Best Japanese Restaurants in Melbourne for Sushi & Sake

Melbourne is a city of international flavours, but one of our favourite cuisines has to be Japanese. Whether it’s a bustling ramen bar straight from Tokyo, a zen-filled cafe serving traditional breakfast or a luxe fine diner slicing world-class sushi, we’ve got it all. If you can’t hop on a plane when your next craving hits, pull up a chair to one of these stellar hotspots – it’s the next best thing. So chopsticks at the ready, here’s our pick of the best Japanese restaurants in Melbourne.  

The Best New Japanese Restaurants in Melbourne

Benchwarmer

Benchwarmer was already a cult favourite among craft beer fiends — but now, with ex-Yardbird (yes, that Yardbird in Hong Kong) chef Geoff Marett in the kitchen, it’s firmly on the radar as one of Melbourne’s most exciting izakaya-style bars. The new menu is wild, nostalgic, and built to drink with — think XO lamb crumpets, a jazzed-up Filet-O-Fish (best with a yuzu rice lager), anchovies on bin bin crackers, salmon tostadas on crispy wontons with yuzu kosho ponzu and pickled cucumber, Sunday yakitori, and our current obsession: silky cheung fun noodles with shiitake, oyster mushrooms, chilli crisp, and cashew cream. Earthy, spicy, umami-laced magic. We’ve already been back. Twice. They’re perfect; one of our all-time dishes in Melbourne.

345 Victoria Street, West Melbourne

Nori Maki

Omakase for under $40? Nori Maki is flipping the script on Melbourne’s Japanese dining scene — and doing it from a low-key arcade spot in the CBD. Helmed by a Nobu alum, this 24-seat handroll bar offers intimate counter dining without the fine-dining fuss. Sets start at $34, spanning salmon-avocado to snow crab and mentaiko scallop, all made to order and finished with delicate matcha daifuku. It’s affordable, fast-paced, and chef-led in the truest sense of omakase. Come for the Cholesteroll (you’ll see), stay for the surprise daily fish. Forget what you know — this is Melbourne’s freshest sushi rethink.

7/235 Bourke Street, Melbourne

Omi 380

For the indecisive, Omi 380 is a fever dream. This five-in-one Japanese dining hall brings wagyu rice bowls, sushi tacos, yakitori skewers, sweet potato shio-pan, and a dedicated matcha bar under one sleek, timber-clad roof — like a Brunetti for Nipponophiles. The Sudoku sushi platter is a showstopper (nine-piece bento meets tasting flight), but don’t skip the kakigori or the teishoku with short rib and onsen egg. It’s ambitious, delicious, and big enough to handle your whole crew — no elbow-jostling required. Think premium flavour, fast-casual speed, and full sensory overload in the best way. Omi 380, you’ve nailed it.

380 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne 

Sushi On Little Bourke

From the chef behind the two-hatted Sushi On in Kew, this slick CBD offshoot swaps omakase elegance for a high-energy Japanese canteen—because great sushi shouldn’t be a once-a-year indulgence. Here, it’s all about fluffy katsu sandos, spanner crab udon, and hako sushi—neatly pressed, wildly delicious, and built for your next casual business lunch in the city. The fish? Still top-tier. The vibe? Light, bright, and effortlessly cool. Whether you’re grabbing a quick bite or settling in with sake, this is everyday luxury done right.

3/500 Bourke Street, Melbourne (entry on Little Bourke Street)

Tombo Den

Tombo Den is a late-night Japanese haven where Tokyo’s underground energy meets masterful sushi craftsmanship. With vibes for days, this moody Windsor spot from acclaimed restaurateur Chris Lucas, which opened last year, blends late-night Tokyo grit with the razor-sharp finesse of a sushi master at work. Expect charcoal-grilled skewers, market-fresh sashimi, and hand rolls that celebrate sushi’s street food origins. Upstairs, the dedicated sake bar offers rare pours and intimate karaoke sessions—because no great night ends without a little mischief.

100a Chapel Street, Windsor 

Rōnin ōmakase

Ronin Omakase isn’t your typical high-end sushi counter—it’s a rule-breaking, culture-blending masterpiece. Chef Patrick Kwong’s 10-seater fuses Japanese precision with bold influences from Malaysia and Italy. Think red prawn nigiri dripping in laksa butter or A5 Wagyu dusted in Wagyu fat. Add a killer cocktail pairing, and you’ve got an omakase experience like no other in Melbourne.

445 Little Collins Street, Melbourne 

Yaki Nau

Yaki Nau is where fire meets finesse—an electric, smoke-kissed Japanese BBQ joint channelling Tokyo’s backstreets. At this late-night den, you’re the grill master, searing M9-grade Wagyu, seafood, and skewers over open flame. Ex-Nobu chef Hugo Mai brings the heat, pairing bold flavours with ice-cold Asahi. Neon-lit, sake-fuelled, and unapologetically rowdy—this is Japanese dining with soul.

