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Every exceptional Japanese restaurant in Brisbane

Kristie Lau-AdamsBy Kristie Lau-Adams
Delight in the authentic flavours of neon-lit cities with our list of every epic Japanese restaurant in Brisbane.

Clean, delicate and enormously flavoursome dishes have turned Japanese cooking into one of Australia’s most-loved cuisines. In Brisbane, whether I’m salivating at the thought of sushi or craving ramen, Japanese dining is embraced with gusto, so I’m always in for a treat. From waterfront spectaculars to understated gems, every incredible Japanese restaurant in Brisbane is nothing short of world-class. Let me detail the superstars here.

The Shortlist

Best hidden gem: Oyama
Best for casual eats: Taro’s Ramen
Best for special occasions: Sokyo
Most budget-friendly: Bird’s Nest
Best views: Sono

1. Hideki

a Bento lunch at Hideki Japanese restaurant, Brisbane
Hideki creates a delicious bento lunch.

The buzz around Hideki in November 2025 was around its new James Street expansion, but I love the original yakitori bar for nailing one of the city’s most authentic takes on Japanese dining. Firstly, it’s down a little laneway (feeling very Shinjuku), a glowing cherry blossom tree positioned out the front of a black facade. The moody feel extends inside with a glowing cuboidal feature wall behind the bar. It’s gorgeous and so very Tokyo. The yakitori itself is exceptionally fresh, blistered to perfection and spanning vegetables like charred corn, king prawns and scallops. There are also larger plates (the truffle mushroom noodles are as heavenly as they sound) and a raw bar. But it’s those flavour-packed skewers that always steal my heart.

Average Price: $$

Atmosphere: Transportive

Location: 34 Burnett Ln, Brisbane

2. Sushi Room

holding chopsticks with sushi at Sushi Room, Japanese restaurant Brisbane
The aptly named restaurant spins good sushi. (Image: Josh Maguire)

I struggle to find Sushi Room in The Calile, its façade blending into the coastal timber-cool the hotel is renowned for (look for the staircase leading up to the pool if you’re really lost), but the Japanese restaurant in Brisbane’s understated exterior only adds to its allure. Inside, a minimalistic, jaw-droppingly sophisticated interior compliments equally dazzling food. Lobster, A5 sirloin, scampi and sea urchin dot the sashimi menu while Oscietra caviar can be rolled out with oysters. It’s seafood central, in fact, with fresh catches filling the sushi, tempura and grilled menus, so temptation beckons from every angle. My personal highlight? The freshly grated wasabi, far smoother than those shiny silver packets at Sushi Train,

Average Price: $$$$

Atmosphere: Schmick

Location: Ground level, The Calile Hotel, 48 James St, Fortitude Valley

3. Sokyo

Sokyo's signature platter, Japanese restaurant Brisbane
Sokyo’s signature platter is as beautiful as it is delicious. (Image: Nicole Barclay / The Star Entertainment Group)

Loyalists of its Sydney outpost get to soak up the magic of Sokyo in Brisbane, as the restaurant’s famed ‘sashimi florist’ is found inside The Star Brisbane. If you like your Japanese Instagram-friendly, this place is for you. Bringing traditional flavours into the now with serious artistic flair, Executive Chef Alex Yu said ‘florist’ – leads an inspired team. You’ll find all-star dishes, like the miso-glazed toothfish with jalapeno salsa (the ‘Glacier 51’ if you’re scanning the menu for it) plus my personal favourite, the spicy tuna crispy rice nigiri, alongside a seasonally led roll-out of daring pursuits.

Average Price: $$$

Location: The Star Brisbane, Level 2, 33 William St, Brisbane

4. Komeyui Brisbane

a spread of Japanese food at Komeyui Brisbane
A Japanese feast prepared to perfection at Komeyui Brisbane.

Extending the success of its original Melbourne location, Komeyui Brisbane is authentic and ingredient fresh. Gone are the matte black fit outs famed throughout the laneways of Tokyo, replaced with a bright, contemporary and very tatami room-feeling design that embraces slow, intentional dining. Chef Kumano taps into his posh Osaka culinary school training, balancing every flavour tenderly and creating dishes with stories to tell. His two-tier Shokado Bento Box is the star of the show, fitted with sashimi, sushi, tempura, grilled fish, oyster, scallop foie gras and more.

