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.

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.

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!

2 months after this “fine” dining experience, we still cannot forget the grossed taste of mixing Uni, abalone liver and black truffle soba (come on chef, try it and you’ll realize they don’t match at all). Or the strange texture of the “grilled” wagyu, which is still frozen inside (felt like chewing frozen fat) Seriously? This place deserves no such high rating. It is true that Japanese fine dining offers exquisite ingredients. But a PROPER chef should know how to handle those ingredients and treat them right! The service wasn’t worth $300 pp too as they dropped plates and cups. Worst of all, they didn’t even care to ask how we liked the dishes. If you happen to have $600 to spare at fine dining, don’t let the review fool you and seek somewhere else (there are so many other great places in Melbourne)!

Amazing experience at Ishizuka. You can really see how intricate their dishes are just by looking at it and the taste was excellent too. They explain to you what each dish is meant to represent and different meanings etc. Service is superb and the vibe is great too. A bit hard to find with not many signs but just take the lift down and you’ll be good. A great experience, highly recommend!

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 cannot commend Ishizuka enough. The food was amazing. Definitely pricey but for the quality of the food, and thought put into every dish with the seasonal ingredients - definitely worth it. Highly recommend this kaiseki experience!

Nice atmosphere, service, chinaware and cocktails. However, I am disappointed with the food: There is some highlights but I was still hungry after all courses. Shouldn’t we at least expect to be full when we pay that much to eat…and there are no add on like nigiris to order.

Dishes were delicate and presented beautifully in hand made Japanese tableware. But food was still not matching restaurant in same league. There are lots of people working simultaneously in the small kitchen for just 12 diners and seeing too many moving at the background was distracting.

Best Japanese in Melbourne. This is the best kaseki meal you can get outside of Japan. Ishizuka perfects every aspect of the experience. Even the story behind the highball cocktail was fascinating and added to the overall experience. Each dish was perfectly balanced but also made sense to the overall progression of the meal. It all just worked.... I now have spring and winter under my belt. Can't wait to go back for the other two seasons!

I would rate it 10 stars if I could, my best fine dining experience so far and as a Japanese person I couldn’t recommend this place enough! Can’t wait to come back for another seasonal menu. I truely felt like I was in Japan again.

Great place, great atmosphere. Professional waitress and Japanese chefs. Would definitely recommend people to come and experience the Omakase.

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!

such a stunning meal! excellent service too, so thoughtful and attentive without being over bearing. highly highly recommend the non alcoholic pairing, it’s so sophisticated and not just soft drink/juice etc.

Perfect for date night- Service and atmosphere delightful. The wine pairing is fantastic so highly recommended. We ordered a few extra dishes. Pufferfish and Uni were the highlight. We had the winter menu - 1 or 2 initial courses I found so so but overall unique and presented well. We also bought their cake takeaway. Spent over 1k for 2 people.

We had a great night here, we were late due to our negligence, the service on the other side was excellent even the chef himself came out to greet/ pick up us (thanks again), since the location is hard to find. Furthermore, the food on the whole aspect was very fresh, we matched them with the tea and wine, different dishes looked outstanding; the one that impressed us was the Yamada Wagyu Beef which melted in our mouth almost instantly, and to a lesser extent included the Blue Eyes Fish, it was also very fresh and tasty. The overall ambience of the restaurant was fantastic, we could hardly smell the fumes and the spacing between guests was perfect, what amazed us was the bird's nest shape waiting room which made the function of each area seem very clear. Thanks again for a great night! We will definitely come back and have a try about new menu.

The culinary experience offered here is nothing short of exemplary. From the ambiance to the selection of top-tier ingredients, menu curation, culinary expertise, and attentive service, every aspect earns nothing but high praise. Unlike general restaurants that merely boast premium ingredients, this establishment goes beyond, carefully crafting each dish to achieve the balancing flavour and finesse. I am viewing it as one of the best in Australia.

