Irasshaimase! Welcome To The 16 Best Japanese Restaurants In Brisbane

Japanese food is tremendously popular in Brisbane and it’s no mystery why! It’s wonderful to share, provides an escape-like experience, is steeped in precision and tradition… and the hospitality is second to none.

Whether you’re working your way through all of the best Asian eats in Brisbane or planning a romantic date night out, we’ve wrapped up our absolute favourite Japanese dining experiences across Brisbane to suit any occasion.

From Sunnybank self-starters to hotel hospitality, there’s a whole host of unique Japanese eats across the city to explore.

The only question now is, which one will you try first? Keep scrolling to find our guide to the best Japanese restaurants across Brisbane.

IPPIN Japanese Dining

The restaurant on everyone’s lips lately is IPPIN, one of the best Japanese restaurants in Brisbane. This elevated dining destination can be found on bustling Boundary Street in West End.

Showcasing the best of Japanese cuisine, the menu is packed with yakitori grill specialty dishes featuring wagyu beef or chicken. For the seafood lover, the recommendation here is their signature toothfish or tempura cuttlefish.

For the foodie who’s tried it all, we recommend the lobster popcorn for a flavour sensation.

Make the most of your relaxing and romantic night out at IPPIN by ordering a cocktail from their creative menu of signature cocktails, mocktails or Japanese whisky.

Tenancy 2, 97 Boundary Street, West End

KOMEYUI

“Through exploration and imagination, we can create art.” This is the guiding philosophy behind KOMEYUI, a restaurant that exists to delight all of the senses. With a staff of highly-trained chefs, this Japanese restaurant aims to foster creativity in the kitchen, you know you’re in for a treat when you visit. KOMEYUI is the perfect restaurant to visit for a date night or special occasion with any serious foodies in your life.

191-203 Wharf Street, Spring Hill

Sono

Secreted away upstairs at Portside, this is one secret that’s too good to keep! Easily one of the best Japanese restaurants in Brisbane, Sono exemplifies fine dining and traditional Japanese cuisine. Dine from the teppanyaki bar or sushi bar, and enjoy the ambience set by water features and bamboo. Plus with the sweeping water views, it makes for a romantic date night setting.

Level 1, Portside Wharf, 39 Hercules Street, Hamilton

Sushi Room

As if the siren song of the stunning urban oasis, the Calile Hotel, wasn’t strong enough, it’s also home to some of the best restaurants in Fortitude Valley. Accessed discreetly via the lobby, the Sushi Room is a bespoke Japanese fine dining room that is calling your name.

As the name suggests, sushi and sashimi are prominent on the menu here, along with a variety of seafood dishes. The venue is intimate, minimalistic and considered, with a mix of bar seating, booths or tables to occupy as you enjoy nuanced and harmonious plates that will perfectly satisfy your palate.

Sitchu Tip: Tucked away on a mezzanine level is a private bar and dining, which seats up to eight diners in their own little world away from the venue – good to know for your next special event!

48 James Street, Fortitude Valley

Boom Boom Room

Head underground in Brisbane’s CBD and discover one of the best Japanese restaurants in town, Boom Boom Room! With an enviable Japanese whisky list, sip on some incredible spirits and cocktails while you dine on authentic sashimi and yakitori plates.

This inner-city restaurant is also the perfect place for events or group dinners, as you can book a private dining experience in one of the old bank vaults for a unique night of top-tier food and drinks in an elegant setting.

49 Elizabeth Street, Brisbane City

Yoko Dining

Yoko has brought beautiful plating and bright, flavourful food to Brisbane’s foodie scene at the ever-popular Howard Smith Wharves.

The vibrant menu at Yoko spans snacks, a sashimi raw bar, izakaya plates to share and hibachi grill mains.

Serving up delicious cocktails (Yuzu Slushie, anyone?) and a wide variety of meals to suit any appetite, Yoko is one of the best Japanese restaurants in Brisbane to book when you’re ready for an oishii (delicious) night out.

2/5 Boundary Street, Brisbane City

Honto

Tucked behind a concealed entrance, once you make your way through the matte black walls of Honto you’ll discover an open dining space, where you can watch the chefs at work preparing your meals.

Honto has a mysterious allure, which makes it one of the most popular Japanese restaurants in Brisbane for special occasions or date nights.

It’s the perfect spot for food enthusiasts, or perhaps your visiting pals from Sydney or Melbourne, so you can show off what the Brisbane dining scene has tucked up its sleeve! With unusual Japanese whisky and sake to choose from, expect to eat and drink well at Honto.

Order a few bites and share a large dish with friends for a varied and flavoursome culinary experience.

Alden Street, Fortitude Valley

Wagaya

Tucked into the Chinatown Mall, Wagaya is a long-time favourite for quality Japanese meals in Brisbane. Take the stairs or elevator and arrive in a traditional style izakaya, hued in mahogany with touches of red, gold and pink to colour the space.

Your meals and drinks are ordered via a touchscreen at your table, giving you the option to slowly order plates to share, or to keep the drinks coming!

Whether you book a traditional room for a group or tuck into a cosy booth for after-work dinner and drinks, you’re guaranteed to enjoy your izakaya experience at Wagaya!

TCB Centre, 1/315 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley

Hikari

A bustling little spot on breezy, tree-lined Vernon Terrace, Hikari is loved by the Teneriffe inhabitants. It’s a local favourite to stop in for a meal after a stroll along the river walk and it’s always worth the walk. With warm service that makes you feel right at home and a menu that never disappoints – the crowds alone can testify to this! 

