The 5 Best Japanese Restaurants in New South Wales Where Sushi Dreams Come True
Get ready to treat your taste buds, because New South Wales’ Japanese food scene is full of awesome flavours and tons of tempting aromas. If you’re craving a bowl of ramen or want to try the buttery goodness of fatty tuna, you’ll find plenty of choices to explore.
The best part is you can slide into a homey noodle shop for something casual or head to a stylish dining room that’s perfect for date night.
So grab your chopsticks and bring your appetite, because we’ve listed the best Japanese restaurants in New South Wales that serve up both classic and creative dishes you won’t want to miss. Read on!
How much does dining at a Japanese restaurant cost in New South Wales?
Dining out at a Japanese restaurant in New South Wales typically runs between $15 and well over $250 AUD per guest, depending entirely on your chosen style.
| Dining Style | Typical Inclusions | Average Cost (AUD per person) |
| Casual & Quick Bites | Ramen bowls, bento sets, sushi hand rolls | $15 – $30 |
| Mid-Range Izakayas | Shared hot plates, robata skewers, craft beer | $40 – $90 |
| High-End & Omakase | Multi-course chef tasting menus, wagyu, sashimi | $130 – $250+ |
1. Kaiza Newtown
Website: https://kaizasydney.com.au/
Address: 95 Enmore Rd
Contact: 0401 466 515
Hours: Wednesday – Thursday, Sunday, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM | Friday – Saturday, 5:00 PM – 9:30 PM
At Kaiza Newtown, rich Vietnamese flavours meet classic Japanese cooking methods to create an exciting menu. Head chef and owner Jason combines savoury fish sauce with deep miso and sweet mirin to give each dish plenty of character.
You can taste that bold mix in the lobster udon, which comes swimming in spicy miso butter. Meanwhile, the black Angus katsu brings serious crunch, while the wok-tossed wagyu stays beautifully tender.
Beyond the food, you’ll find an intimate, lively room here that’s perfect for sharing plates and cold sake with friends.
Just remember that the kitchen is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, so you’ll need to plan your catch-ups around those days.
Great experience
A must visit Izakaya in Newtown. Unique Jap and Viet food, good vibe. The staff are super friendly and informative. They described all the dishes to us to minor details. Crispy eggplants and Hokkaido scallops are must try. The ‘Shark Bay’ Spanner Crab Udon is outstanding and so unique. Make sure you book ahead because they will be fully booked easily on the weekends. Great experience, we will be surely back.
- Occasional Visit | Google Review
All the food and drinks were absolutely delicious
I booked this as a surprise for my best friend’s bachelorette and everyone had the most amazing time! Jason was so helpful over email and when booking a large group. They were very flexible with everyone’s dietary requirements and all the food and drinks were absolutely delicious. Would highly recommend!!
- Freya Jokela | Google Review
2. HACO
Website: http://hacosydney.com.au/
Address: 102/21 Alberta St., Sydney
Contact: +61 408 866 285
Hours: Tuesday – Thursday, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Friday – Saturday, 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM and 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Smoky binchotan charcoal grilling and light, delicate tempura take centre stage at HACO. Executive chef Kensuke Yada guides diners through a multi-course tasting menu, with each dish prepared right in front of them.
We spoke with a client who recently sat at the timber counter, and they said watching the kitchen team fry sweet ocean prawns and abalone with such precision made the meal feel special.
In fact, every course feels like a quiet theatrical performance. Plus, the flavours stay beautifully balanced, from the savoury chawanmushi egg custard through to dessert.
The intimate setup also makes this Japanese restaurant feel like an exclusive Tokyo retreat hidden in the city.
Unfortunately, they mainly serve a fixed chef’s menu, so they’re not the best fit for anyone after a quick, casual bite.
Each dish was beautifully presented
We visited for our anniversary, and it was truly a wonderful experience.
Each dish was beautifully presented and delicately seasoned, showing great attention to detail and craftsmanship. The balance of the entire course was exceptional, and every dish was absolutely delicious.
The staff’s service was also highly professional, which made our time there even more special. We had a fantastic evening and would definitely love to come back again.
- n k | Google Review
The food is exceptional and creative
I heard about this restaurant a lot and finally gave it a try and brought my partner here for a birthday dinner, the food is exceptional and creative! Customer service is tip top. Definitely a unique experience!
- Kamyin Tang | Google Review
3. Oborozuki
Website: https://oborozuki.com.au/
Address: Level 3, 5/71 Macquarie St, Sydney
Contact: +61 426 111 999
Hours: Tuesday – Thursday, 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM | Friday – Saturday, 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM and 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Spectacular water views pair beautifully with modern Japanese dining at Oborozuki, a luxurious harbourfront restaurant. Head chef Daeun Kang blends subtle French sauces with seasonal Australian seafood and delicate sashimi cuts.
