The mandate of a Japanese izakaya is simple: provide a warm and judgment-free space for a crowd, usually consisting of lunching or after-work professionals, to imbibe in beer, sake, shochu, wine and spirits accompanied by skewers of grilled meat, fish, vegetables and combinations thereof. The difference between two given izakaya is in the quality of their drinks and sticks of snackables. Shinwa Izakaya qualifies with flying colours as one of Melbourne’s finest, not least because the look and feel of its Brunswick premises along Sydney Road are pitch-perfect. Sat on the corner of Sydney Road and Union Street, this Brunswick Japanese izakaya is distinctive for its yellow-gold and black exterior, evoking a the kind of lacquer work that Japan is famous for when it’s not being famous for its generosity when it comes to beer towers and grilled fugu. Inside it’s all industrial chic, with the rows of top-shelf sake temptingly illuminated by placeless light source. begin with classic, salty edamame and end up with gyoza, takoyaki, ebi karaage and more. Our recommendation would be to go omakase and let the chef choose for you!