Average Price: $$$$

Atmosphere: Homely

Location: 191-203 Wharf St, Spring Hill

5. Yoko Dining

a spread of Japanese food at Yoko Dining, Brisbane
Tuck into a satisfying Japanese brunch at Yoko Dining.

A star in Howard Smith Wharves’ crown, Yoko  is a relaxed spot overlooking the Brisbane River where Japanese favourites shine. Lively and fun-fuelled without compromising on scrupulous culinary handiwork, the hot spot draws big groups, especially at lunch on Saturday and Sunday when Buns and Bubbles, one of the city’s best bottomless brunches, offers a set menu of chicken katsu steam buns, ceviche with taco shells, spica tuna sushi, miso-caramel soft serve and almost two hours of prosecco, wine and beer. I love this place at sunset too, when looking out over the water with a glass of bubbles or few proves euphoric.

Average Price: $$

Atmosphere: Bouncy and fun

Location: Howard Smith Wharves, 2/5 Boundary St, Brisbane

6. Honto

dining at Honto Japanese restaurant, Brisbane
The banquet menus deliver contemporary classics. (Image: David Chatfield)

Adored by inner-city slickers craving a generously plated feast, Honto  is a Japanese restaurant in Brisbane I love for nights out with friends. Shining a light on fresh and seasonal ingredients, it delivers contemporary classics, dialling up flavour profiles to ridiculous heights. Choose something from the raw bar, which always impresses, but move into dumplings and noodles territory quick to sniff out excellent ramen and potstickers. Two banquet menus are also on hand to take the brain power out of selecting.

Average Price: $$$

Atmosphere: Bustling

Location: Alden St, Fortitude Valley

7. Boom Boom Room

a Japanese feast at Boom Boom Room, Brisbane
The Boom Boom Room exudes glamorous speakeasy vibes.

One-of-a-kind and totally fabulous, the Boom Boom Room  is a must-experience dinner during your visit to the Queensland capital. Located in the underground chambers of a historic bank in the CBD, beneath the Chinese restaurant Donna Chang, you’ll need to step down a beautiful old staircase to find it. While throwing very glamorous speakeasy vibes, it delivers a range of authentic dishes spanning raw seafood, sushi, yakitori skewers, small plates and larger mains.

Average Price: $$

Atmosphere: Theatrical

Location: 49 Elizabeth St, Brisbane

8. Taro’s Ramen

a bowl of Taro's Ramen, Brisbane
Tuck into a comforting, warm bowl of Taro’s Ramen.

Replicating the understated hidey-holes found throughout Japan’s cobblestone streets, Taro’s Ramen  is my cheap-as-chips go-to for blissful noodle soup (they’re roughly 20 bucks a pop). Located in the CBD, South Brisbane and beyond, the chain packs its creations with ample-plus flavour and freshly sourced ingredients. Scan the list for your favourite broth, grab a table and slurp it into oblivion. It’s often hailed as the best ramen in town, plus the CBD venue turns into an Izakaya joint (serving small plates and drinks) at night.

Average Price: $

Atmosphere: Casual

Location: Various spots across Brisbane – check out the full list via the website

9. Sono

waterfront dining at Sono Japanese restaurant, Brisbane
Dine on flavourful Japanese classics with views of the Brisbane River. (Image: Dylan Evans Photography)

A foodie stalwart located right off the Brisbane River in Hamilton, Sono  is long renowned for its Japanese artistry. Entering the venue and spying its absolute waterfront views literally took my breath away so I recommend hustling as early as possible to book a seat by the floor-to-ceiling windows. The food is fresh, flavoursome and lavish, and its raw bar is stocked with the likes of lobster, sea urchin, kingfish belly and other divine delicacies.

Average Price: $$$$

Atmosphere: Serene

Location: Level 1, Portside Wharf, 39 Hercules St, Hamilton

10. Oyama

the dining interior at Oyama, Brisbane
Oyama restaurant nails a flaming banquet.

Love yourself some teppanyaki? My family and I feel you. Get to Oyama , my favourite kid-friendly Japanese restaurant in Brisbane, which nails a flaming banquet plus a la carte showstoppers. It’s relaxed and if you choose teppanyaki, you’ll catch all the usual suspects, including prawns, chicken teriyaki, eye fillet steak and seasonal vegetables. Been there, done that, just starving? The regular menu is full of delights like a Moreton Bay bug hand roll, chicken Karaage and yakitori skewers.

Average Price: $$

Atmosphere: Family-friendly

Location: Shop 30, 115 Wickham St, Fortitude Valley

11. Ippin Japanese Dining

caviar at Ippin Japanese Dining, Brisbane
The elevated Japanese menu puts a spotlight on local produce.

