They might be small in size, but the tiny Japanese eatery of Sandoitchi Darlinghurst is a hip and buzzy venue that prides itself on dishing up some of the best breakfast, lunch and coffee you will find in the whole of Sydney.
Presenting a sophisticated interpretation of the traditional Japanese Izakaya style of casual dining, the Gaku Robata Grill is a popular restaurant on Darlinghurst Road. It offers a tasty menu of ramen, sushi and charcoal-grilled meats.
An authentic Japanese restaurant that is perfect for small groups, Nom Japanese serve up a delicious range of sushi and tempura, as well as sake and beer. Its a very compact place, where the quality of food & service does the talking.
Dishing up some of the best-loved ramen and yakitori in Sydney, Chaco Ramen is a perennial favourite on Crown Street. Open for lunch and dinner, this lively, trendy place features an interesting wall decor of Japanese characters.
The perfect spot for date night, Yachiyo is an intimate and cosy eatery. It showcases an exquisite menu of innovative Japanese dishes, in the form of the chef’s beautifully presented tasting menu, as well as a great sake selection.
Renowned for its delicious, Japanese-inspired food and great service, Neko Darlinghurst is an institution. Located on Victoria Street, its menu showcases an authentic range of tempura, okonomiyaki, sushi, sashimi and main dishes.
Located on King Street, the Tanshin Sushi Bar is renowned for serving up top quality sushi, sashimi and tempura in an inviting setting. Always popular, the food here is loved by locals and workers and there is often a long queue snaking out the door.
Another popular Japanese restaurant on King Street, the Hikaru Japanese Courtyard occupies a vibrant and unassuming space. It serves up a delicious range of sushi, sashimi and tempura, with an impressive mix of speed and elegance.
Unique for being the only dedicated 100% plant-based Ramen Bar in Sydney, Lonely Mouth offers a great range of vegan Japanese noodles and rice bowl dishes. Served within a friendly and relaxed setting, they also present a nice range of beers too.
Yakitori is a popular comfort food widely found in ‘Izakayas’ all over Japan. This is the inspiration for Shinmachi, who serve up a fantastic range of small plates, sushi and ramen, which they present in a pleasant, modern and attractive wood-lined space.
Chow down in Japanese style amid blossom and bonsai in this beachside eatery where sliders and salads work in perfect harmony with traditional Japanese dishes and unique versions of your fave pub grub. With everything from crunchy Hot Chipsus with kewpie mayo to delicate sushi and sashimi, a healthy snack or a full-one dinner are all options at Daniel San’s where the phrase NOM NOM takes on whole new meanings!
Traditional Japanese dining hits the beach and gets bizzay! Floor-to-ceiling windows fold open onto rooftop views of the Manly seaside from this Luchetti Krelle-designed space atop the Manly Wharf complex. Precisely-made Japanese dishes of bluefin tuna, delicate sushi, and meats grilled using the ancient robata technique, are served in an atmosphere of space, light and harmony. Mix in a saké or two and you have Zen perfection at the beach.
Offering a unique mix of Japanese & Peruvian fusion style tapas, Nikkei Bar is one of the more innovative Surry Hills restaurants. A sleek and contemporary venue, it specialises in share plates and presents an impressive list of over 40 wines.
Offering sensational burgers with an innovative Japanese twist, UME Burger is a trendy restaurant run by a hatted head chef. With a great selection of Japanese beers on tap and sodas from a vending machine, this place really appeals to your fun side.
It’s only been open a few months but the ToroToro Ramen Bar has already carved a reputation for serving top-quality cuisine. Run by the former head chef of China Doll, it is a charming venue that even serves frozen ramen kits for you to take home.
Beautifully merging the delicate flavours of Japanese food with the best of locally sourced ingredients, Zushi serve up dishes in both Barangaroo and Surry Hills that are inspired by a passion for sharing food with the ones you love.
Widely considered to be one of Australia most prominent Omakase sushi masters, Yoshii’s Omakase is an institution in Sydney. Located in the Crown Hotel it is run by Chef Yoshii who has almost 40 years of experience in Japan cuisine.
Another fine-dining restaurant in The Crown Hotel, Nobu offers iconic Japanese cuisine. Presenting signature dishes from acclaimed chef Nobu Matsuhisa, the menu fuses Japanese tradition with the best in local seafood and other produce.
A combined restaurant and workshop on Whateley St for diners and motorcycle enthusiasts. The Rising Sun provides space, tools, and motorcycle knowledge as well as a la carte, and general menus which impress the foodies. They regularly seek out local winemakers, roasters, distillers, brewers, and growers to supply their kitchen.
A funkily named Japanese restaurant in Woolloomooloo, Riley St Garage brings the 1930’s back with dim lights and angular jazz beats set around a glittering brass island bar. The menu is an astounding experience of sticky, fresh, aromatic, raw, and fragrant: one long satisfying mouthfeel, followed by excellent desserts.
