Japanese Restaurants You Must Try in Melbourne

Flinders Lane's buzzy Asian fusion institution — the lobster roll and open kitchen are Melbourne dining shorthand.

Melbourne's OG queue-worthy ramen — rich tonkotsu broth with noodle hardness and spice on your terms.

Chapel St teppanyaki where chefs perform, wagyu sizzles, and polaroids mark the occasion.

Melbourne's three-hatted omakase shrine where every nigiri is a precise, reverent act.

Southbank omakase at its finest — seasonal menus, precision nigiri, Japanese-style hospitality.

Melbourne's most enduring Japanese institution — melt-in-mouth sashimi and sushi of exceptional freshness

Chapel Street's manga-covered share-plate institution — the sticky eggplant alone justifies the booking.

Chapel Street's modern Japanese icon: salmon nori tacos, wagyu tataki, cocktails and a throwback playlist.

CBD teppanyaki bar where you grill your own wagyu on a hotplate and choose from six house-made seasonings.

Melbourne CBD robatayaki — wagyu skewers over charcoal, sake flights, set menus at honest prices.

Fitzroy's cult ramen spot — full within 15 minutes of opening every single session

Melbourne's most lauded kaiseki experience — a hidden basement stage for seasonal Japanese precision.

CBD counter hand-roll bar where Japanese-imported nori and chef-led omakase sets make for an intimate, surprisingly affordable sushi experience.

Windsor's hidden Japanese gem serving dry-aged sashimi, kombu-buttered scallops and wagyu in an intimate candlelit room.

Ringwood East's Japanese-inspired cafe where giant cream-filled croissants meet specialty matcha lattes and udon brunch.