Best of Brisbane 2021: Top 10 Japanese restaurants revealed
There are heaps of Japanese restaurants in and around Brisbane but want to know which ones locals love so matcha? See the list here!
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Japanese cuisine has gifted us with a countless number of delightful dishes and delicacies packed with flavour and Brisbane is lucky enough to have its fair share of casual and fine dining Japanese restaurants.
After calling for nominations and putting the short-list out to a vote for all your favourite places to settle your Japanese food cravings, we can now reveal the winners as voted by our readers.
10. Yoko Dining, CBD
Howard Smith Wharves 2, 5 Boundary St, Brisbane City
Instagram: @yokodining
Think the energy of Tokyo’s busy izakayas and highlights of Japan’s exquisite cuisine mixed with Brisbane’s laid-back lifestyle and that’s what you’ll find upon visiting Yoko Dining at Howard Smith Wharves.
The contemporary Japanese izakaya-style restaurant by restaurateur Jonathan Barthelmess offers a large selection of bar snacks like seasonal gyoza and tempura as well as sashimi and mains cooked on their hibachi charcoal grill.
9. Oishii Sushi Bar, Sunnybank Hills
70 Pinelands Rd, Sunnybank Hills
Facebook: Oishii Sushi Bar
Instagram: @oishiisushibar
Great service is topped with an amazing range of beautifully presented sushi at this Sunnybank Hills Japanese restaurant.
With so many affordable sushi rolls to choose from including their Black Dragon roll with eel, tamago, and cucumber, the Spider Roll with tempura soft shell crab, kani salad, cucumber, and tobiko, and the Snake Roll with medium rare salmon, avocado, tempura salmon skin, and wasabi mayo, whether you’re looking for something a little adventurous or something familiar – Oishii Sushi Bar will have the perfect roll for you.
8. Mizu Japanese Restaurant, Teneriffe
2 Macquarie St, Teneriffe
Instagram: @mizu.restaurant
Using the very best of local and international produce, Mizu gives their customers a true taste of Japan and adds a contemporary spin.
Grab lunch and you’ll be spoiled for choice with all their popular bento box options full of all your Japanese favourites like chicken karaage, salmon teriyaki, and pork tonkatsu served with sashimi, rice, salad and side dishes.
There’s also sushi, salads, and regular specials like Hosokawa-san’s famous Chirashi Sushi (scattered sushi) bowl.
Opt for dinner and you’ll find a menu full of a great la carte seafood and meat dishes as well as options that cater to a vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diet.
7. Oyama Japanese Restaurant, Fortitude Valley
Shop 30/115 Wickham St, Fortitude Valley
Instagram: @oyamarestaurant
For over 20 years, Oyama Japanese Restaurant has been serving their Fortitude Valley patrons incredible sushi and teppanyaki as well as an impeccable dining experience.
A trip to Oyama is not complete without some of their signature orders like the Oyama tempura prawn and avocado hand roll topped with tobiko caviar, Tasmanian salmon, South Australian tuna, or Hokkaido scallop sashimi, eye fillet steak with teriyaki sauce or Oyama’s Moreton Bay bugs with their special Japanese mustard sauce.
6. Chidori Japanese Restaurant, Manly West
3/212 Preston Rd, Manly West
Instagram: @chidori.japanese
Brisbane’s Bayside gets an authentic taste of Japan thanks to Chidori and locals can’t get enough.
The warm and welcoming staff, wonderful atmosphere, and head chef Tanaka-san’s expertise all come together to bring diners a spectacular experience at the intimate venue.
Chidori’s menu features many traditional Japanese dishes such as renkon (lotus root) chips, takoyaki (octopus balls), nabeyaki udon noodles, and katsudon bowls.
5. The Boom Boom Room, CBD
49 Elizabeth St, Brisbane City
Instagram: @the_boomboomroom
If you’re in the mood to try bold Japanese inspired dishes beneath the streets of Brisbane, The Boom Boom Room is a must.
