A local’s guide to 29 of the best Japanese restaurants in Sydney

Carla GrossettiBy Carla Grossetti
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The answer to the question of which are the best Japanese restaurants in Sydney is tricky.  The city of Sydney now has so many Japanese restaurants that you can choose one based entirely on your mood or budget.

Maybe you want to crunch over the fallen leaves of winter on your way to a kaiseki meal, which represents a true celebration of the season. Perhaps you want to slurp on a hot pot at an under-the-radar shopfront in Sydney’s Haymarket? Our guide to the absolute best Japanese restaurants in Sydney includes everything from the splurge-worthy fine-dining experiences to innovative izakayas and everyday diners.

Here are 29 of the best Japanese restaurants in Sydney.

The shortlist

Best for value: TokyoTaco
Best for romance: Five
Best for omakase: Omakase by Prefecture 48
Best for sushi: Toko
Best for Instagram: Nobu Sydney
Best for group dining: Genzo
Best for epic views: Oborozuki
Best for budget-friendly Japanese buffet: Gyuniku

1. Omakase by Prefecture 48

the sushi master at Omakase preparing nigiri
The sushi master at Omakase whips up exceptional nigiri.

Best for: Gunkan sushi, said to be invented at Ginza Kyubey where chef Akira worked for 15 years.

Sydney’s leading Japanese hospitality group, Azabu, is behind Sydney’s most exciting new precinct. Prefecture 48 was designed by architects Bates Smart and Studio Ongarato to be the unofficial extension of Japan’s 47 prefectures.   And the omakase – a meal comprising dishes selected by the chef – at Omakase is one of the best omakases in Sydney. Perch at one of just eight seats at the counter where sushi master Akira Horikawa (ex-Ginza Kyubey, Tokyo) presides while preparing your exclusive tasting of dishes such as the gunkan (battleship) sushi topped with uni (urchin) or lobster. This fine expression of omakase includes nigiri topped with otoro (a fatty cut of tuna belly), where you can appreciate every individual grain of rice. Peel open the noren and let the games begin.

Address: Price: $$$$
Atmosphere: Intimate, exclusive and elegant
Location: Level 2, 230 Sussex St, Sydney

2. Five

wattle-seed Tagliolini at Five at Prefecture 48
The refined wattle-seed Tagliolini served at Five at Prefecture 48.

Best for: Ravioli cappelletti, a happily arranged marriage between Italian and Japanese cuisine.

‘Taste, colour, cooking, moderation and the senses’ come together in perfect harmony at Five, the sixth venue at Prefecture 48. Look up to see the dramatic ikebana-inspired sculpture Supernature by Yuki Tsuji, which is emblematic of the creativity that underpins Five . The must-try venue is led by chef Hiroshi Manaka who has spent time honing his craft at Michelin-starred restaurants in Italy and Spain. Hiroshi’s CV also includes a stint at LuMi Dining and a tenure in Tokyo. This intimate dining room shows chef’s elegant approach to modern European cuisine with a Japanese accent.  Start with a pink snapper crudo followed by wattle-seed tagliolini. Seasonal. Sensational.

Atmosphere: Wabi-sabi-inspired; imperfect perfection.
Price: $$$
Location: Level 2, 230 Sussex St, Sydney

3. Garaku

the moody and neon-lit interior of Garaku, best Japanese restaurant Sydney
The neon-lit Japanese diner has wall-mounted video panels.

Best for: Otsukuri, bluefin tuna with beetroot, buttermilk and finger lime.

Garaku has developed quite the following at Prefecture 48. The revitalised space bows to Japanese innovation with head chef Derek Kim (ex-Tetsuya’s) wielding the tweezers and plating up at the pass. While couples might head to Omakase, one of the most intimate restaurants in Sydney, Garuka is your go-to for dinner with the girls. Or an EOFY knees-up. The name Garuku is a nod to a traditional dance designed for the royal family and the kitchen is arrayed like a central stage, set for performance. The large-scale light installation, Mise-en-Scene by Hiroto Yoshizoe, is like a portal to modern-day Tokyo. Start with the hassan, which is an exquisite arrangement of dishes. It includes the Hokkaido scallop with smoked eggplant and yuzu, bonito, ponzu and pink daikon, Japanese pumpkin with salmon and zucchini and artichokes with vanilla and truffle.

Atmosphere: Dining here is a spectator sport.

Price: $$$

Address: Level 1, Prefecture 48, 230 Sussex St, Sydney

4. Ibushi

the interior of Ibushi Japanese restaurant, Sydney
The ceiling installation is seemingly alive, like moving smoke.

Best for: Grilled octopus with house-made teriyaki and smoked mash.

You’ll see passers-by gawping in at the ceiling installation by Filipino-Belgian wire artist Racso Jugarap and making a mental note to return. In Japanese, ibushi can refer to a smoked appearance. It’s a nod to the food kissed by fire over the open charcoal robata and tended to by  head chef Chris Kim. Low lighting and large honeyed timber communal tables set the tone at Ibushi , a very cosy place to retreat to on a blustery night. Head here for happy hour to meet your corporate colleagues over beef tartare with a confit yolk emulsion, mustard leaves and lotus crisps as well as plump skewers of prawn tsukune. Enjoy watching the wagyu chuck tail being prepared over charcoal during this flavour-driven dining experience.  Factor in a visit to Dear Florence for a coffee, pecan and Japanese whisky wodge of cake for afters.