Queens Place, S7/370 Queen Street, Melbourne

Best Japanese Restaurants in Melbourne: Sushi & Sashimi

Temaki Sushi

Temaki Sushi is Melbourne’s chicest culinary choose-your-own-adventure — a tiny 10-seat temple to hand-rolled joy where you get to DIY your sushi with a platter of luxe seasonal fillings (think grilled eel on sweet omelette, or duck with pumpkin mash). The vibe? Elegant, understated, and quietly thrilling. With jazz playing, sake pouring, and premium nori in hand, this is less dinner, more edible art. Skip Tokyo — your next temaki fix is right here on Little Collins Street.

15 Little Collins Street, Melbourne

Warabi

Warabi is a modern Omakase Japanese restaurant seating a mere 37 diners each night. The evolving 13 or 14-course menu explores rotating sashimi and nigiri dishes, with ingredients including tuna, flounder, prawn, and kingfish. Watch in awe as each nigiri and other types of Japanese dishes are made fresh and delicately placed right in front of you.

Expect a contemporary food offering, delicious sake, and a full theatrical experience as you watch the chefs work their magic.

408 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

Izakaya Hosaku

At Izakaya Hosaku, precision meets pure indulgence. Fresh St Helens oysters get a hit of yuzu verjus, wagyu bone marrow fried rice oozes umami, and sashimi is sliced with the finesse of a master swordsman. This is a love letter to Japanese craft, hidden in Melbourne’s CBD. Pull up a seat, pour a sake, and let the chefs take you somewhere unforgettable.

Sitchu Tip: Don’t miss the incredible value honey soy chicken lunch set, and elevate your experience with their signature matchatini for a delightful twist!

9 Katherine Place, Melbourne 

Komeyui

Komeyui has cemented itself as one of Melbourne’s top sushi sanctuaries, now in a sleek South Melbourne space. At its intimate 12-seat counter, the omakase unfolds in eight exquisite courses—pristine nigiri, buttery lobster sandos, and delicate steamed crab pudding. Prefer à la carte? Expect impeccable sashimi, sushi, and grilled meats, all best paired with an exceptional sake selection. No shortcuts—just pure, precise indulgence.

181 Ferrars Street, South Melbourne

Tochi Deli

At Tochi Deli in Brunswick Market, a welcoming couple serves up some of the best ocean-fresh sushi and nigiri in Melbourne, all at wallet-friendly prices. While seasonal seafood takes centre stage—think yuzu-marinated scallops, tuna belly, kingfish, and salmon—the menu also features comforting delights like miso-salmon onigiri, agedashi tofu donburi, and warming curry udon. Don’t miss the delectable sushi rolls, including salmon tartare, miso eggplant, and teriyaki mushroom rolls. 

Brunswick Market, 655-661 Sydney Road, Brunswick

Moonfishh

For next-level takeaway sushi, head to Moonfishh in Albert Park. Master Sushi Chef Haru Sonobe, with years at top restaurants, crafts impeccable bites using premium, responsibly sourced Australian and New Zealand seafood. Each piece is hand-selected daily from the Melbourne Seafood Market, ensuring peak freshness. With eco-friendly packaging and an inventive yet traditional approach, this is sushi you can feel good about—and one of Melbourne’s must-visit Japanese spots.

101 Bridport Street, Albert Park

Sushi Uokin

Sushi Uokin, led by a former Nobu chef, redefines takeaway sushi with premium quality at modest prices. True to its name—”offering the best fish”—it delivers pristine sashimi, artful maki, and signature rolls like salmon, prawn, and asparagus drizzled in a secret sauce. With standout vegetarian options, this is a must-visit spot for sushi in Melbourne.

639 Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn

Kenzan

A longstanding institution, Kenzan is one of the best Japanese restaurants in Melbourne – they’ve been slicing market fish and pouring sake for almost 40 years now. The years haven’t dulled their knives or their exactingly high standard of sushi, served here as nigiri by the piece, in picture-perfect maki rolls, chirashi bowls or beautifully arranged sushi and sashimi plates.

45 Collins Street, Melbourne 

Hinoki Japanese Pantry

For top-tier sushi at unbeatable value, head to Hinoki, a humble Japanese grocer on Smith Street with a seriously fresh sushi counter. Expect more than just salmon and avo—think seared scallops with hollandaise and hefty futomaki rolls packed with prawn, eel, pickled radish, shiitake, and more. With daily-made bentos, sashimi, and sushi platters, this spot is a hidden gem for Japanese food lovers.

