Images: Henry Trumble
Something stunning is coming to North Adelaide, and the countdown is officially on. Yakisan, the long-awaited dining destination at Eighty Eight O’Connell, is racing toward an October opening, and the final touches are beginning to reveal just how ambitious this project really is.
Managing Director Nate Scutter says the energy on site has been electric as the venue takes shape.
“The build is on track and moving fast,” he explains.
“The parquetry floors are almost finished, the marble’s gone in, the kitchen’s ready, and the Japanese garden has already started being planted. It’s all happening at once now, and the place is starting to feel alive.”
Yakisan is bringing together bold design and a Japanese-inspired menu led by acclaimed chef Adam Liston, whose fire-driven cooking has a cult following in Australia. With experience at SORA, Shobosho, ShoSho, and Mozza, Adam is now stepping into an incredible new kitchen to take his artistry to new heights.
A menu is still being finalised, but the approach is fearless.
“We started with about 280 dishes on paper and have been working through the process of stripping that back,” Nate says with a laugh.
“It’s been a delicious challenge, but it means we’re creating something really special. There’ll be favourites people come back for, but we’re committed to keeping it seasonal and fresh. We want diners to feel like they’ll never have the exact same menu twice.”
The venue’s elevated culinary experience will be complemented with specialty coffee provided by PATIO Coffee Roasters—one of Adelaide’s most acclaimed coffee roasters. PATIO searches the equatorial world for exceptional, ethically farmed beans that are precision roasted to reveal the most flavoursome and tantalising tasting profiles.
While Nate is keeping a few surprises under wraps, he promises the dining experience will remain at the heart of everything.
“We’re licensed for 700 people, but this isn’t about cramming as many in as we can. Inside, we’ll seat around 150, and with the garden, it’s closer to 180,” he says.
“We want every table to have its own story, where you get a different feeling depending on where you sit, but you’ll still have that same sense of warmth whether it’s a packed summer evening or a quiet winter night.”
The rooftop space, one of Yakisan’s most talked-about features, will play a more exclusive role than first imagined. Designed as a flexible space, it will host private events and intimate functions while the main focus of Yakisan will stay on perfecting the restaurant experience.
“The entire space is about flexibility. It will give us the ability to create different zones up there,” Nate explains.
“We can host separate groups without losing that sense of atmosphere.”
The interiors are shaping up to be impressive. Warm copper tones blend with jade marble and rich timber finishes, layered with soft firelight and glass panels designed to catch the afternoon sun. Nate says it’s all part of creating a venue that draws people in.
“We’ve thought about how it will feel in every season, so it never loses its charm,” he says.
“It’s about setting the mood, whether you’re there for an afternoon graze, a long dinner, or a late-night drink.”
With construction in its final stages, Yakisan is preparing to open its doors and set a new benchmark for dining in South Australia. From its bold design to its carefully curated menu and atmosphere, this is a venue built to impress, and it’s almost here, so get ready Adelaide.
What: Yakisan
When: Doors due to swing open in October
Where: 88 O’Connell St, North Adelaide
For the Instagram, click here.
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