The menu features Glacier 51 toothfish glazed in sweet sake kasu, along with tender bluefin tuna and decadent Siberian caviar. Together, these dishes create an upscale dining experience.
They also combine polished surroundings with carefully crafted Japanese dishes, creating a memorable experience from start to finish. While you can browse top restaurants in Australia, few offer this level of waterfront dining.
Unfortunately, weekday lunch is only available for private bookings, so spontaneous midday dining isn’t an option.
The food was delicious
It was our first day landed Sydney. It could not be better to have Oborozuki to be our first night dinner! The oysters were so fresh, they were the best out of what I had in my 14 days trip in Sydney and Tasmania! I was truly and till am blown away!
The chef who served our teppenyaki was truly amazing, she was fun and the food was delicious! The staff and service were amazing!
- Wilson Yiu | Google Review
Every dish was amazing and perfectly executed
An amazing experience with nothing to fault from food to service and environment.
Every dish was amazing and perfectly executed. Even the dessert was complex, with great textures and flavours. We were truly impressed and it is now one of our favourite establishments in Sydney.
Thanks for making our special occasion such a memorable one.
- E “Anna” J | Google Review
4. Sokyo
Website: https://star.com.au/sydney/eat-and-drink/signature-dining/sokyo
Address: Level G, The Darling, The Star, 80 Pyrmont Street, Pyrmont
Contact: (02) 9777 9000
Hours: Monday – Thursday, 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM | Friday – Sunday, 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Bustling energy fills the sunken dining room as fresh Hiramasa kingfish ceviche and crisp prawn tempura fly out to hungry tables. Sokyo effortlessly captures the buzz of Pyrmont nightlife while serving exceptionally fresh Australian produce.
My friend ordered the famous miso-glazed dengakuman toothfish last month, and he said the buttery, caramelised finish was pure heaven.
As an award-winning Japanese restaurant, the kitchen delivers bold robata meats alongside delicate sushi rolls every night. A sprawling twenty-four-piece raw sashimi platter also keeps seafood fans grinning from ear to ear.
But keep in mind that a 10% surcharge applies on Sundays, increasing slightly on public holidays.
The food was delicious
The service was efficient and professional. A wonderful staff member with blonde hair (apologies, I didn’t catch her name) made the experience even more enjoyable. The food was delicious—we particularly loved the wagyu tartare, and the standout dishes were the sweet corn and the tuna crispy rice.
- Frances Ryall | Google Review
Truly outstanding
Just had a great dinner here and whilst Sokyo’s food and beverages are great as always, we had an excellent service by a gentleman named Devon. He is a true example how working in restaurant industry should be. Truly outstanding! Thank you Sokyo & Devon!
- Ratna Alessa | Google Review
5. Cho Cho San
Website: http://chochosan.com.au/
Address: 73 Macleay St, Potts Point, Sydney
Contact: (02) 9331 6601
Hours: Monday – Thursday, 5:30 PM – Late | Friday – Sunday, 12:00 PM – Late
Buzzy conversations, glowing neon, and sizzling snack skewers make Cho Cho San feel like downtown Shibuya. Juicy pork katsu steamed buns pair perfectly with chilled cloudy sake and cold Japanese draft beer here.
You can also snack on tender king prawns tossed in kombu butter or dive into rich wagyu beef udon. Together, these dishes make the menu ideal for sharing with friends.
If you’ve worked with a professional event planner, you already understand how crucial venue atmosphere is for gathering people together. This playful Japanese restaurant brings that same infectious charisma to Sydney every single evening.
Unfortunately, the kitchen uses flexible late closing hours, so night owls should double-check final food orders.
The food was delicious
Really enjoyed the vibe and atmosphere here. The FOH service was lovely and welcoming 👍🏻
Compliments to the chef as well! The food was delicious, beautifully plated, and really well seasoned. The raw fish dish was definitely a highlight for me! fresh, balanced, beautifully presented, and so good.
I will definitely come back again! ✨
- NAT | Google Review
Fantastic food
Booked this place for our special day, ie anniversary and definitely over achieved. We probably should get married all over again with the special treatment we got! Memorable 👍🏼 food was fantastic. Had the edamame,karrage, chicken meatballs, wagyu udon and lip smacking miso caramel ice cream.. everything was spot on . The flavours and taste is fresh and light.The ambience was fun, nice music and great service. April our waitress was fantastic in recommendations and attitude. We absolutely were spolit and we thank the team at Cho cho san. All the best and see you again
- Caroline Suhasini | Google Review