Adelaide has quietly built a reputation for some of the best Japanese food you’ll find this side of the Pacific.

From the CBD to the suburbs, you’ll stumble across Japanese restaurants in Adelaide serving everything from smoky yakitori skewers to melt-in-your-mouth sashimi.

Some of these restaurants keep it traditional, while others aren’t shy about adding their own twist — but the common thread is simple: good Japanese food done with respect for fresh ingredients.

Whether you’re on the quest for a hot bowl of ramen on a chilly day or a plate of sushi to share with mates, Adelaide has some great Japanese food spots.

Here are the eight best Japanese restaurants in Adelaide that locals rate highly — all worth a visit when you’re in the mood for something tasty and satisfying.

Best Japanese Restaurants in Adelaide

1- Tonkatsu

Google Rating: 4.8

Tonkatsu located at 102/104 Wright Street is one of the popular Japanese restaurants in Adelaide for its authentic Japanese comfort food.

The place is famous for its perfectly crispy, golden-brown cutlets. Moreover, their signature tonkatsu chicken, served on a cooling rack is a must-try.

Each tonkatsu is made using premium cuts of meat, coated in fresh panko breadcrumbs, and fried to perfection.

The menu also features various katsu sets including pork and prawn options, alongside Japanese potato croquettes with ground beef.

Another good option on the menu that you can order is the chicken fillet katsu curry bowl, which combines tender breaded chicken with rich Japanese curry sauce served over steamed rice.

Also, their tonkatsu ramen is amazing, combining crispy cutlets with savory broth that will transport you to the streets of Tokyo.

2- ITSUMO Japanese Restaurant & Izakaya Bar

Google Rating: 4.7

ITSUMO is located at 150 North Terrace and has revolutionized Adelaide’s all-you-can-eat dining scene with their premium Japanese buffet featuring over 80 dishes, including Wagyu beef, fresh sashimi, and sushi.

What makes ITSUMO one of the must-visit Japanese restaurants in Adelaide is that it breaks traditional buffet conventions by preparing each dish fresh to order.

Go for their $78 buffet that includes premium Wagyu beef, fresh sashimi, sushi, Izakaya dishes, hot pots, and more, with each dish cooked fresh to order and generously served.

Their extensive menu spans traditional Japanese favorites like chirashi bowls, tempura, gyoza, and yakitori alongside modern fusion dishes.

The dining experience emphasizes clean, fresh flavors and vibrant colors that capture the essence of authentic Japanese cuisine. The izakaya-style atmosphere encourages sharing plates and socializing.

3- Shiki Japanese Restaurant

Google Rating: 4.6

Located in the InterContinental North Terrace, Shiki offers world-class Japanese dining with professional chefs combining seasonal produce with sensational sushi, sashimi, tempura, and teppanyaki.

Headed by Chef de Cuisine Kenny Trinh, the team at Shiki Japanese Restaurant serves truly succulent and authentic sushi, sashimi, tempura, and Teppanyaki prepared at live cooking stations.

The restaurant specializes in interactive teppanyaki dining where skilled chefs prepare meals with theatrical flair right before guests’ eyes.

Their banquet includes favorites from salads to salmon and kingfish sashimi, Wagyu beef, tempura prawns, Moreton Bay bugs, vegetable dishes, and the delicious lemon custard berry dessert.

Shiki has become known for its exquisite food and entertaining dining experience, making it a one-of-a-kind Japanese restaurant in Adelaide.

Also Read: Best Vietnamese Restaurants in Adelaide

4- Call Me Curry & Izakaya

Google Rating: 4.8

Located in the heart of Adelaide CBD on 33 Hindley Street, Call Me Curry & Izakaya brings authentic comfort food straight from Japan.

This husband and wife operated Japanese restaurant moved from Bangkok to Adelaide, creating a vibrant atmosphere that combines traditional Japanese curry culture with modern izakaya dining.

Head chef Frank makes every dish with care, specializing in signature Japanese curries that use slow-cooked roux bases with over 20 spices including turmeric, cumin, and garam masala.

Their crispy tonkatsu features premium pork cutlets coated in panko breadcrumbs and fried to golden perfection, served alongside their famous curry sauce.