Atmosphere: Expect a lot of big main-character energy from rowdy group gathos.
Price: $$$
Address: Ground Floor, Prefecture 48, 230 Sussex St, Sydney

5. Genzo

bottomless brunch at Genzo, best Japanese restaurant Sydney
Genzo’s bottomless brunch menu presents traditional Japanese dishes.

Best for: Chef’s sashimi selection.

There are new textures and patterns at every turn at Genzo , which is one of the newish neighbourhood hangs on Sydney’s Lower North Shore. There’s music humming in the background. Families clattering chopsticks over the perfectly crispy, crunchy chicken karaage. And couples huddled together over oysters on the banquette. Cammeray’s new cool kid on the block is certainly a contender for our list on Sydney’s best Japanese restaurants for its beautifully plated sashimi. But it’s the attentive staff and attention to detail that make Genzo a game-changer. Craving sashimi? Genzo’s got you. Dress as your favourite cosplay character to dine at the restaurant, which does a banging bottomless brunch and bento lunch.

Atmosphere: Mesmerising neon-lit Tokyo lite.
Price: $$$
Address: Shop 4/168 Walker St, North Sydney

6. Gyuniku

grilling Japanese barbecue at Gyuniku, Sydney
This famed wagyu joint brings an authentic Japanese barbecue experience to Sydney.

Best for: DIY grilled wagyu.

Gyuniku has been somewhat of a beacon for international students since it opened its doors in September 2024. Gyu means cow or beef and niku means meat. And Gyuniku does what it says on the tin. The all-you-can-eat Japanese barbecue buffet includes a diverse selection of meats that diners can BBQ on the stove tops that grace each table. The dimly lit restaurant is burnished in rich dark chocolate timbers with pops of red, like the lacquered finish of a miso bowl.  It’s the perfect Haymarket hang, filled with hungry uni students sipping on sake and oohing and ahhing over the sushi on offer in the self-service bar. The chef’s selection of traditional fresh-rolled sushi draped with tuna, kingfish and salmon get our stamp of approval.  As does the price, which starts from $57.90 per adult.

Address: Price: $$$$
Atmosphere:  Busy and buzzy.
Location: 34/1 Dixon St, Haymarket, Sydney

7.  JŌJI

Duck Katsu Sando at JŌJI, best Japanese restaurant Sydney
The crowd-favourite Duck Katsu Sando on soft milk bread at JŌJI.

Best for: The sloppy JŌJI, a wagyu patty with a mince sauce, American cheese and pickles.

The vibes at JŌJI should be heritage listed. Chef Kihoon Kim leads the sushi offering at this sleek rooftop bar which is packed to the rafters with smug office workers who live in Sydney’s CBD. You’ll find them here scarfing down duck katso sandos with bulldog sauce on a school night. Or the Koji lamb cutlets with pickled daikon and sansho. Arrive here without a plan and rethink your indifference to eggplant, which is grilled on the robata until velvety and doused in a dark, rich shoyu. The same technical fixations apparent in the preparation of ‘raw, not raw and robata’ dishes designed by executive chef Paul Farag are evident with the cocktails. Increase your devotion to the DJ spinning groovy tunes in the corner over a few Bamboo cocktails (tequila, dry vermouth and tomato) and bar bites. Pass the tagadoshi! Executive chef Erik Ortolani has curated a menu of shareable dishes for every occasion and that includes late night bites.

Atmosphere: Energetic rooftop boozer for basking
Price: $$$$
Location: Level 5, 388 George St, Sydney

8. Dopa Donburi & Dessert Bar

the brightly lit dining interior of Dopa Donburi & Dessert Bar, best Japanese restaurant Sydney
The Japanese fast-casual restaurant’s menu “evokes nostalgia".

Best for: Pork katsu and shave ice kakigori.

Zacharay Tan is the founder and executive chef behind Devon Hospitality Group, home to cult Sydney venues like Devon Cafe, Dopa Donburi and Bistro Nido. The concept behind Dopa Donburi is that it’s a modern Japanese fast-casual restaurant that specialises in donburi (Japanese rice bowls) and decadent desserts. Increase your average stride length when you’re being shown to your table so you can dial up the dopamine, which was the inspiration behind the name of the brand. Tan believes food should be about happiness and indulgence and he says Dopa’s menu “evokes nostalgia". Fans of food grounded in authentic Japanese flavours will appreciate tucking into karaage chicken or Japanese golden curry.

Atmosphere: Sleek and minimalist
Price: $$
Location: Dopa Donburi has a total of 11 locations across Sydney, including Darling Square, Regent Place, Sydney Place, Macquarie Centre and Darling Quarter.

9. Bistro Nido

Melon Melody cocktail at Bistro Nido, Sydney
Bespoke concoctions at Bistro Nido.

