Best Japanese Restaurants in Sydney

by OpenTable Team

Updated 01 March 2023

From sushi and gyoza, to yakitori and ramen, discover the best Japanese restaurants Sydney has to offer. You’ll find everything from your local favourites to upscale fusion spots.

Credit: Zushi

Zushi - Surry Hills

4.6

4.6 (706)

$A41 to $A100

Japanese

Surry Hills

About the restaurant

We’re a Modern Japanese restaurant located in Surry Hills. We pride ourselves on serving the best Japanese cuisine in Sydney, prepared by our expert chefs using the freshest local and sustainable ingredients where possible. For those looking for something unique, our Omakase experience is designed to take diners on a culinary journey, highlighting the freshest and most delicious ingredients.
We’re your fun neighbourhood Japanese restaurant located on Crown Street in the heart of bustling Surry Hills, Sydney. At Zushi we love our customers and our customers love our relaxed approach, coupled with delicious food, friendly service and dining options in our buzzy restaurant, upstairs mezzanine and open air courtyard. We offer dine in, takeaway, catering and mobile zushi.
Zushi is fully licensed and offers an exciting list of cocktails for those who have worked up a thirst. We also love sharing our passion for sake, beer and wines to match your meal.

Top review

GiselaVIP

Dined on 10 Dec 2024

my new favourite restaurant Love the food and wonderful flavours

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4.6

4.6 (1550)

$A41 to $A100

Japanese

Barangaroo

About the restaurant

At the edge of the CBD, in the spectacular 22-hectare waterfront precinct where an old container terminal once stood, discerning foodies can now find some of the city’s best sushi in Barangaroo. Established in 2016, the newest addition to the Zushi restaurant empire is in Sydney’s impressive new harbour foreshore playground. Zushi Barangaroo is both stylish and comfortable, capturing the relaxed style of a typical Japanese bar or izakaya designed by the renowned architect Koichi Takada. We offer premium service complimented with a wide selection of imported beers, Japanese inspired cocktails, and Japanese sake and whisky.
Zushi prides itself on using only carefully sourced local ingredients; the freshest vegetables and sustainable seafood where possible and most of the menu is gluten-free. We are open every day for lunch and dinner, serving delectable sushi, sashimi and share plates. And the glorious harbour views are pretty tasty too.

Top review

EdVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Fantastic, we brought some first timers and they were impressed as we always are. The service is like a family treatment we love it. Oh forgot to mention the food is fabulous. best Japanese in Barangaroo.

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4.6

4.6 (597)

$A40 and under

Japanese

Surry Hills

About the restaurant

Tokyo Bird is a Japanese inspired small bar located in Belmore Lane, Surry Hills, serving Japanese whisky and beer, cocktails, sake and yakitori – chicken and other delicious morsels on skewers, grilled Japanese style.

Tokyo Bird combines the best of Tokyo’s yakitori-ya and izakaya with classic cocktail bars in an intimate Sydney laneway small bar. We look forward to welcoming you to Tokyo Bird!

Top review

George

Dined on 15 Nov 2024

Great food, service and value! Highly recommend.

Sushi Jones Alexandria

4.9

4.9 (49)

$A40 and under

Sushi

Alexandria

About the restaurant

We’re not your ordinary Japanese!
“Meet Tokyo Vibes x Sydney Beats”
Incorporating the authentic with local favourites and healthy alternatives

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on 20 Sept 2024

A great neighbourhood eatery! highly recommended for both families and couples.

Nikaido Mascot

4.7

4.7 (82)

$A41 to $A100

Japanese

Mascot

About the restaurant

Welcome to traditional Japanese Yakiniku restaurant NIKAIDO!
Please enjoy ALL YOU CAN EAT or A LA CARTE menus.

From high grade wagyu to Aussie beef, you’ll find a huge array of meats at a great price.
The flavours of the meat are enhanced with the Nikaido miso sauce or salted sauce, which have been refined through many trial and errors. These sauces bring out the umami of the meat!

