There’s something genuinely exciting about watching a restaurant with real soul expand. Not a franchise play, not a brand exercise — but a space that has built a following bigger than most restaurants dream of, arriving in a new city with the same care and intention it started with. That’s exactly what Izumi’s Hyderabad opening feels like.
The third outpost — and notably the largest of the three — located just between Jubilee Hills and Hitech city. The lakeside backdrop makes lingering feel less like a choice and worth arriving early for. Designer Minnie Bhatt, who shaped the beloved Mumbai space, has carried forward Izumi’s distinctive design language. The subtle Japanese art influences and the signature sushi counter come together in a room that feels considered without trying too hard. A significant portion of the crockery has been sourced directly from Japan and Japanese specialty stores in Singapore — the kind of detail you notice without quite knowing why the table feels so right in the setting.
At the heart of this opening is Chef Nooresha Kably, co-founder and the culinary force who has shaped every Izumi menu. For her, Hyderabad is more than a new market. Years ago, while still studying, the city was one of the first places she briefly called home. Returning now — as co-founder of one of India’s most celebrated Japanese dining brands — is a full-circle moment that makes this opening feel far more personal than a typical launch. That emotional connection shows in the decisions made for this space, from the menu additions to the scale of the experience itself. Along with Izumi’s partners, Anil Zahir Kably, Neale Murray, and Owen Roncon, the restaurant goes beyond the ordinary ‘South-East Asian’ mix that otherwise many spaces offer.
Izumi has always known what it does well and this menu doesn’t overcomplicate that. The live sushi bar — synonymous with the brand across every city — anchors the experience with standouts like Bluefin Chutoro, Hamachi and the Scorched Scallop Nigiri. The rolls hold their own too, and the Crispy Edamame Avocado Roll is a must try for vegetarian diners.
The robata grill program brings smoky, patient cooking with the Charred Napa Cabbage with mustard miso mayo, Fresh Shiitake Mushroom with umami beurre blanc, Lamb Chops with red bell sauce and Yaki Madai Skewers with spicy miso butter.
For anyone who has eaten at Izumi in Mumbai, the ramen is the moment. The Chicken Paitan and the Seafood Ramen with slow-cooked fish bone broth travel to Hyderabad exactly as good as their reputation suggests. When you think of a Tonkotsu-style broth done right in India, Izumi is the name that comes up — and now Hyderabad gets to understand why.
But the real headline addition to this menu is mutton. Hyderabad marks the first time Izumi has introduced a red meat like mutton to its offerings — a deliberate response to the city’s palate. Hyderabadi tastebuds have strong opinions about their meat and we hope Izumi has arrived knowing that.
The cocktail program on the other hand, curated by Maia Laifungbam, rounds out the experience with returning favourites like the Kyoto Martini and Yuzu Penicillin alongside new creations made specifically for this outpost which we won’t spoil and suggest you head to. For those calling in early for the night or hate post-drinking buzz, zero-proof options like Chilli No Hana and Musky Dusky ensure the non-drinking table is never an afterthought.
Hyderabad has been quietly building one of India’s most interesting dining scenes and Izumi’s arrival feels like a natural next chapter for both the brand and the city. The lakeside setting, the scale of the space and the thoughtfulness behind every detail suggest that this wasn’t a rushed expansion.
Hyderabad is ready for Izumi. And Izumi, it turns out, was always ready for Hyderabad.
Address: Izumi, NCC Building, Second Floor, Durgam Cheruvu Road, Hyderabad
Reservations: +91 9100079441
