Top Japanese restaurants in Southport, Australia

Every time I go here it is a beautiful experience. The food is high quality, the service is good the kitchen is full of chefs that care. This is really wonderful food, the people here care about what you are eating. I have eaten in many very nice and expensive restaurants all around the world, our family has one of Sydney's best Italian restaurants in Sydney (50 years old) in the heart of the city so I really appreciate it when I experience quality dining. The food in this restaurant is on that level of quality. Very much worth it. Treat yourself.

Very disappointing dining experience!

There was no warning posted outside the restaurant about ‘no outside food or drink.’
After we ordered and paid for our meal in advance, a waitress rudely told us to put our milk tea in a bag, saying it’s not allowed to drink it here! Only food courts allow milk tea.
I don’t understand; even if she had explained that it’s not allowed due to food safety reasons, I would have been happy to comply.

Very rude, I won’t be coming back.

Highly recommended if you're a Japanese food fan. Since Goto (五島, Five Islands) is located in an lslet off the main island of Japan (far South west), cooking style is influenced by China. Try fried rice, you'll tell it.
Unfortunately, no uni today, but sashimi and grilled hotate (scallops) are still quite nice and fresh.
Not a cheap restaurant, but worth trying.

Goto means “five islands”, which is a place in southern west Japan so some dishes are heavily influenced by Chinese dish. Other than that this restaurant is perfect. Considering the living standard in Southport this is not a cheap place to go, but the food is definitely worth it. You have to try sea urchin (uni), it’s amazing. Highly recommended if you are a Japanese foodie.

Very nice Japanese restaurant!! High quality and excellent service. I will definitely come back here soon ❤️

A little slice of Japan in my hometown.

This is the most epic and authentic Japanese restaurant experience I've had outside of Japan itself.

A friend and were looking for something warm and delicious around the Chinatown precinct. After a few laps and a couple of booked out spaces, we doubled past Maruya, and it caught our attention again. Poking our heads inside was like stepping off a plane and into another world. With my jaw officially dragging across the floor and my eyes perfect love hearts of wonder, I uncrossed my fingers and asked/begged for a table for 2... a quick look around the server, said "Hai, one moment, please."

Looking over the relatively small and uncomplicated menu, all of my favourite dishes are here. Below are the quickest photos ever taken, as I was drooling like a great dane at the mention of dinner.

Needless to say. Everything was incredible.

My only feedback was on the price of seaweed sald. $12 for a small bowl is a little outrageous. Especially considering most restaurants serve the same pre-packaged item for half the price.

Yummy food great menu really quick service short wait time on food.

This is my second time eating here as the first time the food was super Oishi till I forgot to take pictures haha. Sashimi is soooo fresh, I love wagyu beef salad so much will order every time! Karage chicken is soooooo yummy! Everything is so delicious, good quality and cheap! Staff is so friendly and welcoming. The atmosphere is reminding me of when I went to Japan!

Excellent food, my family loved it. Highly recommend the chawanmushi & tooth fish. Was $70pp for 5 of us with no drinks, fairly expensive but pretty standard for good Japanese.
Wish inside seating had more ventilation as they have an open kitchen and it smokes up.

Came here for wagyu beef don and didn’t disappoint! Highly recommend ordering it. It looked so delicious so i forgot to take a picture at first.

We had the Supreme Share Box, and it was amazing. Well seasoned, the chicken karaage was very crunchy on the outside and super moist inside... i will go for it again for sure! The staff members were very welcoming!

Hands down the BEST Japanese food I’ve ever had! Delicious beer, adorable atmosphere and the most incredible and tasty wagyu beef yakatori. A true hidden gem in Southport, will be back again very soon! Thank you!

Awesome restaurant, so happy they moved to Southport. Very well priced, food is delicious, service is great.

Have been back two days in a row now.
Will probably be here every week.

Thanks Shinobi ❤️

If you looking somewhere serving good food and open til late definitely come to Shinobi. Always come here after work, and never get disappointed. Good food good serving and friendly staff.

I love this place. One of the best Japanese restaurant in Gold Coast so far
Ordered beef with salad $29. I feel like the beef is melted in my mouth. Really yummy. And salmon califonia roll for $24. It’s so gud and fresh too
I would highly recommend here and definitely come back here again to try different dishes

Disappointing, but surprisingly Good!! Disappointing for the limited of selection on menu, unlike the normal Japanese place we went. However the food are very good and spots on! It is more like the handy food goes with drinks. Skewers we orders are beef tongue and waguy beef, the teriyaki chicken on nice are so nice. Salmon sashimi are serving like a cheese board style, something different in a nice way.

Been there many times. It’s My go to place for Japanese food in QLD. Their staff is always friendly with speedy service. The chef is also super friendly and enthusiastic about food. They’ve got a really good chef team that focuses on their own stations and really excel in their designated role.
The efficiency, flavour, and presentation of the food is just impeccable no matter what you order.

Two small down side I found would be the price on higher side and also their tempura sauce is not as flavourful as some other izakayas at Gold Coast (but the tempura presentation and selection is great).

Amazing, simply lovely.
The owners are so kind and awesome.
The food is delicious! Hands down the best on the Gold coast.

It’s very authentic Japanese cuisine.
This is why it’s expensive.

Anything is delicious no matter what you order.
Fish is very fresh. Tempura is crispy even after time passes. Meat is juicy.
Their all dishes utilize the original taste of fish, meat, and vegetables very well.

I personally like eating Champon Noodle at the last after enjoying Sashimi, Sushi, and some sides.
Even if you are already full, you can eat all because it's too tasty.

Very authentic Japanese cuisine. Food was served fast even though they were busy, staffs were extremely friendly and polite. Food was delicious and good too. Definitely recommend giving it a try!

Absolutely yummy authentic Japanese eatery. So delicious and authentic. A must visit in Gold Coast (Southport), acorss the road from Australia Fair/ Mall. Can take GC tram, drive or bus. Free parking available in the mall. The restaurant has inddor and out door seating. Always full during busy time of the day, and days of the week. They open quite early so ideal for those who want to miss the crowd. Reasonable prices but the taste is out of this world. They have classic 70s cartoon posters and actual toy modules on the wall. Staff are very friendly and Kitchen service is very fast. Highly recomended if you are after a Japanese eatery owned and cooked by Japanese chef and staff. I am so glad they managed through Covid and seeing that they are still popular with locals. I can't praise this place ebough, you just have to go and try it out. Highly recomended.

I was attracted to come here for the skewers and it did take nice but it was a bit pricy.

Some of the food is quite salty though but other than that it was great.

Lovely and friendly staff and a good range of food

Not the best vibe for family but I can imagine it is very good vibes for friends for a drink over a few skewers!

For a restaurant that claims to be yakitori restaurant, the quality of the skewers are just average. We tried a variety of the skewers and it can be a hit and miss. The quality of the cuts are just okay and the sauce and/or tare (salt) is not enough to elevate the overall dishes. Actually the fried chicken and the koroke are the best two things out of everything we ordered. Service is friendly and quick.
Food - 6
Service - 8
Vibe - 6
Price - $$$

Awesome Japanese Yakitori restaurant tucked away in a small arcade off Orchid Avenue Surfers Paradise.
This place is small and extremely popular so get in early or call ahead for a reservation. IThey have room for about 16 people dining inside and they have more tables out the front in the arcade.
Food is excellent with si many different meat Skewers to choose from. I had chicken, beef and lamb Skewers. All excellent