Melbourne is set to welcome one of Japan’s best-known budget restaurant chains, with Saizeriya opening its first Australian restaurant at Highpoint Shopping Centre in November.
The Japanese chain is known for its remarkably cheap Japanese-Italian menu, with pizzas from around $3.30, pasta from $4 and wine priced at about $1 in Japan.
Saizeriya operates more than 900 restaurants across Japan, serving dishes including pasta, pizza, rice dishes and salads at prices that have made it a popular casual dining option.
The chain keeps prices low through a highly centralised food production system, with many dishes prepared in advance before being delivered to its restaurants for heating and serving.
News of the Melbourne opening emerged after Saizeriya banners advertising the November launch appeared at Highpoint, giving local fans their first clear sign that the Japanese chain was heading Down Under.
The Melbourne restaurant also marks an expansion of an existing Australian connection for Saizeriya. The company has maintained a commercial presence in Australia since 2001, with some of the ingredients and menu items used across its Japanese restaurants already produced in Victoria using Australian produce.
Now, that behind-the-scenes operation is set to be joined by a restaurant where Australians can try the Saizeriya experience for themselves.
While the exact opening date and Australian menu have not yet been revealed, the arrival is likely to attract plenty of attention from Melbourne diners curious to see whether Saizeriya can bring its famously low Japanese prices to Australia.