Accompany your BBQ with sushi, sashimi, and tempura side dishes.
The menu is rounded out with a carefully selected number of 'izakaya style' dishes.

Dine in luxury as our tables and interior. Please relax while eating and truly enjoy the food. With 100 seats ranging , large tables, Booth seats, Nikaido is perfect for everything from intimate dates to family dinners.
We also accommodate for parties and celebrations!!

Top review

Sharon

Dined on 8 Nov 2024

Family reunion for 8. Perfect for buffet or ala carte.

Kokumai

4.0

4 (4)

$A41 to $A100

Sushi

Circular Quay

About the restaurant

Kokumai means “black rice” in Japanese and is a premium sushi bar operated as a new concept of Japanese restaurant operated with an omakase function.

Seating appx. 60 people and serving up premium roll, nigiri, and sashimi with a great selection of wine, sake, and beer.

*Omakase: Authentic Japanese omakase menu is implemented. Menus made with fresh seasonal ingredients are prepared by the head chef in Kokumai.
**Premium sushi bar: We are operating as a premium sushi bar by using seasonal and superior ingredients.

Top review

JonB

Dined on 10 Jul 2023

The superb seafood banquet was expertly prepared in front of us, each dish explained and the service was extremely cordial and attentive

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Experience

Winter special set (Limited Menu!)

Experience

Table Omakase

Tento

4.7

4.7 (83)

$A40 and under

Japanese

Darlinghurst

About the restaurant

Tento is more than just a restaurant; it's a sensory sanctuary where tradition meets innovation, and where every meal is a celebration of the culinary arts. Join us at Tento, and let us take you on an unforgettable journey through the soul of Japan, one delectable dish at a time.

During the day, Tento offers an enchanting culinary adventure, with flavours that dance on your palate, and an ambiance that bathes you in warmth and serenity. As the sun sets, our restaurant transforms into an intimate haven, casting a veil of private dining exclusivity over your experience.

Discover the essence of Japan in the heart of Surry Hills at Tento, where culinary artistry meets sensory delight. Nestled amidst the vibrant tapestry of this eclectic neighbourhood,
Tento is not just a restaurant; it's an immersive journey into the world of authentic Japanese cuisine that will awaken your senses.

Top review

LetaK

Dined on 13 Apr 2024

Tento is fantastic - so different from any other Japanese restaurant I’ve been to in Sydney. Really inventive food - always delicious and beautifully presented in quite a contemporary way. Excellent service and a good atmosphere all round.

Tokki

4.6

4.6 (427)

$A41 to $A100

Contemporary Korean

Surry Hills

About the restaurant

Inspired by the buzzing night life of Tokyo & Seoul in Surry Hills.

Tokki is a modern day Japanese/Korean Izakaya with an emphasis on shareable dishes accompanied with bespoke cocktails, a variety of Sake & Soju and a fine list of wines.

Top review

Nathan

Dined on 11 Dec 2024

A great venue that I have walked past for years and always thought… I think I would like that. Well finally went with some friends for an early sitting. Very friendly service and delicious food. Would recommend to anybody.

North Sydney Rengaya - Yakiniku & Sushi

4.7

4.7 (372)

$A41 to $A100

Yakiniku

North Sydney

About the restaurant

Rengaya has been serving YAKINIKU in North Sydney since 1993, making it one of Australia’s pioneering Japanese barbeque restaurants. Now, that tradition is set to continue at its new digs on Miller Street – just a short stroll from the original location – in a much more modern, striking setting. The new fit-out features bar-counter seats around an open kitchen, red booth seating divided by Japanese-style timber panelling and a hard-to-miss chandelier. There’s also a 20-seat private dining room. We use only the finest ingredients such as Japanese Black Cattle made in Australia for beef, Sashimi and Seafood fresh from the sea. Rengaya is the restaurant foodies around the country have chosen.

