8 Best Japanese Restaurant Melbourne Has To Offer

Indeed this much-loved repast can now be enjoyed almost anywhere and at any time – perhaps why it's often given the grand misnomer of high tea (formerly poor folks' main meal around the big, or high, table). From galleries to zoos, cinemas and ferries, it's so on trend that tea and cake – and a glass of bubbles – are probably on the menu. As the newest venture of the San Telmo Group, who already operate Pastuso, Asado, Palermo and of course San Telmo, the Robata Japanese Grill has already  created quite a buzz as the newest hot restaurant in Melbourne. Taking creative inspiration from the Blade Runner sequel, Izakaya Den 2029 on Russell Street easily stands out as one of the most unique Japanese restaurants on our list.
Take the glass-walled lift underground for top-of-the-line Wagyu cooked over charcoal, delicate sashimi and a several exciting detours into Chinese cuisine. Enjoy Japanese-inspired food at this moodily lit diner, from the team behind Saigon Sally and Hanoi Hannah. The stars here are crisped-up sticky eggplant, karaage chicken, miso-baked cauliflower and tender duck breast in brothy udon. The team behind Toji Sake japanese restaurant near delivers hibachi-grilled yakitori skewers, Wagyu with truffle mayo, and pork “doughnuts” alongside sake-based cocktails and cold Japanese beer. The menu at this new-wave Japanese diner is far from traditional, but the flavour-punching dishes stay true to the simplicity of Japanese cuisine. This is a great place to visit if you’re looking to explore new flavours whilst experiencing authentic Japanese cuisine.

Outside of the continent itself, is there any country with a stronger grasp on Asia’s culinary diversity than Australia? There’s plenty of evidence that the best Asian food outside of Asia can be found down under. Perhaps that’s most evident when looking at the best Japanese restaurants in Melbourne. Customers particularly enjoy the succulent Wagyu steak and tasty cocktails.
The range of sushi offered at Hinoki’s counter is beyond impressive. You certainly won’t be hard-pressed for options with endless iterations of nigiri, inari, sashimi, maki and California rolls. You can also browse a wide range of Japanese snacks while you’re waiting, think green tea Kit Kats, pocky sticks, packaged teas and ramen.
While some other restaurants specialise in teppanyaki, jack-of-all-trades Matsumoto is no less impressive or authentic. In fact, the restaurant has appeared on the front of The Herald Sun’s Taste Magazine, so you know everything there is the real deal. Chefs use an open hot plate – a teppan  – to cook the ingredients at the side of your table. You get to watch them rustle up your favourite dishes – often with a dramatic flair.

Is Andrew McConnell's crown jewel and home to the most famous lobster roll in Melbourne. Departing from San Telmo's Latin American flavours, here the group focuses on yakitori and kushiyaki cooked over traditional binchotan charcoal. Also, masterfully-sliced sashimi and sake, in a fit-out that resembles a scene straight from the streets of Tokyo. Take a seat at the stone counter for a 10-course sushi degustation, or order an assortment of sashimi, miso-marinated black cod and savoury steamed custard topped with foie gras à la carte.
Melbourne’s Japanese restaurants are renowned for their innovative and creative approaches to traditional dishes. Contemporary options include dishes such as tempura-battered soft-shell crab, grilled mochi, miso-glazed black cod, and pork-belly steamed buns. This blockbuster Japanese restaurant spans three levels of sleek, moody dining spaces with each sporting its own vibe. The basement houses a fun casual diner, while the street level  shows off a glowing sushi bar slicing some of the freshest fish in Melbourne.

Winning a Chef’s Hat each year from 2008 to 2020, every dish is prepared  and cooked right in front of you, showcasing Shigeo’s mastery of Japanese cooking and filling the air with tantalising aromas. Upon walking through their doors, you’ll instantly be immersed in their fusion of fine dining, art and design. Melbourne is home to some of the best Japanese restaurants in the world.
Supernormal uses flavours that are inspired by cities like Seoul, Hong Kong, and Shanghai to dish out some of the most mouth watering food. 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. What’s cooler than a tiny robot-themed laneway bar projecting anime from the ceiling?