The best teppanyaki in Melbourne

Instead of the usual antics, Japanese Teppanyaki Inn prefers to focus on attentive service and using the teppan to enhance the flavour of lightly seasoned ingredients. Teppanyaki Inn has proudly differentiated itself from other CBD Teppanyaki joints, with no egg throws, oil fires, or onion volcanoes. Instead, it’s a calm and respectful affair, closer to what you would find in Japan. Established in 1975, it was the first Teppanyaki-style restaurant in Australia. With its commitment to quality and service, first might just mean best in this instance.

For many families in Melbourne's eastern suburbs, this Doncaster institution is their local for special occasions. Just like the restaurant's name suggests, here it's all about the steak. Namely, premium fatty M9+ wagyu in the signature set menu. Your plate will be loaded up with succulent barbecued Japanese eats, and if you've got room, you can also try Hokkaido scallops, sushi and sashimi, and Japanese fried chicken. Depending on how playful your chef's feeling, you'll even get the chance to catch food in your mouth! All dinner sets include a complimentary bowl of homemade ice cream for dessert.

Teppanyaki translates to food that’s cooked over a hot iron plate. Although in Australia, it’s more commonly associated with a chef tossing meat and eggs at you. Dohtonbori aims to bring something different to the Melbourne teppanyaki world, in the form of okonomiyaki. This is a Japanese savoury pancake typically stuffed with cabbage, noodles and meat. Cook your pancake yourself on the teppan at your table or have the friendly staff do it, and if you prefer the typical meat and veg teppanyaki – they have that too. 

Established in 1985, Ginza in Chinatown offers a ‘Benihana-esque’ style of teppanyaki, combining food preparation with entertainment and theatrics. Although it’s not the method you’ll find in Japan, it's crowd-pleasing and great fun for teppanyaki newbies. We suggest ordering a set menu for optimum value and variety – whilst washing it down with a bev from their comprehensive list of draft beers and sakes. Give this place a go if you like your freshly prepared feast with a side of flames.

If refined and elegant is your dining style of choice Koko is worth a visit. At Koko, the somewhat chaotic Australian teppanyaki dining experience has been transformed into a tranquil dance – complete with a serene Japanese rockpool. Set teppanyaki menus are available, but they also have à la carte for a more intimate affair. The higher price point won’t come as a surprise, but the unique setting alone makes it worth it.

The fourth venue from Melbourne-based Wagyu Ya Group, is now open in Glen Waverley's popular dining and shopping destination The Glen. The swanky new 70 seater offers a more regined teppanyaki experience unlike the egg-throwing spectacle you might expect. Anticipate an elevated dining experience instead, that interesting marries traditional Japanese dishes with classical French sauces and Italian flavours.