The Best Japanese Restaurants in Sydney for 2024
Where the old masters of the classics meet a new wave of smart Asian fusion.
It's a multicultural city that we call home, and the dining scene no less so. And Sydney's Japanese restaurants have become an essential part of the diningscape, with their cleverly balanced flavours and infusions of modern Australian cooking techniques. We love the old masters of the classics, that have been around since the 80s, and we welcome the new wave of smart fusion concocters. Join us in revisiting our favourites and admiring the new movers and shakers.
We've pulled together a list of Sydney's best Japanese restaurants for you to tick through. From the new wave of omakase, the ramen mainstays we just can't get enough of and luxurious Japanese fine diners you have to try at least once, these are Sydney's top spots for Japanese eats and a healthy dose of sake, soju, highballs and Japan's craft beers.
Recommended reads:
The Best Restaurants in Sydney
The Best Bars in Sydney
Where to Find the Best Ramen in Sydney
Image: Sunset Sabi
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RestaurantPrefecture 48
230 Sussex Street, Sydney
This Sussex Street hospitality hub explores the culinary and cultural riches of Japan from every angle.
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RestaurantKuro
368 Kent Street, Sydney
A hatted Japanese bar and restaurant inside a historic CBD sandstone building.
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BarToko Restaurant
275 George Street, Sydney
A go-to for great Japanese food in Sydney is now in a sleek new subterranean home on George Street with much to love.
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RestaurantSushi Jones Japanese Bistro
2–10 Fountain Street, Alexandria
An affordable, unassuming Japanese eatery that will let you bring you four-legged friend with you.
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RestaurantSunset Sabi
28 Pittwater Road, Manly
Watch the sun go down with some killer sushi rolls at one of the best places to eat Japanese food in Sydney.
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BarSake Restaurant and Bar Manly
Level One, Manly Wharf, West Esplanade, Manly
A breezy indoor-outdoor Japanese restaurant in Sydney with views out over Manly Cove.
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RestaurantBay Nine Omakase
7-27 Circular Quay West, The Rocks
Leave the decisions to the chef at this waterfront omakase restaurant offering six, eight and 11-course menus.
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RestaurantOkami Marrickville
Shop 6–7, 359 Illawarra Road, Marrickville
All-you-can-eat Japanese feasts for less than $40 a head.
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RestaurantMashi No Mashi
80 Pyrmont Street, Pyrmont
This wagyu ramen restaurant in The Star sources its beef from Japan's top 20 beef farmers and brews its ramen for 24 hours in Ozaki beef bone stock.
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RestaurantUme Burger
33 Barangaroo Avenue, Barangaroo
Japanese burgers and a soft serve machine by the water.
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RestaurantGojima
644 George Street , Sydney
Sushi burgers and green tea thickshakes inside Market City.
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CafeSandoitchi Cafe
113-115 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst
Single O coffee and untraditional, tasty katsu sandos in Darlinghurst.
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RestaurantKOI Dessert Bar Sydney
6 Central Park Avenue, Chippendale
Reynold Poernomo's "dream venue" contains a classic dessert bar, a cocktail bar and an intimate 12-seat restaurant dedicated to ten-course degustations.
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RestaurantKazan Dining
25 Martin Place, Sydney
This sleek Japanese fine diner above the Theatre Royal features a contemporary menu with subtle nods to Nikkei cuisine.
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RestaurantTsukiyo Darling Square
19 Little Hay Street, Haymarket
Find golden-brown takoyaki balls and fish-shaped taiyaki waffles at this neon-lit eatery.
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RestaurantZushi Surry Hills
Shop 2A, 285A Crown Street, Surry Hills
Sushi as it should be, and so much more.
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RestaurantBesuto
3 Underwood St, Sydney
This tiny 12-seat Japanese restaurant in Sydney serves up 18-course omakase menus across three sittings per day.
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RestaurantBones Ramen
51-57 Bayswater Road, Rushcutters Bay
Choose from four bowls of ramen at this tiny 20-seat ramen bar tucked away down Bayswater Road.
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BarTokyo Bird
Shop 2, 226-228 Commonwealth St, Surry Hills
Tokyo Bird is ruling the roost with a focus on hot-right-now Japanese whisky and yakitori sticks.
