Brisbane is a hotspot for new restaurants and bars with what seems like a new opening happening every week. However, there are a handful of tried-and-true Brisbane favourites, and one that should be high on your list is the Valley’s OYAMA.
If you haven't had the pleasure of kicking off a Japanese feast with one of OYAMA’s signature hand rolls, this is your sign. This Japanese restaurant has been welcoming diners for over 30 years and keeps its regulars coming back, thanks to an extensive menu of authentic dishes and plenty of creative (and delicious) cocktails.
While there are a bunch of seating options inside the newly refreshed venue, we recommend asking for a seat at the sashimi bar to watch owner and head chef, Da Shan, slice, dice and assemble uber-fresh seafood into mouth-watering sashimi platters, maki rolls and nigiri. Plus, you're likely to strike up a chat with the chef because Da Shan is anything but reticent—banter is all part of the experience at OYAMA. 
The must-order dish is the hand rolls which have been a staple on the menu since the doors opened and for good reason. Freshly made, the hand rolls come stuffed with tempura prawn and avocado, fresh Hokkaido scallop and tempura Moreton Bay bug, with every mouthful being better than the last. And, if you take our advice and perch yourself at the sashimi bar, chef Da Shan will literally hand them to you once assembled—it doesn’t get much fresher than that.
There are loads more sushi and sashimi options on the menu. Fan favourites include the scallop and salmon-belly nigiri, spicy tuna maki rolls and the grilled salmon teriyaki and avocado maki rolls. Prepare to have your mind blown, because this sushi is seriously some of the best we’ve ever eaten.
Elsewhere on the menu, there are starters like chicken karaage and tempura Moreton Bay bug, as well as impressive mains like the wagyu rib fillet beef and asparagus topped with housemade teriyaki sauce and the South Australian grilled barramundi topped with a ponzu-infused butter. Prefer your dinner with a little drama? Make tracks to the teppanyaki bar for a one-of-a-kind dining experience that's sure to impress your date (and your mates).
There's no denying that the food at OYAMA is in a league of its own, but it doesn't stop there. Pair your meal with a little something from the curated selection of Japanese whisky or sake, or opt for something from the stacked cocktail and wine lists. Our top picks are the refreshing lychee mojito, the decadent salted caramel espresso martini, and the signature OYAMA ice tea—just to name a few. And wine-wise? We love our Japanese feasts with a glass of French Chardonnay.
Keen to check it out? To book your table and try it for yourself, head over here.
Editor’s note: this article was produced in partnership with Oyama. Thank you for supporting the partners who make Urban List possible. To read our editorial policy, click here.
Images: Sourced from Instagram.