Brisbane’s best sushi restaurants rated

Brisbane’s enthusiasm for sushi is a long and proud one – and it only promises to get stronger. We look at the city’s best sushi spots. SEE THE FULL LIST

Brisbanites were early adopters when it comes to Japanese food – the city was home to one of the country’s first and longest-running Japanese restaurants, Little Tokyo, which opened in 1966.

Our enthusiasm for Japanese food hasn’t dimmed across the decades, although we’re more inclined to grab and go than sit down to a multi-course Japanese meal these days and sushi’s portability, intergenerational appeal and keen price point have seen an ongoing wave of venues opening in Brisbane, a tide that shows no sign of ebbing any time soon.

But what separates the best from the rest?

Sushi is meant to be eaten as soon after it’s been made as possible; fridge-cold, dry-looking rice and tough seaweed are signs that your sushi is already past its peak. Fillings or toppings, known as “neta,” should be moist and in proportion to the rice, offering a contrast of texture, flavour and colour.

Whichever you are – a traditional minimalist or a more-is better sushi advocate, with venues proliferating from the city centre to the furthest suburbs, you’re never far from a sushi-source. Here are five of Brisbane’s best.

Fresh Sushi Co, New Farm

Being part of the James Street Fresh Fish Co, it’s a given that there’s a strong seafood focus here.

And over the years, Sushi Co has attracted a large retinue of regulars who come for the generous portions of maki (seaweed on the outside) and uramaki (seaweed inside) rolls in market-fresh tuna, kingfish, salmon, Moreton Bay bug or prawn, topped with Japanese mayo, a dab of wasabi or a pop of fish roe.

There are non-seafood options too, like the wildly popular chicken katsu or a simple avocado. Replenished throughout the day, you can modify your order for made-to-the-minute rolls.

Ichiban Sushi, West End

Ichiban Sushi is a must-go in Brisbane.

Who hasn’t sat around a sushi train, chopsticks poised waiting in vain while the same sad-looking dishes circulate?

Not the case here – the well-presented offerings are frequently refreshed and if you don’t see what you fancy, you can order a la carte via an iPad. Meat, such as pork, duck and Wagyu beef are ethically sourced and there are lots of seafood options; from scallops to octopus, tuna, salmon belly, kingfish and mackerel in various iterations, from elegant nigiri (fish on top) to maki rolls. Vegetarians will be happy too, with eggplant, corn tempura, omelette and more in regular circulation.

The Sushi Factory, Morningside

In-the-know traditionalists flock to this sushi bar set within a fish market, where sushi is made from the best sashimi-grade fish available.

Open Thursday to Sunday, the packs are constantly replenished by chef Ishi who rolls maki, uramaki and nigiri.

The filling or topping are a changing selection, depending on what’s in the market; from king fish, to tuna, raw or tataki style, salmon, prawn or Moreton Bay bug, with chicken or avocado as non-seafood options.

Authentic and excellent quality, from the rice to the fillings, you can take your sushi to the tables outside to catch the afternoon bay breeze.

Harris Farm Markets, West End

Sushi Kotobuki has built its reputation unassumingly.

Neither a sushi shop, nor a restaurant, but still one of Brisbane’s best places to buy sushi.

Prepared by Fish in the Family, who run the fish market within Harris Farm, the up-market-looking sushi offerings here, prepared by a dedicated sushi chef, draw inspiration from the catch bought in daily.

Super-fresh, kept at the correct temperature so the rice remains moist, and replenished frequently, fish, such as salmon, kingfish and tuna dominate in maki and uramaki rolls, but there are also plenty of options for meat lovers and vegetarians.

It’s takeaway only, but there are plenty of shady benches outside in the square to enjoy your sushi.

Sushi Kotobuki, East Brisbane

Harris Farm Markets at West End offers all around excellence.

Behind an unassuming shopfront, with a scattering of chairs and tables for dining in, this extremely popular stalwart caters to both minimalists and modernists.

There are no chill cases, rather sushi’s rolled to order in the open kitchen.

Sushi Kotobuki offers more than meets the eye.

The menu is exhaustive; from one side, traditionalists can choose from nigiri and temaki to uramaki in seafood such as prawn, salmon and tuna, scallops and unagi (eel) as well as chicken and a good selection of vegetarian options.

The “fusion sushi,” section, meanwhile offers contemporised no holds-barred iterations, with tuna, fried chicken or crab accompanied by cream cheese, chilli and even piri-piri sauce.