Pretend You're in Tokyo at the Best Japanese Restaurants, Bars & Stores in Melbourne

No passport? No worries! There's no need to book a flight to Tokyo when Melbourne is bursting at the seams with Japanese charm, steaming bowls of ramen, bustling izakayas, one-of-a-kind stores and chic listening bars to get lost in.

This city is a haven for Japan lovers and Japan-curious folk, with matcha, sake, handmade ceramics and fresh sushi within easy reach. Whether you're a foodie, music lover, keen to broaden your cultural knowledge or just hoping to discover something new, our guide to Melbourne's best Japanese restaurants, cafes, listening bars and specialty stores is the perfect place to start. 

Moon Mart

This cheery convenience store meets cafe in South Melbourne is a must-try for simple and fresh Korean and Japanese-influenced classic dishes. Settle in early for kimchi jaffles with fermented garlic honey, or a hash brown okonomiyaki style; pop in from 11 am for the most delicious pork katsu sando or pork tonkatsu; or slip past for a quick coffee, tea and pastry break, and for the abundance of adorable pantry items. We're big fans of their iced teas and the sweet goodness of the condensed milk iced latte.

315 Clarendon Street, South Melbourne

Operator San

Operator San, a delightful addition to Melbourne’s brunch scene, brings a touch of Japan to Therry Street, right by the vibrant Queen Victoria Market, melding nostalgic Japanese flavours with Melbourne brunch classics.

Enjoy breakfast ramen or a katsu curry Benedict for a savoury start to the day, and sweet treat fans will find morning bliss with their strawberry mochi waffles. Sip on Code Black coffee, specialty teas and unique drinks like a sparkling strawberry Yakult or coffee spritzer. 

121 Therry Street, Melbourne 

Bakemono Bakers 

We're big fans of the pastries flying out the door at Bakemono Bakers. This Japanese-inspired bakery, housed in a converted garage on Drewery Lane, offers an impeccable selection that’s hard to resist. Enjoy puffy Danishes filled with blueberry custard or Nutella and strawberry, and on the savoury side, the classic ham and cheese croissant. 

Sitchu Tip: Don’t miss their soul-warming chai latte, brewed in-house weekly.

273 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne

Kori

Kori’s Japanese-inspired ice cream is such a hot ticket that queues snake out the door even during winter. Opened by pastry mavens Bernard Chu (LuxBite) and Joane Yeoh (Coda), they’re creating 24 flavours every day with creative renditions including matcha pistachio, hojicha hazelnut, vanilla tofu and Nashi pear.

Their number one scoop is a refreshingly tart Fuji apple sorbet - a summer hit - and the shop’s futuristic red and coral theme makes a great backdrop for scoop selfies.

659 Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn

Tochi Deli

At Tochi Deli in Brunswick Market, a welcoming couple serves up ocean-fresh sushi and nigiri, all at wallet-friendly prices. While seasonal seafood takes centre stage - think yuzu-marinated scallops, tuna belly, kingfish, and salmon - the menu also features comforting delights like miso-salmon onigiri, agedashi tofu donburi, and warming curry udon. Don’t miss the delectable sushi rolls, including salmon tartare, miso eggplant, and teriyaki mushroom rolls. 

Brunswick Market, 655-661 Sydney Road, Brunswick

Sara Craft Ramen

One of the newer ramen spots to pocket the streets of Melbourne's CBD, Sara Craft Ramen is an intimate, 21-seater affair, where you can expect delicate broths that are clear and light rather than rich and creamy. The spicy pork tonkotsu shoyu ramen has stolen our hearts, but you should also pay attention to unique flavour combinations like the pork and tomato caprese ramen. Seafood fan? Try the beautiful Asari Shoyu; meaty clams swimming in a burnt butter and Aosa wakame broth. 

Shop 3/391-393 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne

Elka Sushi

Elka Sushi, a name that fuses owner Elisha Tran’s nickname “El” with the Vietnamese word for fish, “cá,” brings a splash of seafood brilliance to Melbourne's west. Sitting across from D&K Live Seafood, Elka offers sushi classics like spicy salmon, vibrant red tuna maki, fresh oysters, Aburi scallops, and exquisitely presented sashimi.

Delight in their standout chirashi, a vibrant medley of fish, oysters, and braised abalone, paired with seaweed. The restaurant features expertly dry-aged fish and house-made soy sauce, brewed weekly to complement seasonal flavours. Enjoy the striking wave wall and sip Japanese drinks from a vending machine. With limited seating, it’s ideal for takeaway.

7-9 Leeds Street, Footscray

Moonfishh

For a premium seafood experience, run, don't walk to Moonfishh in Albert Park, where takeaway sushi reaches new heights! Master Sushi Chef Haru Sonobe, with years of experience at top restaurants, showcases traditional yet inventive creations using the finest responsibly sourced Australian and New Zealand seafood.

Each piece of sushi is hand-selected daily from the Melbourne Seafood Market, ensuring an unforgettable experience. Plus, everything is served in eco-friendly packaging, making it a delicious choice you can feel good about. 

