In this hushed and windowless room, all focus is on the practised movement of sushi master Koichi Minamishima. Details are key, from the silent gliding doors to the baskets provided for guests’ handbags. The 10-piece omakase experience might offer South Australian oysters, steamed then chilled and draped in glistening kombu, or the simple perfection of wagyu-like tuna belly. Little Ramen Baris on the smaller side when it comes to Japanese restaurants in Melbourne. The menu makes decision-making easy and the $7 Sapporo Draught on tap makes it one of our top cheap eats.
As a strong contender for the best sushi in Melbourne, Kisumé’s scallop nigiri and kingfish sashimi are an absolute must-try for anyone’s first visit. One of the most hyped openings of late is Yakimono, a futuristic Japanese grill restaurant from Chris Lucas . Decked out in neon lamps and iridescent glass walls, the two-storey venue evokes both Blade Runner 2049 and busy Shinjuku nights while japanese restaurant serving an izakaya-inspired menu. The fiery open kitchen grills yakitori over charcoal to go with snacks like diced kingfish on shiso leaf and mini wagyu hotdogs, while the bar spins out bubble-tea cocktails and saké. If you’ve got a pretty penny to spend, there’s arguably nowhere in Australia doing finer sushi than this quiet restaurant tucked away on a residential Richmond street.

Due to the large number of migrant chefs in Melbourne, the city has world class restaurants with master chefs at every turn and corner. Melbourne is home to a number of food spots and you are sure to find every cuisine and style of cooking without much effort. With four teppanyaki rooms and a separate space for à la carte dining, Koko presents a range of dining possibilities to suit any occasion.
Picking Melbourne’s best Japanese restaurant is no walk in the park. There are at least half a dozen restaurants that could lay claim to the title of the city's best Japanese food. But in 2023, this one is still rightly deserving of a spot at the top. Best Restaurants in Melbourne’s CBD Melbourne's CBD boasts an array of fantastic restaurants, from office workers staples to exquisite fine diners.
You won’t find anywhere more calming and wholesome to have breakfast than Japanese café 279 in West Melbourne. Here they serve musubi, triangular rice balls wrapped in nori and served with a variety of toppings, which veer both traditional and modern . The calm, minimalist space invokes instant relaxation, with considerate touches like hot hand towels and blankets making you feel at home. Pair your musubi with exactingly made coffee, customisable miso soup made to order and desserts like matcha tiramisu, mochi donuts and sesame ice cream parfait.

Wine and dine on a feast of extraordinary sashimi while appreciating the adjacent river views from the Southbank location. First opened its doors back in 1981 and has maintained a traditional Japanese dining experience to this day. Try to snag a seat up at the sushi bar to watch the highly trained sushi chefs wield their knives and prepare your meal right before your eyes. If you can get your hands on the Jyo sushi, a deluxe platter curated by the chef and some of the best sushi in Melbourne. Andrew McConnell has plenty of beloved restaurants dotted across Melbourne, from Gimlet to Cumulus Inc, but it’s Supernormal that’s still one of his fascinating venues.
It pays homage to traditional Japanese dishes while also introducing some contemporary elements. Enjoy a chef's menu for dinner, and be sure to pair it with one of the bespoke cocktails or with a glass of Japanese whisky. With a focus on quality organic ingredients, this café offers an honest and endearing approach to food. Offering a mix of Japanese and Western breakfast and lunch options, the Japanese breakfast plate is where this humble gem really shines. Descend below street level for this taste of Tokyo that pays equal attention to its dishes and drinks.

With an a la carte teppanyaki menu and an assortment of Banquets to choose from, this Japanese eatery is a teppanyaki-fans dream. The long-standing Japanese values of deference and hospitality are embodied in the Chef's Table experience. Our menus are based on the changing seasonality and draw from Australia's enormous wealth of land and water. We celebrate the magic and freedom of Japanese food culture and always put our customers in the first place to explore our technique and creative Japanese cuisine.
With a new head chef and refreshed name, they’re slinging simple yet exacting dishes that let ingredients sing. Snack on delicate slices of snapper sashimi, crunchy carrot tempura and skewers of kiritanpo . The moody basement bar is perfect for after work drinks, offering a quality selection of sake, wine and imported beers to imbibe.