Experience the best of Japanese cuisine at these Melbourne treasures.
Nicole de Souza – Staff Writer
There’s so much to love about Japanese food. From refreshing bites of sushi to hot and flavoursome sukiyaki, there’s something to enjoy for every season. And Melbourne has plenty of Japanese restaurants for you to discover. Journey into underground venues, indulge in omakase experiences, live your best life at an intimate, fine dining restaurant and more. Without further ado, here are some incredible Japanese restaurants in Melbourne.
A post shared by Kenzan Japanese Restaurant (@kenzanjapaneserestaurant)
Kenzan has been serving authentic Japanese cuisine to Melbourne foodies for over 40 years. And when you pay a visit, you’ll understand why they’re a Melbourne staple. This restaurant uses traditional cooking methods to take you on a culinary journey. Take a seat in the main dining room or at the sushi bar, or book a tatami room for a more private experience.
At Kenzan, it’s all about the details. Delight in their sushi and sashimi, with tender fish on carefully prepared sushi rice that’s served at just the right temperature. Explore their a la carte options, and enjoy special lunch sets during the day, and additional options like Nabe Ryori, Sukiyaki and Shabu Shabu at night. Pair your meal with wine, sake and other drinks for a good time.
📍Collins Place Lower Ground Floor, 45 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000
A post shared by Shoya 昇家 • Since 2003 (@shoyamelbourne)
Shoya is an award-winning, fine dining venue that’s sure to impress. Made up of three levels, you can experience traditional tatami seating, hang out at the sushi bar or eat in the fine level dining area. Find traditionally prepared and creatively presented dishes, made from high quality and fresh ingredients. The menu is constantly changing, so that you can experience new techniques and intricate flavours every time you visit. Try one of their lunch sets, or let the chef lead the way with an omakase course. Dive into some fresh sashimi, and feel the A5 Japanese wagyu beef melt in your mouth. A vegetarian and gluten free course is also available, so everyone can join in the fun. Shoya also has an extensive drinks menu, featuring sake, shochu, wine and champagne.
📍25 Market Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000
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You’ll find Izakaya Den nestled in Melbourne’s underground. Watch the chefs work their magic in this narrow basement venue, and enjoy small dishes in this izakaya experience. Start with a drink and a snack, then choose between a set menu or a ‘free style’ menu. Indulge in karaage chicken, charcoal grilled beef cheek, marlin crudo and more. A vegetarian and vegan set menu is also available. For dessert, treat yourself to some icy taiyaki or dango. Of course, there’s plenty of drinks to go around, including sake, umeshu and a Suntory Kakubin Highball.
📍Basement/118 Russell St, Melbourne VIC 3000
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Komeyui is a true haven for Japanese food enthusiasts. They’ve transformed their dishes into a truly artistic experience that delights all of your senses. Find masterful morsels with balanced flavours and fresh ingredients served at the perfect time. Let the chef take you on a culinary adventure with either the Omakase or Kaiseki menu and matched sake. Or, choose something from the a la carte menu, from smaller dishes to larger sharing plates.
📍181 Ferrars St, Southbank VIC 3006
A post shared by Robata Japanese Grill (@robatamelbourne)
Let the aroma of the charcoal grill lure you into Robata, and whisk you away to Tokyo. Your eyes will feel dazzled by the bright lightboxes and signs, transporting you to a bustling streetscape. Sink your teeth into exquisitely flavoured dishes from the robata grill, or indulge in fresh sushi and sashimi. If you can’t decide, set menus are also available to give you a little taste of everything. Enjoy whisky, beer, cider, sake, and more while you’re there.
📍2 Exhibition St, Melbourne VIC 3000
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Kisumé is a renowned and sophisticated Japanese restaurant that stretches over three levels. Descend into the basement and dine in the restaurant space, stay on the ground floor for the sushi bar or head upstairs for private dining and events. Upstairs, you’ll also find the Chablis Bar, an intimate space serving up Chablis, whisky, wine, sake, cocktails and sashimi.
As for food, enjoy marvellous dishes in the restaurant, like sushi, wagyu beef tartare and pork ribs. Or, take it a step further and let the chef guide the way at the Chef’s Table. This intimate experience will take you through multiple courses and seasonal dishes. Kisumé also holds masterclasses, so you can learn more about the art of sushi.
📍175 Flinders Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000
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Visit this modern Japanese restaurant in the heart of Melbourne CBD. Whether you’re there for lunch and dinner, you’ll enjoy exquisite food that will delight your taste buds. Feast on seasonal lunch sets, wagyu sukiyaki, misoyaki cod and much more. But, if you want to elevate your experience, you must try the omakase set at Tsuru. This set will treat you to zensai, sushi, yakimono, dessert and more. Sip on their Tsuru yuzu lemonade, or enjoy alcoholic beverages like plum wine and fruit sake.
📍Shop 1/27 Little Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000
A post shared by IKKAI (@ikkai.au)
Find premium Japanese food at IKKAI. Feast on deep-fried oysters, then warm up with a flavoursome wagyu sukiyaki. If you don’t feel like sukiyaki, there’s plenty of donburi available, with eel, grilled salmon, chicken katsu and more for you to try. Alongside the rich menu, you’ll find a curated range of Japanese sake and beer.
📍113 Hardware St, Melbourne VIC 3000
A post shared by Ishizuka (@ishizuka_australia)
Journey underground for a refined Kaiseki experience at Ishizuka. This intimate restaurant has just 16 seats and a nightly set menu of up to 11 courses. Embark on a culinary adventure, and watch the chefs improvise when creativity strikes. Feast on seasonal ingredients with subtle and nuanced flavours. During your meal, you can expect amuse bouche, seasonal delicacies, soup, grilled courses and dessert. Every facet of the experience is carefully considered, Match it with a premium selection of wine and sake for an even more unforgettable experience.
📍Basement level B01/139 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000
A post shared by Akaiito Restaurant – Melbourne (@akaiitomelbourne)
Indulge in modern Japanese cuisine at Akaiito. Enjoy an omakase experience at your own table, and enjoy delicious flavours, seasonal dishes and gorgeous presentation. Choose between a 3, 5, or 7-course menu, and watch the careful preparation of each dish from the open show kitchen. For a magical experience, make a reservation for the Tsukiyo Dining Room, and watch the table come to life with interactive digital projections. Then, keep the night going and descend into underground bar Ototo for drinks and casual bites.
📍349-351 Flinders Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000
This subterranean venue is perfect for late nights. Leave the world behind and enjoy modern Japanese cuisine at Yugen Dining. The venue features three sections: a lower dining room, a six-seat omakase bar, and a dramatic orb-like booth suspended from the ceiling. Choose something for yourself from the a la carte menu, or let the chef guide you in the omakase experience.
📍605 Chapel St, South Yarra VIC 3141
It’s all about the meat here at Yakikami. In this sleek venue, feast on sushi, sashimi, grilled seafood, wagyu steak, chicken cooked on the binchotan grill and more from the a la carte menu. Otherwise, try the nine-course yakitori omakase and enjoy chicken skewers, ramen and more. For an intimate experience, dine in the 10-seater Josper room and experience a 12-course omakase revolving around the finest wagyu.
📍150 Toorak Rd, South Yarra VIC 3141
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