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We found the 10 Best Japanese Restaurants in Brisbane that’ll make you feel like you’re in Japan!
I think we can agree that travelling to Japan just to eat can be seen as very bougie, especially in this economy. Let’s be honest, saving money is a NEED now more than ever!
Luckily though, Brisbane has plenty of Japanese restaurants that you can try out, and they’re all within the city borders, too! And the best part? They all offer different specialties and dishes for you to check out!
So to help you out, we’ve rounded up our favorite Japanese restaurants in Brisbane so you can have a cultural treat right within River City’s borders!
1. KOMEYUI
Address: Ground Floor/191/203 Wharf St, Spring Hill QLD 4000
Phone Number: +61 7 3371 3049
Hours: Monday – Saturday: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Sunday: Closed
With a name that stands for “rice” and “knot” respectively, KOMEYUI proudly boasts an authentic Japanese experience for Brisbanites and tourists alike! And although they’re relatively new to the Brisbane scene, the hype is still going strong
What KOMEYUI does best is provide an authentic, Japanese dining experience. Not only do you get a warm “irrashaimase” from the staff, but the authentic Japanese decor certainly rounds out the experience!
Speaking of meals, KOMEYUI goes above and beyond with both their authentic Japanese and Brisbanite-ized meals! The Komeyui to Share box has good options, with the Paprika Edamame and the Fried Chicken Karaage being our best picks!
| Pro Tip: KOMEYUI’s seats can be a bit high for others. We suggest being extra careful standing up from their chairs! |
2. The Boom Boom Room
Address: 49 Elizabeth St, Brisbane City QLD 4000
Phone Number: +61 7 3243 4800
Hours: Sunday – Monday: Closed
Tuesday – Thursday: 4:30 PM – 10:30 PM
Friday – Saturday: 4:30 PM –11:00 PM
Nothing screams “authentic Japanese dining” than izakayas – after all, a swig of sake with Japanese food sounds like the perfect Friday night! Yes, there are plenty of those in Brisbane – but none offer the same glitz and glamour The Boom Boom Room has!
Although their name makes them sound like a party zone, The Boom Boom Room is a lot classier than that! The place’s upscale atmosphere makes it feel more posh than other izakayas, and the extensive display of Japanese whiskeys is worth a second look!
We like that The Boom Boom Room has plenty of food choices to choose from. They also have vegan versions of staples like the Vegetable Kare pan and the Spicy Tofu, along with standard options like Tempura – which we recommend, by the way!
| Pro Tip: The Boom Boom Room has a live band that will spice up your dining experience. We suggest checking their socials to see the schedule of performances. |
3. Mizu
Address: 2 Macquarie St, Teneriffe QLD 4005
Phone Number: +61 7 3254 0488
Hours: Sunday – Monday: Closed
Tuesday – Saturday: 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM, 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Did you know that “Mizu” directly translates to “water” in English? This makes perfect sense since Mizu’s specialty are seafood and fish-based dishes!
What we like the most about Mizu’s menu is the variety – yes, they have plenty of good sushi and sashimi options (the large one is a must-try for big families – it comes with 22 pieces!). But if you’re allergic to fish, then the Yasai Anakake Tofu is also a nice pick.
Mizu also does an astounding job in providing an authentic Japanese restaurant atmosphere – the red Japanese lantern is a nice touch! They even deliver their food quickly even during peak hours which deserves some brownie points.
| Pro Tip: The best time to visit Mizu is during lunchtime. They’re conveniently located near schools and Teneriefe Park, meaning that their usual peak hours would be during weekday afternoons! |
4. Hikari
Address: Tenerife Village, 55a Florence St, Teneriffe QLD 4005
Phone Number: +61 7 3257 0381
Hours: Monday: Closed
Tuesday – Thursday: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Friday: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Saturday: 12:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Sunday: 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM
In our experience, “Hikari”, meaning “light: in English, perfectly describes our experience with this quaint Japanese restaurant in Brisbane’s Tenerife Village. It’s a bit hidden, but makes it a must-visit if you’re looking for a casual Japanese dinner!
Hikari’s menu offers a stunning variety you can’t find anywhere in Brisbane. Their menu’s variety is mind-boggling – from baos to sashimis, they can cover whatever you’re craving! They even have a tasting menu you can try if you’re feeling indecisive!
Hikari even goes above and beyond in providing an authentic atmosphere since they manage to make it look like a Japanese food stall straight from the streets of Tokyo.
| Pro Tip: Hikari lets you bring your own bevies with you! You can bring any alcoholic beverage you want on Tuesdays, while you can only bring wine on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. |
5. KatsuCo
Address: Jephson Hotel, Ground Floor/63 Jephson St, Toowong QLD 4066
Phone Number: +61 493 660 847
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 6:30 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Hidden within the Jephson Hotel’s lobby lies KatsuCo, a more casual Japanese restaurant that you can try out in Brisbane! It’s the first-ever Katsu franchise in the country, making it a bit more special.
KatsuCo did a stellar job in acclimating to Aussie culture. The Tomahawk Katsu is an unexpected yet delicious fusion dish (the traditional Katsudon uses pork shoulder), but if you’re looking for a healthier pick then we recommend the Tofu Katsu!
