Japanese Restaurant Near Deer Park — Izakaya Rin, Caroline Springs

Looking for a Japanese restaurant near Deer Park? Izakaya Rin is just around the corner. Located inside Springlake Shopping Centre in Caroline Springs, we’re only about 7 minutes by car from central Deer Park, making us one of the most accessible Japanese dining experiences in Melbourne’s western suburbs.

Izakaya Rin is a Japanese restaurant and bar with over 523+ Google reviews and a 4.7-star rating. We serve an izakaya-style menu of sushi, sashimi, ramen, small plates, and grilled dishes, alongside an extensive drinks list of sake, Japanese beer, cocktails, and whisky. It’s the kind of place where you can come for a quick bite or settle in for a long evening.

Fresh & Premium Ingredients

Authentic Izakaya Experience

Vibrant Atmosphere

Seasonal Specials

| About Us |

Why Deer Park locals love Izakaya Rin

Deer Park doesn’t have a dedicated Japanese restaurant, which means a short drive is necessary for anyone craving sushi rolls or sashimi. The good news is that Izakaya Rin is closer than most people realise. At just 5km via Ballarat Road and Caroline Springs Boulevard, you can be sitting at our bar with a cold Asahi in hand within minutes.

Here’s why Deer Park residents keep coming back:

Just 7 minutes by car, with a direct bus connection (route 456) taking about 10 minutes.
Free parking at Springlake Shopping Centre, including undercover spots right near the entrance.
An izakaya-style atmosphere that’s lively, social, and perfect for a night out.
A menu built for sharing, with everything from sushi platters and gyoza to wagyu skewers and ramen.
A proper drinks menu with Japanese sake, craft cocktails, Sapporo, Asahi, and Japanese whisky.
Bottomless brunch on weekends for a unique start to Saturday or Sunday.

| Signature Dishes |

What’s on the Menu

Izakaya Rin’s menu follows the Japanese izakaya tradition: a wide selection of dishes designed for sharing alongside drinks. Order a few plates for the table, try something new, and enjoy the experience.

Wagyu Tataki – 9+ Wagyu

Lightly seared, melt-in-your-mouth wagyu beef.

Deluxe Sashimi – 28pcs

Freshly sliced premium selection.

Hotate Mentaiyaki

Scallops grilled with creamy mentaiko sauce.

| Visit Us |

More than just a restaurant

Izakaya Rin is as much about the atmosphere as it is about the food. The restaurant has a warm, moody ambiance with Japanese-inspired decor, a well-stocked bar, and a vibe that sits somewhere between a relaxed dinner spot and a lively night out. Whether you’re coming for a date, a birthday celebration, or a casual Friday evening with mates, the energy at Izakaya Rin is part of what keeps people coming back.

The drinks menu is worth a special mention. Beyond the standard beer and wine, we offer a curated selection of Japanese sake (served warm or cold), Japanese whisky, shochu, and cocktails inspired by Japanese flavours. If you’re a Deer Park local who hasn’t explored the world of sake yet, our staff are happy to guide you through the options.

| Booking |

Reserve Your Table

Whether it’s a Friday night dinner, a weekend brunch, or a special celebration, Izakaya Rin is the Japanese restaurant Deer Park locals trust. Book online or call us on (03) 8382 1342.

Open Tuesday to Sunday for dinner. Bottomless brunch available on weekends.

| Follow us on social @izakayarincs |

A Feast for the Eyes

Discover the energy, colors, and flavours that make Izakaya Rin more than just a restaurant.

| Directions |

Getting to Izakaya Rin from Deer Park

Izakaya Rin is at Shop A3, 1/7 Caroline Springs Blvd, inside Springlake Shopping Centre, Caroline Springs VIC 3023.

From Deer Park, it’s a quick trip:

Head north on Ballarat Road toward Caroline Springs Boulevard.
Turn right onto Caroline Springs Boulevard.
Springlake Shopping Centre is on your left. Izakaya Rin is inside the centre.
Total drive time: approximately 7 minutes.

By public transport, the 456 bus runs from Hogan St/Ballarat Rd to The Grove on Caroline Springs Blvd every 30 minutes, with the journey taking about 10 minutes.

Free parking is available throughout Springlake Shopping Centre, including undercover parking adjacent to the restaurant.

| Google Reviews |

What our customers say

Discover the energy, colors, and flavours that make Izakaya Rin more than just a restaurant.

Excellent

Izakaya Rin Japanese Restaurant & Bar4.7

Based on 542 reviews

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vagabond

4 weeks ago

My faithful companion and I did venture into Izakaya Rin, where we were met with an atmosphere most serene and a view fit to gladden the soul. Wishing to sample the house’s finest offerings, we partook of the oysters, the beef fried rice, and a sampler’s bento box. Each dish bore its own distinct character and was prepared with the utmost care. The oysters, most especially, were of extraordinary freshness and surpassing flavour - the finest I have ever had the privelage to enjoy. The lady who attended our table, whom we later learned was the owner herself, was of exceptional courtesy and discernment, appearing at just the right moments without ever disturbing our meal. She was extreamly attentive and made the whole experiance most enjoyable. A most splendid establishment indeed, worthy of the highest praise. We departed with full stomachs and every intention of returning.

Response from the owner:Hi, Thank you for your review! We’re happy you loved our fresh oysters, delicious dishes, and attentive service. We look forward to serve you again.

Heche

2 months ago

Worth the visit. Caroline Springs are fortunate to have this great venue in their suburb.

Response from the owner:Hi Heche! Thank you for choosing to dine with us! Come back soon.