Best for: Steak frites with umami salt.

Nido means ‘twice-cooked’ in Japanese, which is a nod to executive chef Zachary Tan’s modus operandi at Bistro Nido . This modern bistro is where to go to enjoy Tan’s modern take on French-Japanese fare. There are plenty of great French restaurants in Sydney serving classics like bouillabaisse and escargot. But there’s now a lot more on the horizon thanks to venues like Bistro Nido. Expect vibes to be elevated over southern bluefin tuna crudo with kohlrabi, umibudo, white soy ponzu and citrus salt with a bump of Imperial Kaluga caviar. The dry-aged roasted duck breast with pickled Kyoho grapes with duck jus will also hit you between the eyes with flavour.  Enter this buzzy new bistro with a bouncing fist pump for its excellent French technique and Japanese flavours.

Atmosphere: Elegant and edgy.
Price: $$$
Location: 501 George St, Regent Place

10. Itō

hibachi wagyu at Itō, best Japanese restaurant Sydney
Tuck into the charcoal-grilled hibachi wagyu at Itō.

Best for: Prawn and scallop ravioli

Skip the gym and sprint up the down escalator at Central a few times to burn off a few calories in preparation for a feast at Itō. Izakaya translates to a ‘stay-and-drink place’ in Japan. But what sets Ito apart are the Italian accents. Head chef Erik Ortolani trained in Italy before honing his craft in Sydney. Expect everything from the food to the vibe to be the picture of orchestrated elegance. See Japan’s dedication to seasonality on show along with Ortolani’s Italian heritage in key dishes like aglio e olio spaghetti with togarashi and spanner crab, white onion and black truffle.

Atmosphere: Elegant and edgy.
Price: $$$
Location: 413-415 Crown St, Surry Hills

11.  Kazan

an array of Japanese dishes at Kazan, Sydney
Savour delicate flavours from sushi to nigiri. (Image: Kazan)

Best for: Black angus beef tenderloin with French foie gras and honey onion soy.

Bring your Hello Kitty backpack to stuff with leftovers in case you can’t find space for the indulgent tasting menu on offer at Kazan.  The chefs at this sleek, moody Japanese fine diner fuse French technique with premium Australian produce and Japanese flavours. Kazan is one of Sydney’s buzziest new dining districts. Start at the Panorama Bar at The International for pre-dinner drinks followed by wagyu and creamy yuzu kosho tacos, bug tempura and kinoko (grilled mushroom and spinach) salad at Kazan The newly dubbed MP District is above the Theatre Royal and an ideal spot for a pre- or post-theatre meal. Head chef Shinya Nakano (ex-Nobu) is in the kitchen, his menu an innovative take on Japanese cuisine.

Atmosphere: All warm woods and moody lighting.
Price: $$$
Location: Level 8.01, 25 Martin Place, Sydney

12.  R by Raita Noda

chef Raita Noda during a dining act
The 10-course dining is a theatrical show from father-and-son duo Momo and Raita Noda.

Best for: Individually prepared Edomae nigiri.

Expect dinner and a show at R by Raita Noda in Wunderlich Lane designed by architect Koichi Takada. Enter through the chain curtains to find father and son Raita and Momo Noda presiding over the counter, which is as dark and brooding as a cumulus nimbus. This exclusive dining experience is open to just 15 guests who sit in a circle around the kitchen for a three-hour, 10-course dining experience. It’s like watching a beautifully choreographed duet as the duo handles everything from the food to the service during the intimate experience. From the kitchen comes crispy fried soft-shell crab inside a dumpling taco shell that is as soft as a kaki-buton (quilt). The robata-grilled wagyu is another highlight, relying on audience participation to assemble.  The closing act is a Tasmanian pepper-spiced cream short cake with freeze-dried strawberry. Plump for the wine and sake pairing.

Atmosphere: Rainy night in Tokyo around midnight.
Price: $$$$
Location: 2 Baptist St, Redfern

13. Izy.Aki

dining at Izy.Aki, best Japanese restaurant Sydney
Take yourself on a sensational culinary journey at this izakaya-style bar in Paddington.

Best for: Give ‘The Egg’ a crack, a free-range hen egg filled with a velvety white onion puree, foie gras, smoked eel and topped with golden trout roe.

Chef and owner Darren Templeman (ex-Restaurant Atelier, O Bar and Dining) designs his omakase-style menus each day depending on what produce is in season. The chef recently upped sticks from The Rocks to Oxford St, in premises that once housed Saint Peter. The chef-led dining experience on offer at Izy.Aki is seasonal and ever-evolving with six or 10 courses tailored to guests’ preferences. It’s the city’s first-ever Kappo Yakinika omakase, which centres around yakiniku-style grilled meats and a diverse array of culinary influences. Take a seat at the 18-seat counter at Izy.Aki AKI where interaction with the chef and bartender is part of the theatre.

Atmosphere: Think refined izakaya in the backstreets of Osaka.
Price: $$$
Location: 362 Oxford St, Paddington

14. Cho-Cho San

the izakaya-style interior at Cho-Cho San, best Japanese restaurant Sydney
Come for sake at this izakaya-style diner. (Image: Cho-Cho San)

Best for: The chicken karaage; it has a cult following.

