PLAYMAKER

The Playmaker

Let's play

PLAYMAKER

It's Friday
What day is it?
- It's Friday
- It's Saturday
- It's Sunday
- It's Monday
- It's Tuesday
- It's Wednesday
- It's Thursday
Now
What time is it?
- Now
- Morning
- Afternoon
- Evening
- Late night
- After Hours
- Anytime
Anywhere in Melbourne
Where are you?
- Anywhere in Melbourne
- Nearby
- In Bayside
- In East
- In Inner City
- In Inner East
- In North
- In North East
- In North West
- In South East
- In West
What do you feel like?
What do you feel like?
- I want eats
- I want drinks
- I want coffee
- I want dessert
- I want to go to an event
- I want something to do
- Surprise me
And what else?
And what else?
LET'S PLAY

The Best Japanese Cafes, Restaurants and Bars in Melbourne

It's a multicultural city that we call home, and the dining scene no less so. And Japanese has become an essential part of our present and future diningscape, with its delicate flavours and arts infusing modern Australian cooking. We love the old masters of the classics, and we welcome the new wave of smart Asian fusion concocters. Join us in revisiting our favourites and admiring the new movers and shakers.

Image: Nikki To

Seven Winners from This Year's Telstra NATSIAA (and How to Support Your Favourites)

FOOD & DRINK

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.

Ten Movies to Watch During the 2020 Virtual Melbourne International Film Festival

By Concrete Playground
August 01, 2019

List

Map

FOOD & DRINK

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.

By Concrete Playground
August 01, 2019

List

Map

{"id":734750,"type":"restaurant","info":"\u003Cp class=\"address\"\u003E191A Smith Street\u003Cbr\u003EFitzroy\u003C\/p\u003E","name":"MONO-XO","description":"A 25-seat yakitori and rock 'n' roll bar in Fitzroy.","thumbnail":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Mono-skewers1-credit-Kristoffer-Paulsen-488x300.jpg","photo":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Mono-skewers1-credit-Kristoffer-Paulsen-488x300.jpg","url":"https:\/\/concreteplayground.com\/melbourne\/restaurants\/mono-xo","latitude":"-37.803507","longitude":"144.98330299999998","address":"191A Smith Street"}

Food & Drink
Mono-XO

A 25-seat yakitori and rock 'n' roll bar in Fitzroy.
{"id":731271,"type":"bar","info":"\u003Cp class=\"address\"\u003E108 Swan Street\u003Cbr\u003ERicmond\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp class=\"address\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"prefix\"\u003ET\u003C\/span\u003E (03) 9965 1977\u003C\/p\u003E","name":"EAZY PEAZY","description":"A yakitori and sake bar with an ex-Yardbird chef.","thumbnail":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Eazy-Peazy_credit-Carly-Ravenhall1-488x300.jpg","photo":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Eazy-Peazy_credit-Carly-Ravenhall1-488x300.jpg","url":"https:\/\/concreteplayground.com\/melbourne\/bars\/eazy-peazy","latitude":"-37.825352","longitude":"144.993517","address":"108 Swan Street"}

Food & Drink
Eazy Peazy

A yakitori and sake bar with an ex-Yardbird chef.

BOOK A TABLE
{"id":716218,"type":"cafe","info":"\u003Cp class=\"address\"\u003E08\/260 Collins Street\u003Cbr\u003EMelbourne\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp class=\"address\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"prefix\"\u003ET\u003C\/span\u003E (03) 7016 8973\u003C\/p\u003E","name":"SAINT DREUX","description":"A futuristic katsu sando and Japanese coffee bar in the CBD.","thumbnail":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/058-St-Collins-Lane-SaintDreux-BeckonMedia-488x300.jpg","photo":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/058-St-Collins-Lane-SaintDreux-BeckonMedia-488x300.jpg","url":"https:\/\/concreteplayground.com\/melbourne\/restaurants\/saint-dreux","latitude":"-37.8151093","longitude":"144.96481419999998","address":"08\/260 Collins Street"}

