Interior design studio Matters + Made, are the team behind the sleek aesthetics of Tanuki, a Japanese izakaya located in Double Bay, Sydney. Completed in 2023, the design behind the multi-space contemporary Japanese restaurant and cocktail bar was inspired by the principles of Wabi Sabi, Tanuki blending modern Japanese aesthetics with the energy of the venues surrounds.
Complete with a raw bar, robata grill, internal courtyard and an ever-evolving Japanese inspired beverage offering, true to its namesake — the trickster animal spirit Tanuki from Japanese folklore — the space transitions seamlessly from Japanese eatery to late-night dining lounge on the daily.
Nodding to Japanese street food venues, interiors include custom-made furniture, and diners are invited to revel in an atmosphere of playful indulgence whilst taking advantage of a locale that integrates indoor and outdoor elements, creating a harmonious flow throughout.
From the team behind Matteo, Sydney, and with chef Ken Wee Lee at the helm, the menu takes a seasonal approach, Lee choosing fresh ingredients and produce whilst applying his contemporary spin. Cooking the fish and meat over a traditional Japanese robata grill guarantees guests an unparalleled dining experience. The complementing wine and sake offering leans towards natural and organic, focusing on boutique producers from the old world to new to Japan itself.
A small but spirited spot with a great menu to boot, Tanuki adds a cool and understated essence to this otherwise glitzy harbourside suburb. A subtlem impeccably designed, indulgent, stylish and fascinating find, Tanuki Sydney is an authentic gem for the discerning diner.
@tanukisydney
@mattersandmade_
Tanuki Sydney Photography, Nicholas Caldwell.
