Sushi Bar Kakizaki

I was recommended this little sushi bar for an omakase meal and it always seems so hard to get a booking esp when we don’t live in Melbourne. So recently when I saw an availability for an 8pm seating at a rather short notice of 4 weeks I jumped at it!

I liked the little restaurant setting and sitting at an very authentic sushi bat counter. The omakase meal included a lot of variety, most of which I’d never tried before. There were a few side dishes too which were all delicious.

It didn’t look like it would be much as with all omakase experience but by the 9th or 10th sushi I was starting to feel quite full! All the seafood was fresh and delicious, prepared and presented meticulously. The pace was quick but not rushed, it took just under 2 hours and we enjoyed every minute of it.

I would highly recommend it if you are after a delicious and authentic Japanese omakase experience!

Bar raiser Omakase! Every dish got better and better!

The most friendly staff because of their treat and sake recommendations.

Thank you for accommodating us! 🍣🍣

my first time experiencing omakase and it was a memorable one! at $145pp we were treated to a 12-piece nigiri omakase (plus 2 starter tasting plates, 3 side dishes, miso soup and dessert) which delivered absolutely delicious, quality food and impeccable service.

from the moment we stepped into the intimate dining space (which truely transported us to japan), to the handing back of our coats at the end of the evening, we were incredibly taken care of.

chef yuji matsuzaki’s handy work was so mesmerising to watch. perched at an 8 seater bench, we were in awe as he prepared each and every piece of nigiri with upmost care and respect. the detail was outstanding, from the two drops of oil per otoro, to the eye-contact he made sure to give at every handover of nigiri.

with each nigiri i would say “nah this one’s favourite” but the standouts for me were the swordfish (which was ever so slightly smoked), the tempura scallop and the fishball. for someone who gets nervous around large amounts of raw fish - this was so satisfying. perfectly portioned and nourishing, I truely felt 80% full as the japanese live by!

I would happily return again and again, it’s perfect for a special occasion, you’ll be treated like royalty.

came here for my birthday :3 it was first time doing omakase!! i suggest coming a bit early so u can pick where to sit.

the food was SCRUMPTIOUS and the experience itself is mesmerizing. seeing your meal made in real time and the amount of skill + detail to each nigiri has made me appreciate the chef’s work immensely. the servers are so friendly and attentive too, the atmosphere is dimly lit and the interior is quaint + traditional — adding more to the experience. i recc adding on uni nigiri and trying the yuzu sake too.

you feel satisfied afterward but not full. defs a once in awhile !!

💯 omakase!!! Definitely recommend! The food is fresh and tasty, and the environment is relaxing! Super thanks to thoughtful staff with the birthday suprise!

My partner and I came here about a month ago, one of the better if not the best omakase Japanese restaurants/ experiences we’ve had in Melbourne! Very intimate vibes sitting around the chef’s table watching him work his magic! Excellent value for money with the complimentary side dishes left us feeling extremely satisfied. They were also able to cater for my shell-fish allergies with alternative dishes! Plan well ahead and book in advance!

First Omakase i have ever been to, very fresh sashimi. I love the menu and the service, got to try many fishes I have never tried before. I tried the sea urchin but it didnt taste good

Absolutely impeccable, the best sushi experience we’ve had hands down!

We had the standard omakase + decided to get a small jug of sake. The sake was super smooth and paired very nicely with the sushi!

This is a very intimate and quiet dining experience. You’ll be sitting bar side with others, with a great view of how the chef does his craft. You get a great sense of zen watching his precise movements, it never looks like he is in any rush!

The entrees were great and were a good complement to the star of the show - the sushi. Flavours are very mild and pleasant!

The sushi was so buttery and had a lot of depth. There were some fish which we had never had but we’re absolutely amazing. Each sushi has different garnishes on top which give it all a unique flavour. One of them even had caviar!

Dessert was a houjicha pudding and it was the perfect end to a brilliant meal. The pudding was so smooth and refreshing!

Service was very swift, unobtrusive and pleasant! They even had a nice anniversary decoration on the dessert for our anniversary! Just don’t expect too much chit chat if that’s your thing!