Bringing elevated Japanese cuisine to Brisbane’s West End, Ippin Japanese Dining  is a slick operation flooded with natural light and enveloped in lush greenery. Stare out at glossy green foliage as beautifully prepared dishes roll out of the kitchen. Menu superstars include warmed seafood salads and pillowy soft tempura, while set menus spin off the seasons to showcase the region’s best produce.

Average Price: $$

Atmosphere: Relaxed

Location: The Garden Pavilion, West Village, Level 2/97 Boundary St, West End

12. Bird’s Nest

the red booths at Bird's Nest, Brisbane
Indulge in a yakitori feast in one of the red booths.

Offering epic Japanese fare at extremely reasonable prices, Bird’s Nest  is a Brisbane gem that attracts thick crowds. Split into four locations across the city, the restaurant specialises in charcoal-grilled Yakitori, making for a quick and easy bite in always atmospheric surroundings. Set menus present traditional Japanese dishes including gyoza, Karaage chicken, sashimi and edamame in addition to the grilled heroes, plus there’s street food (hello bao buns), a raw bar and larger plates on the wider menu.

Average Price: $$

Atmosphere: Energetic

Location: Various spots across Brisbane – check out the full list via the website

13. Soko Rooftop

I’d visited Soko Rooftop for drinks well before I ate there (it’s jungle-themed rooftop vibe is awesome come knock-off o’clock), so I was impressed when I found a beautiful menu for lunch one day. I take a seat inside where the glamour intensifies as a lovely member of staff keeps my water glass full and appears whenever I need him for anything else. I’m there on a Thursday and take advantage of a ‘Business Lunch’ bento deal which includes miso soup, baby corn tempura, a salad and a choice of five mains. I go for the AKA Tofu and it’s fluffy, dressed in ginger soy and teriyaki, and accompanied by rice. It’s a great casual spot to savour traditional flavours before kicking the party on just metres away al fresco-style.

Average Price: $$

Atmosphere: Party times

Location: 7 Symes St, Jubilee Pl, Fortitude Valley

Kristie Lau-Adams
Kristie Lau-Adams is a Gold Coast-based freelance writer after working as a journalist and editorial director for almost 20 years across Australia's best-known media brands including The Sun-Herald, WHO and Woman's Day. She has spent significant time exploring the world with highlights including trekking Japan’s life-changing Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage and ziplining 140 metres above the vines of Mexico’s Puerto Villarta. She loves exploring her own backyard (quite literally, with her two young children who love bugs), but can also be found stalking remote corners globally for outstanding chilli margaritas and soul-stirring cultural experiences.
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What it’s really like to stay on the world’s largest sand island

    Kassia ByrnesBy Kassia Byrnes
    Continue
    Exploring the world’s largest sand island starts with the perfect K’gari homebase.

    The morning light is still soft, but it’s already a perfect sunny day. We left our K’gari homebase at Kingfisher Bay Resort  with our guide, Peter Meyer, at 9 am to make the most of our time to explore all that the world’s largest sand island holds. The size of K’gari is hard to grasp until you arrive here. This is no sandbar. Stretching 120 kilometres, unique lakes, mangrove systems, rainforest, 75 Miles of beach, historic shipwrecks, small townships and even one of Queensland’s best bakeries are all hidden within its bounds.

    But first, one of the island’s most iconic sights: the pure silica sand and crystal clear waters of Lake McKenzie.

    Laying eyes on it for the first time, I’m finally able to confirm that the photos don’t lie. The sand is pure white, without the merest hint of yellow. The water fades from a light halo of aqua around the edges to a deeper, royal blue, the deeper it gets (not that it’s particularly deep, six metres at most). The surface remains surprisingly undisturbed, like a mirror.

    Arriving with our guide before 10 am means that no one else is around when we get here. Which means we have the pleasure of breaking the smooth surface with our own ripples as we enter. As a self-confessed wimp with chilly water temperatures, my fears are quickly assuaged. Even in the morning, the water stays around 23 degrees – perfect for lazing about all day. But we have more sights to see.

