The 6 best Japanese restaurants in Hobart

Bar Wa Izakaya draws inspiration from Tokyo’s den-like izakayas, serving up funky cocktails and share plates until 2am daily. It’s no surprise this North Hobart staple is buzzing at every sitting. With eclectic interiors (think: more is more, with a side of neon), cute bathrooms that play Japanese language lessons, and a 22-page drinks list, it’s hard not to be drawn in. The punchy menu is designed for sharing and creatively features Tasmania’s finest produce. The Bruny Island Wallaby Wing-Age is an inventive reimagining of fried chicken wings that features crispy fried wallaby with pickled plum and shiso dressing. The charred brussel sprouts make you question everything you thought you knew about this often overlooked vegetable, transforming them into delicious umami bites. If you’re visiting at lunchtime, make sure to book ahead for their soul-warming, flavour-packed ramen. We love a Yuzu Whisky Sour to kick off a perfect evening. 

Tucked behind a sandstone facade near Salamanca Place, Kosaten delivers fast, fresh Japanese fare at lightning speed via their very own bullet train. Order via iPad and watch as your organic sake or chilled umeshu chugs along to your table. Then, follow it up with oysters – a classic – before trying the inventive eel, carrot and camembert sushi roll – a flavour and texture bomb in your mouth. The Kosaten team can be commended on their creative desserts. Two standouts are the creamy matcha green tea tiramisu, complete with a Pocky poking out, or the chocolate spring roll that’s just begging to be dipped in the bowl of vanilla ice cream that accompanies it. The latter is a big favourite of kids and big kids alike.

In one of Hobart’s most unexpected locations, Sophie Pope and Lachlan Colwill have created a highly considered and memorable night out in their ten-seat restaurant, Omotenashi, slinging a 16-course degustation three nights a week. Tucked down a back lane, this intimate dining experience takes place around an open kitchen at the back of the Lexus of Tasmania showroom (the boot of these prestige cars make for a very novel cloakroom). Pope and Colwill put on a culinary treat that’s more like dinner and show – sharing the origin stories behind every ingredient while plating dishes made from Tasmania’s finest ingredients. No two sittings are the same, but you can expect minimal-intervention seafood and in-season produce. Omotenashi will make you appreciate what great seafood should taste like, and even elevates the humble bowl of rice. Those who book during tomato and stone fruit season are in for a treat, however this place is a remarkable experience year-round. Paired drinks are part of the night, and the couple expertly curates sake and tea to accompany your degustation. 

Did you know that kanpai is the equivalent of ‘cheers’ in Japanese? And there’s plenty to kanpai about at Yamashita. Located in one of Hobart’s most charming laneways, Yamashita combines traditional Japanese flavours with a modern Tasmanian twist. The menu is adorned with cute hand-drawn images, and is packed with locally sourced ingredients in exciting reimaginings. Start with the seafood dobin mushi, featuring a delicate broth served in a teapot and poured at the table. Then dive into the panko prawn temaki, a cone-shaped hand roll that will have you considering ordering a second. For a bit of theatre, opt for the signature hot pot, which bubbles away long after it's brought to the table on a gas burner. Pair your meal with a sake flight or a Japanese whisky for the full experience.

Just off the main street in Sandy Bay, Suminato's warm lighting and timber interiors create an inviting and cosy atmosphere, but it’s the food that’ll have you coming back. Dive into their Japanese tapas menu, starting with grilled oysters in miso sauce for a punchy opener. The crunchy lotus root with the chef’s special sauce is addictive, while the mixed nigiri is a veritable seafood smorgasbord, featuring flame-seared salmon, tuna, aburi scallop and famous Tassie kingfish, rounded out with a tomago (egg) nigiri. Tassie potatoes get a glow-up with garlic and parsley mayo and pickled vegetables. Feeling overwhelmed by all the options? No stress – opt for the banquet and relax with a glass of Tassie pinot gris while the chefs do the work.

Sush Track’s view across Hobart’s working waterfront makes it perfect for watching the boats go by, but all eyes will be firmly on the revolving sushi bar in front of you. With more than 100 different items on rotation, you’ll be spoiled for choice. Look out for the local wild-caught tuna rolls, which tend to go fast. The beef tataki is another standout, featuring lightly seared local beef with creamy ponzu sauce. And when it comes to dessert, we’ve got your back – throw caution to the wind and order both the matcha soft serve and the chocolate pear and ginger mudcake.