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CafeGram Cafe & Pancakes The Galeries
500 George Street, Sydney
This beloved Japanese cafe has brought its signature soufflé pancakes to Sydney's CBD with a new 80-seat flagship store.
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RestaurantYuzu Restaurant
1 Scott Street, Pyrmont
This hidden-away eatery is one of Sydney's best Japanese restaurants.
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RestaurantChaco Bar
186-188 Victoria Street, Potts Point
A new yakitori joint in Potts Point from the team behind Sydney's favourite ramen.
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BarSekka Dining
472-488 Pacific Highway, St Leonards
An izakaya on the lower north shore from one of Sydney's best ramen chefs.
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CafeGram Cafe & Pancakes Chatswood
436 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood
Try fluffy soufflé pancakes at the Chatswood outpost of this Japanese cult-favourite.
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BarNakano Darling
14 Steam Mill Lane, Haymarket
This Haymarket izakaya serves up highballs and free karaage chicken during happy hour.
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RestaurantTokki
44a Foveaux Street, Surry Hills
This Surry Hills izakaya combines Korean and Japanese flavours with minimal-intervention Aussie wines.
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RestaurantChaco Ramen
238 Crown Street, Darlinghurst
All ramen, all the time at this Darlinghurst favourite.
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CafeDopa Donburi and Dessert Darling Square
6, 2 Little Hay Street, Haymarket
A Japanese take on the classic Aussie milk bar by the Devon team.
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RestaurantIchi-ban Boshi
Level 2, The Galeries, 500 George Street, Sydney
It's worth braving the long lunchtime lines for great ramen at this CBD restaurant.
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CafeEdition Haymarket
60 Darling Drive, Haymarket
Pair quality cuppas with innovative, Japanese-inspired brekkies at this inner city cafe.
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RestaurantBusshari
119 Macleay Street, Potts Point
An unassuming Potts Point eatery serving up some of the city's best Japanese.
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RestaurantGaku Robata Grill
132 Darlinghurst Road, Darlinghurst
A Sydney ramen joint by day, an innovative Japanese restaurant by night.
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RestaurantIPPUDO
188 Pitt Street, Sydney
In a city not short on a bowl of ramen, this soupy joint stands out from the crowd.
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RestaurantGogyo Surry Hills
52-54 Albion Street, Surry Hills
The chain's famed burnt ramen has arrived in Surry Hills.
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RestaurantKid Kyoto
19 Bridge Street, Sydney
A neon-lit izakaya den inspired by 90s alternative rock.
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RestaurantSpice Alley
Kensington Street, Chippendale
A not-so-secret, hidden alley of Asian culinary delights.
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RestaurantRamen Goku
30 Glebe Point Road, Glebe
Sydney's beloved ramen joint comes to Glebe- and it's BYO wine.
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CafeCafe Kentaro
616 Bourke Street, Surry Hills
Bourke Street's Japanese-influenced brunch spot from the team behind Oratnek.
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RestaurantRamen Zundo
World Square, 644 George Street, Sydney
Tsukemen ramen is the order of the day at this Sydney Japanese restaurant.
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RestaurantOsaka Trading Co.
Shop 18,1 Dalgal Way, Forest Lodge
From sake and chicken karaage to whisky and edamame, this izakaya has all your Japanese cravings covered.
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CafeRising Sun Workshop
1C Whateley Street, Newtown
A ramen cafe and bike shop run by ramen-loving bikers.
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RestaurantSushi on Stanley
85 Stanley Street, Darlinghurst
This well-priced Japanese casual eatery in Sydney has stood the test of time.
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RestaurantMamasan
57-59 Beach Rd, Bondi Beach
A tempting fusion of Taiwanese street food and Japanese deliciousness.
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RestaurantIppudo Central Park
Broadway, Chippendale
Are you a hopeless ramen-tic? Find comforting bowls of bone broth at this popular ramen chain.
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RestaurantRyo's Noodles
125 Falcon Street, Crows Nest
One of Sydney's best bowls of ramen is hidden away in Crows Nest.
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RestaurantCho Cho San
73 Macleay Street, Potts Point
In a minimalist, well-designed setting, you’ll enjoy Japanese cuisine in a reimagined izakaya style.
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RestaurantGumshara
Eating World Harbour Plaza, 25–29 Dixon Street, Haymarket
This Haymarket stable is famed for its rich, gravy-like tonkotsu ramen.
