Our Ultimate Guide to the best Japanese restaurants in Sydney

This modern Japanese eatery is an unabashed testament to the pulsing vibe of contemporary new-world Tokyo.

Undeniably one of the hottest tickets in town, Sokyo is the award-winning bejewelled pride of The Star. With an omakase experience that’s often booked out months in advance, what you’ll get at Sokyo is sleek elegance, immaculate service, and a pristine dining experience that’s delicate Japanese with a twist.

Here you’ll find a la carte options that include all your favourites like sashimi, nigiri, and tempura, along with unique signature dishes like miso-glazed toothfish with Japanese salsa. Also on offer are their highly popular personalised dining experiences, including guided dining and a chef’s choice omakase degustation menu.

Dish Cult Recommends: The $67 Dengakuman

In the dictionary of Sydney’s food scene, a quick lookup of “Japanese fine-dining” would find Tetsuya’s as its definition. Chef Tetsuya Wakada’s confit ocean trout is one of those signature dishes that are considered a Sydney ritual – albeit an expensive one – but one that earns its keep all the same.

A tranquil spot filled with lush greenery and a gently bubbling fountain, this fine-dining experience set away from the hustle of the CBD is unlike what you’d come to expect.

The best way to indulge in their confit of Tasmanian Ocean Trout is with their 8-course degustation set that features dishes that are fresh and precise. Flavours are painted with a bold stroke and come bursting with flavour that can only come from quality ingredients and a masterful hand of technique.

Dish Cult Recommends: The $265 8-course degustation menu

Moody and modern, HACO is dressed to the minimalistic nines and screams of Japanese eateries that you’ll find dotting the streets of Ginza and Shinjuku.

This tiny tempura bar is intimate and theatrical, with a bar that wraps around the centre showcase where you can watch as the chefs chop and fry away with a precision that feels otherwordly. Muse wistfully as the food is prepared and treat yourself to 20 courses of omakase tempura (that is, lightly battered and fried) featuring lobsters, Kagoshima wagyu, and caviar.

The tasting menu here keeps things innovative. Despite being fried, each dish is crispy and light with enough diversity to be interesting and palate-pleasing. With a rapidly changing menu, don’t expect the same dishes each time you go (and you’ll definitely want to go again).

Dish Cult Recommends: The $185 Dinner Omakase

Serving up modern Japanese-style street food in a neon-lit Manly bar is Daniel San: a fan favourite and longstanding beach-lover staple. Great food and a picture-perfect view of the iconic beachfront? Yes, please.

Inspired by the eclectic colours and lifeblood of Okinawa, this funky dive is where you’ll find Japanese food that’s hip and approachable. Their giant sashimi boats are perfect for group sharing, and other dishes to cop are their Robata grilled skewers, twice-cooked pork belly with steamed rice, and slow-cooked pork buns.

This venue is ever brimming with life and a playful attitude that’ll buoy you over no matter how your day or week has been. Happy place, coming right up!

Dish Cult Recommends: The $49 Large Sashimi

A local favourite, Azuma is one of those joints that are undisputedly authentic Japanese. Helmed by Chef Kimitaka Azuma and his wife Yuki, what started as a neighbourhood secret exploded into one of the city’s top places for a Japanese feed.

Here you’ll find only the freshest slices of sashimi and nigiri sushi rolls that melt in your mouth with unbeatable texture. Other dishes here are just as masterful, with crispy chicken karaage deep-fried to perfection, and wagyu striploin steak that’s seasoned and seared to perfection.

Come to Azuma with an appetite whetted for exquisite Japanese dining that walks right off the streets of Tokyo, and you won’t be in the least disappointed.

Dish Cult Recommend: The $32 Assorted Sashimi

Is there anything more comfort Japanese food than donburi? Bowls of steamed Japanese rice topped with expertly cooked meats, eggs, and vegetables – life doesn’t get much better.

At Juan, bowls here come topped with unagi lava egg omelettes, Japanese-style pork tonkatsu, and even Asian crossover Hainan Chicken. Bowls of don here come with matching teas specially curated and designed to be a palate enhancer for your bowl of goodness.

The fit-out here is immaculate, and elegant is the word that’ll come to mind. From gorgeous teacups to lanterns and calligraphy, every element of this nook is Japanese-inspired and perfectly thought out.

Dish Cult Recommends: The $28 Unagi Hitsumabushi

This Crows Nest Japanese hideout is the epitome of homey and backstreet-alley-of-Harajuku-esque. It’s no-frills goodness, with a simple layout that stays true to traditional Japanese digs complete with lanterns. Enjoy a cold drink at their bar seats over skewers fresh off the charcoal grill.

For food, pick from a wide range of skewers with some highlights being chicken thigh and shallots, cheese Kransky and wagyu beef with homemade marinade. If you get bored of yakitori (the heresy!) spring for their range of sides to while you over, from gyoza to Japanese omelette.

Dish Cult Recommends: The Wagyu Beef skewer