Restaurants

The Best Sushi Trains To Chow Down At In Melbourne For 2024

By Maya Varadarajan
5th Mar 2024

We as a society are far too apt to eat sushi on the go – yes a handroll is quick, convenient and tasty, but savouring the flavours of sushi is another experience entirely. Sushi no doubt holds a special spot in Melbourne’s heart, which is why eating via train makes it all the better. With plenty of spots that specialise in the much slower-paced ritual of 'Kaiten-sushi', also known as ‘conveyor belt’, sit back, relax and let the food come to you. 

Here's where to find the best sushi train Melbourne has to offer in 2024: 

Sushi Jiro

Various Locations

Sushi Jiro now claims the title for the longest circular sushi train in the world, in its Westfield Doncaster location. At 30.6 metres, it sits up to 80 diners at a time, and by our calculation, that is a whole lot of sushi devoured at one time. Of course, they also have their sushi train venue in QV in the city, so you’re spoilt for choice. Make sure to try the tobiko gunkan, the fatty tuna belly inari and their tamago sushi. 

Ganbare Kaz

151 Chapel Street, Windsor

Ganbare Kaz is where you wanna be in 2024 for an absolute vibe, with some great sushi to boot. You can find it at the Windsor end of Chapel Street—this sushi train spot is no muss and no fuss, just plate after plate of sushi. Seared salmon nigiri, sweet tamago, and plenty of vegetarian options means there is something for everyone, just look out for the colour-coded system to ascertain the price. 

Sakura Kaiten Sushi

Various Locations

You can find both the locations of Sakura Kaiten Sushi in the Melbourne CBD, one on Little Collins Street and the other on Lonsdale Street. This sushi train spot is cute and cosy, perfect if you’re looking for a new pick for date night. Their grilled salmon nigiri is one of their more well-known offerings, but we can’t go past the tuna sashimi, wagyu beef nigiri or the grilled scallops with mentai sauce. Their fish is all 100% fresh from the market, so you know you’re getting the good stuff. 

Tetsujin

295 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne

This sushi train/BBQ grill venue is a combination of some of the best of Japanese cuisine. Found in Emporium in the CBD, the heady offerings are the best of both worlds—whether you want the freshest of sushi or the most charred of BBQ. You can of course go the sushi train route, order a la carte to the table. Most of the plates are around $4, so you’re getting bang for your buck too. 

Kokoro

Various Locations


Image credit: Kokoro | supplied

Kokoro is bringing traditional Japanese food and techniques with a decidedly contemporary spin. Located in Brighton and more recently in Camberwell, the light-filled stores have clean, simply furnished interiors that place the focus on the food. Instead of playing it safe with hand rolls, try some of their pickled squid inari, an onsen egg, tempura, scallop aburi and salmon nigiri. A new Elsternwick location is on the horizon, so keep an eye out.

 

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Makoto 

Melbourne Central, Melbourne

Makoto is more than just your standard sushi train restaurant, also specialising in donburis, bento boxes, curry and udon. You can of course sit back and wait for the food to come to you, but if you’re in for a hefty feed the a la cart options will have you sorted. The sushi is still the shining star though, and we’d recommend the una tama oshizushi, aka eel and egg layered over a soft pillow of rice. For something a little different to the usual fair, their cheesy mentai maki is a little explosion of goodness.  

Chocolate Buddha

Federation Square, Melbourne

A 22-seater sushi train is open Wednesday to Sunday at this Fed Square mainstay. If you’re worried about any gluten being around, no fear—they have a gluten-free menu, and only use gluten-free soy sauce. They’ve also got a little Shinkansen that delivers food to your table as fast as a bullet train. Their fusion cuisine has a little bit of everything, and their sushi combinations are especially creative. 

Sushi & Nori 

Various Locations

Sushi & Nori is simple and understated, and so is their sushi. Using the highest quality of ingredients allows them to shine, which adds to the beauty of Japanese cuisine.

This sushi train destination also wants to promote healthy eating habits, by reducing their environmental impact and using biodegradable products. They also serve up food Omakase style, which means the chef's choice is what you’re getting, and we’re pretty sure you’ll be pleased with it.

Keen for more of Melbourne's best? Check out the following below:

Image credit: Kokoro | Supplied

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