Hi! Welcome to FunEmpire 👋
We take pride in finding the best local experiences, activities and services. We only recommend what we love, and hope you love them too. Learn about our story.
Omakase Melbourne
When you’re looking for an incredible dining experience, Omakase is the way to go. Omakase restaurants are those that offer a tasting menu of exquisite dishes, curated by the head chef. If you’re looking for an amazing Omakase meal in Melbourne, look no further! We’ve put together a list of the 10 best Omakase restaurants in the city.
Here is the list of the best Omakase in Melbourne, they are surely worth the wait and every penny for a once in a lifetime dining experience for you and your loved ones.
1. Komeyui
| Key Services: | Genuine Japanese restaurant. Has 2 locations in Melbourne |
| Website: | https://komeyui.com.au/ |
| Address: | 396 Bay Street, Port Melbourne, 3207 VIC |
| Email: | info@komeyui.com.au |
| Contact: | +61 (03) 9646 2296 |
| Opening Hours: | TUE – THUR: 12PM – 2:30PM / 5:30PM – 10PM FRI – SUN: 11:30AM – 2:30PM / 5:30PM – 10PM |
Komeyui is a genuine Japanese restaurant that serves some of the best Omakase in town. Mr Motomu Kumano, the executive chef and owner, was born and raised in a tiny Japanese fishing village called Shiraoi. His Port Melbourne restaurant was so popular that he opened another location in South Melbourne in 2020.
Key differentiators:
- Genuine Japanese restaurant
- Experienced Japanese executive chef and owner
- 2 locations, Port Melbourne & South Melbourne
Client’s testimonial
“They food was amazing Me and my husband loved the Omakase and surprise all the seafood was top class! Extremely good quality and fresh. Their customer service was kind and nice when I called for few changes.“
-Hae Ji Brooks
2. Warabi
| Key Services: | Wide Variety of Sake is served with Omakase, encourages diners to interact with each other and the chefs |
| Website: | https://www.warabimelbourne.com/ |
| Address: | 408 Flinders Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia |
| Email: | warabi@whotels.com |
| Phone: | +61 3 9113 8800 |
| Operating Hours: | TUES – SAT: 5:30PM – 10:30PM |
If you have a few sakes and want to get out of your shell, Warabi is the place to be. Warabi is a 29-seat Omakase restaurant at the W Hotel in New York City that encourages diners to interact with one another and the chefs. The concept for the restaurant was created in collaboration with Wa Creations, a Tokyo-based firm recognised for its Michelin-starred eateries. A variety of sakes is served with the omakase to give you the whole Japanese experience.
Key differentiators:
- Served with choice of Sakes
- Restaurant inside W Hotel
- Encourages Guests to interact with each other and chefs
Client’s testimonial
“New iconic and fantastic Japanese Omakase restaurant. A perfect place for special dates and anniversaries. They only have 16 seats per session so make sure book in advance. They only offer set menu for now, which includes 8 courses. The dessert palette surprised me and I will recommend add open food. All the ingredients and meats were super fresh and delicious, and a glass of alcoholic will perfect matching.”
-Sylvia Liu
3. Kisumé
| Key Services: | Made by Chris Lucas. Artistic, beautiful and aromatic atmosphere. Uses the best Local Produce available in Melbourne. |
| Website: | https://kisume.com.au/ |
| Email: | BOOKINGS@KISUME.COM.AU |
| Address: | 175 Flinders Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000 |
| Contact: | (03) 9671 4888 |
| Opening Hours: | Monday – Sunday (12 pm – 3 pm, 5 pm – 10 pm) |
Kisume is no stranger to Melbourne’s great cuisine. Chris Lucas’ Japanese eatery is just like that, as the name implies. The restaurant’s name means “a pure obsession with beauty,” and visitors will be treated to a mix of art, design, and dining. Kisume’s Omakase menu is limited to 12 seats and includes the states best local produce.
Key differentiators:
- Exclusive dining experience with only 12 seats
- Best local produce is used
Client’s testimonial
“We dined here last year before Christmas. We had the set menu and all the dishes are fantastic. We spent almost 3hours because some dishes took long time, but it was worth the wait. It’s a great place to celebrate anniversary or birthday. It’s one of the best fine dining experience I’ve had in Melbourne.”
