Tenya

Overview

Located in the heart of the city, and within a stones throw of the river, Tenya can boast that it's Brisbanes largest Japanese restaurant. And we know, big doesn't always mean better, but with Tanya it kind of does. It's so popular it needs to be big. And the menu is so diverse there's no chance you'll be keen on shuffling out after a short seating.

The interior features are both modern and traditional with a healthy coating of deluxe finishes, and its ambient lighting gives it a moody edge. This is the place for both a catch up with the extended family (cause it's big, y'know?) and also an intimate dinner date.

Claudia Baxter

Drinks-wise, they'll knock up the classic cocktails, in-house inventions and a decent selection of wines both by the glass and the bottle. If you're at Tenya for a special occasion, the sparkling list includes both Aussie and French classics, with the Jansz Premium Cuvee available by the glass. The sake list is long, with premium options including the Ippin Awase Yuzu sake by the bottle. The whiskey list is also mighty impressive, boasting heaps of Japanese bottles you can't find in other bars.

Tenya's food menu features sashimi platters and omakase, while entrees include all the classics —think agedashi tofu and edamame beans. Bigger dishes include a 200-gram rib eye with dashi, baby spinach, chives and yakinuki sauce, as well as teriyaki salmon with seasonal vegetables. There are plenty of tempura options too, as well as karaage, rolls and nigiri.

The menu here is as long as your arm so be sure to give yourself plenty of time and book again. This place is big (not sure if we've mentioned that), so getting a table won't be too hard, but leaving at the end of the night might be.