The Best Japanese Restaurants in Sydney
Sydney’s relationship with Japanese cuisine is stronger than most Australian cities. We have one of the largest Japanese populations in the country, bringing with it a wealth of culinary traditions and techniques passed down from the source.
On top of that, our harbour location gives us the advantage of having a world-class fish market. It’s the reason why Tokyo-level sushi and sashimi is everywhere in Sydney; best experienced at one of our many omakase counters.
We’ve got ramen, too – bowls and bowls of it. But if you’re after a flashy izakaya for sake and whisky, a fiery yakitori den, or a masterclass in Peruvian-influenced Nikkei cuisine, you’ll find it on this list.
Restaurant
Chaco Bar
A homage to the grungy izakayas of Fukuoka, Japan. It’s a little more refined than that, but the yakitori is on-point, the beer is ice-cold, and the light is low enough to obscure the fact that you’re dining at the Paris end of Potts Point.
Restaurant
Toko Restaurant
Behind a nondescript door in town, the second iteration of Toko echoes the experience beloved at the original Surry Hills site for 15 years. Expect good-times playlists, signature dishes including Moreton Bay bug tempura, and a sushi bar.
Bar
Tokyo Bird
Good times are guaranteed at this fun izakaya. Studio Ghibli films are projected on the wall, the staff are cool, and the bites are booze-friendly. Sit at the bar with a whisky highball and some chicken-thigh skewers for the win.
Bar
Amuro
This polished sake room is inspired by a popular Japanese manga – hear the story behind each sake as you sip, and don’t hold back on the nostalgic snacks. We can't get over the Kewpie mayo-shaped chopstick rests.
Restaurant
Kisuke
A spot at Kisuke’s six-seat omakase counter is the closest you’ll get to Tokyo without leaving the city. Chef Yusuke Morita prepares raw and hibachi-grilled dishes before you as you dine. You’re in his hands, and all the better for it.
Bar
Nomidokoro Indigo
A compact izakaya like you’d find down a Tokyo alleyway, with hot towels and all. Inside there are more than 20 sakes, plus sake-friendly snacks including yakitori, miso-marinated cream cheese, and scallops in the half shell.
Cafe
Otogo
Innovation meets affordability at Otogo. Cutting-edge tech is the key to its sharp prices – but quality is still king. Come for onigiri made with premium Japanese rice, soba with Kyoto-style duck, and housemade vanilla soft serve.
Restaurant
Hanasuki
Sleek Hanasuki is the only restaurant in Sydney dedicated to shabu-shabu, or Japanese-style hotpot. Dunk thin slices of Wagyu into a delicate, simmering broth – and don’t forget to leave leftovers for some umami-rich congee to finish.
Restaurant
Haco
Chaco Bar's Keita Abe brings high-end Japanese dining to Surry Hills with this theatrical omakase restaurant. Sit at the wraparound counter try a constantly-shifting menu of Osaka-style tempura and desserts with wow factor.
Restaurant
Cho Cho San
A stylish riff on a classic izakaya where the menu is anything but traditional. Pork-katsu buns and yuzu brulee are perfect drinking fare – good thing there’s a lengthy list of Japanese spirits, sake and shochu behind the bar.
Restaurant
Moku
This tiny two-storey diner punches above its weight with a former Sokyo chef in the kitchen and a top mixologist behind the bar. Expect Japanese dishes reimagined with native Australian ingredients, fruity highballs and a warm neighbourhood vibe.
Restaurant
Jugemu & Shimbashi
A two-in-one spot specialising in Osaka-style okonomiyaki and handmade soba noodles. It’s one of the only places in Sydney that prepares its soba daily, served with a warm bowl of spiced, umami-rich stock for liberal dipping. Slurp with gusto at one of the tatami booths for the full effect.
Restaurant
Izakaya Fujiyama
The list of Japanese spirits at Fujiyama would put most izakayas under the table – but the food is not an afterthought. Hot, cold and raw dishes are elegant spins on Japanese pub classics, and the best place to try them is at the centrepiece bar.
Restaurant
Ora
A design inspired by Japanese folklore, an acclaimed chef behind the counter, and a surprising owner behind it all. This cavernous Japanese diner is in an unlikely spot – but it’s serving up one of Sydney’s must-try omakase experiences.
Restaurant
Kuro
Helmed by a Michelin-starred chef, this multifaceted Japanese diner brings together a dining room, a cocktail bar and a chef's table under one elegant roof. Dishes are informed by Japanese tradition, French techniques and a root-to-stem philosophy.
Restaurant
Juan
The don bowls at this minimal diner are sophisticated versions of the classic Japanese comfort dish. But the real signature here is tea, from delicate senchas to tannin-heavy oolongs. Tasting notes and pairing suggestions will guide your palate.
Restaurant
Sokyo
Chase Kojima has opened plenty of Sydney restaurants – but his flagship at the Star is still the one to beat. Kaiseki-style dishes, robata-fired skewers and pristine seafood keep the crowds coming back. And the omakase counter is one of the hardest to book in town.
Restaurant
Oborozuki
An ultra-luxe fine diner specialising in two of Japan’s great culinary traditions. The multi-course menus highlight premium produce, from lobster to Wagyu and abalone. But you can’t put a price on those stellar harbour views.
Restaurant
Ryo’s Noodles
Sydney's first ramen joint is still delivering bowls of curly noodles bathing in smashable, Tokyo-style broths. Watch for the queues – they start from the second Ryo’s opens and curl away down the block.
Restaurant
Besuto
Nigiri takes pride of place at this 12-seat omakase diner, and there's a formidable selection of Japanese whisky to go with it. You might end up sharing some with your neighbour – it's all about the convivial vibe here.
Restaurant
Nobu Sydney
This is the long-awaited Sydney outpost for the beloved Japanese dining empire, and it's brought its signature miso cod along for the ride. Dine on salmon-sashimi tacos and evaporate-in-your-mouth nigiri, knock back "sushi cups" and enjoy some aged sake.
Restaurant
Gaku Robata Grill
The chefs behind this dynamic neighbourhood diner love to keep things interesting. They introduce new dining concepts on the regular, and we’ve seen everything from outstanding ramen to “Australian kaiseki” on the menu.
Restaurant
Azuma
Kimitaka Azuma’s enduring restaurant has stuck around for good reason. Since 1996, it’s upheld a high-standard across the board, with an outstanding sushi and sashimi offering, plus a robust selection of contemporary Japanese mains and bento boxes.
Restaurant
Gogyo
An offshoot of Ippudo, famous for its kogashi-style ramen. Meaning “charred” in Japanese, the method involves overheating lard in a wok, then adding a special miso or soy base, followed by chicken broth.
Restaurant
Goryon San
A renowned izakaya from Tokyo serving Hakata-style skewers grilled over charcoal. The best seats in the house are wrapped around the open kitchen, where you can watch the chefs prepare and serve the house specialty with military precision.
Restaurant
Rengaya Casual Dining
A more casual dining approach to its North Sydney counterpart, specialising in all-you-can-eat Japanese barbeque. For the full experience, settle in to one of the private tatami rooms with a shochu tasting flight and be transported to Japan.
