Melbourne Japanese Restaurant Guide

Find the home of premium Wagyu rice bowls in Chadstone shopping centre and take a break from retail therapy to refuel and recharge at... Offering an ideal respite from the worries of the world, Kumo Izakaya on Lygon Street in East Brunswick features eclectic Japanese style and a creative menu. Expect to find a high-energy Japanese eating house with a uniquely Melbourne sensibility at Yakimono on Collins Street in Melbourne’s CBD. Set on the first floor in the heart of the city’s fashion ... Catch up with friends during the festive season at these group-friendly local venues. Elevate your evening at these cult-status eateries, degustations and luxe fine-dining spots. Baking fresh four times daily, Coppe Pan has your gourmet sandwich craving covered.
Beautifully executed pan-Asian offerings by Andrew McConnell. Come for Korean-style barbequed meats, Shanghai dumplings and Melbourne’s most famous lobster roll. Their lunch Teppanyaki Special starts from $38 per person and is available daily (though on Monday and Tuesday pre-booking is required). You can dine privately, or sit next to the chefs so you can watch the action. Here are the best places to experience teppanyaki Melbourne-wide!



This stylish Richmond joint describes itself as a Japanese restaurant filtered through Melbourne eyes. It pays homage to traditional Japanese dishes while also introducing some contemporary elements. Enjoy a chef's menu for dinner, and be sure to pair it with one of the bespoke cocktails or with a glass of Japanese whisky. On a Carlton corner, Ima Project Café is breathing new life into smashed avo. Japanese twists on archetypal breakfast dishes can also be found in Ima’s miso-infused tomato baked eggs and the porridge drizzled with Mitarashi syrup, a traditional Japanese sauce made from soy sauce and sugar.
Chef Shannon Bennett has been at the helm for over 20 years, and his classical French cuisine has earned him numerous awards and accolades including unprecedented 19/20 from The Age Good Food Guide. Located on Smith Street in Melbourne, IDES is a small restaurant with a focus on seasonal Australian cuisine. The walls are adorned with paintings by mid-century Australian artists, and the central “super pass” plating station for the chefs is a standout feature.

Order your favourite Wagyu dishes from our exclusive take away menu to enjoy at home. Kaiseki as a Japanese art form practiced only by the most experiences culinary masters. Distinguished by a reverence for the authentic flavours derived from fresh, seasonal produce, the approach balances taste and texture with expert precision. With a changing seasonal menu, the diner’s discovery of flavours over a series of courses is complemented by a tremendous sense of theatre. Omakase is an exquisite craft and a time-honoured tradition. You will enjoy a premium and sensory journey led by our experienced chef, the production and seasons.
Beautifully furnished cozy Atami restaurant is a perfect place for a relaxing dinner with your family or a romantic dinner. Marinated with the best and freshest traditional Japanese ingredients, we guarantee an explosion of flavour and colour. Be the judge of the best xiao long bao and pot stickers at these local favourite dumpling houses. There's always something new to discover in Melbourne's hive of bustling, creative laneways with their boutiques, restaurants, cafes and bars. Cap off the night with sake and snacks at Japanese bar Robot, or get a taste of Japanese culture at karaoke bars around Little Bourke Street.

We’ve paid special attention to cater for a wide variety of dietary rquirements, including gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan. Let our friendly wait staff know your specific needs and we’ll do our best to accommodate. Indulge your senses in the freshest Japanese cuisine whilst overlooking the city views of bustling Elizabeth street. This colourful Chris Lucas venture features a futuristic aesthetic and a menu filled with Japanese street food that's cooked over flames. Flame-grilled, flavour-packed dishes inspired by traditional methods of cooking over binchōtan . “Kura” means cellar in Japanese and it’s all in the name – a treasure trove of saké awaits guests as the perfect compliment to Robata-yaki dishes.
"You pull it apart. And with a beer, it's delicious." Or there's smoked eel chawanmushi with brown butter and crisp chicken skin. "Off of that we've got pork neck with a fermented chilli and ginger, spring onion sauce," says Nairn. At the walk-in part of the restaurant, you can expect a distinct Japanese focus, but you'll also find ingredients and techniques from across Korea, China and Thailand. When it comes to combining flavours from across Asia, Nairn hopes team work and rigorous dish testing, along with a respect for all of the ingredients unites the cross-country influences.
On the full à la carte menu, you’ll find all the Japanese favourites, including fresh sashimi, Okonomiyaki, Ramen, as well as Japanese-inspired beverages that make your dining experience one to remember. Whilst the cafe is small, it is rather cozy, with staff continuously working hard to ensure the dining and food is a pleasant experience. Tempura’s Head Chef prides himself on delivering the finest quality food daily, having been led by a strong passion for handcrafting sushi and cooking hot dishes.

There have been many subsequent imitators, but none quite capture the alchemy of that buttery brioche and sweet, succulent New England lobster. It’s right up there on Eatability’s Death Row Meal short-list!. Although not exclusively Japanese, we still had to put Supernormal amongst our best Japanese restaurants in Melbourne. There is also an outdoor terrace that overlooks the fashion district.