Top review

Simon

Dined 4 days ago

They're amazing such good service Amazing food I always recommend rengaya to everyone who loves japanese food and even for people who don't like it cause I'm positive that rengaya can change there minds

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4.8

4.8 (47)

$A40 and under

Japanese

Mascot

About the restaurant

WELCOME TO HINATAYA “HINATA” means sunny place, in the sun and “YA” means home. HINATAYA is a sunny home or place where everyone can enjoy authentic Japanese food. Hinataya, aims to give a warm ambiance, delightful food and a place where everyone can call their “home”. At HINATAYA, we serve a variety of authentic Japanese food prepared from the seasonal ingredients, with a contemporary twist, that everyone can love. Being fully licensed, we offer a selection of Japanese beer, sake, wine and drinks. HINATAYA value customers the most, providing the best and innovative dining experience possible. Customers order food through iPad making it more exciting and enthralling. HINATAYA is located in the heart of Mascot. We strive to provide the best possible experience we can offer. We value our customers the most.

Top review

Wendy

Dined on 13 Dec 2024

I love this restaurant. The food is always amazingly fresh & so tasty. The service is great & the waiters are super friendly. A favourite place to eat.

Busshari

4.7

4.7 (33)

$A41 to $A100

Japanese

Potts Point

About the restaurant

Located in the heart of Potts Point, Busshari Restaurant represents the essence of Japanese cuisine: simplicity and freshness. Busshari's decor is soft lit, creating warm and welcoming feel.

Busshari opened in 2006, specializing in Japanese authenticity of simple, delicate sashimi and sushi.

Along with a selected and refined offer of wine and saké we hope to cater for every of your nights of food and drinks.

Top review

selenVIP

Dined on 5 Nov 2024

Our favorite restaurant with the best host and great team

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Experience

Busshari Prix Fixe

Osaka Trading Co.

4.8

4.8 (338)

$A41 to $A100

Japanese

Glebe

About the restaurant

Located at the Tramsheds food precinct in Forest Lodge, Osaka Trading Co. focuses on modern Japanese and ramen. The restaurant’s bar offers house and classic cocktails, Japanese beers and sake, wine, and Japanese and Scotch whiskies.

Our lunch menu comprises ramen and donburi rice bowls from 11.30am with an all day menu available until dinner from 5:30pm - 9:30pm with a larger a la carte menu.

Osaka Trading Co. is a modern Japanese restaurant & bar from the owner-operators of Surry Hills small bar Tokyo Bird and Haymarket cocktail bar Banchō.

Top review

SHANE

Dined on 13 Dec 2024

Osaka is the best little Japanese restaurant in Sydney.

Kokoroya Japanese Sushi Dining

4.8

4.8 (640)

$A40 and under

Japanese

Maroubra

About the restaurant

Welcome to Kokoroya We serve a variety of authentic Japanese food made with fresh ingredients that everyone can love! Being fully licensed, we also offer a selection of Japanese beer, sake, wine and cocktails, as child-size soft drinks.

Top review

Mon

Dined on 7 Dec 2024

Fantastic experience, as usual. The food is always so incredibly fresh, flavoursome, and beautifully presented. Thank you Kokoroya for making our evening so delightful!

Takumi Yakiniku

4.6

4.6 (40)

$A41 to $A100

Japanese

Eastwood

About the restaurant

After months of training in Japan, A new Takumi Yakiniku is back! New Team, New Menu, Better food and Better Service.
Takumi Yakiniku is a Japanese Yakiniku BBQ restaurant that offers top quality Australian Wagyu and Japanese Wagyu and Authentic Japanese Cuisine. Besides Yakiniku we also offer traditional Japanese Washoku. We have both buffet menu and A'La Carte menu. We aim to provide our customers the best experience with us by providing the most authentic Japanese taste, the most harmonious dining environment and best customer service experience.
Our kitchen staff are mostly native Japanese who have 10+ years chef experience in Japanese Cuisine.
Recent training in Japan allows us to provide more varieties. Besides, Yakiniku, we will start offering Ramen, Udon, Tempura, Oden, Steaming Egg, Ochatsuke and Yakitori to our customers. So that you get more to choose to fulfill your wish. Please don't hesitate to visit us to try our food.