101 Bridport Street, Albert Park

Misoya Sake Bar

Bucking the trend towards more substantial tonkotsu broths is Misoya in Brunswick, where the miso-based chicken stock is rich in flavour but much lighter on the palate. Springy noodles topped with a wobbly soft-boiled egg and slices of slow-cooked pork belly - a perfect winter warmer that you can polish without feeling weighed down afterwards.

165A Sydney Road, Brunswick 

Minamishima

If you’ve got a pretty penny to spend, there’s arguably nowhere doing finer sushi than this luxe, intimate diner tucked away on a quiet Richmond street. Here, they only serve omakase, or ‘chef’s choice’, a daily changing procession of deftly sliced, shaped, torched and brushed nigiri, presented piece by piece. The knife skills of sushi master Koichi Minamishima have been honed for over 30 years, resulting in his ability to create tastes and textures in sushi you’re unlikely to forget. 

4 Lord Street, Richmond

Leonie Upstairs

Leonie Upstairs is the go-to Japanese restaurant for chic catch-ups or no-brainer date nights over premium sake and artfully crafted temaki sushi, balancing chill with charm. An unassuming entrance leads to a warm and cocooning space, with sake lounge/bar vibes that provide an elevated and alternative feel to mid-week date nights.

Expect an ‘omakase’ suite of signature temaki sushi, or enjoy creating a do-it-yourself temaki set. Walk in for a relaxed bite, or linger for a more fine dining experience, steeped in sake and followed by something sweet. 

Sitchu Tip: Don't forget to visit the equally impeccable Hareruya Pantry below, for bento boxes and hand-crafted gelato wrapped in mochi skin. You won't regret a trip to the sunny little spot!

Level 1, 15-17 Lincoln Square, Carlton

Aoi Tsuki

Dive into a seafood extravaganza at Aoi Tsuki, a charming 12-seater omakase gem nestled along Punt Road in Toorak. This unassuming spot is anything but ordinary, thanks to two talented Korean chefs from top restaurants like Shoya and Nobu. Twice a night, they whip up 20 or more courses of exquisite Japanese dishes, featuring ocean delights like abalone, sea urchin, and melt-in-your-mouth bluefin tuna.

Don’t miss the theatrical blowtorched wagyu with shimmering foie gras that will leave you craving more. Pair your meal with a curated sake list or a refreshing yuzu sake cocktail. Aoi Tsuki is one of those restaurants that promises an adventure with every bite. 

384 Punt Road, South Yarra

HER Music Room

Immersive art and music collide at HER Music Room, housed within a heritage building in the CBD that's sharing the space with three other glamorous and unique venues.

Head upstairs to the Music Room and get lost in a world of sound, where the small, soundproof room becomes a speaker box for the carefully curated vinyl collection, spun by a lineup of DJs each evening.

The stylish space is intimate and unique, where the music will take over and you'll while away the hours swaying to mixed genres. When it's time for fresh air - HER Rooftop is right upstairs.

Level 1, HER, 270 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne

Waxflower

Do you take your wine and vinyl appreciation seriously? You'll love an evening at Waxflower, a trendy spot that’s half European wine bar and half Japanese listening bar.

The thousands of vinyl records lining the walls and the airwaves will provide plenty of conversation material as you share delicious Peruvian-Euro food and natural wines with your date or best mate. 

153 Weston Street, Brunswick

CIBI

Named after the Japanese word for “little one”, Cibi stocks simple, functional items that blend Japanese sensibilities with the Australian lifestyle. Browse imported artisanal homewares, original CIBI merch, whimsical décor and grocery items like sweet chilli miso, yuzu ponzu and shichimi spices that will supercharge any Japanese food enthusiast’s home cooking.

If you need fuel before you browse, the on-site cafe is open daily, serving brunch classics and Japanese-inspired bites including port katsu sandwiches and breakfast sushi.

33/39 Keele Street, Collingwood 

Hinoki Japanese Pantry

If you’re looking at quality for value, some of Melbourne’s best sushi is found in an unassuming little Japanese grocery on Smith Street. Hinoki’s super fresh sushi counter spins out countless rolls, bentos and sushi platters daily.

Beyond the impeccable sushi, the shelves are stocked with Japanese groceries and goodies, from snacks, noodles and sauces to a selection of Sake, plum wine and spirits direct from Japan.

279 Smith Street, Fitzroy

Urahara

If you're looking for a style overhaul for a man in your life, perhaps pick up some new goodies from Urahara for Japanese heritage and streetwear clothing that will effortlessly elevate any wardrobe. Stocking primarily Japanese clothing brands, these items are designed to last.

From timeless denim and quality footwear to relaxed trousers, cool caps, canvas tote bags and cosy sweaters, this may be menswear heavy, but we spy a few pieces we can style ourselves. 

3 Johnston Street, Collingwood

Made In Japan

As their name suggests, the South Melbourne store Made In Japan has imported high-quality tableware and homeware from Japan for over 25 years. Here you’ll find products seldom seen outside the land of the rising sun, are often only used in restaurants in the areas surrounding the makers’ kilns.

A range of unique sets will make you the master of gift-giving, from bowls, cups and chopsticks that are almost too beautiful to use... almost.

1-7 Wynyard Street, South Melbourne

Now that are ready to discover the best of Japan in Melbourne, continue to diversify your palate with our guides to the best Italian, Greek and Indian restaurants in town.