Chō-chō is the Japanese word for butterfly, the name a nod to the heroine of Madame Butterfly. The space designed by George Livissianis in 2014 embodies both Japanese architecture and Australian design and hospitality with its minimal palette of brick and birch ply. The buzzy izakaya is in a prime spot in Potts Point. And it’s one of the best Japanese restaurants in Sydney for its nourishing bowls of spicy chicken and tofu with udon or gyozo stuffed with chicken and sesame rayu. The menu plays with Japanese flavours in innovative ways and is a choose-your-own-adventure kind of place with everything from grilled lamb cutlets with wasabi, mint and pickled daikon to the unctuous beef tataki with Karashi mustard and fried leek.

Atmosphere: A prime spot for people watching that has a spare, izakaya aesthetic.
Price: $$$
Location: 73 Macleay St, Potts Point

15. Kuon Sushi Sei

a plate of nigiri, sushi and sashimi at Kuon Sushi Sei
Indulge in bite-sized nigiri, sushi and sashimi. (Image: Kuon Sushi Sei)

Best for:  Fish cake stew.

The Darling Square precinct is a popular place to go for cheap and cheerful eats in Sydney. The new venue is known as a temple to tempura, which is prepared in front of diners and appreciated within minutes. See the chef’s dedication to seasonality at the compact eatery in minuscule bite-sized arrangements of nigiri, sushi and sashimi presented like glistening jewels on pretty platters.  The air in the dinky sushi den is perfumed with miso and seafood and the staff seem to savour our enjoyment as if it were their own. There are audible hums of pleasure emanating from the diners who appreciate the chefs making food that they, themselves, couldn’t cook at home. Kuon Sushi Sei seats just 12 guests at a time in a discreet location in Darling Square. Reservations are essential. It’s the sister venue to nearby Kuon Omakase.

Atmosphere: Intimate and lively.
Price: $$
Location: Shop NE 20/2 Little Hay St, Sydney

16. Besuto Omakase & Bar

the dimly lit Japanese bar interior at Besuto Omakase & Bar
Head to the dimly lit Bar Besuto for a nightcap.

Sydney Place may as well be considered another theatre precinct with chefs Joel Best and Michiaki Miyazaki presenting multi-course omakase with artistry and theatrical precision at Besuto Omakase .  The chefs bring the Japanese dining experience to life at Besuto Omakase using the very best ingredients in an immersive yet intimate dining experience. The restaurant is known for its multi-course menu that focuses on exquisite Japanese food and sake pairings. The carefully curated menu features favourites like steak tartare with caviar and whisky gelato and miso-glazed Glacier 51 toothfish. There’s also sushi, nigiri and sashimi prepared in front of diners. Cap off the night with a dram of whisky at dinky sister venue Bar Besuto upstairs.

Atmosphere: Moodily-lit omakase eatery that feels like a hidden gem.
Price: $$$
Location: 3 Underwood St, Sydney

17.  Zushi Barangaroo

a woman holding chopsticks over a plate of salmon nigiri at Zushi Barangaroo
Enjoy salmon nigiri with free-flowing drinks at Zushi Barangaroo.

Best for: The inside-out sushi roll with soft-shell crab

The chefs at Zushi Barangaroo showcase the incredible diversity of sushi, which is rolled by hand and uniformly neat and pretty. Pump up your tires with a hit of wasabi here and you’ll feel like you’ve won it big in the sushi sweepstakes. The sushi are like miniature flavour bombs and so fresh the rice is still warm. Watch the chefs scoring the fish with precise knifework, which excites those who believe the sushi at Zushi Barangaroo to be the best in Sydney. The sake here is like God’s nectar. The meal is served at the counter and is one of our favourite bare-bones kind of slap-up sushi places in Sydney.  Zushi Barangaroo is also one of the best waterfront restaurants in Sydney for sushi.

Atmosphere: Think refined izakaya in the backstreets of Osaka.
Price: $$$
Location: 10/33 Barangaroo Avenue, Barangaroo

18. Torotoro Ramen Bar

What the Duck ramen at Torotoro Ramen Bar, Sydney
What the Duck is a must at Torotoro Ramen Bar.

Best for: Ramen, obvs. But specifically the dirty shoyu with chicken chashu.

The menu at Torotoro Ramen Bar reads like a playlist of hits. There’s the Torotoro special with pork broth (tonkotsu), slices of pork chachu, shallot, nori, seasoned egg and black fungus. And the What the Duck? Miso and chicken broth, five-spiced sous vide duck breast, tempura enoki with kale, sauteed shimeji mushrooms and a 63-degree egg. Make no bones about it: this is not fast food, despite the time it takes to deliver the ramen to your table. The broths are made using a master stock delivered over days and revved up with cloves, ginger and garlic and fortified with mushrooms.  The combination of these ingredients is unbeatable, giving the soup a nourishing flavour. Expect generous portions and chewy noodles that taste better when slurped.

