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Restaurant

Kumo Izakaya

152 Lygon St, Brunswick East VIC 3057, Australia

Recommended by 42 people

Updated

Find Kumo Izakaya

152 Lygon St, Brunswick East VIC 3057, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 499 785 431
HoursMonday: Closed Tuesday: 5:30 – 10:00 PM Wednesday: 5:30 – 10:30 PM Thursday: 5:30 – 10:30 PM Friday: 5:30 – 11:00 PM Saturday: 5:30 – 11:00 PM Sunday: 5:00 – 10:00 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About Kumo Izakaya

Set inside a converted mid-century bank on Lygon Street, this buzzing izakaya turns out inventive Japanese plates with serious flair. Regulars head straight for the mezzanine to share crispy nori tacos and rich udon mentai laced with Skull Island prawns—a dish diners frequently call unforgettable. Traditional techniques cross paths with modern twists here, from Tasmania-sourced sashimi to ramen gnocchi, alongside a menu that easily accommodates halal diets. Pour an Eastern Brew cocktail with sweet pear notes or sip Japanese whisky while the bustling dining room hums below.

  • Inventive Izakaya Fare: Standout plates balance classic flavors with playful formats, led by rich udon mentai, nori tacos, and ramen gnocchi.
  • Architectural Heritage Dining: Housed in a repurposed mid-century bank featuring warm timber interiors, private booths, and an elevated mezzanine.
  • Dietary Accommodation: Thoughtful kitchen accommodations offer extensive halal-friendly options across the izakaya sharing menu.
  • Curated Drinks Lineup: Features imported Japanese whiskies and signature cocktails like the pear-infused Eastern Brew.
RestaurantJapaneseRestaurantBar

What's On at Kumo Izakaya

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

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Dine at Kumo Izakaya

Discover why diners choose Kumo Izakaya for creative fusion plates, intimate celebrations, and versatile heritage spaces.

  • Inventive Japanese Fusion Dishes

    Kumo Izakaya pairs Japanese flavours with Western formats, serving standout inventive creations like prawn and tuna tacos alongside rich ramen gnocchi and chewy mentai udon.

    I loved their creative fusion dishes — especially the taco and udon, where Japanese flavours meet Western elements in a really fun, balanced way.

    Dorothy Jiao

  • Balanced Tasting & Set Menus

    The venue delivers carefully orchestrated tasting and omnivore set menus that provide a balanced, generous progression of izakaya-style dishes.

    The dishes lean towards classic Japanese izakaya-style small plates—each one nicely presented and well balanced in flavour.

    Haiyan Yang

  • Celebration & Milestone Dining

    Diners can celebrate milestone occasions like birthdays and anniversaries in a lively yet intimate space bolstered by personal, attentive service.

    What an awesome place to celebrate our 5 years of togetherness! The staff were so warm and welcoming

    Dee TK

  • Intimate Date-Night Atmosphere

    With warm lighting, beautiful wooden interiors, and a relaxed ambiance, Kumo offers a calm setting designed for romantic date nights and cozy conversation.

    The atmosphere was a big highlight – warm lighting, beautiful wooden interiors and a calm, relaxed vibe that makes you want to slow down and enjoy the meal.

    Sherry Shen

  • Halal-Friendly Menu Accommodations

    The kitchen easily accommodates halal dietary needs across its menu options, allowing families and mixed dining groups to order with total peace of mind.

    They catered to our halal dietary requirements and my parents felt at ease dining there.

    Nani

  • Versatile Bank Architecture & Booth Seating

    Set in a repurposed mid-century bank, the space offers flexible dining zones ranging from an upstairs mezzanine to cozy booths and private dining rooms.

    A great choice for occassions like birthdays with the options of very cosy private booths or open seating if you prefer that.

    Sean Flynn

Signature dishes and guest favorites from our izakaya kitchen

  • Mentaiko udon

    The best dish of the night was definitely the Udon Mentai with Skull Island prawns. It was rich, flavourful, and just really satisfying.

    Serkan Cetin

  • Tuna tacos

    Everything we ordered was amazing, but my favorite was definitely the Tuna Tacos.

    木山妃香璃

  • Slow cooked wagyu

    I love the 40hr slow cooked wagyu, literally falls apart with chopsticks

    Jason Blake

  • Ramen gnocchi

    the ramen gnocchi was surprisingly good and quite memorable.

    Sherry Shen

Other favorites

House cocktails, refreshing mocktails, and specialty accompaniments

  • Eastern Brew

    My personal favourite is the Eastern Brew—it’s sweet and tangy with a refreshing hint of pear, very unique and easy to drink.

    Haiyan Yang

  • Lotus root chips

    We started with the renkon lotus root chips, which were really well seasoned and super crispy.

    Serkan Cetin

  • Virgin yuzu mojito

    the nori tacos a delicious refreshing Virgin yuzu mojito & the whole experience!

    Trish M

  • Daiquiri cheesecake

    The tuna taco and daiquiri cheesecake are absolute must-orders

    Foodie Luwee

Beyond the menu

Thoughtful hospitality and distinctive venue touches that elevate your dining experience

  • Hands-on Owner Storytelling

    The owner visits tables individually to welcome guests, recount stories of his time in Japan, and share the architectural background of the former bank building.

  • Attentive Halal Dining Care

    The kitchen comfortably adapts dishes to be halal-friendly across the menu, allowing families and mixed dining groups to order with confidence and ease.

  • Versatile Seating Spaces

    Guests can choose from intimate nooks like mezzanine tables upstairs, cozy private booths, or dog-friendly outdoor seating along Lygon Street.

  • Distinctive Fusion Pairings

    The menu features inventive crossover items like nori seafood tacos, ramen gnocchi with crispy padano, and signature mentaiko udon.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Kumo Izakaya accommodate halal dietary requirements?

Kumo Izakaya accommodates halal dietary requirements, making it an easy choice for Muslim diners and mixed groups looking to enjoy Japanese dishes together.

What dishes are popular to order?

Top customer recommendations include the rich mentai (mentaiko) udon, inventive fusion tacos such as tuna and prawn, and the multi-course set menus (including the Omnivore option).

Should I make a reservation in advance?

Yes, table reservations are accepted. Booking in advance is recommended, especially for weekends and busy dinner periods.

What seating options and atmosphere can guests expect?

Kumo Izakaya is situated in a converted former mid-century bank designed by a Japanese architect, offering distinct spaces including mezzanine seating upstairs, private booths, and outdoor street-side dining.

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