So good! If omakase is your thing, come here!

i’ve got the best birthday dinner here. kakizaki really deserves the 4.9 rating.

i went for the chef’s table omakase. even though my expectations were already high (4.9 rating!), the real experience was even beyond.

one set includes 1 welcoming sashimi, 1 tasting plate, 12 different nigiri made of seasonal seafood with side dishes (there were around 4 of them) served in between, finishing with dessert.

upon entering, i was immediately welcomed by the passionate & kind staffs who walked me to my seat and helped me with my coat. they both stayed really attentive during the entire session, smiling & rushing to your side just by a tilt of your head. the vibe was really cozy.

the chef was extra focused on his work, giving a show from prepping the seafood to actually turning them into delicious, mouth-watering nigiri. he did introduce each type briefly upon serving. needless to say, i was blown away at how heavenly everything tasted! don’t think i’ve ever tried better. it’s wise of them to opt for locally sourced ingredients to keep everything fresh, while maintaining the price at an affordable level. every 2 or 3 nigiri, a side dish would be served. and no, it’s not just seaweed or peanut kind of side dish. it’s an actual dish like soaked tuna, or braised mushroom.

the dessert i got was sesame pudding and just like the rest of the meal, it was spectacular. told them it was my bday and they did a special decoration for me (normally it’d be only the pudding cup) ❤

paid $140 for the session plus $18 to try the special tuna belly hand roll that night. worth every single scent spent.

p/s: there’s quite a lineup so i suggest booking at least 3 months in advance.

Definitely enjoy the food and the warm welcoming from the staff. 12 different types of seafood sushi style omakase pairing with premium quality sakes. Is a must visit place. Expect long booking date.

We love every single dish here, food were very fresh and well prepared. My favourite was the scampi sushi, my friend loved the tuna belly sushi. Staffs were very friendly and welcoming.

okay WOW, my friend and I had a fantastic experience here! The food was great, price was reasonable (considering the other omakase in melb that cost nearly double the price) and service was lovely. We really enjoyed the scampi, swordfish and tuna! Also, the atmosphere was very relaxing- will be back!

My wife and I ate here back in May to celebrate my birthday.
Wow, we both really enjoyed everything that was on the omakase. We even ordered more after the full course was over!

It's a very intimate dining experience as it is just 10 diners seated around the chef. This was a very nice experience and I enjoyed the serenity and being able to watch the chef at work so closely. The fish was very fresh and tasty. I also didn't realise that you get little side dishes that were also super tasty!

I heard that their prices went up recently, but to be honest the quality of the food and the amount of food is WELL WORTH the price of admission, despite the price increase!

Highly recommend. We would love to come back in the near future for another dining experience! 🍣

The omakase experience at Sushi Kakizaki was exceptional! The chef was skillful and attentive, presenting a variety of fresh and flavorful sushi dishes that were expertly crafted. The intimate atmosphere and personalized service made for a truly unforgettable dining experience.

Sushi Omakase $140
- Otsukuri (Sashimi)
- Hassun (Traditional Tasting Plate)
- Today's Nigiri sushi 🍣
1. Snapper
2. King George whiting
3. Scampi 🦐
4. Tuna
5. Squid 🦑
6. Scallop
7. Alfonsino
8. Sword fish
9. King Fish
10. King salmon
11. O-toro
12. Anago
- Dessert 🍨
- Additional Sea Urchin Nigiri $16
- Dassai 45 $110/ 720ml

This is a bold claim but I think this is one of the best and most authentic Japanese restaurant in Melbourne imo. Everything was impeccable. Their sushi was so similar to the ones I had in Japan. They had the perfect sashimi to rice ratio, the rice was cooked perfectly and the sashimi was so FRESH! Highly recommend adding the uni sushi. Their fried oysters and chawanmushi were absolutely delicious. Words can’t describe how perfect this meal was! I think the next availability is in three months but absolutely worth the wait!

Kakizaki’s ‘12 courses of Nigiri’ is an experience commensurate to Hiroshige’s epic ‘53 stations of the Tōkaidō’: an experience that is masterfully prepared and beautifully curated.