279 Smith Street, Fitzroy

Best Japanese Restaurants in Melbourne: Fine Dining

Sushi On

Eight seats. Twenty-two courses. No shortcuts. At Sushi On, chef Yong Hyun orchestrates a masterclass in restraint and precision, slicing through the noise with nothing but impeccable fish and perfect rice. This isn’t dinner—it’s theatre, a front-row seat to an omakase odyssey where every piece is a revelation. Australian seafood, Japanese technique, and a razor-sharp commitment to craft. If you manage to score a booking, prepare to be schooled.

1135 Burke Road, Kew 

Aoi Tsuki

Tucked away on Punt Road, Aoi Tsuki is a 12-seat omakase temple where two Korean chefs—veterans of Shoya and Nobu—deliver a 20-course symphony of Japanese mastery. Expect pristine abalone, buttery sea urchin, and bluefin tuna that dissolves on your tongue. Then comes the showstopper: wagyu kissed by fire, crowned with foie gras. Sip on yuzu sake, surrender to the craft, and let this unassuming hideaway wreck your standards for sushi forever.

384 Punt Road, South Yarra

Shusai Mijo

At Shusai Mijo in Fitzroy, Head Chef Jun Oya delivers an electrifying Kappo-style omakase, slicing, torching, and plating right before your eyes. His eight-course masterpiece weaves together pristine sashimi, nigiri, and wagyu with seasonal stunners like persimmon-laced snow crab and Tasmanian ocean trout. Pair it all with rare sake before finishing strong—chestnut Mont Blanc and strawberry Sudachi sorbet. This isn’t just dinner—it’s a front-row seat to Japanese culinary precision.

256 Johnston Street, Fitzroy

Bansho 

A slick fusion of French and Japanese precision, Bansho in Armadale pairs Art Deco elegance with razor-sharp culinary execution. Helmed by Tomotaka Ishizuka (Ishizuka, Koko, Kisumé), the menu flexes between delicate sashimi, rich wagyu, and plant-based sushi that actually slaps. Expect spot-on technique, premium ingredients, and a drinks list spanning local wines, French drops, and Japanese sake. Book in, settle in, and prepare to be floored by the masterclass in balance.

960 High Street, Armadale

Minamishima

If you’ve got a pretty penny to spend, there’s arguably nowhere in Australia doing finer sushi than this luxe, intimate diner tucked away on a quiet Richmond street. Here, they only serve omakase, or ‘chef’s choice’, a daily changing procession of deftly sliced, shaped, torched and brushed nigiri, presented piece by piece. The knife skills of sushi master Koichi Minamishima have been honed for over 30 years, resulting in his ability to create tastes and textures in sushi you’re unlikely to forget. 

4 Lord Street, Richmond

Yakikami

For a next-level wagyu experience, book a seat at Yakikami’s Josper Room—a dark, moody 10-seat temple of fire and flesh in South Yarra. Here, Koji and Soichi, two masters of the craft, orchestrate a 12-course Wagyu Kappo Omakase that redefines indulgence. Each cut is grilled, seared, or smoked to perfection, explained with precision, and served straight from the counter. It’s intimate, it’s theatrical, and it’s some of the finest Japanese dining Melbourne has to offer.

150 Toorak Road, South Yarra 

Kisumé

No one could ever accuse Chris Lucas (Chin Chin, Grill Americano, Baby Pizza) of thinking small, and Kisume is proof. This three-level Japanese powerhouse offers something for every mood—a buzzing basement kitchen, a sleek street-level sushi bar, and the 12-seat omakase on the top floor, where traditional mastery meets modern ingenuity. Expect a stunning procession of nigiri and seasonal plates, each a precise, artful expression of Japan’s finest techniques—and some of Melbourne’s freshest seafood.

175 Flinders Lane, Melbourne 

Kazuki’s

Expertly melding Japanese flavours, French technique and Australian ingredients, Kazuki’s has carved out a unique place in Melbourne’s fine dining scene. Originally located in Daylesford, owners Saori and Kazuki Tsuya made the move to Carlton in late 2018. They brought with them unforgettable cooking that uses ponzu, kombu and miso in formats that range from pastas to pithiviers. The dining room radiates zen-filled comfort, while an extensive list of sakes and special occasion wines gives cause to celebrate.

121 Lygon Street, Carlton

Ishizuka

High-end kaiseki dining comes to the city at Ishizuka, an ultra-exclusive, hidden basement restaurant. Seating just 16, all guests are served the 11-dish tasting menu in which luxe ingredients, exceptional technique, and art gallery-level plating shine in complex yet restrained dishes. Come here for a masterclass in Japanese perfectionism. 