Lyn Victoria
4. Tempura Hajime
| Key Services: | Small and intimate dinner serving only the finest Tempura in all of Melbourne. Menu changes regularly to feature the best of the best ingredients. |
| Website: | https://tempurahajime.com.au/ |
| Address: | 60 Park St, South Melbourne VIC 3205 |
| Contact: | (03) 9696 0051 |
| Opening Hours: | Tuesday – Friday (12 pm – 2 pm, 6 pm – 10 pm), Saturday (6 pm – 10 pm) |
Tempura Hajime is a small, intimate Japanese restaurant in South Melbourne that offers a delicious Omakase experience. The menu changes regularly, but always features fresh and seasonal ingredients. The restaurant has a limited number of seats, so booking ahead is recommended.
Key differentiators:
- Small and intimate dining experience
- The only traditional tempura house in Melbourne
- Delicious Omakase
- Chef of over 20 years of experience
Client’s testimonial
“Impressive, always. It never disappoint. I still remember my first visit there back in 2009. The standard remains unchanged, both taste, presentation and visual. Recommend with no hesitation.”
Ken Chiang
5. Minamishima
| Key Services: | Noted as the best sushi-ya in all of Australia with a 15 course Omakase. |
| Website: | https://minamishima.com.au/ |
| Address: | 4 Lord St, Richmond VIC 3121 |
| Phone: | (03) 9429 5180 |
| Operating Hours: | Tuesday – Saturday (6 pm – 10 pm) |
After all these years, the king of Melbourne’s wealthy Japanese scene hasn’t missed a beat. Minamishima, which debuted on a backstreet in Richmond in 2014 and is now regarded as Australia’s best sushi-ya, is most famous for a 15-course Omakase that is typically booked out months in advance. From the meticulous dining room to the energetic sushi bar, no one who has left a meal at Minamishima would mistake it for anything but the finest Japanese restaurant in Melbourne, let alone the country.
The private dining experiences lavishly designed by third-generation sushi chef Yoshiki Tano, like Minamishima, embraces Japan’s “shokunin” idea of absolute, unyielding mastery.
If you’re looking for an incredible Omakase dining experience in Melbourne, head to Minamishima. This award-winning Japanese restaurant offers a 15-course Omakase menu that will tantalize your taste buds. With dishes like kingfish sashimi with yuzu and wasabi tobiko, you’re in for a treat!
Key differentiators
- Regarded as Australias best Sushi-Ya
- Booked out for months in Advance
- Private dining experience
- 15-course Omakase
Client’s testimonial
“Amazing experience. Beautiful atmosphere and delicious food. Sat at the sushi bar and had the Omakase menu, worth every cent. It will ruin other sushi for you”
Lochie Matonti
6. Shira Nui
| Key Services: | Theatrical performance with blow torches and guides on how to appreciate and enjoy sushi the best way possible. |
| Address: | 247 Springvale Rd, Glen Waverley VIC 3150, Australia |
| Phone: | +61 3 9886 7755 |
| Operating Hours: | Wednesday – Saturday(12–2pm, 6–9pm); Sunday – Tuesday(Closed) |
Shira Nui is one of Melbourne’s most popular Japanese restaurants. Owner-chef Hiro Nishikura gives diners at the bar a theatrical performance that includes blow torches (exciting). You’ll also be guided on how to best appreciate your sushi, with soy or without. It’s a seafood-based restaurant, but it’s as fresh as you’ll find and the lunch menu has delectable salads, miso, and sushi options.
Key differentiators:
- Theatrical performance for all diners
- Guided on how to best appreciate sushi
- Seafood-based
Client’s testimonial
“Highly recommend this boutique sushi Omakase restaurant. Very authentic experience, full of flavour and portion size was good. Service was great as well, and staff members were very understand when we were stuck in peak hour traffic snd running late. Needless to say, I’ll be back again.”
-Carlos
7. Kenzan
| Key Services: | Oldest Japanese restaurant in Australia which helms some of the finest Japanese food that can be found only in Melbourne. |
| Website: | https://kenzan.com.au/ |
| Email: | bookings@kenzan.com.au |
| Address: | Collins Place, 45 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000 |
| Contact: | (03) 9654 8933 |
| Operating Hours: | Monday – Tuesday (5:30 pm – 9:30 pm); Wednesday – Friday (12 pm – 2:30 pm, 5:30 pm – 9:30 pm); Saturday (5:30 pm – 9:30 pm) |
Kenzan is Melbourne’s oldest Japanese restaurant, and after four decades it remains one of the city’s most coveted culinary experiences. That’s not an easy task in a city like Melbourne, which is known for its fantastic dining scene and – at least until COVID – would see a highly anticipated restaurant opening roughly every other week.