We had the summer kaiseki paired with the non-alcoholic beverages and had a great night. It's expensive but good value considering the overall experience, particularly with the nature of the ingredients and the time and precision needed to prepare and serve them. Some of the dishes were spectacular to eat and to look at. The drinks were very innovative and well paired. All of the servers and chefs were also very conscious and accommodating of my food allergy, which made us feel very comfortable and cared for.

Best Japanese restaurant for me. Amazing experience. The food is extremely creative and absolutely delicious. I would recommend this to anyone.

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 :)

Located in a mysterious basement but oh boy. The food and service is so good, everyone is so nice! The whole time eating, I am just thinking about how lucky I am to be able enjoy this food. One of the best fine dining experience I have ever had.

I can not describe how great this place is. Food is an ART. The work of the staff at the highest level. It was an unforgettable experience. Thank you.

I tried the first ever omakase/kaiseki Japanese dine in experience at Ishizuka and the night was beautiful. It is great to have a night out dining and looking at the chefs preparing your food. Getting tipsy chilling under relaxing music. The chefs was professional and explained everything he put on my table. Especially chef Maro and Yeon, who took care of my table. Also, the staffs was attentive and willing to respond to all of your needs. Should try this place in town.

Third time here, impressed with their new summer menu. I do miss the option of choosing which salt to go with my Wagyu steak, this interaction between chef and patron was a fun element to the dining experience.

We had the most enchanting evening at Ishizuka while celebrating our 8th wedding anniversary. Having lived in Melbourne for 10 years, I can confidently say that this dining experience surpassed all others by a long shot. The entire experience was an absolute delight beyond the amazing food and impeccable service. In a world full of mediocracy, corner-cutting, and pretentious hypes, it's comforting to see there are still people out there putting extreme levels of effort and dedication into their craft and letting the product do the talking. I genuinely feel like a little piece of faith in this world has been restored, going over and beyond in my next endeavour seems worthwhile again.

Without question the best dining experience we've ever had in Australia. The attention to detail in every component of every dish was second to none. My partner didn't want to eat any of the dishes & disturb the perfect plating, while I found myself just closing my eyes as I savoured each bite. I cannot recommend highly enough, and we will be back for future menus

Very good kaiseki even for Japan standards, with a modern touch..

Amazing produce served on beautiful crockery. The highlight of the night was definitely the toro sushi from the tokyo fish market. There is an option to have an additional piece of toro for the price of $15. Absolute bargain for tuna belly enthusiasts. However, it is a very expensive meal and you get what you pay for. When comparing this to my experience at minamishima, i would say minamishima is my first choice due to the price difference and similarity in experience.

We had Kaiseki in Japan and really enjoyed it! So we decided to try it in Melbourne as well. It really likes what all the reviews say, delicious and interesting food ;) all the seafood was very fresh, the A5 beef from Japan was absolutely worth a try.

Ishizuka truly transports you. Located in the basement of an apartment building, what they’ve done with that space is breathtaking. The space is warm and intimate and you know you’re in for something special as soon as the elevator door opens up and you see the wonderful dome structure. I could honestly not fault a thing. Each course is prepared expertly and artfully by the chefs. The menu celebrates the highest quality seasonal produce. Flavour practically leaps from the plate and is balanced so beautifully. Service was absolutely impeccable. The wine and sake pairings masterful (please do not skip out on this!) Small touches abound with a special menu for a birthday celebration. I’ve run out of adjectives to describe this place. If you’re considering coming here for a special occasion, you will not be disappointed. 10/5 stars if I could.

Ishizuka is highly recommended in Melbourne. Its food and service is comparable to a Tokyo Michelin-starred Kaiseki restaurant. Wine paring option is excellent, but non-alcoholic option is too sweet for my taste. It is refreshing to taste summer dishes using Japanese winter ingredients.