Top review

Mazen

Dined on 1 Nov 2024

Great value for the bbq buffet, and the meat and sashimi quality is great, with lots of variety. The VIP room is nice for a birthday and the staff are very thoughful to leave a small gift and candle. Its our second time dining here and we will be back.

Goryon San

4.5

4.5 (447)

$A41 to $A100

Japanese

Surry Hills

About the restaurant

We are a neighbourhood restaurant in Surry Hills, Sydney. The brand "Goryon San" is from Japan. We serve Japanese yakitori, Ramen, Sake and also beer, wine.

Top review

Yeasull

Dined on 21 Nov 2024

We ordered 3 dishes to start with but it took like 40mins to come out. Also the waiter served wrong dish and we waited like another 30mins. He didnt apologise or anything. The vibe, food and drinks were good! Will come back if better service is guaranteed.

Chaco Bar

4.6

4.6 (192)

$A41 to $A100

Yakitori

Potts Point

About the restaurant

Japanese Izakaya in the heart of Kings Cross / Potts Point

Yakitori and charcoal grilling specialist. Step into a warmly lit restaurant to enjoy some hot BBQ paired with a glass of cold sake from our carefully curated beverage list.

30 Seconds walk from Kings Cross Station.

Top review

Lina

Dined on 10 Dec 2024

Fabulous experience, food was perfect and service was impeccable. Falling in love with it each time I go.

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4.3

4.3 (39)

$A41 to $A100

Japanese

Haymarket

About the restaurant

Bar & Grill Yebisu is located in China Town in Central Sydney. This restaurant is located at the intersection of Dixon Street and Little Hay Street. IZAKAYA food is well known for its trendy tapas-like dishes. We serve smaller portions at our restaurant so that you can enjoy a greater variety of selections from our menu. Another meaning for the word “IZAKAYA” in Japan is “sake dining place”. Needless to say, we, as an Izakaya, have a great variety of drinks with more than 100 items for you to select. Not only will you find your favourite beer, but you will also find yourself beholding some of the finest Sake, Shochu (or Japanese Vodka) and non-alcoholic Mocktails. Explore and choose your favourites!

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on 14 Apr 2024

Ramen is good, but would like to have more style. Thanks!

Snacky Chans

4.8

4.8 (177)

$A40 and under

Creative Japanese

Annandale

About the restaurant

Snacky Chans is a sushi train with cocktail bar, yakitori grill, bao burgers, sake, Japanese Whiskey & other interesting food & beverage items.
Nestle into a booth, sit at the bar or grab a high table. We have it all for you to experience some fun times.
A new and exciting concept, Snacky Chans is well worth the visit. Cool lighting, awesome music & chilled vibes. A great place to hang with friends and eat & drink and have fun.
Located on Parramatta Road Annandale

Top review

Georgia

Dined on 31 Oct 2024

Ambiance and music is great. Service is outstanding. Love the daily specials and happy hour cocktails. The tacos are so good and the custard bao donut is to die for.

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Experience

Snacky Daily Happy Hour

Experience

Sunday Margarita & Ramen Special!

Experience

Thursday Tacos + Tinnies

Yakitori Jin

4.7

4.7 (142)

$A41 to $A100

Japanese Speciality

Haberfield

About the restaurant

Yakitori Jin is designed for Japanese Yakitori restaurant. Yakitori is a Japanese type of grilled skewered chicken over a charcoal fire. During or after cooking, the meat is typically seasoned with Yakitori tare (original sauce) or salt(developed uniquely). We are one of the typical modern Izakaya. We are serving Super Dry Sushi Fresh Beer and lots of Sake and Wine. Enjoy your Japanese Izakaya near by you. We are located in Haberfield.

