Sushi is no doubt a food group (kinda) that is loved by the people. So many varieties, so many tasty flavours, so convenient, reasonably good for you, what’s not to love?

In the interest of bringing a range of food-related articles to your lives, here’s a list of 11 impressive sushi restaurants on the Gold Coast. 

Shogun Japanese Restaurant
A Southport fave, Shogun is both an a la carte and Teppanyaki restaurant and they produce some of the best sushi around. They’ve been around for many a moon and won plenty of awards in that time too. Definitely pay these guys a visit quick smart.
Where: 117 Ferry Road, Southport

Yamagen Japanese Restaurant
With a dedicated sushi bar and some of the best sushi masters around creating the goods, these guys certainly deserve a place here. In exciting news, you can choose to be seated at said sushi bar to watch said masters at work. That is a good time, let us tell you. The food is absolutely top notch and you’ll find yourself returning again and again.
Where: QT Gold Coast, 7 Staghorn Ave, Surfers Paradise

Arakawa
Found amidst the sloping greenery that is RACV Royal Pines Resort, Arakawa is a delightful Japanese venue serving up even more delightful eats in traditional style. The sushi is some of the most intricately hand crafted there is and there’s so much stunning variety on offer. Why not treat yourself to a little spa time while after you’ve sampled the goods. RACV One Spa is perfection.
Where: RACV Royal Pines, Ross St, Benowa

Kiyomi
Found at The Star Gold Coast, Kiyomi is another award winner upping the sushi stakes. Their menu, created by internationally renowned Head Chef Chase Kojima, is modern but traditionally Japanese and includes some of the most intricate and tasty sushi around.
Where: The Star Gold Coast, Casino Drive, Broadbeach

Cha Cha Japanese
Cha Chas, as its affectionately known, is one of the most popular restaurants on the Gold Coast and it has been for many years. The food is tasty, affordable and there’s plenty of it. The place is always packed out, so there’s good vibes aplenty and it’s BYO so that’s always a good time. Plenty of vegan and vego options too.
Where: 6/2705 Gold Coast Highway, Broadbeach

Project Tokyo
One of the most recent of the bunch, Project Tokyo is bringing all the very best Japanese eats to the people of Mermaid Waters. The somewhat hidden gem is not only a delight to behold, it’s also got a menu jam-packed with exceptional dishes and yes (obviously) including a big old plate of sushi. Don’t miss this one.
Where: 10a/90 Markeri St, Mermaid Waters

Itsoshin Japanese Restaurant
A little Mermaid miracle is Itsoshin Japanese. Found on the highway, these guys are serving up the sushi goods among other things. It’s been around for quite a long while, so it’s safe to say they know their stuff. Itsoshin fly in the freshest of seafood from around the world too, so that’s always a tasty time. So popular is this restaurant, there’s Little Itoshin nowadays too, find that one in Miami.
Where: 2484 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach

Etsu Isazkaya
As you well know, Etsu is an all time favourite of ours and with good reason. The food is exceptional and the atmosphere always pumping. Everything is artfully prepared and we have never not fallen in love with a dish we’ve consumed there. Of course, the sushi is out of this world along with everything else.
Where: 2440 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach

Okazu Sushi Bar
Okazu make some serious sushi. Their rolls are larger than your usual and they’ve got a range of tasty flavours to tickle your tastebuds. Head in to sample the lot we say. Grab yourself a bowl of teriyaki while you’re at it because, delicious.
Where: 1/2223 Gold Coast Hwy, Nobby’s Beach (underneath Mexicali)

Oi Izakaya 
One of the latest additions to the Burleigh eating scene, Oi Izakaya quickly became a firm favourite due to their very impressive menu, with a few unique dishes you won’t find anywhere else. Their sushi is of course, the goods too but everything in there is worth eating.
Where: 4/30 James Street, Burleigh Heads

Wazen
A slightly hidden gem in West Burleigh, the quality of the food at Wazen, cannot be overstated. It is just that good. The menu is extensive and we love every single thing on it, but since we’re talking about sushi, grab that goodness to go, or enjoy it outside under the fairy lights.
Where: 1/33 Tallebudgera Creek Road, West Burleigh

Words by Kirra Smith.