    Exploring K’gari

    ariel of in lake mckenzie on k'gari fraser island
    Relax in the warm waters of Lake McKenzie. (Image: Ayeisha Sheldon)

    This was the Personalised 4WD tour offered by Kingfisher Bay Resort, and my absolute top pick of experiences. Over the course of the day, we had the freedom to create our own bespoke itinerary (plus a provided picnic lunch along the way), with an expert guide who had plenty of stories and local expertise to give context to what we were looking at. From the history of the SS Maheno shipwreck, which survived the First World War only to be washed ashore by a cyclone in 1935, to a detailed description of how an island made of sand could sustain such diverse flora.

    If it’s your first time to K’gari, the Beauty Spots Tour is another great option. Departing daily from Kingfisher Bay Resort (you’ll start to notice a trend, as many of the tours do start and end here), an air-conditioned, 4WD bus takes guests to the island’s most iconic locations, including the best places to swim, like Lake McKenzie and Eli Creek. The latter offers a gentle current, perfect for riding with a blow-up tyre out towards the ocean.

    The next day, for a look at a completely different side of K’gari, I joined one of Kingfisher Bay Resort’s Immersive Ranger-guided tours to kayak through the mangroves of Dundonga Creek. This long, snake-like stretch of creek winds its way inland from the ocean outlet we entered by, at times too narrow for three kayaks to be side-by-side. Small insects buzz from leaf to leaf, while birds call overhead. Occasional bubbles indicate we’ve passed some fish that call this place home.

    kayak tour through the mangroves at k'gari island
    Learn about the island’s mangroves from your Ranger. (Image: Reuben Nutt/ TEQ)

    If kayaking isn’t for you – or if, like me, you simply want more – other ranger-led experiences include nature walks and a dedicated Junior Eco Ranger Program for kids ages five to 12 (these run every weekend, and daily over the peak December holidays). Just ask for a timetable of upcoming tours when you check in.

    While during whale season, Hervey Bay Whale Watch & Charters operates tours from the hotel’s jetty to get up close to the famous Humpback Highway of Hervey Bay, from 7 November to 31 May, attention turns to the Aqua Oasis Cruise . Departing from the resort every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday for resort guests, adventure along the island’s remote western coast, pointing out wildlife like dolphins, turtles, flying fish and eagles along the way.

    The cruise drops anchor so guests can jump into the water using the boat’s equipment – from SUP boards to inflatable slides and jumping platforms. Then refuel with a provided lunch, of course.

    Unwind at sunset

    two people drinking cocktails at sunset bar, kingfisher bay resort
    Unwind at the Sunset Bar. (Image: Sean Scott)

    As much as days on K’gari can be filled with adventure, to me, the afternoons and evenings there are for unwinding. Sunsets on K’gari are absolutely unbelievable, with Kingfisher Bay on the west side being the best spot to catch the colours.

    The Sunset Bar , located at the start of the resort’s jetty and overlooking the beach, is the ultimate location for sundowners. Let chill beats wash over you as you sip on cool wines, beers and cocktails in a relaxed, friendly vibe. Personally, a cheese board was also absolutely called for. As the sun sinks, the sand, sea and horizon turn a vibrant shade of orange, with the jetty casting a dramatic shadow across the water.

    When the show is over, head back to the hotel for dinner at the Asian-fusion Dune restaurant, or the pub-style Sand + Wood. But if your appetite is still whetted for more lights and colours, the evening isn’t over yet.

    Settle into the Illumina stage for Return to Sky, an immersive light and sound show leading viewers on a captivating journey through K’gari’s stories and landscapes.

    Indulge and disconnect

    woman setting up massage room at kingfisher bay resort Island Day Spa
    Find bliss at Island Day Spa. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

    Of course, there is a type of traveller who knows that balance is important, day or night. While Kingfisher Bay Resort offers more than one pool for guests to spend all day lounging by (they’ll even serve you food and drinks while you do it), you’ll find me at the Island Day Spa.

    The masseuses could match the magic hands of any big city spa, and I felt the warm welcome as I walked into the light, breezy reception. Choose from a range of botanical facials, beauty treatments and soothing massages using traditional techniques (obviously, I couldn’t go past a relaxing massage). All products used contain organic, native botanical ingredients with nutrient-rich plant extracts to soothe skin and mind. To really indulge, try out one of the packages, couples treatment or even a pre-wedding day offering.

    Getting there

    kingfisher bay resort 4wd tour driving passed ss maheno on k'gari island
    The world of K’gari awaits. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

    Getting to K’gari is shockingly easy. Find daily flights into Hervey Bay from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Kingfisher Bay Resort offers a shuttle bus between the airport, their headquarters in Hervey Bay and the ferry to take you to K’gari.