Delight in the authentic flavours of neon-lit cities with our list of every epic Japanese restaurant in Brisbane.
Clean, delicate and enormously flavoursome dishes have turned Japanese cooking into one of Australia’s most-loved cuisines. In Brisbane, whether I’m salivating at the thought of sushi or craving ramen, Japanese dining is embraced with gusto, so I’m always in for a treat. From waterfront spectaculars to understated gems, every incredible Japanese restaurant in Brisbane is nothing short of world-class. Let me detail the superstars here.
The Shortlist
Best hidden gem: Oyama
Best for casual eats: Taro’s Ramen
Best for special occasions: Sokyo
Most budget-friendly: Bird’s Nest
Best views: Sono
1. Hideki
The buzz around Hideki in November 2025 was around its new James Street expansion, but I love the original yakitori bar for nailing one of the city’s most authentic takes on Japanese dining. Firstly, it’s down a little laneway (feeling very Shinjuku), a glowing cherry blossom tree positioned out the front of a black facade. The moody feel extends inside with a glowing cuboidal feature wall behind the bar. It’s gorgeous and so very Tokyo. The yakitori itself is exceptionally fresh, blistered to perfection and spanning vegetables like charred corn, king prawns and scallops. There are also larger plates (the truffle mushroom noodles are as heavenly as they sound) and a raw bar. But it’s those flavour-packed skewers that always steal my heart.
Average Price: $$
Atmosphere: Transportive
Location: 34 Burnett Ln, Brisbane
2. Sushi Room
I struggle to find Sushi Room in The Calile, its façade blending into the coastal timber-cool the hotel is renowned for (look for the staircase leading up to the pool if you’re really lost), but the Japanese restaurant in Brisbane’s understated exterior only adds to its allure. Inside, a minimalistic, jaw-droppingly sophisticated interior compliments equally dazzling food. Lobster, A5 sirloin, scampi and sea urchin dot the sashimi menu while Oscietra caviar can be rolled out with oysters. It’s seafood central, in fact, with fresh catches filling the sushi, tempura and grilled menus, so temptation beckons from every angle. My personal highlight? The freshly grated wasabi, far smoother than those shiny silver packets at Sushi Train,
Average Price: $$$$
Atmosphere: Schmick
Location: Ground level, The Calile Hotel, 48 James St, Fortitude Valley
3. Sokyo
Loyalists of its Sydney outpost get to soak up the magic of Sokyo in Brisbane, as the restaurant’s famed ‘sashimi florist’ is found inside The Star Brisbane. If you like your Japanese Instagram-friendly, this place is for you. Bringing traditional flavours into the now with serious artistic flair, Executive Chef Alex Yu said ‘florist’ – leads an inspired team. You’ll find all-star dishes, like the miso-glazed toothfish with jalapeno salsa (the ‘Glacier 51’ if you’re scanning the menu for it) plus my personal favourite, the spicy tuna crispy rice nigiri, alongside a seasonally led roll-out of daring pursuits.
Average Price: $$$
Location: The Star Brisbane, Level 2, 33 William St, Brisbane
4. Komeyui Brisbane
Extending the success of its original Melbourne location, Komeyui Brisbane is authentic and ingredient fresh. Gone are the matte black fit outs famed throughout the laneways of Tokyo, replaced with a bright, contemporary and very tatami room-feeling design that embraces slow, intentional dining. Chef Kumano taps into his posh Osaka culinary school training, balancing every flavour tenderly and creating dishes with stories to tell. His two-tier Shokado Bento Box is the star of the show, fitted with sashimi, sushi, tempura, grilled fish, oyster, scallop foie gras and more.
Average Price: $$$$
Atmosphere: Homely
Location: 191-203 Wharf St, Spring Hill
5. Yoko Dining
A star in Howard Smith Wharves’ crown, Yoko is a relaxed spot overlooking the Brisbane River where Japanese favourites shine. Lively and fun-fuelled without compromising on scrupulous culinary handiwork, the hot spot draws big groups, especially at lunch on Saturday and Sunday when Buns and Bubbles, one of the city’s best bottomless brunches, offers a set menu of chicken katsu steam buns, ceviche with taco shells, spica tuna sushi, miso-caramel soft serve and almost two hours of prosecco, wine and beer. I love this place at sunset too, when looking out over the water with a glass of bubbles or few proves euphoric.
Average Price: $$
Atmosphere: Bouncy and fun
Location: Howard Smith Wharves, 2/5 Boundary St, Brisbane
6. Honto
Adored by inner-city slickers craving a generously plated feast, Honto is a Japanese restaurant in Brisbane I love for nights out with friends. Shining a light on fresh and seasonal ingredients, it delivers contemporary classics, dialling up flavour profiles to ridiculous heights. Choose something from the raw bar, which always impresses, but move into dumplings and noodles territory quick to sniff out excellent ramen and potstickers. Two banquet menus are also on hand to take the brain power out of selecting.