Led by executive chef Jake Nicolson and head chef Zac Sykes, every plate of food has been well thought out to best translate the bustling city of Tokyo using the freshest Australian ingredients.
Whether you order various plates of yakitori and bar snacks or go for the restaurant’s more unique dishes like the mushroom onigirazu, cured Ora King salmon, spanner crab udon noodles, and Gooralie Farm pork tomahawk, your tastebuds will have you begging for more.
But the food isn’t the only thing bringing guests down to The Boom Boom Room – from Japan’s finest whiskeys, beers, and sake to gorgeous cocktails and great wine, they offer a wide selection of drinks that will pair perfectly with your meal.
4. Takashiya, South Bank
Emporium Hotel, 267 Grey St, South Brisbane
Instagram: @takashiya.au
TakashiYa is one of the latest additions to Brisbane’s high-end Japanese cuisine scene and it has definitely made its mark with its divine omakase, which means you trust the chef enough to say, “I’ll leave it up to you.”
Overseen by executive chef Takashi Nami, inside the stunning venue is food equally as aesthetically pleasing (and delicious).
Best suited for a special occasion or date night, diners can choose from casual dining at the bar to get a taste of some of Takashi’s menu that features dishes such as the Negitoro cone, Glacier 51 Toothfish katsu sando, karaage cauliflower, and kaisen don (fresh seafood rice bowl), or go all out with the 10+ course omakase inside TakashiYa’s private dining room.
With lots of drinks including a range of sake and multiple Japanese whiskeys to choose from, a tasting flight might be the way to go if you’re wanting to try something new before enjoying the unforgettable Japanese dinner that awaits you.
3. Sushi Kotobuki, East Brisbane
3/53 Lytton Rd, East Brisbane
Instagram: @sushi_kotobuki_brisbane
The best of Brisbane’s casual Japanese dining is found in East Brisbane. Here you’ll find sushi with an Aussie flair using quality ingredients.
While their name might imply they’re sushi central (and they are), this East Brisbane Japanese eatery is also known for their donburi (rice bowls) and noodle dishes.
With nothing over $16, Sushi Kotobuki is the go-to restaurant for consistently great tasting food made fast and at super reasonable prices.
2. Honto, Fortitude Valley
Alden St, Fortitude Valley
Instagram: @honto.restaurant
A lot of Japan and a little bit of Oz come together at this sleek and moody low-lit restaurant that serves Japanese-inspired fare designed to be shared.
The menu is broken down into five aspects: Signature Raw and Sushi, Bites, Bigger, Greens, and Sweets, which allows you to tease your tastebuds a little with something like the edamame and avocado dip with lotus root chips or go with a dish bigger in size and in flavour like the karaage whole baby snapper.
If you tend to be on the more indecisive side when it comes to ordering, let Honto’s head chef do the hard work and present you with an array of the menu’s specialties and his favourite dishes.
This restaurant may be hidden away from plain sight but that hasn’t stopped anyone from seeing and tasting everything Honto has to offer.
1. Sono Japanese Restaurant, Hamilton
39 Hercules St, Hamilton
Instagram: @sono_restaurant
Located in Hamilton’s Portside Wharf, Sono has been voted Brisbane’s best Japanese restaurant for 2021.
From melt-in-you-mouth sashimi and soothing sukiyaki to nasu dengaku (grilled eggplant with miso), kingfish cheek shioyaki, and teriyaki duck orange, every dish served at this fine dining restaurant has been carefully created using premium ingredients and the freshest seafood available so that every bite is as delightful as your last.
Sono’s team of highly skilled Japanese chefs are constantly innovating and improving their dishes that mix traditional Japanese elements with modern flavours to create something unique that everyone can enjoy.
With a diverse range of modern Japanese food including a vegetarian and vegan friendly menu, omakase, and a teppanyaki bar, Sono’s multiple dining options means there’s something special available for every occasion.
On top of the food, impeccable service, a tranquil atmosphere, and a sophisticated setting makes Sono a must-try for anyone looking for an elevated Japanese cuisine experience.
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