The regional restaurant recently set sail for Melbourne CBD, replacing its former headquarters with casual pan-Asian eatery Sakana back in August. Kazuki’s has just landed in the big smoke, on Lygon Street in Carlton to be exact. Chef Kazuki Tsuya has long hoped to take the country dining destination to the city, showcasing its European take on seasonal Japanese fare to Melbourne’s growing audience.

Japanese born chef-patron Kazuki Tsuya and his wife and business partner Saori remain the brains (and hands) behind Kazuki’s 2.0. “Although the new restaurant will look very different, our team is focused on bringing the same soul of the original Kazuki’s to its new home,” says Kazuki. “The kitchen will be guided by the same philosophies and the same warm Japanese hospitality will be at the heart of everything that our guests experience when they visit.” The duo have long been involved in hospitality, they beginning their careers in Melbourne two decades ago and hope with the new restaurant to come back full circle. Chef Kazuki will take on the position of executive chef at both Kazuki’s and Sakura, while chef Anthony Hammel (ex-Pei Modern), has been named head chef at the Carlton venue.

The new Kazuki’s has expanded and sits on a split-level site, with a dining room that seats 30 and a first-floor space to house another 18. Interiors have been designed by Design Office (Higher Ground, Congress, Marta), who have embraced traditional Japanese design principles in their approach through a collection of timber screening, granite, leather, Japanese elm, and soft grey tones. “The interiors have been designed to offer a much more elevated and coherent dining experience,” says Saori. “We have invested a lot of thought and time into the design so that we can provide our guests with something very special. This is us; this is a true expression of who we are.”

Kazuki’s is open for lunch from Friday to Sunday at 12.00pm, and dinner Tuesday through Saturday from 6.00pm. It sits at 121 Lygon Street, Carlton; kazukis.com.au.