Through an indiscriminate doorway and down a couple flights of stairs in a basement you will find Izakaya Den, a modern Japanese Izakaya that offers a different and exciting selection of food and drink which makes it the perfect place for a quiet evening out.

Website

Izakaya Den

Location:

114 Russell St, CBD

Difficulty Finding:

The hardest part of finding the Izakaya Den is that there is no real distinctive point of reference out the front at street level aside from a small sign on the wall. The building on the corner of Little Collins and Russel, across the road from the Portland Hotel, has a couple of shops either side of a stairwell on Russel Street which takes you to the Izakaya Den.

Summary:

- Type: Izakaya, Sake Bar
- Food: Japanese
- Music: DJ
- Cover: None

Review:

Through an indiscriminate doorway and down a couple flights of stairs in a basement you will find Izakaya Den, a modern Japanese Izakaya that offers a different and exciting selection of food and drink which makes it the perfect place for a quiet evening out.


Inside Izakaya Den you are greeted with a friendly smile and a small narrow room that looks like it never ends with a long wooden bar running the extent of the room. The industrious theme with concrete walls and floor, exposed pipes and air-conditioning ducts captures you on entry exposing you to a place very different from many other restaurant bars. Seating in Izakaya Den is along the tables opposite the bar or along the bar itself, which is by far the best place to sit. The bar is used for both preparation and serving of food; and for patrons enjoying their time eating and drinking. All this coupled with the friendly staff creates a calm atmosphere that ensures you feel comfortable and relaxed.


One of the great things at Izakaya Den is the excellent service that is offered, all the staff are friendly and are often happy to have a chat with you. Upon taking a seat you will be given hand towels and water in little glasses with animals on them that were once used for Sake! The drinks menu is quite expansive with a good selection of Japanese beer, Sake (many of which have been specifically imported for Izakaya Den), Shochu, local wine and cocktails. The bar staff are always more then happy to have a chat to you about anything on their menu and give advice on which to order, and in some cases you may have several people suggesting different things you should try. Everything is prepared behind the bar, from food to drink sitting at the bar creates an intimate atmosphere with the staff and your food and drink, even after eating you will be tempted to get more as you see them prepare different meals.


Izakaya Den is the perfect place to take someone to impress, small hard to find Japanese Izakaya which emphasises quality, service with an atmosphere to match, you will never be disappointed.

Final Thoughts:

If you like Japanese food and drinks Izakaya Den is well worth the effort of going to try, no bookings needed but it can get busy very fast so get there early.

Pro’s:
+ About as close as you will get to a Modern Izakaya in Melbourne as you will get.
+ Great range of Japanese food and drinks to suit any night out.
Con’s:
- Very popular so book to ensure a place
- Slightly on the expensive side

Score:

Atmosphere: Excellent
Service: Excellent
Menu: Excellent
Cost: Excellent
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Overall: Excellent