Atmosphere: Neon-lit fast-casual diner.
Price: $$$
Location: 3/300 Barangaroo Avenue, Barangaroo and Victoria Cross (North Sydney)

19. Miji Bar & Grill

a table-top view of Japanese favourites at Miji Bar & Grill, Sydney
Enjoy Japanese favourites at Miji Bar & Grill.

Best for: Kingfish crudo

North Sydney has a new standout izakaya specialising in seafood and sake and everyone on the other side of the bridge is rightfully jealous. Thankfully, the new Metro can whiz you to the door of Miji Bar & Grill on Miller St. The handsome-looking space is composed of distinct drinking and dining areas with signage imported from Japan, a replica Shinjuku Arch and a menu featuring favourites like seafood rice and king crab. Chef Jacob Lee’s CV includes a stint at Michelin-starred restaurants in New York and South Korea. The talented chef has also drawn inspiration from dishes from his childhood. Arrive early for an aperitif at the self-serve wine bar, which serves more casual bar bites. Or settle in for a parade of dishes designed to share.

Atmosphere: Backstreet alleway that run like arteries through Tokyo and come alive at night.
Price: $$$
Location: 125/100 Miller St, North Sydney

20. Toki Bistro & Bar

a Japanese menu at Toki Bistro & Bar, Sydney
Toki Bistro & Bar champions a classic izakaya experience. (Image: Trent van der Jagt)

Best for: The Tasting Menu, comprising eight courses including marron with the option of caviar on top.

Chronoptimists need to set an alert on their phone to ensure they make it to Toki Bistro & Bar for their date on time. The bistro in North Sydney is named after the word for time. But rather than feeling like you’re on the clock, Toki invites guests to slow down and savour each course. Michelin-trained chef Jay Choy blends modern Asian flavours with French technique at the bar and bistro where hand-crafted cocktails and small share plates dominate the menu.  Whet your appetite by scrolling through the Toki Bistro & Bar Instagram account which showcases a la carte standouts such as tuna and smoked bonito with tomato ponzu and yuzu gel with jalapeno kosho ponzu. Or the Wollemi duck with quince umeboshi.

Atmosphere: Parisian bistro meets sophisticated Osaka eatery.
Price: $$$$
Location: 100 Miller St, North Sydney

21. Luc-San

bottomless brunch at Luc-San, best Japanese restaurant Sydney
A bottomless brunch composed of Japanese classics at Luc-San. (Image: Trent van der Jagt)

Best for: Prawns in a seaweed beurre blanc, which marries French butter sauce with Japanese umami.

Luke Mangan’s favourite places to eat in the world are France and Japan and the chef celebrates both cuisines together at this lively Potts Point venue. Luc-San is more bar than restaurant. And while you can push the boat out with an eight-course set menu, there are more wallet-friendly options such as bottomless brunch or social hour. Regardless, you will inadvertently widen your eyes and adjust your belt when the generously portioned sharing plates arrive. Luc-San is tucked away down Penny Lane behind the iconic Coca-Cola sign in Kings Cross and it’s the perfect locale for a raucous celebration. We’re thinking tonkatsu, pickled and glazed heirloom carrots and tomato bearnaise. Or the market-fish sashimi with sesame, pickled leek, house ponzu and chilli oil. Tuck in.

Atmosphere: Casual French izakaya in Potts Point.
Price: $$$
Location: Cnr Pennys Lane and Kings Cross Rd, Potts Point

22. Nobu Sydney

the wooden sushi bar at Nobu Sydney
Pull up a seat at the timber sushi bar. (Image: Anson Smart)

Best for: Black cod, which is marinated for days in miso.

Nobu Matsuhisa opened the first Nobu in Tribeca, New York City, in 1994. Since then, the eponymous brand has more than 50 restaurants pop up in 40 cities worldwide. That includes Australia’s first Nobu at Crown Melbourne, which opened in 2007 and Nobu Perth, which launched in 2011. Nobu Sydney debuted within the Crown Sydney complex in 2020 and one thing food-obsessed Sydneysiders agree on is that sampling the culinary wizardry on offer at this Japanese fine diner is a must. You’ll be served faster than the Shinkansen bullet train at top speed when you take your seat within the 350-seat venue. It’s giving Brooklyn but make it Barangaroo. The Level 2 venue itself is as grand as the Sydney Harbour views. Don’t miss the omakase experience led by Ryuichi Yoshii, which will take you on an intimate sushi journey around Japan.

Atmosphere: Big bold Barangaroo venue.
Price: $$$$
Location: Level 2, 1 Barangaroo Avenue, Barangaroo.

23. TokyoTaco

a mix of Japanese and Mexican flavours at TokyoTaco
TokyoTaco blends Japanese classics with Mexican favourites.

Best for: Tokyo tostada.