Located in one of the trendiest dining spots in Sydney, Zushi is a popular Japanese inspired restaurant. It is known for its excellent range of craft beers, contemporary sushi, tempura and teriyaki dishes, as well as its craft beer selection.
Yachiyo Japanese Bistro is a very popular restaurant in Mosman that serves a great range of Japanese dishes. Showcased by cooking method, their menu offers dishes that are grilled, sizzling, fried, seared and presented raw.
The name of UMAYA comes from Japanese word ‘Umai’ (うまい), which means yummy. We use well selected ingredients to create truly authentic Japanese food. We are here to welcome you with our signature Teishoku (Japanese set meal) and warm service.
A stalwart in Cremorne Junction for more than 10 years, Restaurant Toshiya serves up a menu of tasty sushi, udon dishes and other delicious main meals in a relaxed and stylish venue that features classic black and red decor.
Served within an intimate and industrial-chic space, Tokyo Bird offers a delicious range of Japanese whiskey and sake, as well as a technique-focused approach to cocktails. A relaxed and refined venue, they also offer a great selection of yakitori bites.
Contained within one of Sydney’s leading dining precincts, Toko serves up traditional Japanese izakaya cuisine and creative cocktails using the finest and freshest of produce. Boasting a flashy space with ambient lighting, the venue is modern, relaxed, authentic and always really popular.
Head to SOY Japanese on Campbell Parade for high-quality and creative Japanese cuisine. This beachfront bistro provides an exquisite dining experience with unbeatable views in a chic setting. The hot rock wagyu, tempura prawns, and teriyaki chicken are our favourites, and the sushi is always the freshest in town.
A tiny Japanese inspired restaurant hidden away from the main drag, Raita Noda is a unique venue that only serves omakase. There is no menu here, or in fact table and chairs, but this cool eatery does have a full open kitchen and enough bar seating for 8 people.
Offering high-quality Japanese food with outstanding service, the Ogenki Japanese Restaurant offers a large, authentic menu of exotic dishes. Thoughtfully prepared and quickly delivered their food is always fresh and tasty.
An unassuming venue on the corner of Fitzroy Street, Konakara is an intimate family-run restaurant that offers up a delicious range of Japanese comfort food. Their signature dishes include karaage chicken and tempura, which come in hearty portions.
Offering live jazz every night and an exquisite range of sushi, Jazushi is possibly the cleverest named restaurant in Surry Hills! Featuring exposed brick walls and a lovely covered terrace, the venue is possibly one of Sydney’s best-kept secrets.
An award-winning Japanese restaurant, sake bar and whiskey den, Izakaya Fujiyama is one of the best Japanese restaurants in Surry Hills. A laid-back spot that serves up exceptional sushi and sashimi, be sure to come here for happy hour from 5pm.
Since opening in 2016, Green Shiso has offered contemporary Japanese food while preserving traditions. A la carte sushi is available, as well as the Omakase experience in which the chef curates the freshest fish in a luxury dining experience. Other imports include Hitachino Nest Beer, a popular Japanese craft beer.
A casual-chic Japanese ramen bar, the Gogyo venue in Surry Hills is one of six around the world. Boasting a delicious menu with an excellent cocktail list, the airy and modern venue has a friendly and buzzing atmosphere and is always full of happy patrons.
Widely recognised as being one of the best Japanese restaurants in Sydney, Enya is known for its great servings, decent prices and authentic cuisine. Occupying a relaxed yet intimate setting with wooden tables and bench seating, this friendly restaurant serves awesome Bento.
Bringing an evocative touch of Tokyo to Potts Point, Cho Cho San was inspired by the iconic Izakayas of Japan. Boasting a critically acclaimed menu that includes everything from sashimi to delicious curries, the restaurant is also known for its innovative cocktails.
For many Sydneysiders, the Chaco Bar is the only place to go for Yakitori. Located on Victoria Street, within a stylish industrial-chic venue, the restaurant presents upscale Japanese bar snacks & infused sake offerings that will elevate your taste buds up another couple of levels.
Cafe Kentaro is a Japanese fusion café, which operates from 616 Bourke St, Surry Hills every day of the week, and is famed for its Japanese inspired modern and freshly baked organic pastries. An all day menu was created by chef Kenny and features the Matcha Croffle Waffle: Just go and try one!
Another exceptional Japanese restaurant in Potts Point, Busshari strives to represent the very essence of Japanese gastronomy. Presented within a venue that features warm, mood lighting, they offer a menu of sashimi and sushi dishes that are epitomised by simple, fresh flavours.
One of the most popular venues in Surry Hills, Bar Ume is an iconic establishment that is widely recognised for serving the best burger and chips in town. Renowned for its great service, it also offers 17 Japanese whiskies too!