Average Price: $$$
Atmosphere: Bustling
Location: Alden St, Fortitude Valley
7. Boom Boom Room
One-of-a-kind and totally fabulous, the Boom Boom Room is a must-experience dinner during your visit to the Queensland capital. Located in the underground chambers of a historic bank in the CBD, beneath the Chinese restaurant Donna Chang, you’ll need to step down a beautiful old staircase to find it. While throwing very glamorous speakeasy vibes, it delivers a range of authentic dishes spanning raw seafood, sushi, yakitori skewers, small plates and larger mains.
Average Price: $$
Atmosphere: Theatrical
Location: 49 Elizabeth St, Brisbane
8. Taro’s Ramen
Replicating the understated hidey-holes found throughout Japan’s cobblestone streets, Taro’s Ramen is my cheap-as-chips go-to for blissful noodle soup (they’re roughly 20 bucks a pop). Located in the CBD, South Brisbane and beyond, the chain packs its creations with ample-plus flavour and freshly sourced ingredients. Scan the list for your favourite broth, grab a table and slurp it into oblivion. It’s often hailed as the best ramen in town, plus the CBD venue turns into an Izakaya joint (serving small plates and drinks) at night.
Average Price: $
Atmosphere: Casual
Location: Various spots across Brisbane – check out the full list via the website
9. Sono
A foodie stalwart located right off the Brisbane River in Hamilton, Sono is long renowned for its Japanese artistry. Entering the venue and spying its absolute waterfront views literally took my breath away so I recommend hustling as early as possible to book a seat by the floor-to-ceiling windows. The food is fresh, flavoursome and lavish, and its raw bar is stocked with the likes of lobster, sea urchin, kingfish belly and other divine delicacies.
Average Price: $$$$
Atmosphere: Serene
Location: Level 1, Portside Wharf, 39 Hercules St, Hamilton
10. Oyama
Love yourself some teppanyaki? My family and I feel you. Get to Oyama , my favourite kid-friendly Japanese restaurant in Brisbane, which nails a flaming banquet plus a la carte showstoppers. It’s relaxed and if you choose teppanyaki, you’ll catch all the usual suspects, including prawns, chicken teriyaki, eye fillet steak and seasonal vegetables. Been there, done that, just starving? The regular menu is full of delights like a Moreton Bay bug hand roll, chicken Karaage and yakitori skewers.
Average Price: $$
Atmosphere: Family-friendly
Location: Shop 30, 115 Wickham St, Fortitude Valley
11. Ippin Japanese Dining
Bringing elevated Japanese cuisine to Brisbane’s West End, Ippin Japanese Dining is a slick operation flooded with natural light and enveloped in lush greenery. Stare out at glossy green foliage as beautifully prepared dishes roll out of the kitchen. Menu superstars include warmed seafood salads and pillowy soft tempura, while set menus spin off the seasons to showcase the region’s best produce.
Average Price: $$
Atmosphere: Relaxed
Location: The Garden Pavilion, West Village, Level 2/97 Boundary St, West End
12. Bird’s Nest
Offering epic Japanese fare at extremely reasonable prices, Bird’s Nest is a Brisbane gem that attracts thick crowds. Split into four locations across the city, the restaurant specialises in charcoal-grilled Yakitori, making for a quick and easy bite in always atmospheric surroundings. Set menus present traditional Japanese dishes including gyoza, Karaage chicken, sashimi and edamame in addition to the grilled heroes, plus there’s street food (hello bao buns), a raw bar and larger plates on the wider menu.
Average Price: $$
Atmosphere: Energetic
Location: Various spots across Brisbane – check out the full list via the website
13. Soko Rooftop
I’d visited Soko Rooftop for drinks well before I ate there (it’s jungle-themed rooftop vibe is awesome come knock-off o’clock), so I was impressed when I found a beautiful menu for lunch one day. I take a seat inside where the glamour intensifies as a lovely member of staff keeps my water glass full and appears whenever I need him for anything else. I’m there on a Thursday and take advantage of a ‘Business Lunch’ bento deal which includes miso soup, baby corn tempura, a salad and a choice of five mains. I go for the AKA Tofu and it’s fluffy, dressed in ginger soy and teriyaki, and accompanied by rice. It’s a great casual spot to savour traditional flavours before kicking the party on just metres away al fresco-style.
Average Price: $$
Atmosphere: Party times
Location: 7 Symes St, Jubilee Pl, Fortitude Valley
