Chiaki

Collingwood’s sun-drenched corner obsession—a chic Japanese fusion outpost steered by hospitality veterans from Gaea and Calere. Forget standard cafe fare. The absolute power move here is the ochazuke—a deeply comforting, interactive rice ritual. Those dialed into the local food scene bypass typical brunch plates for the Sha-ke Salmon or Wagyu beef sets. You construct the bowl yourself—layering popcorn bits, toasted sesame, and a sharp hit of wasabi—before flooding it with a wildly complex dashi steeped with jamón and grilled sardines. Pure, liquid umami. Discerning regulars are quick to champion the barista-crafted signature coffees and the Matcha Cloud—a sweet-sour mango coconut concoction crowned with white chocolate matcha cream. With an airy upstairs loft for quiet catch-ups and staff who decode every intricate side dish with genuine warmth, it’s a masterclass in modern, hyper-focused hospitality.