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Restaurant

Zen Japanese Restaurant

388 Burwood Rd, Hawthorn VIC 3122, Australia

Recommended by 11 people

Updated

Find Zen Japanese Restaurant

388 Burwood Rd, Hawthorn VIC 3122, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 3 9818 0116
HoursMonday: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:00 – 10:00 PM Tuesday: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:00 – 10:00 PM Wednesday: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:00 – 10:00 PM Thursday: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:00 – 10:00 PM Friday: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:00 – 10:00 PM Saturday: 5:00 – 10:00 PM Sunday: 5:00 – 10:00 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About Zen Japanese Restaurant

Tucked inside a heritage building along Burwood Road, Zen Japanese Restaurant delivers quiet charm and generous multi-course bento boxes. Hawthorn regulars lean toward the Kaiseki bento—a balanced spread complete with miso soup, pristine sashimi, and sesame ice cream. Upstairs, secluded private rooms offer groups a calm, relaxed retreat away from the main floor dining buzz.

  • Secluded Upstairs Dining: Upstairs private rooms set in a heritage building provide a quiet, secluded space for group celebrations and dinners.
  • Kaiseki Bento Sets: Full-course sets balance fresh sashimi, hot mains, miso soup, rice, and ice cream in one comprehensive meal.
RestaurantJapaneseRestaurant

What's On at Zen Japanese Restaurant

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

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Choose Zen Japanese Restaurant

Authentic multi-course dining, secluded heritage private rooms, and serene hospitality in Hawthorn.

  • All-Inclusive Kaiseki and Bento Sets

    Comprehensive multi-course sets deliver remarkable culinary variety, bundling authentic hot mains, nigiri, and side dishes with soup and house-made dessert.

    Kaseiki bentobox is filled with a great variety of tasty items for a really good price of just $32, including miso soup, rice and a scoop of ice cream.

    Marco V

  • Dedicated Upstairs Private Dining Spaces

    Upstairs private dining rooms set inside a heritage building provide secluded, dedicated event layouts for group milestones and professional dinners.

    Private dining rooms available upstairs for small to large groups.

    J Park

  • Calm and Restorative Dining Atmosphere

    The dining room fosters a tranquil, unhurried space that lets diners recharge, converse deeply, and find respite.

    A great place offering an atmosphere of calm and peace. The food is wonderful, the staff are welcoming, a great place to unwind and reflect.

    Robert Donald

  • Discreet and Thoughtful Hospitality

    Attentive, discreet waitstaff watch for subtle cues and respond quickly without intruding on dining conversations.

    He was very attentive, keeping a watch for any little cue so no one had to ask for help without hovering.

    kirsty russell

  • Secluded Settings for Milestone Gatherings

    A quiet upstairs room offers private seclusion for celebrating birthdays and group gatherings with friends and family.

    As it’s for a birthday dinner we asked for a more quiet table upstairs, they willingly organised that without hesitation and with a smile.

    BeeYan & King

  • Cozy Environment for Intimate Connections

    The intimate, warm ambiance provides a comfortable backdrop for meaningful dates and shared conversations.

    Cosy ambience with delicious food 🤤 It’s a nice atmosphere that’s so suitable for friends to catch up or to go out on a date with ❤️

    Michelle Low

Signature bento sets, fresh sashimi, and private room dining experiences.

  • Upstairs Private Dining Rooms

    Private dining rooms available upstairs for small to large groups.

    J Park

  • Kaiseki Bento

    Absolutely loved the Kaiseki Bento at Zen. .Beautifully presented, incredibly fresh, and packed with amazing flavours — every item felt carefully and thoughtfully prepared.

    Alp Daymen

  • Teriyaki Bento

    TERIYAKI BENTO is very nice. And with the promotion price special. Makes it much worth.

    TK Wong

  • Sashimi Platter

    Moved on to the sashimi platter; salmon, tuna, kingfish. All prepared and served at its best fresh state.

    J Park

Other favorites

Desserts, starters, and traditional sides to round out your Japanese meal.

  • Sesame Ice Cream

    We especially enjoy their bento boxes and sesame ice cream.

    Christine Kan

  • Chicken Skewers

    Chicken skewers were grilled perfectly with just the right amount of chargrill flavours.

    J Park

  • Agedashi Tofu

    Followed by agedashi tofu. Greatly fried and soft inside!

    J Park

  • Dorayaki

    dorayaki (Japanese pancakes filled with red beans, here served with vanilla ice-cream, maple syrup, and strawberries)

    David France - ExploreFeelGood

Beyond the menu

Thoughtful hospitality and dining details that elevate your visit to Zen Japanese Restaurant.

  • Discreet, Anticipatory Floor Service

    Staff anticipate guest needs seamlessly without hovering, proactively replacing dropped napkins mid-conversation and assisting with beverage cans.

  • Upstairs Private Heritage Rooms

    Guests booking for special milestones or gatherings can reserve quiet, dedicated private rooms situated upstairs in the heritage setting.

  • Complete Bento Courses with Ice Cream

    Multi-course bento and Kaiseki meals are thoughtfully structured to include comforting miso soup, seasoned rice, and a scoop of ice cream to finish.

  • Accommodating Late-Night Dining Care

    Teams welcome late-evening diners even when the kitchen is preparing to close, accommodating full orders with warmth and care.

Before you head over

Practical advice to help you make the most of your dining experience at Zen.

  • Request an Upstairs Room for Gatherings

    Reserve in advance and inquire specifically for an upstairs dining room if you are planning a birthday, family celebration, or business dinner away from the main floor.

  • Opt for Complete Bento Sets

    Select the Kaiseki or Teriyaki bento sets for a structured multi-course meal that includes miso soup, side items, rice, and ice cream bundled together.

  • Check Dietary and Vegetarian Options

    The kitchen caters to vegetarian and celiac dining needs with dedicated options such as tofu salad, croquettes, and vegetable stir-fries, though miso soup contains traditional stock.

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