En Izakaya

I found the dining experience met all my expectations. The waiting staff very helpful when selecting from an unfamiliar menu. The meal was very interesting and varied and I cannot wait to dine there again.

A good size menu with interesting dishes that are not your usual Japanese fare; such as tempura pine mushrooms! The tuna with wasabi and pistachio dressing was one of the great starters. The beef blade and sesame chicken paired with rice was a great sharing option. Would have liked to order a few more dishes as everything looked so good. The prices and servings are very fair. The place is cosy and the staff lovely.

Loving getting back to En Izakaya post lockdown. The tofu and miso eggplant was as good as ever! And the slow cooked pork was divine. Looking forward to getting back again soon!

When I go to a new restaurant I always ask ‘what is your most popular dish’. As such- EVERY time I have been here I have the eggplant & tofu- unbelievably good- Meg Ryan moment!!!!

Nice Japanese food serviced efficiently with a minimum of fuss. Interesting specials board enhance the well rounded menu. Cozy environment and easy to find a car park right outside on a cold Sunday night.

excellent flavoursome japanese. Service always with a smile Andy remembers who we are and is always attentive. Food is always lovely and different to other japanese restaurants A great local go to

WOW the real deal! Brilliant food, fabulous hosts and service and just a great feel to the place. And good value for quality eating too, we will be back!

An excellent meal- thanks! We’ll be back!

Beautiful food and presentation with excellent service - great social distancing. Recommendations were perfect couldn’t fault presentation or food.

The food and wine were excellent. One dish (of six ordered) didn’t arrive but we weren’t charged for it and we felt very full anyway. Friendly service and very well priced. We visit about once per month and the experience is consistently excellent.

I love this local resturant, we go often and every time the food is great as is the experience. They use fresh, good quality ingredients and the wine list is simple but excellent. Service is great too.

Beef was very salty, salmon was overcooked

En Izakaya is the gem of Balaclava. Food exceeds expectations, I have taken everyone I know there for dinner and they have all become patrons of the restaurant. Excellent at all levels, a gentle attention to detail, even the choices of alcohol are spectacular, the service immaculate, the food heavenly!

Fantastic ambience, great food and wonderfully engaging service

Another delicious meal at our fabulous local. With COViD restrictions it can be hard to get in but definitely worth persisting to get a table. The tuna sashimi with pistachio was a highlight as always. Service great too.

Fantastic food and excellent service. The menu is full of delicious morsels suitable for sharing and the service is polite, prompt and friendly. The atmosphere is relaxed and minimalist but not uncomfortable. I’ve been coming here with my partner for around 10 years. The menu doesn’t change significantly but what’s on offer is always very good.

My family have been going to En Izakaya for many years. A hidden gem on Carlisle St. They consistently serve up delicious izakaya-style Japanese food that is perfect for sharing, and the service is always gracious and warm. The seafood dishes are outstanding (we’ve tried them all!) and the eggplant tofu dish is a must try. The wines are always lovely. You won’t be disappointed!

Great restaurant with innovative and yummy menu. This is one of our favourite Japanese restaurants in Melbourne, and everyone we have taken there seems to agree. Excellent food, drink selection and service in a lovely atmosphere. Highly recommended! It is rare to find a Japanese restaurant that offers authentic Japanese cuisine without having to rely mainly on a sushi menu. Great dine-in experience!

I just LOVE this place! I’ve never had a less than fabulous meal there. Best modern Japanese.

Great restaurant with a very special approach to Japanese cuisine - not the run of the mill standards - all dishes beautifully prepared and presented with interesting tstesand flavours. Also an extensive sake list. Great service and good value