Idea: an izakaya chef from Tokyo hooks up with a taco-slinger from Mexico City and has a love child named TokyoTaco. Those looking for one of the most cheap and cheerful Japanese feeds in Sydney also live happily ever after at TokyoTaco. As its website states, it’s where ‘sashimi meets salsa’ ‘tequila meets tempura’ and Japanese meets Mexican. TokyoTaco has earned cult status for its marriage of Japanese and Mexican flavours. Since launching in 2022, the brand has built a loyal following for its fast and furiously fresh menu. Break out of the doldrums with stupidly delicious miso-baked salmon tacos with caramelised chilli sauce, beef ‘nacho-su’ slow-braised to perfection and the extraordinary taco fries. While Tokyo Taco was born in Newtown, it is now dishing up in Mooloolaba where that signature TT flair also slaps.

Atmosphere: Fast and fun.
Price: $$
Location: 172 King St, Newtown

24. Oborozuki

the dining interior at Oborozuki, Sydney
Soak up Sydney Harbour views from this sleek Japanese fine diner. (Image: Steven Woodburn)

Best for: Glacier 51 toothfish served in a sake kasu with barley, tsukudani, cos heart, Vermouth and uni foam.

The best Japanese restaurants in Sydney are up there with some of the best in the world. Exhibit A: Oborozuki. The venue combines clean lines with timber accents and has beautiful banquette seating with soaring views that would not look out of place on a Ken Done tea towel. Those looking for a premium Japanese kaiseki experience will appreciate all that Oborozuki offers from the soft lighting to the absolute thrill of dining in such an elegant environment.  There’s also an intimate teppanyaki experience that is sleek and sophisticated. It’s fitting that the Sydney Opera House is just a short walk away as head chef Daeun Kang approaches each dish like a performance artist. Order the wagyu stock loin served with pencil leek, salt-baked celeriac, horseradish, tarragon and shimeji with a salad on the side.  Or settle in for a set menu of four courses.

Atmosphere: Elegant and exciting.
Price: $$$$
Location: Level 3, 5/71 Macquarie St, Sydney

25. Nakano Darling

a spread of Japanese dishes and cocktails on the table at Nakano Darling
Feast on karaage and gyoza paired with Japanese highball cocktails. (Image: Darling Square Retailers/Kera Wong Photography)

Best for: Chicken karaage.

We went fishing around Sydney for affordable Japanese restaurants and landed on this popular Haymarket hang.  Nakano Darling is filled with international students looking for a laid-back night with new friends. It’s got the effortless cool of a Tokyo dive bar with the culinary chops to match. Best of all: you won’t have to shell out too much on a decent feed. Order the gyoza, which are folded up like little origami parcels, and stuffed with pork. Or the fried udon, which will warm the cockles. Nakano Darling is part of the Hatena Group. Check out sister hole-in-the-wall Nomidokoro Indigo in Darlinghurst which is always packed to the gills with Eastern Suburbs luvvies and nepo babies.

Atmosphere: Neon-lit Midnight in Tokyo feels.
Price: $
Address: 14 Steam Mill La, Haymarket, Sydney

26. Sokyo

Best for: Pushing the boat out and milestone moments with the indulgent Sokyo Omakase menu.

Sokyo is the sort of place that is especially gratifying to take your mate visiting from Melbourne. It’s sleek and sophisticated and buzzing with high rollers who’ve won big. We’d wager half our winnings on the fact the omakase served at this fine diner is one of Sydney’s best. Head here with your mum for a pre-theatre special or impress your boss by suggesting a luxe business lunch of expertly crafted bento for just $49 per person. Executive chef Daniel Kwak was born and raised in Korea and has worked at Sokyo at The Star for more than a decade, rising through the ranks from junior sous chef to lead Sokyo.

Atmosphere: Expect a lot of main-character energy.
Price: $$$$
Address: The Star, 80 Pyrmont St, Pyrmont

27. Ante

Best for: Audiophiles who like their music loud and their snacks approachable and eclectic.

Sake importer Matt Young and chef Jemma Whiteman are plugged into the zeitgeist with this bold jazu kissa (listening bar). This slick sake bar is small and unpretentious and focused on a seductive list of sakes. Sip your way through the serious sake list while enjoying light bites such as torched benito, sugar plum and ponzu or more heftier mains such as blue mackerel, with fennel and bergamot kosho. The eel croquettes resting on a dollop of herby aioli are crunchy and salty with a lick of umami. The cumin-spiced lamb arrosticini with confit lemon is perennially popular.

Atmosphere: Midnight in Tokyo feels.
Price: $$$
Address: 146 King St, Newtown

28. Saké Restaurant & Bar

shumai at Saké Restaurant & Bar, best Japanese restaurant Sydney
The signature shumai (prawn dumplings) at Saké Restaurant & Bar.

Best for: Upscale Japanese dining and a vibrant bar scene.

Saké Restaurant & Bar has long been a favourite Japanese restaurant to dine at in Sydney. It nails that delicate dance between being a lively bar and an elegant dining room, making it one of the most enduring Japanese fine diners in all the land. There are two venues to choose from in Sydney: one in Double Bay and one in The Rocks. Scroll through the @missdoublebay account to check what dress codes are trending before swanning into contemporary chic Saké. It’s a portal that will transport you to Japan with everything from hot and cold starters to sushi, and binchoyaki. Can’t decide? Go for the chef’s selection which includes miso-glazed toothfish with a house salad and wagyu striploin with Brussel sprouts. Props for the pasture-to-plate menu.

