Inside Gucci Giardino: Osaka’s trendiest bar

When Gucci Giardino opens in Osaka in November 2024 (the second Gucci bar in the world after Florence), it immediately becomes one of the most atmospheric locations in Umeda. One year on, the bar celebrates its anniversary in the same way it did its first 12 months: with an updated and hearty menu and a deeper exploration of the dialogue between Italy and Japan. For a brand long associated with craftsmanship and innovation, this milestone marks a new chapter for the high-fashion bar.

Capture the essence of Osaka

Located in the lively heart of Umeda, Gucci Giardino goes beyond the concept of a traditional bar. This is a space where Italian elegance meets Japanese entertainment. The bar opens on the same day as the adjacent new Gucci Osaka boutique, extending the world of Gucci to the realm of taste, texture and atmosphere. The botanical details and velvet upholstery inside the bar pay homage to the original Florentine location, but you can also feel the unmistakable Kansai energy, which is warm, expressive and effortlessly sociable. Guests will be invited into a world where classic Italian patterns are seamlessly integrated into Osaka.

Updated Menu: A Journey from Italy to Japan

To celebrate its anniversary, Gucci Giardino has redesigned its extensive menu under the guidance of bar manager Sebastián Viguera. The framework of the new concept is “The journey from Italy to Japan,“ Highlighting how each cocktail and dish travels through tradition and memory. Sixteen drinks and seven food items showcase the interplay between Italian roots, Latin American energy and Japanese refined beauty.

The menu begins with creative cocktails such as the Firenze Through Seb’s Eye, a pisco-based cocktail that reflects Gucci’s birthplace and Viguera’s Latin heritage, and the Peruvian Portón Mosto Verde Pisco, a syrup made with traditional Tuscan unsalted bread and Tuscan extra virgin olive oil.

Since then, drinks like the Anima de Guerreiro have reinterpreted the classic Negroni through the smoky spirit of mezcal, combining Clase Azul Guerrero with guanciale notes (salt-cured pork jowl), butter-washed Campari and Mancino Red, creating a cocktail full of depth and lasting warmth.

Even classics find new voices, such as Serenade for a Stranger, an espresso martini reconstituted with jasmine whiskey, Italian and Colombian coffee liqueur, and the whisper of cocoa butter beneath the aromatic coffee foam.

Food selections are themed around “global comfort,” starting with the Caprese Giardino, which transforms the familiar Italian antipasti into a chilled herbal composition of semi-dried tomatoes, mozzarella, olives and basil granita.

Continuing its world tour, the Ise Lobster Roll is on the menu, a luxurious Japanese interpretation of the East Coast staple, with fresh lobster marinated in lemon curd, pickled cucumber and basil sauce wrapped in a soft lobster roll.

For a gourmet indulgence, the Caviar Plate – served on a sculptural egg-shaped dish with mini focaccia and champagne – is the epitome of playful luxury.

Rich range of cocktails and mocktails

What is unique about the Gucci Giardino bar program is its dual structure: each cocktail has a corresponding non-alcoholic expression, allowing guests to explore a variety of flavors regardless of preference. Viguera itself is influenced by Latin American flavours, Italian heritage and Japanese craftsmanship, reflected in both spirit and spirit-free creations.

For example, Fashionably Late is an old-school fragrance reimagined using sandalwood and sansho syrup. It ends with zero bitterness, providing classic aromatic depth with an interesting modern twist.

Meanwhile, The Ode to Gucci fulfills guests’ requests for “Gucci-style coffee,” combining non-alcoholic grappa with bourbon, cold brew coffee, pomegranate and a dash of Massimo Bottura’s balsamic vinegar for a fruity espresso martini.

Every drink reflects the brand’s commitment to a richly layered and imaginative menu. Now in its second year, Gucci Giardino remains one of Osaka’s most compelling destinations, with every visit feeling like a trip to Florence and back.

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