Food & Drink
Saint Dreux

A futuristic katsu sando and Japanese coffee bar in the CBD.
{"id":698407,"type":"restaurant","info":"\u003Cp class=\"address\"\u003E139 Bourke Street\u003Cbr\u003EMelbourne\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp class=\"address\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"prefix\"\u003ET\u003C\/span\u003E +61 3 8594 0895\u003C\/p\u003E","name":"ISHIZUKA","description":"The eatery specialises in a balanced kaiseki by acclaimed Japanese chef Tomotaka Ishizuka.","thumbnail":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/ishizuka-melbourne-supplied-felix-forest-1-488x300.jpeg","photo":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/ishizuka-melbourne-supplied-felix-forest-1-488x300.jpeg","url":"https:\/\/concreteplayground.com\/melbourne\/restaurants\/ishizuka","latitude":"-37.812735","longitude":"144.96912599999996","address":"139 Bourke Street"}

Food & Drink
Ishizuka

The eatery specialises in a balanced kaiseki by acclaimed Japanese chef Tomotaka Ishizuka.

BOOK A TABLE
{"id":516273,"type":"restaurant","info":"\u003Cp class=\"address\"\u003E4 Lord Street\u003Cbr\u003ERichmond\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp class=\"address\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"prefix\"\u003ET\u003C\/span\u003E (03) 9429 5180\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp class=\"description rate\"\u003E\u003Ci class=\"sprite stars stars-4-5\"\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","name":"MINAMISHIMA","description":"Down a narrow street just off Bridge Road, there is a quiet oasis of calm \u2014 and a journey to be taken.\u00a0","thumbnail":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/Minamishima-Richmond-Melbourne-05-488x300.jpeg","photo":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/Minamishima-Richmond-Melbourne-05-488x300.jpeg","url":"https:\/\/concreteplayground.com\/melbourne\/restaurants\/minamishima","latitude":"-37.819821","longitude":"145.00481100000002","address":"4 Lord Street"}

Food & Drink
Minamishima

Down a narrow street just off Bridge Road, there is a quiet oasis of calm — and a journey to be taken.
{"id":119587,"type":"bar","info":"\u003Cp class=\"address\"\u003EFirst Floor, 1 Flinders Lane\u003Cbr\u003EMelbourne\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp class=\"address\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"prefix\"\u003ET\u003C\/span\u003E 03 9654 5465\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp class=\"description rate\"\u003E\u003Ci class=\"sprite stars stars-3-5\"\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","name":"HIHOU","description":"A Japanese-inspired bar behind a secret doorway. ","thumbnail":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Hihou-cp1-488x300.jpg","photo":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/Hihou-cp1-488x300.jpg","url":"https:\/\/concreteplayground.com\/melbourne\/bars\/hihou","latitude":"-37.814545","longitude":"144.974103","address":"First Floor, 1 Flinders Lane"}

Food & Drink
Hihou

A Japanese-inspired bar behind a secret doorway.

BOOK A TABLE
{"id":648090,"type":"restaurant","info":"\u003Cp class=\"address\"\u003E175 Flinders Lane\u003Cbr\u003EMelbourne\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp class=\"address\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"prefix\"\u003ET\u003C\/span\u003E 03 9671 4888\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp class=\"description rate\"\u003E\u003Ci class=\"sprite stars stars-3-5\"\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","name":"KISUME","description":"Chris Lucas's three storeys of Japanese grandeur.","thumbnail":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Kisume-Kuro-level-one-table-KS-Moon-488x300.jpeg","photo":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Kisume-Kuro-level-one-table-KS-Moon-488x300.jpeg","url":"https:\/\/concreteplayground.com\/melbourne\/restaurants\/kisume-2","latitude":"-37.8161742","longitude":"144.96868900000004","address":"175 Flinders Lane"}