Atmosphere: Serene.
Price: $$$$
Address: InterContinental Hotel Double Bay, 33 Cross St, Double Bay

29. Toko

Best for: A nori-dasu tasting which includes unagi nigiri.

Take a moment to admire the fit-out at Toko before your head is turned by the menu. The Toko Dining Experience is next level, which is one of many reasons this Japanese fine diner has been going strong in Sydney for two decades. Less is indeed more at Toko where restraint and control are on show as the chefs and waiters work together to orchestrate a superior dining experience. The nigiri is an ode to texture and seasoning at Toko where the sensual pleasure of eating a pillow of rice draped under a luminous piece of kingfish is perfection. Toko breaks a few rules when it comes to tradition but is considered a trailblazer when it comes to contemporary Japanese-Australian cuisine. Expect flavour fireworks at the innovative izakaya which moved from its Crown St location to the CBD.

Atmosphere: Moody and energetic. Acres of warm wood and soft pendant lighting.
Price: $$$
Address: 275 George St, Sydney

Discover the best Italian restaurants in Sydney

Carla Grossetti
Carla Grossetti avoided accruing a HECS debt by accepting a cadetship with News Corp. at the age of 18. After completing her cadetship at The Cairns Post Carla moved south to accept a position at The Canberra Times before heading off on a jaunt around Canada, the US, Mexico and Central America. During her career as a journalist, Carla has successfully combined her two loves – of writing and travel – and has more than two decades experience switch-footing between digital and print media. Carla’s CV also includes stints at delicious., The Sydney Morning Herald, and The Australian, where she specialises in food and travel. Carla also based herself in the UK where she worked at Conde Nast Traveller, and The Sunday Times’ Travel section before accepting a fulltime role as part of the pioneering digital team at The Guardian UK. Carla and has been freelancing for Australian Traveller for more than a decade, where she works as both a writer and a sub editor.
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Why the Central Coast is a foodie mecca

    Elise CullenBy Elise Cullen
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    Underpinned by grassroots hospitality and award-winning organic produce, the Central Coast’s gastronomy scene is thriving, with the region quickly becoming one of the best destinations in NSW for epicures.

    Revered for its rugged natural splendour and laid-back seaside charm, NSW’s Central Coast has soared in popularity in recent years, becoming a top choice for an affordable slice of weekend escapism for Sydneysiders. Just a short 45-minute drive north of Sydney, it’s the kind of place that, no matter how many times you visit, leaves you with the sense that there’s always more to uncover. But while the ocean pools, bushwalks and beaches have (rightly) taken the spotlight, it’s the Central Coast food offerings which have been quietly simmering in the background.

    From fresh-as-it-gets seafood and juicy organic citrus you can pluck yourself, through to regenerative farming and reputable farm-to-fork dining, this coastal gem has become an idyllic foodie mecca. Here are some of the best ways to immerse yourself in grassroots hospitality and gastronomic glory on the NSW Central Coast.

    vegetables in a basket at Bells Garden at Bells At Killcare
    From picking your own, to farm-to-table, discover the best Central Coast food experiences. (Image: Remy Brand)

    Central Coast oyster experiences

    From humble grub to opulent delicacy, oysters have ascended into a league of their own. Epicureans are fascinated by them – willing to pay upwards of $35 per dozen (double at some of Sydney’s reputable fine dining restaurants) – and ‘shuck bars’ seem to be popping up at every milestone celebration.

    But it’s rare to find places that really draw back the curtain on how they’re farmed and why everyone is mad for these molluscs. The Central Coast , however, is home to several of these venues. With its pristine waters, mild climate and nutrient-rich estuaries, it’s the perfect breeding ground for oysters.

    Learn about oyster farming and, importantly, how to shuck them at Sydney Oyster Farm Tours . Nestled on the Hawkesbury River at Mooney Mooney, Sheridan Beaumont and her team offer a hands-on foodie experience where you can feast on dozens of oysters (white tablecloth and all) while wading through the calm waters. You can even bring your own bottle of bubbles to wash them down.

    guests in the water for an experience at Sydney Oyster Farm - Central Coast food
    Learn tricks of the trade at Sydney Oyster Farm Tours. (Image: Remy Brand)

    Elevate your oyster knowledge even further by heading north over the Hawkesbury River Bridge to the Hawkesbury River Oyster Shed . Tour their scenic oyster leases and saltwater paddocks by boat to uncover the distinct characteristics of the Sydney rock oyster and creamy Pacific oyster. They’ve also partnered with Broken Bay Pearl Farm to offer a one-of-a-kind oyster and pearl farming guided tour, showcasing the Central Coast’s very own pearl oyster, the Broken Bay ‘Akoya’. But if you’re simply in the mood to devour a dozen delectable oysters while soaking in the tranquil river views, pull up a chair at the shed. It’s friendly in every sense of the word: pets, families and BYO welcome.

    shucking oysters at Broken Bay Pearl Farm
    Taste freshly shucked oysters at Broken Bay Pearl Farm. (Image: James Horan)

    Central Coast farms to pick your own fruit

    While the Central Coast is known for its breathtaking 40 beaches and 80-kilometre coastline, its lush hinterland is equally impressive – abundant with orchards and agriculturally rich farmland. And when it comes to the simple joy of picking your own fruit, the Central Coast is a ripe playground.

