese cuisine is not all about endless sushi & sashimi (or miso soup if you would like to add it on the list)
The most noticeable feature that make the restaurant prestige to me is, there is only around 12-16ish seats( not table, seats) which, to me, is a BIG “hello Tokyo” kinda feel, if you been to any Michelin star restaurants in Ginza, you know what I’m saying.
Worth mentioning, I found that the plates used here are quite unusual. If I’m correct they should be ceramic art pieces from Japan? If you got chance to visit, ask for me.
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Review Part 1--Presentation+Taste
I have been long reading about Japanese fine dining and particularly interested in Kaiseki due to its fame involved around artisanal presentation and complexity in layering fine flavours. Presentation is the biggest category I observe when it comes to haute cuisine because I breath and live in creativity as a designer. Taste, service and my body’s reaction to the food come right after. In Australia, I haven’t encountered restaurants virtually serving every single course of a long menu to absolute excellence. Under normal circumstances there will be few plates prompting you to scowl, until I was lucky enough to have attended the opening of Ishizuka, one restaurant claiming to have reserved the Japanese traditional high standards for Kaiseki making. At the end of the night, the head chef Mr. Ishizuka really did his reputation justice and together with his team they went way beyond my expectation with unparalleled reverence.
I was warmly enchanted by their staff as soon as I walked out of the lift to Ishizuka. Immediately the mystery created by the shadow of seasonal blossom leaped to my eyes. As I walked around, the ambience of this entire place was emphasised by its neutral and monochromatic interior colour palette and textual decorations. The culinary experience was carried out seamlessly through the flow of instrumental music choice. The entire elite banqueting consisted of twelve morsels of food accentuated by beautiful tableware that was sourced by the owner from Japan. Each morsel was carefully prepared in front of customers by the head chef and his assistant chef. The presentations of twelve courses were absolutely EXCEPTIONAL! The appearance and presentation definitely matched up the old Japanese expression 'food being eaten by the eyes'. The meal began with Sakizuke, consisting of Edamame beans, scampi, caviar and tiny bit of wasabi. The very first bite into the reinvented tofu already had bombed me with its theatrical texture yet subtly proportionated flavours from other expensive but complementary ingredients. From the lightly seasoned crayfish, yuzu and konbu broth, to beautifully marbled grade nice wagyu cooked to perfection; from the shiny and desirable fat content of toro, to the mellow and savoury jelly and almost liquidised silky egg custard and all the way to the dessert stage, nothing was slightest anticlimactic in terms of their artisanal aesthetic representations, terrifically balanced seasonings and carefully curated fresh ingredients. The ambrosia of the night was definitely crowned on Kudamono and Kanmi. The saturated colours in the delectable fresh strawberry coated with dry strawberry crumbles, accompanied by blueberries, figs and pickled lychee, followed by the dulcet pumpkin kuzu nankin, soaked in clear and sublime sweet soup and topped by eatable gold. Overall, the twelve morsels drew me a melodious gustatory journey of Japanese culinary refinement.
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the very first - Michelin stars ready - the best Kaiseki restaurant in Australia
“Beyond the range of mountains, another range; recounting in full – the feel of the clouds on the mountains, the feel of the moon on the sea.”
the famous Kaiseki cuisine(multi-course Japanese dinner) has just landed in Australia.
the food was fresh and innovative, each course presented in perfect modern japanese style manner.: gold flake with imported crayfish; toro sushi; grade 9 wagyu; cherry shaped sashimi; and much much more
the restaurant offers different set meal every night，you will enjoy variety of
beautifully-presented dishes each time.
this place is not only about food but also japanese vintage dinnerware, you will
be impressed by the dinnerware that you want to take it home. :)
(remember order sake, serve with real silver sake pot)
i went to the No.1 Sushi Bar in Tokyo. i had the Michelin star Kaiseki cuisine in Kyoto. So i believed that i have enough experiences to conclude: this place will probably be the first Michelin stars restaurant in Australia. (if you do not hate Japanese food :) )
this is the place you have to come at least once in your life time.
be quick! compare to some other well known japanese cuisine like Minamishima or Kisume, 215 per head is great value for 12 elegant courses, normally takes 2-3 hours to finish. i believed the price will be raised to 300 in the near future.
I have to give it 5 stars and come back for second time next week if I could get booking.
actually, can i rate it as 10? LOL
This is way more than what we were expecting. The food, wine pairing, team and services are fantastic, best dining experience of my VIC trip. I recommend to go for the wine pairing as they really do a good job on selecting the right wine n sake. The Japanese service is also a gem in AU.
I have to say thank you for the amazing dinner for our birthdays and anniversary! I really enjoyed the experience and the staff explaining what we ate. Everything was different and was tasty. It was kinda bit hard to find but we managed. We had to evacuate because of a fire alarm but the staff made it up to us 🥰. Thank you!
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Kaiseki is a traditional multi-course Japanese meal and usually focus on seasonal ingredients for the dishes. I dined here when they had the 2022 autumn course and it definitely felt like I was teleported back to Japan.
There is only a limited counter seating per session in front of the open kitchen where you can see every dish being prepared. All the chefs worked seamlessly and their attention to details plating the food was mesmerising to watch. The staffs were friendly and were more than happy to explain the dishes further if you have any questions.
The food not only looked too good to eat but were so delicious. The sashimi and sushi were fresh and the hot dishes were cooked perfectly with all the ingredients working in harmony. They also had the option to add additional sushi (may depend on availability). Finished off with the dessert which was light, refreshing and not too sweet; just as impressive as all the other dishes.
The fact that their menu changes every season means that you can enjoy a whole new kaiseki experience if you plan on revisiting. Definitely worth the visit and definitely won't be the last!
Phenomenal food and the service was amazing. One of the best Japanese dining experiences I have ever had. Everything was fresh and authentic. Absolutely love the interior as well.
Beautiful interior and a hidden gem. We came here for my birthday and the experience was unforgettable. Kaiseki dining, a seasonal menu of courses where this week as the last week of their summer menu. The service was immaculate and the dishes were so well presented and rich in flavour. I loved each dish and all had their own unique flavour.
Really cool hidden venue. Great service, attentive staff. Food was prep with great attention to details. An amazing Kaiseki experience 👍🏻👍🏻
Had Ishizuka this Thursday! My dinner was the 8pm session. The food was great but the only unique dish was the wagyu beef!!! The A5 wagyu beef was melting in my mouth, and the outside layer is a little bit crispy- very good dish and the texture was different with other wagyu Japanese bbq. The sashimi was okay. Some of the dishes I felt like similar to my homemade one… I still recommend this place if you have enough money😅 but you don’t have to. Love the ambience and good experience :)
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