Food & Drink
Kisume

Chris Lucas's three storeys of Japanese grandeur.
{"id":513582,"type":"restaurant","info":"\u003Cp class=\"address\"\u003E66A Chapel Street\u003Cbr\u003EWindsor\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp class=\"address\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"prefix\"\u003ET\u003C\/span\u003E 03 9525 2774\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp class=\"description rate\"\u003E\u003Ci class=\"sprite stars stars-4\"\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","name":"TOKYO TINA","description":"The third sister has been born, and she brings a Japanese edge to the family.","thumbnail":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Tokyo-Tina-03-488x300.jpg","photo":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Tokyo-Tina-03-488x300.jpg","url":"https:\/\/concreteplayground.com\/melbourne\/restaurants\/tokyo-tina","latitude":"-37.855444","longitude":"144.993136","address":"66A Chapel Street"}

Food & Drink
Tokyo Tina

The third sister has been born, and she brings a Japanese edge to the family.

BOOK A TABLE
{"id":571270,"type":"bar","info":"\u003Cp class=\"address\"\u003E121 Flinders Lane\u003Cbr\u003EMelbourne\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp class=\"address\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"prefix\"\u003ET\u003C\/span\u003E 1300 670 910\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp class=\"description rate\"\u003E\u003Ci class=\"sprite stars stars-4-5\"\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","name":"SAKE FLINDERS LANE","description":"Australia\u2019s own masters of contemporary Japanese dining have welcomed a new culinary hotspot to their growing brood.","thumbnail":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/sake-feast-HR-488x300.jpg","photo":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/sake-feast-HR-488x300.jpg","url":"https:\/\/concreteplayground.com\/melbourne\/bars\/sake-flinders-lane","latitude":"-37.815445","longitude":"144.97047650000002","address":"121 Flinders Lane"}

Food & Drink
Sake Flinders Lane

Australia’s own masters of contemporary Japanese dining have welcomed a new culinary hotspot to their growing brood.

BOOK A TABLE
{"id":269385,"type":"bar","info":"\u003Cp class=\"address\"\u003EBasement, 114 Russell Street\u003Cbr\u003EMelbourne\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp class=\"address\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"prefix\"\u003ET\u003C\/span\u003E (03) 9654 2977\u003C\/p\u003E","name":"IZAKAYA DEN","description":"A classic option for cool and classy Japanese.","thumbnail":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/Izakaya-Den-488x300.jpg","photo":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/Izakaya-Den-488x300.jpg","url":"https:\/\/concreteplayground.com\/melbourne\/bars\/izakaya-den","latitude":"-37.8136573","longitude":"144.9685782","address":"Basement, 114 Russell Street"}

Food & Drink
Izakaya Den

A classic option for cool and classy Japanese.
{"id":217539,"type":"cafe","info":"\u003Cp class=\"address\"\u003E39 Keele Street\u003Cbr\u003ECollingwood\u003C\/p\u003E","name":"CIBI","description":"A picture of perfect design, balance and Japanese cafe fare. ","thumbnail":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/cibi-collingwood-melbourne-japanese-breakfast-488x300.jpeg","photo":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/cibi-collingwood-melbourne-japanese-breakfast-488x300.jpeg","url":"https:\/\/concreteplayground.com\/melbourne\/restaurants\/cibi","latitude":"-37.7972218","longitude":"144.98610140000005","address":"39 Keele Street"}

Food & Drink
Cibi

A picture of perfect design, balance and Japanese cafe fare.
{"id":717257,"type":"cafe","info":"\u003Cp class=\"address\"\u003E279 Victoria Street\u003Cbr\u003EWest Melbourne\u003C\/p\u003E","name":"279","description":"Hand-strained miso soup, Tokyo coffee and traditional Japanese fare in West Melbourne. ","thumbnail":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/279VictoriaSt_JuliaSansone1-488x300.jpg","photo":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/279VictoriaSt_JuliaSansone1-488x300.jpg","url":"https:\/\/concreteplayground.com\/melbourne\/restaurants\/279","latitude":"-37.805643","longitude":"144.95197600000006","address":"279 Victoria Street"}

