YTB South Yarra Returns with a Fresh All-Day Menu From the Yugen Team

The corner of Chapel Street and Toorak Road has seen its fair share of reinventions, but the newest arrival brings something more considered. Yugen Tea Bar, once the quieter sibling to Yugen Dining, has reopened as YTB—a calm but confident reimagining of South Yarra’s brunch and daytime dining scene.

Open daily, YTB blends the ease of a takeaway coffee window with the appeal of a sit-down experience. Behind the concept is LK Hospitality (the group behind Omnia and Yugen), and the result is a space designed for both rhythm and pause. Expect specialty coffee, ceremonial-grade tea, and a tight but inventive menu from Culinary Director Stephen Nairn.

Nairn’s approach is as much about flavour as it is finesse. The new menu leans confidently into Japanese influences, from the nostalgic taiyaki waffle—here filled with miso egg, aged cheddar and togarashi—to a standout prawn and scallop toastie, layered with yuzu, fresh shiso and sesame-glazed shokupan.

Lighter dishes such as the crispy somen noodle salad with rare beef and Thai basil, or sushi rice tossed with heirloom peppers and a bright yuzu dressing, sit alongside more indulgent plates like caramelised shokupan with banana, bacon and maple butter, and baked eggs in tomatillo sauce with wakame and whipped silken tofu.

Those with a sweet tooth will be well looked after by Executive Pastry Chef Kay-Lene Tan, whose reputation continues to grow. Highlights include a citrusy calamansi olive oil cake with kaffir lime and mascarpone, and “Bruce the Cake,” a nostalgic nod to Matilda fans—rich Valrhona chocolate wrapped in ganache and just the right amount of theatre.

Behind the coffee machine is Alec Guerzoni (CIBI, Fieldwork), slinging Brunswick’s ONA Coffee alongside a sharp tea selection: matcha, hojicha, and rotating seasonal blends. For those staying longer, YTB also offers a curated list of local wines, sake, and cocktails, including an “Oriental Bloody Mary” and a seasonal spritz.

The interiors, by Curious by Design, offer a moody and modern counterpoint to the menu—velvet banquettes, warm timber, and touches of bonsai lend a sense of intimacy without slipping into pretension. There’s also a wall of curated retail including ceramics by Minna Graham, florals by Bloom Republica, and housemade dog treats (yes, really).

YTB South Yarra is now open Monday to Friday, 7:30am–4pm, and weekends from 8am. Worth a visit? Absolutely. Just don’t leave without a cookie.