SITE PARTNER:

Brisbane's Hidden Japanese Gems

Updated: Jan 14, 2026

The streets of Brisbane are home to a smattering of some top little Japanese eateries and bars that only the locals or those who stray from the beaten track know of.

From the basement restaurant hidden behind a speakeasy, Japanese tapas bar under a boutique hotel,a sushi drive-through, a restaurant dedicated to katsu and restaurants tucked away in laneways, plus Brisbane's oldest Japanese restaurant, here are 15 hidden gems from the city to the suburbs:

Hideki

Hideki is an exquisite Japanese restaurant specializing in yakitori, hidden away behind a lit-up cherry blossom tree in Burnett Lane

Mobo

A contemporary Japanese restaurant and tapas bar tucked away in a Kangaroo Point side street

+81 Sushi Kappo

+81 Sushi Kappo in West End is an intimate 12-seat omakase restaurant that has set a new benchmark in Brisbane dining

Genkotsu Ramen

Genkotsu Ramen is a hidden gem - an authentic little ramen house found tucked away at the end of a Toowong shopping arcade.

Taro's Ramen

Taro's Ramen is a pocket-sized contemporary Japan eatery by Brisbane’s own ramen master, tucked away upstairs in Brisbane CBD’s

Kimino

Minimalism and impeccable Japanese interior design intersect Brisbane's suburban coffee scene at Kimino

Shunsai

Shunsai is a real slice of Japan in Brisbane - a pocket-sized upmarket Japanese restaurant and bar found tucked away

Shabuhouse Japanese

women dining at table next to potted herbs inside Shabuhouse

Shabuhouse is a stunning Japanese Korean fusion restaurant that offers the best value refined dining to be had in the entire city.

KatsuCo Japanese Restaurant

Katsu being picked up by chopsticks at Katsuco Sherwood

This Japanese restaurant specialises in katsu - panko-crumbed, deep fried, premium cuts of meat and seafood

Yakitori Kiku

Tucked away in East Brisbane, Yakitori Kiku serves up authentic Japanese charcoal-grilled skewers in a cosy, Tokyo-style setting.

Mista Boo Drive Thru

Mista Boo is Queensland's first drive-thru sushi restaurant, offering fresh sushi rolls, rice bowls, karaage chicken & more

hôntô

hôntô is a stunning dark moodily-lit Japanese restaurant and bar hidden away in a Fortitude Valley back street

Shimo Yakiniku

A traditional Japanese BBQ restaurant tucked away down a lane in the Savoir Faire precinct of Park Road

Dami Japanese Restaurant

You've probably driven past it and not noticed the unassuming Japanese restaurant on Logan Road surrounded by car yards

Oshin Japanese Restaurant

Oshin’s cosy traditional dining space has been bustling with Japanese diners since 1987

Open, Enclose by Shayle Flesser

Open, Enclose launches at Emma Street Studio this October!

Oct 30-31

Vida Lahey Memorial Travelling Scholarship

Applications are now open for the 2027 Vida Lahey Memorial Travelling Scholarship

Applications close Jan 10, 2027

Halloween Spooktacular

Westfield Chermside is throwing a Halloween Spooktacular

Oct 31

Melbourne Cup Day at The Regatta Hotel

Celebrate Melbourne Cup Day with flowing drinks, fine food, live racing and riverside vibes at The Regatta Hotel.

Nov 3

Melbourne Cup Day at Riverland

Nov 3

Melbourne Cup at Bar Pacino

Swap the racetrack for riverside glamour

Nov 3

Melbourne Cup at Haig Rd. Bistro

Celebrate the race that stops the nation with a French twist

Nov 3

Melbourne Cup at Howard Smith Wharves

Nov 3

Melbourne Cup at The Prince Consort

Nov 3

2026 Let’s Go Explore Caravan and RV Expo

The 2026 Let’s Go Explore Caravan and RV Expo is rolling back into Brisbane Showgrounds bringing four days of caravans, motorhomes, outdoor gear and everything you need for your next great escape

2026 Let’s Go Explore Caravan and RV Expo

MUST DO

Don Juan & Manfred

Join the Queensland Symphony Orchestra for their epic 2026 Season Finale at the Concert Hall QPAC, Don Juan & Manfred

Don Juan & Manfred

THIS WEEKEND

Top Things to Do Oct 30-Nov 1

An Australia-first, year-round cabana club, a massive four-day caravan and RV sale, spooky Halloween events, World Series Wrestling hits Brisbane and a sprawling 800sqm Italian-inspired restaurant opens its doors

This Weekend Oct 31-Nov 1

COMING UP

What's on in November in & around Brisbane

From Spring Carnival racing and Melbourne Cup events to Supanova Comic-Con, blockbuster theatre, world-first exhibitions and adults-only arts and crafts parties, what's on in November

What's On in November 2026

HOT TICKET

Into The Woods

Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood and Rapunzel heading into the woods! Stephen Sondheim’s much-loved Into the Woods is coming to Brisbane this November!

Into The Woods

HALLOWEEN

Halloween Spooktacular

Westfield Chermside is throwing a Halloween Spooktacular with trick-or-treating, a spooky disco, free face painting and plenty of family-friendly fun

Halloween Spooktacular

BEST OF BRISBANE

50+ Best Restaurants in Brisbane

Looking for the best restaurants in Brisbane? Then check out this guide for the must-do dining experiences from the city to the suburbs

Best Restaurants in Brisbane

Best Of Brisbane

Brisbane's Best 50 Bars

Whether you're after breezy drinks by the river, a stiff whiskey in an underground bar, a cosy laneway hideaway or a rooftop with views, here's 50 of Brisbane's best bars

Best Bars in Brisbane

A brand-new Nutcracker is coming to Brisbane