One of Japan’s best-known budget dining chains, where pizzas cost about $3.30, pasta dishes start at $4 and red wine is just $1 a glass, appears to be heading to Australia.
Saizeriya, celebrated for its low-cost Japanese-Italian menu, is expected to open its first Australian restaurant at Melbourne’s Highpoint Shopping Centre.
While the chain has not yet formally announced its Australian debut, a Melbourne resident spotted a large banner featuring Saizeriya’s distinctive red, white and green branding outside the busy retail centre.
“Coming soon November 2026,” the sign said.
The passer-by who shared the discovery said: “A Japanese Italian chain is about to open its first Australian joint at Highpoint Shopping Centre.
“A super popular cheap Italian eats in Japan, are we ready for $1 a glass of red wine?”
Saizeriya operates more than 900 restaurants throughout Japan. Some menu staples, including Bolognese, carbonara, pesto, hamburgers and soups, have been made in Victoria using Australian-grown ingredients since 2001.
Regular visitors to the casual dining chain have welcomed the prospect of its arrival, with many describing it as one of their favourite cheap-eat destinations in Japan.
Saizeriya, known for its exceptionally affordable Japanese-Italian dishes, is expected to open its first location at Highpoint Shopping Centre in Melbourne.
“OMG! Can’t wait,” one person said.
‘Is this for real? Best news ever,’ another shared.
‘Excited for this. Hope they retain the affordable prices,’ one revealed.
‘Please open one in Brisbane! We go to Japan every year, Saizeriya is always on our list,’ another added.
However, many pointed out the Australian location is unlikely to have the same prices as its Japanese restaurants.
‘The best thing about Saizeriya is the price and I bet it’s not going to be the same in Melbourne. It will be three to five times what it is in Japan,’ one claimed.
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‘If you can get Saizeriya prices, great! If not, no point,’ another suggested.
‘It will taste identical but I’m worried about the price,’ one added.
‘Most people in Japan only like Saizeriya because it’s cheap. If it’s going to be expensive, then what’s the point?’ another said.
Others suggested the meals could still be affordable, as some of the menu items are produced in Australia, meaning there are no shipping costs.
However, many pointed out the higher cost of running restaurants in Australia, as you need to factor in wages, higher taxes, operating costs and food prices.
The Japanese-Italian-style restaurant is famous for its affordable dishes – including $4 pastas, $3.30 pizzas and 90-cent glasses of red wine
The restaurant chain is a go-to spot for many travellers when visiting Japan
Meanwhile, many said Australians ‘cannot be trusted’ with $1 glasses of wine.
‘Yeah right. This is Australia. We’re not getting that privilege here,’ one said.
‘$1 wine wouldn’t be consistent with responsible service of alcohol regulations,’ another pointed out.
Those who have been to Saizeriya in Japan described the dishes as ‘business class meals’ or ‘decent microwave food’.
‘If you’re a fan of pre-cooked meals, you’re gonna love Saizeriya. I’ve had it before in Japan and it’s been likened to business-class meal quality on airplanes. It’s famous for being cheap, not for its quality,’ one said.
‘I’ve been to this chain a couple of times when in Japan, and its only saving grace is the cost. The quality is like eating a microwave dinner. It’s popular with high school kids because it’s cheap enough that they can buy meals with pocket money,’ another shared.
‘I live in Japan and am a fan of Saizeriya, the food is cheap and tasty. But I can imagine the stunned faces of some Aussies going in expecting anything remotely “Italian”,’ one added.