In reality, many of the other eateries on this list would not exist without Kenzan. Here, Koichi Minamishima and Shigeo Yoshihara (of Tempura Hajime) both got their starts. Kentaro Usami, on the other hand, is most recognized for his work at Kappo and Izakaya Den. Many of Melbourne’s best chefs got their start here, no doubt learning how to create delicate tastes like Chawan Mushi, a steamed egg and dashi custard with seafood, and prepare Japanese classics like grilled eel in a bed of exquisitely textured rice.
Key differentiators:
- Melbournes oldest Japanese Restaurant
- Melbournes best chefs started here
Client’s testimonial
“Best sushi we’ve had in melbourne! Kenzan is a bit pricey, but worth every dollar. The sushi platter was so fresh and filling. The fatty tuna is a must try, it just melts in your mouth!”
-Eastina Zhang
8. Nobu
| Key Services: | Famous restaurant chain globally serving only the highest quality Sashimi, Tempura and Sushi. |
| Website: | https://www.noburestaurants.com/ |
| Email: | nobu@crownmelbourne.com.au |
| Address: | 8 Whiteman Street, South Bank , 3006 VIC |
| Phone: | 03 9292 7879 |
| Operating Hours: | SUN (12:00PM – 3:00PM ,6:00PM – 10:30PM); MON – THURS (12:00PM – 2:30PM, 6:00PM – 10:30PM); FRI – SAT (12:00PM – 3:00PM, 6:00PM – 11:00PM) |
Nobu is located at Crown, and it serves some of the city’s best Japanese cuisine. In terms of reputation, Nobu has never been higher. The restaurant chain is famous throughout the world. Sashimi, tempura, and sushi are all available. Japanese cuisine of the highest quality is served in the most elegant ways at this restaurant.
Key differentiators:
- Famous throughout the world
- Choice of either 6 or 7 courses
- Views of the Yarra river while dining
Client’s testimonial
“The Omakase was fantastic, the fish was some of the best I’ve had. The service was amazing and the view was beautiful. Would definitely recommend to anyone looking for an amazing Japanese dining experience.”
-Michele D.
9. Saké Restaurant & Bar
| Key Services: | Eccentric atmosphere, prominent location and a wide range of sushi and sashimi to choose from. |
| Website: | https://sakerestaurant.com.au/hamer-hall/ |
| Address: | 100 St Kilda Rd, Southbank VIC 3004, Australia |
| Email: | reservations@sakerestaurant.com.au |
| Phone: | +61 3 9119 4799 |
| Operating Hours: | Wednesday – Thursday(6–9pm); Friday – Saturday (12–3pm, 6–10pm); Sunday (12–3pm, 5:30–8:30pm) Monday – Tuesday Closed |
The atmosphere of this restaurant is delightful, and dining here is a pleasure. Despite its prominent location and high profile, Saké conveys a sense of levity to contemporary Japanese cuisine.
From a simply worded menu that explains Japanese terms for various types of fish, to waiters who urge you to swap your chopsticks for a spoon at the conclusion of your meal to pick up those last delectable morsels, Saké is both educational and unassuming. There are a total of 12 types of nigiri and sashimi to choose from. Start with a few of these carefully prepared morsels before working your way up to sushi rolls, tempura, and other cooked foods cooked over Binchotan (odourless coal) on the Robata grill.
Key differentiators:
- A variety of seating options – booths to private dining rooms, bar stools and outdoor table
- 12 types of nigiri and sashimi to choose from
- Prime Location
Client’s testimonial
“Went here to celebrate my partner’s birthday. Service is outstanding. Sashimi was very fresh. Overall a good experience. A bit on the expensive side, but not at all disappointing.”
-Swapnali Tuscano
Omakase Melbourne
Thank you for reading our list of the best Omakase in Melbourne. We hope that this information will help you find the Omakase you are looking for. If you are looking for more information on Omakase or Japanese Cuisine, please visit our website or contact us today.
If you want to read more interesting articles, follow the links below:
