The 5 Best Japanese Restaurants In Canberra

Grace Berry

Canberra boasts a plethora of fantastic restaurants, serving up all kinds of cuisine. But if it’s Japanese you’re looking for, there are a few favourites you need to visit. Whether it’s sophistication and class, or relaxation and comfort, you’re sure to find the place for you in these five, the best in Canberra.

Lilotang in The Burbury Hotel

Restaurant, Japanese, Asian, Sushi

Okonomiyaki - Hiroshima style
© Nicholas Boos/Flickr
Just across from sister restaurant Malamay is the newly opened Lilotang in the Burbury Hotel. Join the guests in the light, stylish and brilliantly colorful interior, with views out onto the hotels beautiful courtyard and the walls featuring many exciting references to Japanese pop culture. The exquisite food is the work of head chef Shunsuke Ota and his team, who have all been well trained in the arts of Japanese cuisine. The menu here includes an array of authentic, delicious dishes such as the much loved barbecued wagyu okonomiyaki, as well as some lesser known ones like roasted uami vegetables served in a hollowed orange! Price: Mid – High Opening Hours: Tuesday – Friday: 12pm – 2:30pm, Tuesday – Saturday: 5:30pm – 10:30pm Watch out for: The roasted uami vegetables served in a hollowed orange Address: 1 Burbury Cl, Barton ACT 2600, Australia

Iori

Right in the heart of Canberra is Iori, a fantastic Japanese restaurant serving up first class food packed with all the authentic flavors of Japan. The emphasis here is definitely on sharing, which is great because it means you can try so much more from their mouth watering menu! Why not go for the banquet for 4 at a reasonable $40 per person, and share a range of delicious dishes. I recommend the bowls, which are always amazing. Pair these with a bottle from their extensive wine list – or maybe even some premium sake! – and sit back and enjoy an evening of fun with friends and family. Price: Mid – High Opening Hours: Mon – Sat 12:00 – 14:00, 18:00 – late Watch out for: The banquet for 4 Address: 41 E Row, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia +61 2 6257 2334

speech icon man in bubble

Destinations Unlocked:

Let our travel expert Stefano help you find your perfect Culture trip

Looking for an expert's perspective?

Uncover my top 3 recommended places from each continent on the map.
speech icon man in bubble
left arrow trip map

CentralAmerica

GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini
speech icon man in bubble

1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini
speech icon man in bubble

2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini
speech icon man in bubble

3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

SouthAmerica

ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture
speech icon man in bubble

2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Europe

COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture
speech icon man in bubble

3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Asia

THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Asia

SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture
speech icon man in bubble

3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

left arrow trip map

Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Africa

ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
left arrow previous slide

Next

right arrow next slide
left arrow trip map

Africa

IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic
speech icon man in bubble

3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
left arrow previous slide

Back to Map

Sake

Wasabi Teppanyaki in Civic

If there’s one thing that stands out here, it’s the food. Everything on the menu at Wasabi Teppanyaki is packed with flavor and is always made from the freshest ingredients. But dinner here isn’t just about the fantastic food, it’s a show as well! Sit up at the tables by the teppanyaki-style kitchen in the center of the restaurant and watch the incredible showmanship of the chef as he works his magic and serves up delicious dishes. Try the namesake teppanyaki wasabi, you definitely won’t be disappointed. Price: Mid Opening Hours: Lunch 11:30am – 2:30pm, Dinner 5:30pm – 10:30pm Watch out for: The teppanyaki style kitchen Address: Melbourne Building, Cnr Northbourne and Alinga Streets, Civic 2600 (02) 6262 6888

Teppanyaki

Hero Sushi

A favourite amongst locals and tourists alike, Hero Sushi definitely lives up to its name. After a friendly welcome from the staff upon arrival, take a seat at the sushi bar and dig in instantly! The sushi train, bringing freshly made dishes straight out of the kitchen (where you can see your food being prepared) is a sight in itself; who doesn’t love an interactive dining experience? And if you’re in the mood for something different, you can order more delicious dishes from their menu too; everything is packed with flavour and exciting combinations. Hero Sushi is a great place for a quick dinner before the theatre or a movie. Price: Low – Mid Opening Hours: Mon – Wed: 08:00-18:00, Thurs: 08:00-21:00, Fri – Sun:08:00-18:00 Watch out for: The Sushi train Address: Shop CL10, 148 Bunda St. Canberra Centre Shopping, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601 0294177722

Hero Sushi

Shogun

Restaurant, Japanese, Asian

miso soup with pork and vegetables / 今夜は豚汁だ
© Yumi Kimura/Flickr
Shogun is all about serving up delicious Japanese favourites. From the moment you walk into the restaurant you are whisked away to Japan, in the center of Australia’s capital. Seated at your Japanese-style table on the floor, choose from a range of outstanding dishes, prepared by experienced chefs. Try the delicious Japanese classic shabu-shabu or one of their delicious miso soups. You can always rely on Shogun to serve up authentic and delicious Japanese cuisine. Price: Mid Opening Hours: Monday – Friday 11:30am – 2:00pm Monday-Saturday 5:30pm-10:30pm Watch out for: Their delicious miso soups Address: 70 Bunda St, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia Grace Berry
culture trip left arrow
 culture trip brand logo

Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

meet our Local Insider

Hanna

women sitting on iceberg

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

2 years.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?

I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

culture trip logo letter c
group posing for picture on iceberg
group posing for picture on iceberg

Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

map of volcanic iceland trip destination points
culture trip brand logo
culture trip right arrow
landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

X

Holiday Sale Offers on Our Trips

Incredible Savings

Edit article