Ishizuka

Forget dinner and drinks; a night at this Melbourne city centre restaurant is an elevated experience. One of the most renowned spots in the city, Ishizuka brings Japan’s kaiseki tradition to Broad Street in a series of seasonal courses. Changing regularly, the 12-course menu is created using fresh ingredients daily, meaning there could be anything from persimmon compote with Japanese plum wine to soba noodles with truffle and bonito flakes. The drinks list is just as curated, with a choice of 20 wines and 10 sakes - though we recommend going all out and adding the drinks pairing.

It’s not just the food that’s knock-out, interior designers Russell & George have created a life-size Chinese lantern, which billows out across the entire basement space. Step inside the cocoon-like structure to find the restaurant’s 16 seats, all located around a single, central counter. Sure, it might be a little on the pricey side, but we promise you won’t forget Ishizuka in a hurry.