Top review

Peter

Dined on 21 Nov 2024

If you're looking for a spot that nails it every time, this Japanese restaurant is the place to be. The staff is always friendly and welcoming, making you feel right at home from the moment you walk in. Service is quick and attentive, and the food? Absolutely top-notch. From fresh sushi to perfectly seasoned dishes, everything is consistently amazing. It’s one of those places I keep coming back to because I know I’ll always leave satisfied. Highly recommend.

Jizakana

4.6

4.6 (32)

$A41 to $A100

Japanese

Cammeray

About the restaurant

Jizakana is a local Japanese Restaurant located in Cammeray. You can enjoy fresh sashimi and sushi along with sophisticated Japanese cuisine.

We offer expertly crafted traditional dishes as well as modern takes that fuse American techniques and flavours with ancient practices.

And we love them a little extra if they serve a great range of sakes and Japanese beer.

Top review

Joshua

Dined on 22 Sept 2023

Under new management. Jizakana is as reliable as ever. They have reinvented a number of favourites of ours and introduced new specials which raises the bar. Really friendly and attentive team too. Cocktails and mocktails are fantastic. Kids loved the desserts.

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4.6

4.6 (129)

$A41 to $A100

Creative Japanese

Rosebery

About the restaurant

By Sang is creation of Head Chef, Sangyong Park. Working at some of Australia’s best restaurants for over 15 years, Sangyong’s passion is in using the freshest seafood he can find that is sustainable and locally farmed. Combined with his knowledge of authentic Japanese techniques and his modern take on food, be prepared for a delicious meal like no other at BySang

Top review

Terry

Dined on 8 Nov 2024

My friends and I had a great time at By Sang. The food was delicious and the service was attentive. The stand out dish to me is the dry aged duck. It was full of unami. We also enjoyed the chirashi donburi with the fresh seafood and also the fact we can make our own hand sushi with the seaweed sheets.

Robata Jones

4.7

4.7 (186)

$A40 and under

Japanese

Artarmon

About the restaurant

Robata Jones is an "izakaya" specialising in grilled dishes using the freshest meat, fish and vegetables. With an extensive sake list, it is the perfect spot for a relaxed and fun evening. Located in the Artarmon district along with other businesses, Robata Jones boasts a unique “little Tokyo” atmosphere, and takes you back to Japan! The grilled eel-unagi kabayaki- and other perfectly roasted dishes are a must-try!

Top review

Sabrina

Dined on 7 Dec 2024

Very good food. It would be better if we could sit inside but we knew the inside was fully booked so that's ok.

Chaco Ramen Bondi

4.7

4.7 (59)

$A40 and under

Japanese Speciality

Bondi Beach

About the restaurant

A new take on ramen and izakaya dining in Bondi. Sample meticulously charcoal grilled yakitori skewers, and spot-hitting bowls of ramen delivered by Keita Abe, Shinji Okuda, and the Chaco team. Enjoy a variety of skewers and other future classics followed by a bowl of ramen in an breezy dining area with a small bar slinging wines, beers, and batch cocktails on demand. Ramen-Izakaya, you, us. What’re you waiting for?

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on 16 Nov 2024

Delicious ramen, great variety of yummy dishes!! Tried the duck ramen special and chicken soy. Both great! And they do child sized portions 👍

Burwood Rengaya Casual Dining

4.7

4.7 (307)

$A41 to $A100

Yakiniku

Burwood

About the restaurant

We are a Japanese Yakiniku restaurant in Burwood, serving high quality wagyu and sake.

We are located in a centre of Burwood. It is very close to bus stop and train station, and also this building has a 1 hour 30 minutes free parking. Easy access for the customers.

We have more than 25 years of experiences of Japanese Yakiniku in Sydney. We provide our customers with a great Wagyu experience and fun.

Top review

Jason

Dined on 8 Dec 2024

Premium buffet was worth it. All fresh and tasty!!