139 Bourke Street, Melbourne

Akaiito

Akaiito on Flinders Lane is a bold entry into the upscale Japanese dining scene. Their contemporary menu features luxe ingredients like ootoro tartare and grilled glacier 51 toothfish treated with expert precision. At the same time, a private dining room offers an omakase experience for the most discerning of diners. The main room is awash in dark hues and black marble, but a glance above reveals a dramatic blood red sculpture – a curling figure meant to represent the thread of fate connecting destined lovers.

349-351 Flinders Lane, Melbourne 

Best Japanese Restaurants in Melbourne: Casual Eats

Yakimono

One of the most hyped openings of the past few years has been Yakimono, a futuristic Japanese grill restaurant from Chris Lucas (Chin Chin, Society). Decked out in neon lamps and iridescent glass walls, the two-storey venue evokes both Blade Runner 2049 and busy Shinjuku nights while serving an izakaya-inspired menu. The fiery open kitchen grills yakitori over charcoal to go with snacks like pork and ginger gyoza and Yaki sashimi plates, while the bar spins out bubble-tea cocktails and saké.

80 Collins Street, Melbourne

Future Future

Have we mentioned how much we adore the alfresco vibes at Richmond’s buzzy Future Future? It’s easily one of Melbourne’s top picks for modern Japanese dining right now, with a glowing seal of approval from chefs across the city (trust us, we’ve checked).

Beyond its rooftop charm and effortlessly sleek interiors, this spot is all about playful yet elevated dining. Think dreamy sashimi, melt-in-your-mouth sushi, and that Shokupan—warm, golden, and slathered with curry butter that hits the flavour jackpot. Low-key vibes, high-key deliciousness. Bookmark it for your next dinner date—you won’t regret it. 

191 Swan Street, Richmond

Sushi Baby

Sushi Baby is any pastel lover’s dream. Combine the soft blue and pink hues with the vibrant food, hand-crafted to perfection, and you’ve entered paradise. Watch in awe as colourful plates of sushi rolls, sashimi and other plates are laid out in front of you, and savour every bite as the flavours dance on your tongue. You can’t leave without trying the nori tacos – the salmon one is so fresh and tasty!

414 New Street, Brighton

279

For a serene and nourishing breakfast, Japanese cafe 279 in West Melbourne is the spot. Specialising in musubi—triangular rice balls wrapped in nori—the menu blends tradition (pickled plum, bonito, cured cod roe) with modern twists (karaage chicken). The minimalist space exudes calm, with warm hand towels and blankets adding a homey touch. Pair your musubi with expertly brewed coffee, customisable miso soup, and desserts like matcha tiramisu or miso brownies.

279 Victoria Street, West Melbourne

ima Asa Yoru

Found in Brunswick’s Nightingale Village, ima Asa Yoru offers a day-to-night Japanese dining experience. By day (asa), enjoy traditional Japanese breakfasts and lunches; by night (yoru), indulge in modern Izakaya fare, all paired with sake, ice-cold beer, and jazzy tunes. Next door, ima Pantry stocks sustainably sourced Japanese groceries, artisanal products, and housemade takeaway delights—think pastries, toasties, okazu, onigiri, and expertly brewed matcha — a true hidden gem for Japanese food lovers.

1 Duckett Street, Brunswick

Papirica

A beloved local secret on Smith Street, Papirica is a homey Osaka-style diner serving up some of Melbourne’s best Japanese comfort food. Their signature okonomiyaki—a savoury pancake loaded with veg and drizzled in rich sauces—is a must-try. Run by a warm and welcoming Osaka expat, the menu features hearty bowls, curries, sandwiches, and cakes, with plenty of vegan options. Don’t forget to browse their adorable homewares before you leave!

22 Smith Street, Collingwood  

Robata

This glitzy Japanese restaurant in Melbourne CBD captures the fun side of dining out. The menu is centred around robatayaki, a style of cooking in which different cuts of meat and vegetables are skewered, grilled over charcoal and paired with a dressing to enhance their flavours. Snacky and interactive, you’ll love washing down bite-sized pieces of pork belly, wagyu and chicken with Japanese beers and fruity cocktails. Robata’s venue seats over 100 guests, but the most sought-after spots are at the kitchen bar, where you’ll get a close-up view of chefs working the grills.

2 Exhibition Street, Melbourne

Shop Ramen

A hipster magnet in the Inner North, Shop Ramen pushes the boundaries with yuzu oil, melted cheese, and fiery jalapeños in their bowls. Their vegetarian ramen is a standout—creamy sesame broth, tofu, kale, pickles, pea shoots, edamame, and marinated egg. Pair it with a boozy umeshu-whisky sipper and ice cream pie, and you’ll see why this is one of Melbourne’s best Japanese spots.

Fitzroy, Preston & Brunswick

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