Mate's Table
Subscribe
Create
Share with the community

What would you like to make?

Add a recommendationShare a place worth gathering around.Create a guideBuild a useful list for your city.
For business

Restaurant

Bounty of the Sun

28 Nelson St, Balaclava VIC 3183, Australia

Recommended by 10 people

Updated

Find Bounty of the Sun

28 Nelson St, Balaclava VIC 3183, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 3 9525 5589
HoursMonday: Closed Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: 5:00 – 11:00 PM Thursday: 5:00 – 11:00 PM Friday: 5:00 – 11:00 PM Saturday: 3:00 – 11:00 PM Sunday: 1:00 – 9:00 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

Book Now

About Bounty of the Sun

Tucked away in Balaclava, this moody izakaya pairs timber-lined warmth and open-kitchen bustle with inventive Japanese plates. Regulars pull up counter stools for the rich burnt butter udon, prawn toast, and fresh kingfish sashimi sliced to order. Hands-on owners work the room between rounds of smoky grilled beef and chilli-laced margaritas, keeping the pace brisk right through to the warm sticky date pudding.

  • Intimate Counter Dining: Counter seating beside the exposed kitchen catches soft lighting, classic wooden detailing, and mellow background tracks.
  • Inventive Flavour Twists: Modern small plates rethink izakaya classics through burnt butter udon, prawn toast, and chilli-infused cocktails.
  • Owner-Led Warmth: Co-owners and chefs greet tables directly, offering tailored dish guidance and hands-on hospitality.
RestaurantJapaneseRestaurant

What's On at Bounty of the Sun

Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Choose Bounty of the Sun

Why diners choose Bounty of the Sun for vibrant evenings, milestones, and soulful resets

  • Inventive modern Japanese dishes and cocktails

    Creative flavor profiles and inventive cocktails elevate Japanese staples, from prawn toast to chili margaritas.

    Everything is so fresh, so divine, the flavour profiles throughout each dish are incredible.

    Sarah Ensor

  • Intimate izakaya energy and nostalgic music

    An open kitchen bar setting with dimmed lighting and nostalgic music creates a warm, intimate energy.

    A tiny, warm Japanese spot that feels straight out of a Ghibli film — wooden interiors, soft lighting, and nostalgic music playing in the background.

    Melody F

  • Accommodating service for group celebrations

    Attentive service and shareable menus make large group celebrations, milestones, and birthdays effortless.

    They were amazing at accommodating our table of 8, showing incredible patience and making sure everyone was looked after.

    lyia rachel

  • Feast-worthy tasting menus for shared meals

    Generous multi-course tasting menus ensure celebratory gatherings and dinners feel seamless, filling, and memorable.

    It was indeed such great value for money. It was $75pp. So many dishes came out and we were full by the second last one.

    Clare D

  • Owner-led hospitality that feels like family

    The owners and chefs step out to welcome guests personally, creating a hospitality style that makes everyone feel like family.

    Ryo was so friendly and came around to our table at the end and made us feel like part of the family.

    Guy

  • Restorative care that saves the night

    A genuine, attentive team provides soothing comfort and warmth, turning stressful days into relaxed evenings.

    The food was delicious, the vibe was relaxed and genuine, and we left feeling cared for and restored.

    Clarice Ho

Guest-favorite modern izakaya dishes packed with bold flavors

  • Kingfish sashimi

    We especially loved the kingfish sashimi and the grilled butterfish—both so fresh and beautifully balanced.

    Clarice Ho

  • Prawn toast

    The food was delicious particularly the prawn toast and the kingfish sashimi.

    Ivy

  • Burnt butter udon

    the burnt butter udon was one of the best things ever.

    A M

  • Grilled butterfish

    All the dishes we had were excellent but the prawn toast, extremely tender grilled butterfish, wagyu tataki, miso marinated mackerel and sticky date pudding were the standouts out of a very strong line up of food.

    K

Other favorites

Creative cocktails and sweet finishes to complement your meal

  • Rising Spice marg

    if I wasn’t hungry, id for sure be having a liquid dinner of the Rising Spice marg.

    Sarah Ensor

  • Plum margarita

    Our personal stand outs were the DIY Handroll, the plum margarita, and a chicken dish with egg

    Danielle Shai

  • Coconut matcha cocktail

    The coconut matcha cocktail was so delicious and we loved everything we tried!!

    Lauren Gargan

  • Tofu cheesecake

    And the tofu cheesecake? Outstanding. My partner was ready to order another one on the spot.

    Clarice Ho

Beyond the menu

Thoughtful, above-and-beyond hospitality details observed by guests

  • Personal Owner and Chef Visits

    Owners and chefs regularly visit tables directly to converse, introduce themselves, and make diners feel embraced like family.

  • Surprise Birthday Desserts

    Celebratory gatherings and birthdays are acknowledged with thoughtful surprises, including complimentary celebratory dessert.

  • Attentive Allergy Guidance and Adaptations

    Staff actively navigate dietary requirements and allergies dish-by-dish to adapt and tailor the menu safely.

  • Thoughtful Solo Dining Hospitality

    Guests dining solo at the open kitchen counter are treated to personalized drink offerings and tailored recommendations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is included in the set menu and is it filling?

The set tasting menu provides a generous progression of dishes, leaving diners thoroughly full. Guests highlight standout plates such as kingfish sashimi, prawn toast, and Japanese curry.

What is the seating arrangement like?

The dining room is compact and intimate, featuring predominantly bar and counter seating alongside an open kitchen, with limited tables available for larger parties.

Can dietary requirements and allergies be accommodated?

The team accommodates dietary restrictions and food allergies, taking the time to review the menu and adjust dishes where possible, including offering pescatarian selections on set menus.

Is there a dining time limit for reservations?

Reservations come with a 90-minute dining window, so plan your ordering promptly to enjoy your meal without feeling rushed near the end of your seating.

Explore more places in Melbourne

Find familiar flavours, neighbourhood favourites and somewhere new in Melbourne.

Similar places

More places for the flavours and food you enjoy.

Browse all Melbourne venues