Staying true to the traditional idea of an izakaya, Ito’s new Albert Street venue is a place where diners can relax, drink and pair their beverage with a selection of small snacking plates. Japanese lanterns line the front wall, casting a warm glow over the restaurant’s exposed-brick walls and floor-to-ceiling koi mural. Diners can sit and watch the talented chefs at work in the open kitchen, wielding their knives to carefully slice sashimi or working their magic over the charcoal yakitori grill.

During the day, the restaurant offers the wide selection of sushi that Kotobuki is most well known for, as well as donburi rice bowls, noodles, salads and sides. Come evening, the true izakaya comes to life, when diners can pair their selection of Japanese imported beer, whisky, shochu or 15 different sakés with grilled and fried snacking plates and yakitori. Crispy pan-fried gyoza, okonomiyaki and karaage sit alongside offerings such as saké kobachi – fresh salmon with spicy mayonnaise sauce and fish roe – and takowasa wasabi octopus. Izakaya Kotobuki also offers a set menu for those looking for a Japanese feast, with mains such as wagyu beef and chicken katsu teishoku served with rice, salad, miso and edamame.

For opening hours and contact details, head to our Stumble Guide.