What a devine and intimate experience. I came here for my birthday and had the full tasting menu. With only a few seats, the experience is truly unique. The food was exceptional and we discovered some great wines here too! Thanks Ishizuka for a beautiful night :-)

Really cool hidden venue. Great service, attentive staff. Food was prep with great attention to details. An amazing Kaiseki experience 👍🏻👍🏻

This restaurant is a hidden gem in Melbourne. The dining experience it offers is one of a kind. The toro sushi and desserts are absolutely dying for. The reason I only give a 4 stars is due to its set menu. Would be great to offer a bit more options for diners to choose.

Such an unforgettable memory we had last night and all are thanks to chef Kato San, Maro San and team! Thank you for the amazing food and hospitality 🥰🥰🥰 We also ordered 2 glasses of Champagne from French 🥂✨ and it was 10/10 Food?? It’s 11/10 beautiful! this is our first time trying Kaiseki experience and its def second to none.

From the attentive staff, ever evolving menus, extensive and excellent drink list to the and fantastic decor the place has all you asked for. Definitely a unique dining experience that is unmatched that you can find in Australia. We have been here numerous times and certainly rate it very high. However if you do ever dine here please do have the courtesy and behave sensibly. It is a very intimate affair and it does take away from the experience if you have rowdy guests.

So we decided to fly to Melbourne from Perth to try out Ishizuka and we were not disappointed at all. If you are considering trying this place please do as it blew every expectation we had. One of the best meals we have had and definitely best in Australia (so far) and some of the best service to boot. Be aware it’s not cheap tho as dinner for two with drinks pairing came in just under 700

Excellent food with wine pairing

Really out of the way experience begins by finding the restaurant. The surprises continue with every dish. An absolute joy for the senses. Amazing kept secret.

Absolutely amazing food and experience! It’s definitely a good worth!

Great service and detailing to food. Overall great experience. The waiters were amazing and very accommodating..

So we decided to fly to Melbourne from Perth to try out Ishizuka and we were not disappointed at all. If you are considering trying this place please do as it blew every expectation we had. One of the best meals we have had and definitely best in Australia (so far) and some of the best service to boot. Be aware it’s not cheap tho as dinner for two with drinks pairing came in just under 700

Each dish here is finely crafted, expertly assembled, and uses the finest of ingredients, including caviar, scampi, wagyu and toro. Every mouthful was enjoyable and delicate. Heavily seafood focussed, with only one dish containing a small amount of beef. One of us had a minor food intolerance which was accommodated easily, but you could not dine here as a vegetarian/non-fish eater and have the same experience (I don't think).

Excellent service, excellent food. Wagyu was the best I'd ever had, and the wine/sake pairings worked a treat! wish some of the portions had been just a little bigger. Would've liked an extra piece of the toro tuna, and obvs more wagyu! 🤤

We celebrated our anniversary here and I have to say one of the best dining experiences we have ever had.. The skill was absolutely breathtaking accompanied with flavours that completely transported you to seaside Japan. Could not recommend more highly, especially if your after a truly japanese fine dining experience!

The food was amazing here, especially the fatty tuna toro. We ordered an extra piece for $15 each which is $$ but considering you can’t get toro anywhere else in Melbourne, it was worth it! If you like sake, the alcohol pairing is worth paying!Wow, amazing, a real treat to eat here. Watching the dishes being created by the chefs was great. The 11 dishes tasted wonderful although I was not a fan of the Taro dish or the Sea Snail as part of a dish,

It’s really expensive. It’s yum but I don’t think the food worth the price we pay. Service and the chef there are nice. They didn’t get 5 stars from me because of price

Can’t recommend this place enough, this place was the best dining experience I’ve ever had. If you are looking for the authentic Kaiseki gourmet this is the perfect restaurant in Melbourne to go.

First off, love how this two hats restaurant is completely out of sight on Bourke street. This fine establishment really is a hidden gem when you have to go through an apartment building, in the elevator and make your way to the basement floor. Beautiful and traditional decor with roughly 10-14 seats. Great place for special occasions.

