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 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.
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Here's where to find the best sushi train Melbourne has to offer in 2025:
Sushi Jiro
Various Locations
Image: Sushi Jiro | Supplied
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 venues all around Melbourne, so you’re spoilt for choice.
INSIDER INTEL
- Make sure to try the tobiko gunkan, the fatty tuna belly inari and their tamago sushi.
- Their store at The Glen has a dedicated dessert bar.
- The nori taco is a unique fusion worth trying as well.
Ganbare Kaz
151 Chapel Street, Windsor
Ganbare Kaz is where you wanna be in 2025 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.
INSIDER INTEL
- Look out for the colour-coded system to ascertain the price.
- Nibble on a mini taiyaki for a sweet treat post-sushi.
- Tap beer, wine and sake are on the menu.
Sakura Kaiten Sushi
Various Locations
Image: Sakura Kaiten Sushi Train Melbourne | Supplied
If you're looking for the best sushi train Melbourne CBD has to offer, Sakura Kaiten Sushi is a hot contender. You'll find both locations in the 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.
INSIDER INTEL
- Plates are colour coded for pricing, and start at $2.80 each.
- Their mandarin sake is a must-try.
- The sushi train is dressed up as a red double decker bus.
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Tetsujin
295 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
Image: Tetsujin | Supplied
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 at Tetsujin 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, or order a la carte to the table.
INSIDER INTEL
- Get $5 sake and $7 Suntory lager on Monday to Thursday during winter.
- Most of the plates are around $4, so you’re getting bang for your buck.
- The wagyu sandos aren’t on the sushi train, but we recommend trying them nonetheless.
Kokoro
Various Locations
Image: Kokoro | Supplied
Kokoro is bringing traditional Japanese food and techniques with a decidedly contemporary spin. 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.
INSIDER INTEL
- With stores in Brighton, Camberwell, and Elsternwick you’re sorted for sushi train in Melbourne’s south east.
- Bookings are encouraged but walk ins are welcome as well.
- Ready to make a booking? Call the store directly.
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.
INSIDER INTEL
- For something a little different, their cheesy mentai maki is a little explosion of goodness.
- The pork katsu pasta is the fusion you didn’t know you needed.
- You can order fresh from the iPad if you can’t see what you want on the train.
Chocolate Buddha
Federation Square, Melbourne CBD
Image: Chocolate Buddha | Supplied
Chocolate Buddha is a Fed Square mainstay offering diners a 22-seater sushi train experience. Their fusion cuisine has a little bit of everything, and their sushi combinations are especially creative. You’re not limited to sushi here, you can also feast on bento boxes, donburi, ramen, udon and a variety of share plates. They’ve also got a little Shinkansen that delivers food to your table as fast as a bullet train.
INSIDER INTEL
- If you’re worried about any gluten being around, no fear—they have a gluten-free menu, and only use gluten-free soy sauce.
- For drinks, we recommend trying a sake flight.
- Closed Monday and Tuesday, plan your visit accordingly.
Bossa Nova Sushi
70 Bourke Street, Melbourne CBD
Image: Bossa Nova Sushi | Supplied
Brazilian cocktail bar meets modern sushi train, Bossa Nova Sushi serves up some seriously good sushi. The concept here is simple, traditional and fresh sushi to the soundtrack of Bossa Nova tunes while you sip on caipirinhas. This is absolutely worth checking out as the best sushi train Melbourne has to offer.
INSIDER INTEL
- The fish is as fresh as it comes at Bossa Nova.
- Favourites from the sushi train include the Japanese prawn and New Zealand Ora King Salmon.
- They don’t just serve caipirinhas. There’s classic cocktails, sake and wine.
Main image credit: Sushi Jiro | Supplied
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