Food & Drink
279

Hand-strained miso soup, Tokyo coffee and traditional Japanese fare in West Melbourne.
{"id":699807,"type":"restaurant","info":"\u003Cp class=\"address\"\u003E121 Lygon Street\u003Cbr\u003ECarlton\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp class=\"address\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"prefix\"\u003ET\u003C\/span\u003E (03) 9349 2223\u003C\/p\u003E","name":"KAZUKI'S RESTAURANT","description":"The acclaimed fine diner has brought its famed Japanese fare from regional Victoria to Carlton.","thumbnail":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Kazukis7_credit-Peter-Tarasiuk_landscape_supplied-488x300.jpg","photo":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Kazukis7_credit-Peter-Tarasiuk_landscape_supplied-488x300.jpg","url":"https:\/\/concreteplayground.com\/melbourne\/restaurants\/kazukis-restaurant","latitude":"-37.804156","longitude":"144.96606700000007","address":"121 Lygon Street"}

Food & Drink
Kazuki's Restaurant

The acclaimed fine diner has brought its famed Japanese fare from regional Victoria to Carlton.
{"id":701685,"type":"restaurant","info":"\u003Cp class=\"address\"\u003E9 Clifton Street\u003Cbr\u003EPrahran\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp class=\"address\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"prefix\"\u003ET\u003C\/span\u003E 03 9510 0501\u003C\/p\u003E","name":"GRAND LAFAYETTE","description":"An all-day eatery serving up $33 all-you-can-eat Japanese feasts and vibrant Asian-inspired brunches.","thumbnail":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Grand-Lafayette_GRIFFIN-SIMM_High-Res-80-488x300.jpg","photo":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Grand-Lafayette_GRIFFIN-SIMM_High-Res-80-488x300.jpg","url":"https:\/\/concreteplayground.com\/melbourne\/restaurants\/grand-lafayette","latitude":"-37.8515605","longitude":"144.99506599999995","address":"9 Clifton Street"}

Food & Drink
Grand Lafayette

An all-day eatery serving up $33 all-you-can-eat Japanese feasts and vibrant Asian-inspired brunches.
{"id":691639,"type":"bar","info":"\u003Cp class=\"address\"\u003E191 Swan Street\u003Cbr\u003ERichmond\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp class=\"address\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"prefix\"\u003ET\u003C\/span\u003E (03) 9965 7900\u003C\/p\u003E","name":"FUTURE FUTURE","description":"This little Richmond eatery is slinging meatball katsu-sandos, donburi bowls, cocktails and rare Japanese sake.","thumbnail":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Future-Future-exterior-supplied-488x300.jpeg","photo":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Future-Future-exterior-supplied-488x300.jpeg","url":"https:\/\/concreteplayground.com\/melbourne\/bars\/future-future","latitude":"-37.8256915","longitude":"144.99852620000001","address":"191 Swan Street"}

Food & Drink
Future Future

This little Richmond eatery is slinging meatball katsu-sandos, donburi bowls, cocktails and rare Japanese sake.
{"id":699130,"type":"restaurant","info":"\u003Cp class=\"address\"\u003E294 Lygon Street\u003Cbr\u003ECarlton\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp class=\"address\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"prefix\"\u003ET\u003C\/span\u003E (03) 9347 4059\u003C\/p\u003E","name":"SHINBASHI YAKINIKU","description":"Carlton's all-you-can-eat DIY Japanese barbecue joint. ","thumbnail":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/shinbashi-carlton-supplied-3-488x300.jpeg","photo":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/shinbashi-carlton-supplied-3-488x300.jpeg","url":"https:\/\/concreteplayground.com\/melbourne\/restaurants\/shinbashi-yakiniku","latitude":"-37.800042","longitude":"144.96732700000007","address":"294 Lygon Street"}