A place, hard to find (intentional, one suspects), in an underground minimalist japanese setting honed for titillating taste buds of connoisseurs, with seating available to only very limited number of patrons, with appropriate gentle and subtle japanese service. Highly recommend.

So we decided to fly to Melbourne from Perth to try out Ishizuka and we were not disappointed at all. If you are considering trying this place please do as it blew every expectation we had. One of the best meals we have had and definitely best in Australia (so far) and some of the best service to boot. Be aware it’s not cheap tho as dinner for two with drinks pairing came in just under 700

Delicious! Absolutely loved the kaiseki, great cocktails and mocktails.

If you can even find this place go in. We only found it because some people in the building used an elevator key for us. Once inside, it is quite an experience. Food is over the top. Meticulous detail. Staff is terrific. Very talented and helpful. The place will definitely get a Michelin star or two. Totally cool.

Incredible dining experience! Loved every course!

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.

Phenomenal food, great service and chefs are awesome!

Highly recommend!! Everything is awesome: food,service and the interior decor.We had 12 course and pretty filled by the end.Subtle flavours especially the wayga and my favourite blue-fin tuna.Professional chefs and friendly staffs.16 seats served only, nice atmosphere makes me feel back to Japan. FYI,It’s better to get the details directions in advance as the restaurant located in mysterious basement.Overall it’s an incredible experience and pretty worthy.

Best premium Japanese Restaurant in Melbourne for Kaiseki experience. Intimate 20 seater overlooking the chef's working their skills. A must visit whether to experience Kaiseki style or celebrating that special day!

Lockdown 6.0 𝑺𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒆 𝑳𝒂𝒚𝒆𝒓 𝑴𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝑩𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒐 and 𝑪𝒉𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒏𝒖𝒕 𝑷𝒊𝒆 ordered via their website. Packaging is beautiful and every bite is an explosion of flavours. Faves from the bento: 🥩Melt-in-your-mouth A5 Kagoshima wagyu 🐟Flavourful Saikyo Miso Barramundi 🦪Fat juicy Braised Abalone 🥚Crunchy popping Kazunoko (marinated Herring roe) 🦆Smoked duck 🦀 Snow crab 🐙 Octopus 🍆🍠Eggplant, Taro Potato, pickles etc We were so full that we ate the air-fried and ate the Wagyu Pie & the Chestnut Pie the next day, yet they’re really REALLY good! For more info and unboxing, see my page in Instagram

Finding this intimate Japanese restaurant is half the fun: through secret doors and down elevators. The presentation of the food is spectacular in its minimalist attention to detail. We splurged on the ten-course meal and our tastebuds thanked us dearly; the most outstanding dish was the edamame tofu with scampi and caviar.

Ishizuka wraps you up in a warm glow of food, atmosphere and service. As a private dining experience rather than a restaurant the staff excels in attending to every detail, that is curiously associated with Japanese culture and tradition. The set menu format (keiseki) moves along at a reasonable pace, while still leaving time to talk and savor. Each dish is a small presentation, the overall meal will leave you satisfied, but not stuffed. The drink pairing is recommended with a fine selection of red, white and sake. The menu changes with the seasons, this is not a once in a lifetime experience, a return visit is assured.

Amazing

Absolutely love it!

Simply amazing. The setup, the food and the experience was worth every penny.