It is futile to review each dish: all patrons are offered one, straightforward, set menu on arrival consisting of a starter, a tasting menu, the nigiri degustation, then dessert.

What can be reviewed, however, is the experience. In the entire restaurant, from 8PM onwards, was a total of nine patrons. Nine. The waiter to patron ratio was 1/4.5. If you had any concern at any point, it would be addressed within 10 seconds without fail. All nigiri are prepared within 2 metres of where you’re sitting at the bar, and the chef’s loving and careful attention to detail (and the indifference to the phones pointed at him) is reminiscent of a Mitsuko Uchida recital.

Kakizaki is a temple to nigiri. And the respect given to the food is evident throughout.

Proudly displaying an array of sake, Japanese beers and Japanese whisky, their pairing of appropriate drinks to the cuisine is something I find lacking in many Japanese restaurants in Melbourne.

Finishing off with a Yamazaki single malt, this restaurant is a chrysanthemum jewel in the crown of Toorak/Prahran, if not Melbourne.

Have eaten at Minamishima and a 1 Michelin star sushi place in Singapore - this was by far the most enjoyable and most value for money! Excellent service, quick and non intrusive, delicious and very fresh seafood. 10/10 would recommend again and again!

Kakizaki is a small sushi bar serving an omakase by chef Yuji Matsuzaki. Booking is needed in advance as they only have two sessions per night where the counter seats can probably fit only 10-12 people per session.

The omakase consisted of sashimi, hot appetisers, 12 nigiri sushi, a few small dishes served during the sushi course, and a dessert. There was also an option to order additional sushi but would have to say the prices was not cheap. Still it didn't stop me from ordering the specials; one of them was a tuna belly hand roll and the other a flounder fin nigiri. The nigiri sushi was slightly on the smaller side but with a good topping to rice ratio. Each piece had a unique touch of flavour so soy sauce was not needed.

Everything was fresh and delicious, definitely worth the price considering the number of dishes you get on top of the sushi. Overall a great dining experience with friendly and attentive service.

If you’re looking for the best omakase in Melbourne without breaking the bank, Kakizaki has got you covered at $140pp from Oct 1st onwards! Use your Vic Dining rebate to get 25% off your bill too!

We ordered:
🐠 Sashimi Plate
🍱 Traditional Tasting Plate

Nigiri Sushi
🍣 Snapper
🍣 Jack Mackerel
🍣 Scampi
🍣 Tuna
🍣 Sea Perch
🍣 Scallop
🍣 Alfonsino
🍣 Bonito
🍣 Kingfish
🍣 King Salmon
🍣 O-toro
🍣 Anago

🐟 Negi-toro (Tuna Belly Hand Roll)
🍮 Black Sesame Pudding

With only 10 diners seated around the chefs table, the vibes are intimate, the food is delicious and everything is prepared meticulously right before your eyes. We started the dinner with a sashimi plate consisting of yuzu kingfish, wasabi tuna and a smoked salmon roll - flavours on point. The traditional tasting plate to follow had a crunchy fried oyster, tender grilled miso toothfish and chawanmushi. We were then on to the specialty sushi course - 12 pieces of incredibly fresh nigiri, hand prepared by the chef as we watched the master at work. My favourites were the melt in the mouth king salmon, the plump tender scallop and the flavoursome anago. We were provided with multiple side dishes throughout as well - mushroom salad, slow cooked kingfish with daikon, miso soup and squid with mustard. We added the tuna belly hand roll as an extra order, which was so fresh and flavoursome, complemented perfectly by the crunchy seaweed. Dessert was a creamy black sesame pudding, a perfect way to end the night!

The $125 set menu was well worth the experience and very reminiscent of Omakase in Japan. All the surprise side dishes that are included ensure that you don’t leave hungry. Our fave sides were the toothfish and the Chawanmushi. The fish is prepared right in front of you and the experience is very intimate. Kakizaki gives the most bang for buck when it comes to Omakase experiences in Melbourne. The scampi and otoro were delicious!