    Family-owned Meliora Farm at Peats Ridge is an orchard that blends conventional, biodynamic and organic philosophies. Third-generation farmer Tim Kemp and his wife Elise are dedicated to honouring the family legacy by growing a rich variety of oranges, lemons, limes, mandarins and avocados. In late May, roam the sustainable and nutrient-dense property during ‘Pick Your Own’ weekends.

    Eastcoast Beverages is another bountiful citrus orchard boasting over 60 hectares of fruit. From June you can learn about the cultivation of high-quality ingredients – like lemons, limes, grapefruit and oranges – by touring both the farm and factory before setting out and picking your own straight from the source. You can also sample an array of citrus-inspired sweet and savoury treats at their on-site cafe, Bambino’s .

    If it’s just juicy oranges you’re after, Cedar Farm in Dooralong is a must-visit. Located about 30 minutes north of Peats Ridge, it features 15 flourishing orchards and over 3000 orange trees – with take-home bags during the season (from July) at low prices. Not bad for a fruity weekend haul.

    woman picking oranges at Oranges at Dooralong
    Pick your own citrus fruits on the Central Coast. (Image: James Vodicka)

    Organic dining

    What makes the Central Coast hinterland so special is the unwavering respect the communities have for their cherished backyard. Locally owned and operated farms are all striving for more sustainable practices and methods to both enhance biodiversity and reduce environmental impact, each with a heartwarming food philosophy.

    The Food Farm in Wyong Creek believes good food is worth both the work and the wait. Devoted to regenerative farming, first-generation ‘farmily’ Tim Eyes and Hannah Greenshields are recognised for their grass-fed, grass-finished beef and pasture-raised, gold medal-winning chickens. With an open gate policy, The Food Farm encourages visitors to swing by and try some of their slow-grown produce at their small ‘honesty’ farm shop. With no staff, you can pick up a few quality cuts of meat and pasteurised eggs, leaving the owing amount in cash or via eftpos.

    Keeping the spirit of generational organic farming alive is Fanelli Organics . Nestled in the Central Coast’s scenic and sleepy Mangrove Mountain, founders Eden and Louise Fanelli own over 45 hectares of plentiful farmland and orchards that produce a huge range of organic fruit and vegetables, like purple Dutch carrots, blood oranges, broccoli and Tuscan kale. A true home-grown operation, Fanelli Organics shares its fresh produce with local restaurants and community markets, including the beloved markets at Like Minds Cafe at Avoca Beach every Wednesday afternoon.

    farmers holding fresh produce picked at Fanelli Organics
    See where your food comes from at Fanelli Organics.

    Paddock-to-plate dining

    High-quality ingredients go hand in hand with premium dining, and the Central Coast is home to several paddock-to-plate restaurants that showcase its diverse and rich agriculture. Paired with warm, grassroots hospitality, there are culinary triumphs, new menus and revered chefs constantly popping up, putting the local dining scene firmly on the map.

    Award-winning Mount White restaurant Saddles is a quintessential Australian dining destination, dedicated to country-style cooking and seasonal produce. Nestled in thick bushland with wraparound verandahs, floral gardens and an idyllic dam, the gourmet homestead and bakehouse is unlike any restaurant on the Central Coast. Here, head chef Reece Collins and his team serve up an impressive breakfast and lunch menu that oozes rustic charm. Pull up a comfy armchair on the expansive deck, listen to birdsong, and tuck into flavoursome dishes like the farmhouse Benedict with honey-cured ham, lemon myrtle hollandaise and Warrigal gremolata, or the hearty beef brisket pie with confit garlic potato purée and rainbow chard.

    woman writing in notebook next to a table of food at Saddles, Central Coast food
    Taste country-style cooking at Saddles. (Image: Destination NSW)

    Delivering a slice of sophistication and luxury to the shores and bushland of Bouddi Peninsula is Bells at Killcare . One of the few boutique resorts on the Central Coast, it’s known for its premium service and five-star suites, as well as its bountiful kitchen gardens that boast an orchard, olive trees, avocado trees, free-range hens and a honey bee hive.

    Cameron Cansdell has returned to Bells at Killcare as head chef, bringing his expertise to the casual yet refined menus that feature a raw bar with Oscietra caviar, freshly shucked Sydney rock oysters and Moreton Bay bugs, all served alongside optional matched wines. Sample some of Australia’s best regional wines and standout dishes, like roasted Wollemi duck with grilled leeks, rocket, grilled grapes and 10-year-aged balsamic, or the shareworthy salt-crusted snapper with herb salad and salsa, before roaming the picturesque gardens, wine in hand.

    cocktail at Bells At Killcare
    Sample incredible wine, cocktails and dishes at Bells At Killcare. (Image: Nikki To)

    Plan your next visit to the delicious Central Coast.