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6 Japanese Cafes in Melbourne to Try This Month
From matcha to milk bread and everything inbetween, these are the best Japanese cafes in Melbourne that you need to try ASAP.
There’s a Japan-craze taking over Melburnians, with locals flocking to experience cities like Tokyo and Osaka, indulging in their vibrant culinary scene, and embracing the rich culture. But you don’t have to travel halfway around the world to enjoy Japanese delights—Melbourne has a thriving selection of incredible Japanese restaurants, cafes, and shops.
From sushi trains offering the freshest and most exciting bites, to charming cafes serving everything from hearty breakfasts to mouthwatering sweet treats, Melbourne’s Japanese food scene is diverse and delicious. Whether you’re craving a perfectly crafted sushi roll, a steaming bowl of ramen, or delicate matcha-flavoured desserts, these spots have you covered.
Next time you’re in the mood for something special, check out the best Japanese cafes in Melbourne—your taste buds will thank you.
Operator San
Operator San brings a touch of Japan to Therry Street, just near the Queen Victoria Market. This vibrant spot effortlessly combines Japanese flavours with Melbourne brunch classics. Though relatively new to the scene, it already excels with expertly crafted dishes like breakfast ramen and katsu curry Benedict—perfect for a savoury start to the day.
For those with a sweet tooth, their strawberry mochi waffles are pure morning bliss. Pair these with a cup of Code Black coffee, specialty teas, or unique drinks like sparkling strawberry Yakult or a coffee spritzer.
121 Therry Street, Melbourne
Haiku
Become immersed in all things Japanese at Haiku, a charming cafe in Camberwell serving mouth-watering dishes like miso mushroom ragu and tuna corn jaffles. Their matcha is hard to resist, and the cosy ambiance makes it a perfect spot to unwind.
By day, Haiku is a cafe, but come Thursday to Saturday nights, it transforms into a vibrant izakaya.
Sitchu Tip: Just next door at 1159 Toorak Road, you’ll find Haiku Future, their very own konbini concept store, offering a delightful array of Japanese-inspired products.
1161 Toorak Road, Camberwell
Matta
You won’t find your classic brunch picks at Matta, a Japanese Cafe with two locations in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs: Balwyn North and Blackburn North. Matta does have a small number of brunch classics, including egg and bacon brioche rolls, breakfast bircher and eggs your way, but that’s not what you’re coming to this eccentric spot for. Feast your eyes over the loaded rice bowls, stacked sandos, and unique dishes that you’re unlikely to find elsewhere. The red miso mushroom omelette is a delicious savoury option if you’re in the mood for a breakfast dish, with three types of mushrooms glazed in red miso and neatly folded into eggs, served with lemon on toast. And for lunch? Their creamy udon carbonara is somewhat of an icon, and their pork Katsu sando is an absolute classic.
55 Katrina Street, Blackburn North
335 Balwyn Road, Balwyn North
Hikari
The CBD’s Hikari is well known for serving up some of the best matcha in Melbourne—but that’s not all they do! This spot is where you’ll want to stop for everything from a rich coffee to their viral yuzu spritz, and don’t even get us started on the adorable cakes—especially the matcha cheesecake, which is absolutely to-die-for!
What makes Hikari extra special is its collaboration with Kyoto’s Kurasu and Yugen, who source the finest single-origin teas from small local farms. These premium teas are hand-whisked and lovingly prepared into every matcha and hojicha drink they serve, bringing that authentic Japanese tea experience right to Melbourne’s doorstep.
317 Swanston Street, Melbourne
Ichigo
Ichigo is one of the best Japanese cafes in Melbourne you need to add to your weekly rotation ASAP. Dishing up Japanese breakfast, lunch and dinner, this all-day eatery is not one to skip over. The ichigo shortcake is a work of art, as is their ichi-rashi (seasonal sashimi with avocado mousse, shiso leaf, kinshi tamago, seasoned sushi rice, nikiri sauce, grated wasabi).
They also craft beautiful custom cakes and shokupan, perfect for your next event.
Shop 3/155 Franklin Street, Melbourne
Moon Mart
Moon Mart is a gorgeous convenience store cross cafe in South Melbourne (previously West Melbourne) serving simple and fresh Korean and Japanese-influenced classic dishes. Settle in for dishes like kimchi jaffles drizzled in fermented garlic honey or a hash brown okonomiyaki-style. From 11am, you can enjoy an irresistible pork katsu sando or their crispy pork tonkatsu.
For a quick pick-me-up, grab a coffee, tea, or pastry, and don’t miss their adorable pantry items. We can’t get enough of their iced teas and the sweet indulgence of a condensed milk iced latte. But the real standout? Their honey toast—a must-try decadence that’ll satisfy any sweet tooth.
315 Clarendon Street, South Melbourne
Loved reading about the best Japanese cafes in Melbourne that you need to try this month? Why not fly on over to the Amalfi Coast or French Riviera at these inspired restaurants, cafes and shops?
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