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Experience

Premium BBQ Buffet $95

Experience

Premium BBQ Buffet for LUNCH

Experience

Standard BBQ Buffet $55

Touka Japanese Yakiniku Restaurant and Bar

4.7

4.7 (144)

$A41 to $A100

Japanese

Parramatta

About the restaurant

Serving traditional Japanese Yakiniku in the heart of Parramatta CBD.

Top review

Sean

Dined on 24 Nov 2024

Clean and quiet venue for a nice japanese barbeque. My go to place for a delicious pick of raw meats. Expect above average prices.

Green Shiso Restaurant

5.0

5 (34)

$A101 and over

Japanese

Sydney CBD

About the restaurant

Green Shiso Omakase Restaurant has moved to the heart of the city, now located at 6 Loftus St, Quay Quarter Lane.
Our Chef Simon brings over 15 years of experience in Japanese cuisine. He trained in Tokyo at Sakae Sushi with chefs Kazato-san and Ogawa-san, mastering sushi-making techniques. Additionally, he refined his skills in Kyoto, training at the renowned Michelin 3-star Kaiseki restaurant, Kikunoi, under Chef Murata-san, specializing in traditional Kaiseki Ryori. Simon attend the world sushi cup competition 2024 in Tokyo representing Australia and win the sushi kuroobi yikyo award.
Our seasonal menu changes every three months, showcasing the freshest ingredients and flavors of the season.

Top review

Talia

Dined on 20 Nov 2024

Overall it is very good value for money. I'll definitely come back again.

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Experience

Circular Quay Omakase Jan 2025

Senpai Ramen

$A41 to $A100

Japanese

Chatswood

About the restaurant

Open in Chatswood, Senpai Ramen is the latest concept from chef Chase Kojima. Offering next level ramen and snacks in a 20 seat omakase-style diner.

Top review

TASTY

Dined on 20 May 2023

Had such a great time sampling the omakase menu at Senpai Ramen, Chatswood to celebrate our bday. Each dish was well presented and delectable. If I had to select, my top 3 fav was the chawanmushi followed by the inaniwa (cold udon) and the nigiri Kagoshima A5 wagyu sushi. Really enjoyed the happy hr drinks - the sake shots are delicious! Service was very efficient- cleared drinks and plates away so promptly, only to be provided with the next dish. Definitely very filling. Will love to be back to sample more dishes. Xo

Hachioji

$A101 and over

Japanese Speciality

Willoughby

About the restaurant

Gourmet, New century Japanese Omakase experience.
8 Customers per service with two hours fine dinning experience.
All dishes are created by Benson Pang with Taiwanese influence on the menu.

Top review

JamesL

Dined on 6 Jun 2023

A fantastic omakase experience, looking forward to chef Bensons new venture in Crows Nest.

Marble BBQ

$A41 to $A100

Japanese

Barangaroo

About the restaurant

Inspired by the Izakaya’s of Tokyo to the bustling Korean BBQs in Seoul, MARBLE in Sydney’s up-market Barangaroo combines excellent food, incredible drinks and personality-packed service for a dining experience with a kick. The Big Sister Venue to Sydney’s popular TOKKI, MARBLE is set to exceed expectations. Izakaya’s are part bar, part restaurant– vibrant yet cosy spaces that are perfect for after-work drinks, while dishing up snacks and tapas style share-plates. MARBLE is the Aussie version of an Izakaya; a meeting place for city folk who want to enjoy a wine, sake or cocktail alongside a superb menu of Japanese and Korean inspired flavours while immersed in a chilled- out, stylish atmosphere. Marble combines the best of Australian hospitality with Fusion Korean and Japanese influences for a fun, fresh and exciting venue unlike any other. Whether for afterwork drinks and a bite to eat or casual mid-week meal, MARBLE will not disappoint.

Top review

ClarenceY

Dined on 24 Feb 2023

Delicious food and the staff accommodated to our dietary requirements without missing out on the specialties.

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