Haiyan Yang

2 months ago

One of the best Japanese restaurants in the west. Fresh ingredients, delicious dishes, and amazing cocktails. We’ve visited multiple times and chose to celebrate our anniversary here again. It’s so nice not having to go into the CBD for quality Japanese food. Highly recommend!

Response from the owner:Hi Haiyan, Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience with us. Thank you for recommending Izakaya RIn.

Sonny

3 months ago

This is definitely a hidden gem. Food and service never disappoints. Quality of food is A grade. I would highly recommend this restaurant. Thank you for always serving great food

Oxie Geo

3 months ago

Very tasty food. 😋

Response from the owner:Thank you for your feedback! We're glad to hear you enjoyed the food. Looking forward to seeing you again!

Sarz

5 months ago

We gathered here for a Best Of The West networking event last night and all of the local business owners could not speak highly enough of the service, food atmosphere and hospitality. Nothing was too much trouble and the food was lovely. First time visitor but definitely will not be my last!

weg khiar

6 months ago

food is really nice and fresh. Came really quickly.

Benjamin \

6 months ago

Alexandra wylie

7 months ago

Vijay Nair

7 months ago

Where Great Food Meets the Water and Time Slows Down: Celebrated a close friend’s birthday here and couldn’t have chosen a better setting. Service was warm, professional, and genuinely thoughtful. The team made us feel welcomed rather than managed, which makes all the difference. Outstanding food with elegant presentation and bold yet balanced flavours. The wine selection complemented the menu perfectly, and the waterfront views added a calm, almost cinematic quality to the afternoon. A memorable afternoon made special by exceptional food, beautiful ambiance, and attentive service. Sincere thanks to the owners and staff for such a wonderful experience. Highly recommended for celebrations or anyone who appreciates refined dining without pretence.

free range human

8 months ago

Nice slightly upmarket Japanese restaurant. Servings are smaller than other places but the quality and taste of the food are spectacular. We had the nigiri moriawase (mixed sushi), wagyu beef curry udon (meat was tender and curry broth was delectable, finished every drop), and we had the crispy salmon roll, topped with roe and tempura bits and sauce. In the end it was a perfect serving for both of us, and we had a strawberry lychee soda and a green tea to wash it down. Comfortable and quiet place, perfect for date night, family or small celebrations, and nice view of the lake outside.

S L

9 months ago

We went for an anniversary meal - the place and food did not disappoint.

Mi Lim

10 months ago

Great food and good service. Some of their dishes are not your typical Japanese dishes and a little different.

Robert Kwang Lee

1 year ago

Very authentic Japanese restaurant, will definitely be back !!

Patrick Yabut

1 year ago

Dominic kelly

2 years ago

Good

Response from the owner:Thank you for your feedback, Dominic! We appreciate your support and hope to see you again!

Bettina

2 years ago

I’ll definitely be back! Each dish was incredibly delicious 😋 I’ve never had clams in my miso soup before and what a delightful introduction to new flavours. The karaage chicken and soft-shell crab were perfectly cooked and full of flavour, while the sashimi was beautifully cut and elegantly presented. The only critique is the agedashi tofu as the batter was too thick and the tofu itself was too firm.

Response from the owner:Hi Bettina, Thank you for the review! We're so glad you enjoyed the dishes and tried new flavors. We look forward to welcoming you back for more delicious meals!

Craig Dsouza

2 years ago

Food here is so good and fresh, artwork everywhere and upbeat atmosphere. Had a really nice time here, and I would definitely come here again. I really recommend coming here. Enjoyed a lot. ඞ☺️

Response from the owner:Hi Craig, Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear you enjoyed the food, atmosphere, and overall experience.

Sheila Bocian

2 years ago

Response from the owner:Thanks for your 5-star review, Sheila! We appreciate your support and look forward to your next visit.

Tee Nguyen

2 years ago

This was such an amazing experience. I loved all the different options, I am definitely coming back here with the rest of my family and friends! I loved the spinning wheel idea too, it’s a fun way to interact with the customers! 😊

Response from the owner:So glad you loved the variety and our interactive sushi experience! Looking forward to your next visit.

Komang Putra

2 years ago

Nice Japanese place with great food

Response from the owner:Hi Komang Putra, Thank you for your review! We're glad to hear you enjoyed!

dBps Piloting

2 years ago

Called in, no booking, Seated looking out onto the lake. (this would be an excellent seat in daylight or heading into sunset) Entree, ordered the Yuzu Ponzu Oysters, omg, what a flavour explosion. huge juicy creamy and flavoursome. Def my new flavourite oyster... (yes I put an L in there) Main, the deluxe sashimi plate, so fresh, 7 different sashimi, but I loved the scampi. Dessert was the Yuzu sorbet. lovely surprise with little pieces of yuzu mixed in the sorbet. very fresh and cleansing. all in all, an excellent dining experience. I would 💯 percent go back again

Response from the owner:And this might just be our flavourite review yet! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a thoughtful and thorough review. Glad you enjoyed your visit! 🙂

Rosa Hidayat

2 years ago

We Really enjoyed the food here. Everything tasted fresh. Presentation of food were great. We ordered a few plates of sushi and sides of scallops, tempura prawns ,truffle fries rice and edemame beans. To our surprise we got a dessert platter for free! What a win 🙂 would definitely come back here for a date night again!

Response from the owner:Thank you for taking the time to review, Rosa! See you again soon 😀🍰

Ethan Rosen

2 years ago

The quality is great and they have a good variety of Japanese foods. The salmon aburi was my favourite, we got the aburi, dragon roll, crispy salmon roll, and the karage chicken. Very pleased.

Response from the owner:Thanks, Ethan! Glad you enjoyed your visit ☺️