The Best Japanese Cafes, Restaurants and Bars in Melbourne
From sashimi to yakitori and ramen and katsu, here are some of the best places to fill up on Japanese nosh.

The Best Japanese Cafes, Restaurants and Bars in Melbourne
It's a multicultural city that we call home here in Melbourne, with its dining scene that's every bit as culturally diverse. And one cuisine that's become an essential part of our present and future diningscape is that of Japan, with its delicate flavours, refined techniques and revered street food culture. From bowls of silky ramen to deftly executed sashimi plates and fluffy katsu sandos, Melbourne's got some cracking iterations of it all. We love the old masters of the classics, just as we welcome the new wave of smart Asian-fusion concocters. Join us in revisiting our favourites and admiring the new movers and shakers.
Image: Tamura by Kate Shanasy.
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Food & Drink
Yugen Dining
Chapel Street's sumptuous subterranean Japanese diner and bar has a flair for the dramatic.
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Food & Drink
Hareruya Pantry
With a name that translates to 'sunny shop', Carlton's tiny Japanese pantry and cafe is heroing beautiful bento and house-made gelato.
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Food & Drink
Le Bajo Milkbar
Combining a love of Japanese food fare and Australian milk bars, Le Bajo is North Melbourne’s newest destination for fluffy shokupan bread and house-roasted coffee.
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Food & Drink
Minamishima
Down a narrow street just off Bridge Road, there is a quiet oasis of calm — and a journey to be taken.
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Food & Drink
Gogyo Fitzroy
A Japanese diner in Fitzroy serving up burnt miso ramen, which is smoky, sweet and intense.
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Food & Drink
Robata
The San Telmo Group's playful take on modern Japanese barbecue heroes skewers cooked over charcoal and cleverly reworked classic cocktails.
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Food & Drink
Tamura Sake Bar
You'll find matcha IPAs, Japanese fried chicken and vinyl for sale at this Fitzroy bar.
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Food & Drink
Yakimono
This colourful Chris Lucas venture features a futuristic aesthetic and a menu filled with Japanese street food that's cooked over flames.
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Food & Drink
Ippudo QV
The Japanese ramen chain is now dishing up its lauded soup in the QV building.
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Food & Drink
Ishizuka
The eatery specialises in a balanced kaiseki by acclaimed Japanese chef Tomotaka Ishizuka.
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Food & Drink
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Hand-strained miso soup, Tokyo coffee and traditional Japanese fare in West Melbourne.
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Food & Drink
Gomi Ramen Shop
This ramen delivery service by two chefs proved so popular during lockdown, it's spawned its own bricks-and-mortar ramen bar.
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Food & Drink
Mr Miyagi
Mr Miyagi has stayed loyal to their original commitment to fun — which won them hearts in Windsor and across the river all the way back in 2013.
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Food & Drink
Future Future
This little Richmond eatery is slinging meatball katsu-sandos, donburi bowls, cocktails and rare Japanese sake.
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Food & Drink
Tokyo Tina
The third sister has been born, and she brings a Japanese edge to the family.
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Food & Drink
Tetsujin
Emporium's new sushi train and barbecue has a little something for every taste.
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Food & Drink
Keki Milk Bar
This CBD cafe is dedicated to fluffy soufflé pancakes and creative sodas.
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Food & Drink
Kazuki's Restaurant
The acclaimed fine diner has brought its famed Japanese fare from regional Victoria to Carlton.
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Food & Drink
Shyun Ramen Bar
The umami-rich and affordable ramen at this joint is worth the trek to Carnegie.
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Food & Drink
Neko Neko
A dietary requirement-friendly ramen joint with vegan broth and gluten-free noodles.
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Food & Drink
Yoku Ono Ramen + Sake
This Prahran ramen joint is known for its rich and creamy slow-cooked broth.