This discreet 16-seat Japanese Kaiseki restaurant is easily one of the best dining experiences in Melbourne. Make your way down the lane that runs alongside the Citadines Hotel in Bourke st until coming to a glass door which is unlocked with the keypad code provided with the booking confirmation. in the lobby area, turn left to the lifts and make your way downstairs to B1. Out of the lift and enter Ishizuka. Immediately you will be impressed by the award-winning feel and design of the restaurant ( I’m not going to say too much about this as I don’t want to spoil your opportunity for that first impression ) Once seated you can watch the kitchen team go about their work with focus and assiduousness. Their composure and the restaurant ambiance, immediately relaxes you and prepares you for the culinary experience to come over the next couple of hours. The time positively whizzes by as course after course tantalises, enthrals and satisfies the palate. The FOH team led by Michelle are brilliant and their knowledge of the food and wine served a benchmark for venues to aspire to. They ALL knew, in detail, what food and drink they were serving. So refreshing. *Pro Tip : I rarely opt for the “matched” beverage option however in this case I did and was delighted by the quality of what was served. Yes, the dollars are not insignificant, however the quality is more than evident to justify the price tag. If they can maintain these standards....wow ! Just go.

Amazing dinner experience. Well trained and knowledgeable chefs that provided us with great food and service. Very nice atmosphere to dine. Yakimono was my favourite dish. The cod was so perfect cooked I had to lean back to take a moment.

An incredible experience, a fantastic night, and the food is the best we've had. Immaculately prepared and beautifully placed on stunning tablewear. Amazing service and absolutely worth the price.

Amazing dining experience. So far my best Japanese restaurant. The food was simply delicious and the entire evening was well worth it. The restaurant has 12 seats which are situated around the open kitchen and the attention to detail is fantastic. Went for the early full menu seating so all sit at the same time with 11 courses served. The dining experience lasts for approximately 2 hours. Also enjoyed the paired sake and wines. The bill was just under $800 for 2 but people travel from overseas and interstate just to eat there. It’s not just dinner it’s a total experience. Some highlights were the foie gras, wagyu and toro sushi.

Excellent for a special occasion.

Exquisite dining experience. Amazing food and service. Come here on an empty stomach otherwise you'll hit the wall half way into the set menu.

Went there for a birthday dinner celebration. Another great night with great food served! Love the A5 wagyu! Dessert was improved compared to the Christmas menu. Can’t wait to try their new menu

Amazing food

Good place to enjoy the Japanese fine dining outside Japan. Wine list is well prepared to pair with the dishes. One funny thing is if you ask the chef the quality of Kagoshima A5 beef they served compare to Kobe beef.... You may get a interesting answer... :-)

Cute place, hard to find, if not led by friend I would be mad to find it. Didn't feel full despite ordering extra sushi. We ended up to have some Chinese fried skewers.

Worth every penny saved for the occasion. What an experience. The dishes were amazing. Nothing was out of place, it was simply delish. Would love to come again and experience another season's menu.

My favourite Japanese restaurant

Chef Jono is a genius. 12 seater Japanese degustation meal, attentive service, familiar Japanese flavours with a fine dining flair. They change their menu seasonally.

Was definitely an amazing experience. Was the most expensive meal I’ve ever had but have also tried all the delicacies I have wanted to try. Would recommend :)

Interesting Japanese restaurant! Hiding in a basement of an apartment. We cannot find it, and funny thing is staff from nearby restaurant don't know either. But it's also an interesting journey on top of food experience. When you walk in the restaurant, it's pretty small, only sits 16 people? Decoration is nice & quiet. Food is perfect for sure. Will come back for different food menu!

The staff were another level… seriously amazing service. The food was 10/10, BEAUTIFUL FOOD. We can’t wait to go back. Thank you!!!

Truly the best dining experience I've had in Melbourne. I left the restaurant still gushing about the fabulous night. The setting and interior design is gorgeous, there is a quiet air of elegance and lends itself to a mindful dining experience. All of the staff who work here are also amazing and cannot fault them, so welcoming and helpful, they know how to look after you. The food is astoundingly delicious. Clean flavours, extremely well executed and generous portion sizes. The dishes are also a work of art when they arrive, with each plate beautifully crafted and carefully considered for the dish it holds. It really transported me back to Japan. Cannot recommend this restaurant more, look forward to coming back one day!

Perfect night out. Great ambiance and beautiful food.

Amazing!!! Service was spectacular and the food was prepared with class and elegance. Highly recommend

I love the dish so delicious