As some of the world’s most highly revered cuisine, it’s little surprise that Japanese food is loved worldwide. The depth of flavours and incredibly focussed and precise cooking techniques are the foundation for some damn tasty food — and that ain’t no lie.

Finding exceptional examples of far eastern delicacies isn’t as easy as you may think. Sure, there are a great many good Japanese restaurants out there, except here we are only eager to discuss and dissect the exceptional ones!

We’re talking about the kind of places with that undeniable ‘X’ factor and take your taste of the orient to an entirely new level. Lucky for us, there are a mustering of such venues here on the Gold Coast, so start practicing your chopstick skills as we run you through the places that are exceptional odes to Japan — minus the 10-hour flight.

Kiyomi
Often regarded as the flagship Japanese restaurant on the Gold Coast, you might think their inclusion on this list required little thought. Yes, Executive Head Chef Chase Kojima has created amazing mouth-watering dishes on the robata grill, and the tempura menu is a tantalising read as any menu you’ll come across. But here, the finer things and the premium setting speak for themselves, like highly sought after Beluga Caviar and Char-grilled Queensland grown Wagyu, which are lovingly dished up and are sure not to disappoint.
Where: Lobby Level, The Star Gold Coast, 1 Casino Drive, Broadbeach

RaRa Ramen
What these folks don’t know about ramen simply isn’t worth knowing. After opening their first Queensland venue, in blissful Burleigh, we were a tad excited earlier this year. The team behind some of Sydney’s best-received ramen bars takes their noodle and broth game extremely seriously, so much so there was a severe amount of time spent in Japan learning and researching the craft before their first bowl was even served. Atmospheric, welcoming and stacked full of great drinks: go ahead and slurp as if nobody is watching!
Where: 21a/50 James Street, Burleigh Heads

Kemuri
Tucked away in Carrara and simply waiting for you to discover it is the small and quaint Japanese-style eatery of Kumeri. They dish up nothing short of authentic flavours and unadulterated Japanese dishes. How do crispy hand-rolled gyozas matched with incredible examples of European wines sound? A little too good to be true, perhaps. However, let owner — and qualified sommelier — Hiro guide you through his extensive collection of European and boutique Australian wines for a well-rounded and unique dining experience.
Where: 3/124 Pappas Way, Carrara

Etsu
Everyone’s favourite Japanese restaurant is still the light of our lives and knocking out superb food in Mermaid Beach. It was certainly groundbreaking a few years back, and now it seems a slew of other Japanese restaurants have caught up to the party — however, the dedication to service, great seasonal produce, and an impeccable drinks offering has never wavered one bit. Ideal for a midweek escape and perfection for a weekend feast; the standout features of this establishment are, without a doubt, its down-to-earth and charming decor and an ever-evolving cocktail list worthy of anyone’s attention.
Where: 2440 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach

Cafoo Izakaya
For a while now, the locals of Palm Beach — plus those in the know — have been quietly enjoying the spoils of this Osaka-style back alley Izakaya all to themselves. But we think it was about time it was shared! Deeply authentic and brimming with a menu of carefully constructed and drool-inducing dishes, including the ever-famous Okonomiyaki savoury pancakes. What sets this place apart is the dedication to cultural accuracy — oh, and the fact you can book out the entire restaurant should you have the occasion that calls for it (and enough friends)!
Where: 6 Fifth Avenue, Palm Beach

Misono
When it comes to a hearty combination of flavour and showmanship, teppanyaki-style dining is a surefire way to beat hunger — with a slice of entertainment thrown in there for good measure. One of the best in the business, and an unsurpassed way to experience this highly revered form of Japanese cooking, is Misono at JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort and Spa. Let their talented and affable chefs delight you and your friends with an abundance of flames and flavour.
Where: Level 3, JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort and Spa,158 Ferny Avenue, Surfers Paradise

Words by Alex Mitcheson.