This is the place to order up some of the freshest sashimi Brisbane has to offer and pair it with a beautiful crisp wine.

55a Florence Street, Teneriffe QLD 4005

Taro’s Ramen

This ramen shop has a cult-like following and with good reason! A simple and comfortable atmosphere, combined with delicious and authentic food, makes for a winning combination. It’s also led to four locations across Brisbane!

There are plenty of à la carte options on the menu, but if you’re heading to Taro’s you simply must order a ramen.

Each part of your dish is expertly crafted from scratch and contains no MSG or artificial flavours. Taro’s is committed to sourcing local, sustainable and ethical ingredients, so everyone’s best interests are kept at heart.

After one visit to Taro’s, you’ll see why it makes the list as one of the best Japanese restaurants in Brisbane.

Various locations

Harajuku Gyoza

If you’re looking for somewhere casual for a post-work bite or a pre-drinks dinner, Harajuku Gyoza is the best Japanese restaurant in Brisbane for fun times and tasty eats!

As the name suggests, gyoza is the reigning champion of the menu, but a variety of sides, salads and ‘yum bowls’ are also up for grabs.

The gyoza range from garlic butter crab, and lemongrass chicken to mozzarella served with cheese dust. Don’t be shy about the sake, as it just might be served with a song and dance.

Multiple locations

Okuman

As well as serving up well-known traditional Japanese dishes, Okuman allows dishes popular in regional Japanese towns to have their moment to shine. Owner Aiko Imasaki’s goal is to feed many people and to make them feel at home, and she achieves this easily with the warm, polished timber interior and delicious menu of sushi, sashimi, ramen and much more. This Japanese restaurant in South Brisbane is a bit of a hidden gem, so surprise and delight your pals with a savvy suggestion for the next opportunity you have to plan a night out. Oh and by the way, you can BYO your favourite wine, too!

Shop 6, 220 Melbourne Street, South Brisbane

Uncle Don

Donburi is a dish you might recognise if you frequent Japanese restaurants, and it’s known as a hearty, filling and cheap meal. Constructed from a bowl (don) of rice, topped with meat, tofu or even an omelette, donburi is a popular and tasty dish that appeals to many appetites.

Uncle Don in Paddington has taken the humble donburi bowl and given it an ‘epicurean glow-up’ and has elevated it into their speciality.

Fusing traditional inspiration with modern cooking methods and house-made ingredients to take things to the next level, Uncle Don is the best Japanese restaurant in Brisbane to take your pal who thinks they have tried it all.

Multiple locations

Oyama

A hidden gem in the heart of the Valley, Oyama has a long-standing reputation as one of the best Japanese restaurants in Brisbane.

Beginning the journey in Sunnybank after founding Chef Da Shan Wang had worked his way up the ranks from dishwasher to apprentice to sous chef, Oyama quickly grew in popularity and soon had a loyal base of regulars.

After thirteen years of success here, Da Shan decided to take his popular Japanese eats to Fortitude Valley, where Oyama has continued to succeed and remain a favourite among locals and visitors alike.

We recommend the Chef’s daily selection of assorted sashimi, but you can dine teppanyaki-style or banquet-style to make the very most of your visit to Oyama.

Shop 30, 115 Wickham Street, Fortitude Valley

Izakaya Publico

Izakaya Publico is one of the best-kept secrets on the Brisbane Japanese dining scene. Located within Hotel Indigo, this restaurant promises superior hospitality, elevated mood lighting across two levels and a visually exciting interior.

Large murals and art pieces span the high walls, overlooking the tables and cosy booths. Blending local and seasonal produce with traditional cooking methods and a zensai (share plate) philosophy, Izakaya Publico is easily one of the best Japanese restaurants to book for a dinner out with friends or family.

Try the Superior Set for a feast of kingfish, oyster mushroom, pork belly and tempura vegetables.

27-35 Turbot Street, Brisbane

Tenya Japanese Restaurant

A newer addition to our round-up of the best Japanese restaurants in Brisbane, Tenya Japanese Restaurant is a must-do for any sushi or sashimi aficionados.

With boasting rights as Brisbane’s biggest Japanese restaurant and possibly the one with the best views, this river-facing restaurant looks upon South Bank’s cultural centre and surrounds.

The interior is roomy with an earthen palette of natural materials such as stone and timber. With a menu stacked with Japanese-inspired eats, you can level up your experience to VIP status by booking in for a luxurious kaiseki-style dinner service.

Kaiseki-style allows the chefs to demonstrate their culinary prowess and techniques through a set menu service.

Brisbane Quarter, Shop 1, Podium 2/300 George Street, Brisbane

After you’ve tried and tested all of the best Japanese restaurants in Brisbane, explore our favourite Korean restaurant eats across the city. Or if you’re ready to make a more European switch, explore the best French restaurants in Brisbane for your next romantic night out.

Writer

Lexie Mamo

10 July 2024

Lexie is the Brisbane Editor at Sitchu and has been part of the team since October 2020. Her background lies in fashion eCommerce and content marketing, having worked in digital roles across brands like Lorna Jane, Black Milk Clothing and dk active. A Brisbane native, Lexie covers food, lifestyle, events, and travel guides for the Sunshine State. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her reading, visiting coffee spots or snapping shots of her rescue cat for his Instagram account.