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Restaurant

Yamagen Melbourne

6 Portland Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

Recommended by 74 people

Updated

Find Yamagen Melbourne

6 Portland Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 3 8636 8839
HoursMonday: Closed Tuesday: 5:30 – 10:00 PM Wednesday: 5:30 – 10:00 PM Thursday: 5:30 – 10:00 PM Friday: 5:30 – 11:00 PM Saturday: 5:30 – 11:00 PM Sunday: Closed

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About Yamagen Melbourne

Tucked down a Melbourne laneway, Yamagen delivers moody Japanese dining with robata smoke, razor-sharp omakase courses, and hands-on sake storytelling. Diners settle in for celebratory nights over thinly sliced snapper, miso-glazed toothfish, and blistered lamb cutlets. Behind the bar, rare whiskies and yuzu cocktails keep pace, while sommeliers walk the floor to demystify fermentation notes and pour tailor-made sake pairings. At the counter, front-row seats look directly over the prep line as chefs carve fresh sashimi and sear skewers over open coals.

  • Sommelier-Led Sake Pairings: In-house sommeliers guide diners through sake history, fermentation nuances, and bespoke pours to match each course.
  • Chef Counter Views: Front-row counter seating offers views of precise sashimi prep and flame-licked robata cooking.
RestaurantJapaneseRestaurant

What's On at Yamagen Melbourne

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

Why Diners Choose Yamagen Melbourne

Discover why diners choose Yamagen Melbourne for celebratory omakase dining, sommelier-led sake discovery, and intimate evenings.

  • Sommelier-Guided Sake Pairings

    Sommeliers walk guests through sake fermentation and regional origins, curating tailored pairings for omakase dishes.

    Andrew then walked us through the history of the sake, the fermentation process, and even treated me for my birthday to my favourite yuzu sake on the list.

    Alejandra B. Polglase

  • Approachable Menu Navigation

    Clear guidance through menus and whisky flights demystifies Japanese dining for first-timers.

    A special thanks to Kelly for taking the time to explain the menu so clearly — it made our first dining experience so much easier and more enjoyable

    JANE R

  • Heartfelt Anniversary Hospitality

    Guests celebrate milestone dates and anniversaries with intimate atmosphere and complimentary hospitality touches.

    I came here for an anniversary dinner and was touched that they started with a complimentary glass of champagne.

    Leeva Sheidaee

  • Celebratory Birthday Gestures

    Personalized birthday surprises like custom desserts create touching moments for celebrants.

    At the end of the Omakase course, the special dessert they prepared to celebrate my birthday was deeply touching.

    Hyunwoo Kim

  • Front-Row Chef Counter Views

    Counter seating allows diners to observe knife skills and authentic preparation directly in front of them.

    We sat at the counter and had an amazing time watching the chefs cook; Chef Misaki’s knife skills were absolutely mesmerizing!

    Hyunwoo Kim

  • Intimate Date Night Atmosphere

    Thoughtfully paced omakase courses and moody lighting establish a captivating setting for dates.

    The atmosphere was such a vibe - moody, intimate and perfect for a date night.

    Katie Goldberg

Signature savory dishes highlighted by diners during omakase tastings

  • Thinly sliced snapper

    I thoroughly enjoyed every dish, especially the thinly sliced snapper, which was outstanding.

    Julie Seo

  • Lamb cutlets

    Our favourite was the lamb cutlets! We will definitely be back to try the rest of the menu and more lamb!

    Steven T

  • Miso-glazed Glacier 51 toothfish

    The miso-glazed Glacier 51 toothfish was my favourite dish and was absolutely delicious.

    J Pro

  • Wagyu with wasabi butter

    knocked me out with the wagyu with wasabi butter.

    Leeva Sheidaee

Other favorites

Complement your meal with handcrafted Japanese cocktails and house desserts

  • Matcha crème brûlée

    We were given a complimentary matcha crème brûlée for the birthday celebration, which was a great way to finish the meal.

    J Pro

  • Japanese smoked negroni

    My cocktail pick was the Japanese smoked negroni and the sake selection is also amazing and the knowledge of the sommelier was so incredible!

    Henrietta Farrelly-Barnett

  • Hitomi

    My go to cocktail both times has been the Hitomi.

    Charlotte Parker

  • Ume no Hana

    I had the Ume no Hana and absolutely loved it.

    JANE R

Beyond the menu

Thoughtful hospitality gestures, bespoke pairing guidance, and personalized celebration touches that elevate dining at Yamagen Melbourne.

  • Guided Tableside Sake Education

    Dedicated in-house sommeliers walk diners through the fermentation process, regional history, and tasting notes of each pour, tailoring bespoke sake and wine pairings course by course.

  • Milestone Champagne & Celebration Toasts

    Guests marking anniversaries and birthdays are frequently treated to celebratory welcoming pours, including complimentary glasses of champagne or celebratory shots for the table.

  • Bespoke Birthday Dessert Surprises

    Celebratory meals are finished with personalized complimentary treats from the kitchen, such as custom birthday desserts or matcha crème brûlée.

  • Front-Row Chef Knife Craftsmanship

    Guests seated directly at the counter enjoy an interactive view of food preparation, observing culinary technique and intricate knife craftsmanship up close.

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