Though KatsuCo’s white-and-gray walls might look drab for some, it fully encapsulates that “Japanese restaurant” vibe that they’re going for. And the best part is that you don’t need to stay at the hotel or make a reservation just eat here!
| Pro Tip: Although you can’t park at Jephson Hotel without a reservation, you can park at the nearby Toowong Village for free if you’re dropping by KatsuCo for a quick bite! |
6. Izakaya Haiiro
Address: Shop5/265 Hawthorne Rd, Hawthorne QLD 4171
Phone Number: +61 7 3257 3527
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM
For us, Izakaya Haiiro is the perfect embodiment of the saying “Don’t judge a book by its cover”! It looks like a regular restaurant at first, but once you enter, you’ll be welcomed by a cave bar aesthetic!
This unique duality gives Izakaya Haiiro a vibe that’s unlike anything you’ve ever seen, and you can see how their name (“haiiro” translates to “ash grey”) influenced their design. The cave-like setting also does wonders in making their food taste magical!
Speaking of food, Izakaya Haiiro also has an astounding food selection for you to choose from! The Tomahawk Steak Platter is a nice, meaty choice, but the Eggplant Mushroom Don is also a good vegetarian pick.
| Pro Tip: If you ever visit Izakaya Haiiro, you might notice that it’s awfully quiet there! This is because they follow the Japanese tradition of being soft spoken in public places as a courtesy. |
7. Kenjin
Address: 247 Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006
Phone Number: +61 7 3213 0000
Hours: Sunday – Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday – Thursday: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Friday – Saturday: 6:00 PM – 3:00 AM
We like Kenjin because it transforms from a humble Japanese restaurant in the afternoon to a full-blown bar in the evening.
Kenjin does an excellent job of integrating a modern twist to their Japanese cuisine. From the presentation to the flavor, nothing goes unconsidered. The restaurant’s lighting is a bit too similar to their bar, but it’s not too distracting.
Speaking of food, Kenjin has lots of authentic picks for you to choose from, along with vegan dishes for you to choose from! Both the regular and vegan Omakase are good, but the Vegan Omakase has a bit better flavour profile thanks to the Marinated Jackfruit!
| Pro Tip: It doesn’t say this anywhere, but we suggest visiting Kenjin on Wednesdays to get half off on both their restaurant AND their bar! |
8. Shunsai
Address: t5/45 Wellington Rd, East Brisbane QLD 4169,
Phone Number: +61 7 3391 1449
Hours: Saturday – Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Thursday – Friday: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
If you’ve always wanted to try out those Japanese restaurants where they cook the food right in front of you, then we recommend trying out Shinsai!
Since Shunsai cooks your food in front of you, dining in feels like a magical experience the moment you order your food to the moment you get it. They even put on a show if you’re enthusiastic enough, so remember to bring your smile with you!
Shunsai has lots of courses for you to choose from, but we suggest getting either the Vegetarian Course for their Tofu Steak. The Sai Course’s Grilled Calamari and Scallop with sea urchin sauce is also a nice treat for the tastebuds!
| Pro Tip: Don’t fret – although Shunsai’s parking lot looks relatively small, there is underground parking. You can find the entrance near their building as well, making it relatively easier to find. |
9. MistaBoo
Address: 114 Wembley Rd, Logan Central QLD 4114
Phone Number: +61 412 687 199
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 10:30 AM – 8:45 PM
What’s a list without a jugular hit – and what’s a bigger left hook than MistaBoo? After all, it’s technically a Japanese restaurant – just not in the way you’d expect! Unlike other Japanese restaurants in Brisbane, MiistaBoo is a drive-thru!
However, just because MistaBoo is a drive-thru doesn’t mean they don’t have a lot going on for them! Their astounding variety of traditional and healthy food options paired with being a drive-thru makes them the ideal pick-me-up for midday cravings!
We suggest getting the Crunchy Katsu Chicken & Avocado Roll for this delicious crunch, but the Plain Avocado Big Roll is a good vegetarian pick if you’re looking for a healthy alternative.
| Pro Tip: MistaBoo’s food is Halal certified, meaning our Muslim brothers and sisters can enjoy their delicious food as well! We also recommend visiting them sometime between 5 PM and 6 PM too, just so you can see them basked in a nice light! |
10. hôntô
Address: Alden St, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006
Phone Number: +61 7 3193 7392
Hours: Monday – Wednesday: 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Thursday: 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Friday – Saturday: 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Sunday: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
With excellent service and a unique atmosphere, hôntô already does a stellar job in creating a nice vibe from the get-go – hôntô ni (really!)
What hôntô does well compared to other Japanese restaurants in Brisbane is their atmosphere. Yes, it’s dark inside, but that just adds a mysterious flavor to hôntô’s food – they also cook your meal in front of you, which always adds an extra razzle-dazzle.
That extravagance makes their food taste 10 times better. The Daily Sashimi Special offers a unique culinary experience, but if you want to see them grill your food in front of you, then the Wagyu Brisket, Tomato Soy, Green Onion Wakame should be your pick.
| Pro Tip: Feel free to let hôntô know about your allergies! The first thing they’ll do is ask about specific allergens, and they’ll always try their best to accommodate you with your request! |