The menu also includes izakaya-style small plates, yakitori skewers grilled over charcoal, and vegetarian options like curry udon made with rich dashi broth.

What makes Call Me Curry special is its authentic curry preparation method, simmering for hours to develop deep, complex flavors that perfectly balance sweet, savory, and spicy elements.

5- Nagomi Japanese Kitchen

Google Rating: 4.6

Located in shop 5/242 Hutt Street, Nagomi Japanese Kitchen offers one of Adelaide’s finest authentic Japanese dining experiences.

The restaurant is run by Japanese chef Nobuki Hayashi who knows how to make authentic Japanese food.

We recommend that you order their signature saikyo-style black cod. The miso-marinated cod is aged for days before being grilled to create a sweet-savory glaze with tender, flaky fish inside.

Another item on the menu you need to try is the chawanmushi (savory egg custard) made with dashi, eggs, and other ingredients steamed to silky perfection.

Their sushi and sashimi boat features fresh salmon, kingfish, and tuna, expertly cut using traditional Japanese knife techniques.

Also, their slow-cooked pork belly is amazing. The pork is cooked twice and simmered for at least 2 days.

Nagomi’s attention to presentation and ingredient quality makes every dish a work of art, providing an authentic taste of Japan’s refined culinary culture.

6- Tsubaki

Google Rating: 4.6

Tsubaki located at 315 The Parade offers Japanese & East Asia fusion dining in Adelaide.

Their menu features the artistry of Japanese cuisine through dishes that honor tradition while embracing modern creativity.

Do try their Anago tempura that comes along with Japanese-style tartar and Tentsuyu. The tempura is battered using ice-cold water and special flour ratios for ultra-light, crispy coatings.

Their salt and vinegar lotus root chips are also amazing as well as the pork/vegetable gyoza.

Also try their selection of sushi and sashimi prepared using traditional Edomae techniques, with rice seasoned perfectly using aged rice vinegar, sugar, and salt.

The restaurant’s fusion approach includes dishes that incorporate Korean and Thai influences, creating unique flavor profiles while maintaining Japanese precision in preparation.

Also Read: Best Vegetarian Restaurants in Adelaide

7- Half & Hafu

Google Rating: 4.8

Half & Hafu on 387 Magill Road is a vibrant restaurant that combines Japanese cuisine with Thai influences, creating a unique East-meets-West dining experience in surroundings featuring neon signage and modern industrial design.

The fusion concept will let you explore exciting flavor combinations while respecting traditional Japanese cooking methods.

Their menu includes traditional Japanese dishes prepared with authentic techniques alongside Thai-Japanese fusion creations that blend aromatic herbs like lemongrass and galangal with Japanese staples like miso and soy sauce.

A must-try is their ramen that features rich tonkotsu broth simmered for 12-20 hours, combined with Thai-inspired toppings that add unique twists to traditional recipes.

Half & Hafu’s approach makes it special because it successfully bridges two distinct Asian culinary traditions, offering diners familiar Japanese comfort foods alongside exciting new flavor combinations that reflect modern multicultural dining trends.

8- KOKONI IZAKAYA

Google Rating: 4.7

KOKONI IZAKAYA located at 7 Compton Street is another top-rated Japanese restaurant in Adelaide.

This authentic Japanese drinking establishment focuses on small dishes and snacks that perfectly complement their extensive drink selection, following the traditional izakaya concept where food and alcohol create harmony together.

The restaurant specializes in traditional izakaya fare including yakitori grilled over bincho charcoal, gyoza with crispy bottoms and tender tops, and karaage chicken marinated in soy sauce, ginger, and garlic before being fried to golden perfection.

Their small plates include edamame prepared with coarse sea salt, takoyaki (octopus balls) with traditional toppings of mayo, takoyaki sauce, and bonito flakes, and various pickled vegetables that cleanse the palate between drinks.

KOKONI’s intimate atmosphere recreates the authentic Japanese izakaya experience where friends gather after work to unwind.

The extensive drink menu features Japanese whisky, sake varieties served at proper temperatures, and Japanese beers that pair perfectly with the salty, savory foods that make izakaya culture so special and social.