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Restaurant

Ishizuka

basement level b01/139 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

Recommended by 79 people

Updated

Find Ishizuka

basement level b01/139 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 3 8594 0895
HoursMonday: Closed Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: 5:30 – 10:00 PM Thursday: 5:30 – 10:00 PM Friday: 5:30 – 10:00 PM Saturday: 5:30 – 10:00 PM Sunday: 6:00 – 8:00 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About Ishizuka

Down a Bourke Street basement stairwell, twelve counter seats frame a theatrical, highly tailored multi-course Japanese kaiseki. Chefs slice and flame right before you, turning seasonal menus into an unhurried spectacle. Diners return for the rich foie gras sesame tofu and the snow crab sakizuke, while regulars point to the wagyu sukiyaki dipped in a velvety onsen egg. Adding uni to the kelp-smoked caviar somen remains the quiet insider move. The dedicated non-alcoholic pairing pours rare Wuyi Mountain Da Hong Pao tea alongside fresh sashimi, backed by a kitchen that accommodates complex dietary requests without missing a beat. Dinner winds down gently over warm rice and delicate petit fours.

  • Underground Counter: Just 12 counter seats set in a moody basement where chefs prep and plate each course in plain view.
  • Seasonal Kaiseki: Multi-course seasonal Japanese dining anchored by dishes like wagyu sukiyaki and foie gras sesame tofu.
  • Thoughtful Pairings: Curated alcohol-free matches, including rare Wuyi Mountain Da Hong Pao tea paired with fresh sashimi.
  • Dietary Care: Kitchen seamlessly tailors replacements for dietary restrictions and seafood allergies without compromising flavor.
RestaurantFine Dining

What's On at Ishizuka

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

No events or specials listed right now.

Reasons to Choose Ishizuka

Why diners choose Ishizuka for milestone celebrations and refined Kaiseki dining

  • Intimate Subterranean Counter Stage

    Chefs prepare and present every course directly before guests in a subterranean 12-seat counter space with focused, theatrical lighting.

    Firstly, the setting left us in awe, the gloomy lighting and counter seats put the chefs on a stage and it was a wonderful 2hr experience with amazing food.

    Hui Yann Yap

  • Sophisticated Non-Alcoholic Pairings

    A carefully crafted non-alcoholic pairing matches bespoke teas and distinct house-prepared drinks to each course instead of generic juices.

    highly highly recommend the non alcoholic pairing, it’s so sophisticated and not just soft drink/juice etc.

    melbfoodieee

  • Bespoke Allergy & Dietary Accommodations

    Complex food allergies and strict dietary exclusions are accommodated with custom replacement courses cooked individually without compromising quality.

    I have a seafood allergy, and the team kindly prepared alternative dishes for me throughout the menu. Every replacement course was thoughtfully done and genuinely delicious, so I never felt like I was missing out.

    Celia P (GirlpowerCelia)

  • Generous Multi-Course Satiety

    Unlike minimalist tasting menus that leave guests wanting more, multi-course seasonal kaiseki dishes ensure complete fullness by the final course.

    I was afraid we'd be hungry when we left, and I can assure you, that will not be the case!

    Mark Cranitch

  • Deeply Pampered Luxury Hospitality

    Attentive front-of-house hospitality and genuine chef engagement create an indulgent dining environment where guests feel thoroughly cared for.

    The service is attentive and polite, really feel pampered.

    BeeYan & King

  • Flawless Milestone Celebrations

    Impeccable pacing, exquisite seasonal plating, and warm service ensure a stress-free, unforgettable milestone birthday or anniversary celebration.

    The service was excellent, and most importantly, my wife absolutely loved the experience. Highly recommend for a special occasion!

    Calvin Lin

Signature courses that define Ishizuka's seasonal kaiseki tasting menu

  • Wagyu Beef

    The Wagyu beef was authentic Japanese Wagyu and melted in my mouth.

    M &m

  • Foie Gras Sesame Tofu

    My favorites were the foie gras sesame tofu and the snow crab Sakizuke, both of which were delicious and had such a unique flavor.

    Calvin Lin

  • Otoro

    Highlights were the abalone and turnip soup, the duck and the otoro (but honestly it was all exceptional).

    Douglas Tjandra

  • Uni

    Pufferfish and Uni were the highlight.

    Elizabeth Gao

Other favorites

Curated pairings and sweet finishes to round out the kaiseki experience

  • Non-Alcoholic Pairing

    highly highly recommend the non alcoholic pairing, it’s so sophisticated and not just soft drink/juice etc.

    melbfoodieee

  • Wine Pairing

    The wine pairing is fantastic so highly recommended.

    Elizabeth Gao

  • Montblanc Dessert

    We loved the Montblanc dessert, and the petit fours were equally amazing.

    Hui Yann Yap

  • Jasmine Ice Cream

    Jasmine Ice Cream

    Melody

Beyond the menu

Thoughtful hospitality touches that elevate the kaiseki dining experience.

  • Theatrical Stage Counter & Chef Interaction

    Guests seated along the 12-seat counter watch chefs cook and plate directly before them, accompanied by detailed course explanations and open conversation.

  • Tailored Dietary Adaptations

    Chefs accommodate complex dietary needs and preferences seamlessly—such as tailoring every course for seafood allergies or flaming and grilling otoro for guests who avoid raw fish.

  • Curated Non-Alcoholic Pairing Flights

    A dedicated course-by-course beverage flight featuring thoughtful selections like Wuyi Mountain Da Hong Pao tea and Guinness pairings rather than standard soft drinks.

  • Attentive Next-Day Guest Follow-Up

    When a guest departs ahead of schedule, the team proactively follows up the following day to ensure overall dining satisfaction and well-being.

Before you head over

Practical tips on finding the venue, dietary tailoring, and pairings for an effortless kaiseki experience

  • Allow Extra Arrival Time to Locate the Basement Entrance

    Ishizuka is located in an underground basement off Bourke Street and can be tricky to spot on your first visit; plan a few extra minutes to navigate the entrance and settle into the waiting area before your seating.

  • Communicate Dietary Restrictions Ahead of Time

    Whether managing allergies like seafood or preferences avoiding raw fish, notify the kitchen in advance—chefs carefully tailor courses, including flaming or grilling cuts so no guest misses out.

  • Consider the Thoughtfully Curated Non-Alcoholic Pairing

    For diners seeking an elevated pairing without alcohol, Ishizuka curates a complex sequence featuring teas such as Da Hong Pao and tailored non-alcoholic drinks matched to each seasonal course.

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