Good sushi is imperative and there’s something about eating sushi off a train that is just unbeatable. But good sushi train restaurants are like a diamond in the rough, you really need to know your city in order to know the good sushi trains.
So don’t worry, we’ve done the work for you. We’ve personally gone out and about in Melbourne and found our favourite sushi trains, from authentic and cheap, to high-end and aesthetic.
These are the best sushi trains in Melbourne.
Tetsujin
Located on Level 4 of Emporium Melbourne, Lonsdale Street
Testsujin doubles up as a Japanese BBQ restaurant and a sushi train. As you enter through the lift on the corner of Caledonian Lane and Little Bourke Street, you have to walk through the table of BBQ wagyu to reach your destination: the sushi train. Ordering everything through an iPad at your table (or grabbing it off the train, of course), you can feast on anything from sashimi, to handmade Hidagyu Nigiri and experimental hand rolls. They also have an impressive selection of sake, and deliciously sweet and extravagantly decorated milk drinks, that will make you feel as though you’d been transported to Japan in no time.
Tetsujin sushi train is walk-in only.
Sushi Hotaru
First Floor Mid-Ciity Arcade, Bourke Street, CBD
Sushi Hotaru is your classic sushi train; plastic menus, black booth-like tables and lots of shouting in Japanese. They make all the favourites, either fresh to order or plucked right off the train, that is always full to the brim of the freshest sushi, sashimi and teriyaki options. Closed Tuesday but open every other day from 11:30am-9pm, you’ve got to be sure to get in before last order at strictly 8:30 if you want to try these sushi delights.
Walk-ins only.
Sakura Kaiten
Lonsdale Street, CBD
Sakura means “cherry blossom” and Sakura Kaiten is brimming pink neon and Dragonball Z references. Everything is iPad operated for extremely quick service, which sees each order you place wizz out on a little train cart of its own, straight from the kitchen. Unlike other sushi trains, at Sakura Kaiten you really feel as though you can order at your own pace, and perhaps even drink a Japanese Slipper while doing so.
Walk-ins only (there might be a line).
Sushi Jiro
Multiple locations
Sushi Jiro is a franchise of sushi trains that offer cheap but impeccable sushi. Each plate is $3.80 and the sushi is fresh and delicious. You can takeaway or eat in, but if you eat in, you get to eat surrounded by classy marble which is seriously a vibe.
Walk-ins only.
Chef David CBD
Swanston Street
Seafood fans are in for a treat with Chef David CBD’s mouth-watering Sashimi menu, offering elevated classics such as salmon and tuna sashimi. Can’t decide between tuna and salmon? Order the sashimi platter, it’s the only way to go. You won’t be disappointed!
Walk-ins only.
Ganbare Kaz
Windsor
Up on the Windsor-end of Chapel Street you’ll find Ganbare Kaz, a top-shelf sushi train, with a funky fit-out for the hipsters. No matter where you sit along the large curved bar, you’ll have an epic view of the chefs flexing their impressive skills. You can order hot food and drinks off an iPad at each setting, or grab a beautiful handmade ceramic plate of sushi that grabs your eye. Ganbare Kaz is a perfect combination of an old-school classic sushi train, with modern design elements to give you the most authentic and aesthetic experience.
Walk-ins only.
Niku Ou
South Yarra & CBD
Savor the finest Japanese Nigiri and Uramaki at Niku Ou, with exquisite dishes such as Foie Gras Nigiri Sushi and A5-Grade Konbu Tare Wagyu Nigiri perfect for sushi aficionados and novices alike. “You’ll be spoiled for choice” is truly an understatement. It’s definitely one of the more fancy sushi spots on this list.
Book here.
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