Food & Drink
Shinbashi Yakiniku

Carlton's all-you-can-eat DIY Japanese barbecue joint.
{"id":636698,"type":"restaurant","info":"\u003Cp class=\"address\"\u003E157 Fitzroy Street\u003Cbr\u003ESt Kilda\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp class=\"address\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"prefix\"\u003ET\u003C\/span\u003E (03) 9525 4488\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp class=\"description rate\"\u003E\u003Ci class=\"sprite stars stars-4\"\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","name":"SUPERNORMAL CANTEEN","description":"Andrew McConnell's gone more casual with his canteen, serving up highballs, fancy cup noodles and, yes, those lobster rolls. ","thumbnail":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Supernormal-Canteen-St-Kilda-supplied-Nikki-To-488x300.jpeg","photo":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Supernormal-Canteen-St-Kilda-supplied-Nikki-To-488x300.jpeg","url":"https:\/\/concreteplayground.com\/melbourne\/restaurants\/supernormal-canteen","latitude":"-37.858774","longitude":"144.979418","address":"157 Fitzroy Street"}

Food & Drink
Supernormal Canteen

Andrew McConnell's gone more casual with his canteen, serving up highballs, fancy cup noodles and, yes, those lobster rolls.

BOOK A TABLE
{"id":714095,"type":"restaurant","info":"\u003Cp class=\"address\"\u003E6A Anchor Place\u003Cbr\u003EPrahran\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp class=\"address\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"prefix\"\u003ET\u003C\/span\u003E (03) 9521 4746\u003C\/p\u003E","name":"YOKU ONO RAMEN + SAKE","description":"This Prahran ramen joint is known for its rich and creamy slow-cooked broth.","thumbnail":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Yokuono-ramen-facebook2-488x300.jpg","photo":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Yokuono-ramen-facebook2-488x300.jpg","url":"https:\/\/concreteplayground.com\/melbourne\/restaurants\/yoku-ono-ramen-sake","latitude":"-37.85105","longitude":"144.994193","address":"6A Anchor Place"}

Food & Drink
Yoku Ono Ramen + Sake

This Prahran ramen joint is known for its rich and creamy slow-cooked broth.
{"id":714086,"type":"restaurant","info":"\u003Cp class=\"address\"\u003E83A Smith Street\u003Cbr\u003EFitzroy\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp class=\"address\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"prefix\"\u003ET\u003C\/span\u003E (03) 9415 6026\u003C\/p\u003E","name":"NEKO NEKO","description":"A dietary requirement-friendly ramen joint with vegan broth and gluten-free noodles. ","thumbnail":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/NekoNeko-supplied2-488x300.jpg","photo":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/NekoNeko-supplied2-488x300.jpg","url":"https:\/\/concreteplayground.com\/melbourne\/restaurants\/neko-neko","latitude":"-37.8061741","longitude":"144.98270690000004","address":"83A Smith Street"}

Food & Drink
Neko Neko

A dietary requirement-friendly ramen joint with vegan broth and gluten-free noodles.
{"id":716239,"type":"restaurant","info":"\u003Cp class=\"address\"\u003E287 Wellington Street\u003Cbr\u003ECollingwood\u003C\/p\u003E","name":"CHOTTO MOTTO","description":"A gyoza and beer bar inside an art-covered Collingwood building. ","thumbnail":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/ChottoMotto-IntExt-supplied-488x300.jpg","photo":"https:\/\/cdn.concreteplayground.com\/content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/ChottoMotto-IntExt-supplied-488x300.jpg","url":"https:\/\/concreteplayground.com\/melbourne\/restaurants\/chotto-motto","latitude":"-37.7965949","longitude":"144.98763510000003","address":"287 Wellington Street"}

Food & Drink
Chotto Motto

A gyoza and beer bar inside an art-covered Collingwood building.