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

4.7

4.7 (687)

$41 to $100

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

Kishan

Dined 4 days ago

One of my favourites. Food is always great, good vibe, and friendly service.

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4.6

4.6 (1519)

$41 to $100

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

Glenn

Dined 6 days ago

one of our favourite restaurants, as food always great, drinks are unique and great. Location outstanding and great night.

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4.6

4.6 (589)

$40 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

Steve

Dined on 31 Aug 2024

Absolutely love the food, drinks and vibe of this place. Staff are really attentive and awesome

Sushi Jones Alexandria

4.8

4.8 (48)

$40 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

TheaEvip

Dined on 27 Jun 2024

The grilled tooth fish is sensational! Make sure you try this

Nikaido Mascot

4.5

4.5 (77)

$41 to $100

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

Eric

Dined on 1 Sept 2024

The first option in the meats section is the most succulent and delicious beef I have ever tasted.

Kokumai

4.0

4 (4)

$41 to $100

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

Table Omakase

Experience

Winter special set (Limited Menu!)

Tento

4.6

4.6 (83)

$40 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 (417)

$41 to $100

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

aiesha

Dined 3 days ago

Outstanding food, service and ambience. Will be coming back!

North Sydney Rengaya - Yakiniku & Sushi

4.7

4.7 (367)

$41 to $100

Japanese (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

OpenTable Diner

Dined on 21 Aug 2024

What a great restaurant. I could highly recommend this for business lunches. The food is generous and fresh, and presented wonderfully. Nice booth setting create an intimate and good space for business lunches. We will definitely be returning.

Hinataya

4.9

4.9 (45)

$40 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 3 days ago

I really love this restaurant. The food is always fresh & of the highest quality & presentation is beautiful. I’ve eaten here quite a few times & always recommend it to my friends.

Busshari

4.8

4.8 (31)

$41 to $100

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

Susie

Dined on 15 Aug 2024

Authentic delicious Japanese cuisine. Decor simple and comfortable. Quality ingredients which justify the price. Wonderful staff who remember and look after you well. Chef/s very good, and food is consistently good. Feel blessed to have this in my hood.

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Experience

Busshari Prix Fixe

Osaka Trading Co.

4.7

4.7 (336)

$41 to $100

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

John

Dined on 29 Aug 2024

Only two comments: The seats were rather hard. Also the lunch menu shown on the web included only a small selection of what was actually on offer. I almost cancelled my booking after reading the lunch menu on the web.

Kokoroya Japanese Sushi Dining

4.7

4.7 (624)

$40 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

John-Paul

Dined on 1 Sept 2024

Wonderful as always. Excellent service and good quality. Always welcoming and kind.

Takumi Yakiniku

4.5

4.5 (33)

$41 to $100

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

Asha

Dined 3 days ago

Highly recommend this restaurant, food was delicious and such great quality for the price! Definitely will be coming back

Goryon San

4.5

4.5 (436)

$41 to $100

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

OpenTable Diner

Dined on 31 Aug 2024

The very best yakitori restaurant in the city run by Japanese restaurant

Chaco Bar

4.7

4.7 (180)

$41 to $100

Japanese (Yakitori / Poultry)

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

OpenTable Diner

Dined 3 days ago

Awesome food. Great service. Fabulous authentic atmosphere. My favourite Japanese in all of Sydney - make that Australia

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Experience

Set Menu

Yebisu Bar & Grill

4.1

4.1 (39)

$41 to $100

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

4.7

4.7 (173)

$40 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

Liz

Dined on 31 Aug 2024

Delicious food, fantastic service & friendly staff!

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Experience

Snacky Daily Happy Hour

Experience

Sunday Margarita & Ramen Special!

Experience

Thursday Tacos + Tinnies

Yakitori Jin

4.6

4.6 (140)

$41 to $100

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

SamanthaH

Dined on 15 Apr 2024

First time and we’ll be returning. Lovely food and service

Jizakana

4.6

4.6 (32)

$41 to $100

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 (124)

$41 to $100

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

OpenTable Diner

Dined on 17 Jul 2024

Dishes were well done and presented and enjoyed by everyone. The main cooked salmon dish was a bit "fishy" for 2 of us. But a pleasant dinner overall. Only opened for dinner and not for lunch.

Robata Jones

4.7

4.7 (179)

$40 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

Judy

Dined 6 days ago

Great atmosphere, really lovely food, great variety

Chaco Ramen Bondi

4.7

4.7 (57)

$40 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

Gina

Dined on 28 Aug 2024

Fabulous food, fabulous service! Will be back for sure.

Burwood Rengaya Casual Dining

4.5

4.5 (294)

$41 to $100

Japanese (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

Jenny

Dined 1 day ago

Very lovely staff, amazing service as usual. Very responsive over text messages with regards to my reservation for Father's Day. Very attentive. We had a little accident with one of our toddlers and they helped with ice pack and extra care. Due to this ordeal, we ran slightly over time with our booking. The team still allowed us to stay back, take our time and enjoy dessert. Can not recommend this place enough for their outstanding service. My family enjoyed the BBQ. Thank you so much - we will be back!

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Experience

Premium BBQ Buffet $95

Experience

Standard BBQ Buffet $55

Experience

Premium BBQ Buffet for LUNCH

Touka Japanese Yakiniku Restaurant and Bar

4.7

4.7 (137)

$41 to $100

Japanese

Parramatta

About the restaurant

Serving traditional Japanese Yakiniku in the heart of Parramatta CBD.

Top review

Rudi

Dined on 1 Sept 2024

Overall is good, except the scallop bbqs that were frozen. Should've explained that to us so we would cook them a bit longer.

Green Shiso Japanese Restaurant

5.0

5 (33)

$100 and over

Japanese

Cronulla

About the restaurant

Green Shiso is a modern Japanese Restaurant that offers a sushi train and an a la carte menu dining experience. It focuses on bringing the freshness of Japanese cuisine into the local market by incorporating the characteristics of Shiso and the beach. Green Shiso opened its door on 2016, provided an unique and warm Japanese dining experience for local customers. Owner and Chef Simon has over 10 years experience working in different restaurants in Australia, especially focusing on contemporary Japanese cuisine. He believes the key is to choose the best quality ingredients to keep the highest standard at first place. Also his team prefer to home make all the sauces and products to make our food healthy, MSG free, Gluten free, and keep the original taste of food as it is.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on 17 Feb 2024

Embark on a culinary journey with the best value omakase experience in Sydney. Indulge in exquisite flavors and fresh ingredients meticulously prepared by Chef Simon. Immerse yourself in a dining experience like no other, where each dish is a work of art.

Senpai Ramen

$41 to $100

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

$100 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

$41 to $100

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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