Sushi is a traditional Japanese dish that has become incredibly popular all over the world, including right here in Canberra. Sushi consists of small portions of rice, which are typically topped with a variety of seafood, vegetables, and other ingredients. Sushi can be served as individual pieces, known as nigiri, or as rolls, known as maki. Check out our list of the best places to find sushi in Canberra below.
Skip to the list of the best sushi places in Canberra
- Iori
- Lilotang
- Mee's Sushi
- Okami Japanese Restaurant
- Raku
- Rice & Nori
- Sushi Bell
What makes a great sushi place?
There are several factors that contribute to making a great sushi restaurant. Here are a few of the key elements:
Quality ingredients: The quality of the ingredients used in sushi is essential to its taste and safety. A great sushi restaurant should use fresh, high-quality fish, meat, vegetables, and other ingredients.
Skillful chefs: Sushi chefs must have experience and skill to create sushi that is not only delicious but also visually appealing.
Attention to detail: A great sushi restaurant pays attention to even the smallest details, such as the rice's temperature and texture, the proper seasoning of the rice, and the careful preparation of the fish and other ingredients.
Cleanliness and hygiene: Sushi restaurants need to be clean and hygienic to ensure that the food is safe to eat.
The best sushi restaurants in Canberra 2024
To be listed as one of Canberra’s best, Canberra Daily requires them to have maintained a track record of positive reviews on Google or Facebook, with a minimum average of 4/5 stars. We also check to see if they have verified customer reviews.
When looking for tasty sushi in Canberra, check out our list of the best local spots below.
Okami Japanese Restaurant
Okami is a popular restaurant with two locations in Braddon and Mawson, offering tasty Japanese food at an affordable price.
They offer an “all you can eat” menu featuring a wide variety of Japanese dishes, including sushi, sashimi, tempura, udon, and more.
Warrick Howieson left this five star review on Google: “Had a great meal. Friendly prompt service. Neat all you can eat concept where you just order from the menu. Food was great. A good variety too. A place I’d happily go back to.”
Mee's Sushi
Mee’s Sushi is a Canberra favourite and has two locations, in the city and Manuka. Mee’s offers a great variety of sushi rolls and is the perfect place to grab a quick bite for lunch or on the way home from work. They also have sweet soy sauce which can be a great change of pace from the usual soy.
Yeseul An wrote this five star review on Google: “One of my local favourites. It’s now my go to for a quick, delicious and fresh sushi. The must try at Mee’s sushi is the Chicken Schnitzel roll. Great service, great food.”
Raku
Combining the precision of Japanese culinary history with the vibrant energy of modern Australian dining, Raku is widely considered one of Canberra’s finest restaurants, .
Their food is absolutely divine with their menu featuring a wide variety of sushi, including tuna, vegetable, salmon, kingfish, crab, prawn and more.
Charlotte Inglis left this five star review on Google; “Sushi of perfect form and flavour doesn’t often exist out of Japan, how lucky to find it in Canberra. Raku is the best of the best. Exquisite.”
Rice & Nori
Rice & Nori has a team of skilled sushi chefs creating a variety of delicious, unique sushi rolls
Their menu is based on the Japanese philosophy of using natural seasonal flavour and utilising the freshest possible ingredients, while customers can also create their own sushi rolls by choosing the fillings.
On Google, Jason Lee wrote this positive review; “One of the best sushi places in Canberra. Good location, very friendly staff and the sushi was absolutely delicious. Sashimi was fresh and at a very reasonable price.”
Iori
Iori is known for its authentic Japanese cuisine, including a range of sushi and sashimi dishes made with fresh, high-quality ingredients.
Along with delicious sushi, Iori also has a number of other Japanese dishes and plenty of drink options, making it an ideal place for a nice meal.
Jon S left this five star review on Google: “Very nice delicious food. The staff were very nice, friendly and attentive to customers. I’m not surprised why they are busy on Wednesday night. Excellent place for Japanese food.”
Lilotang
Lilotang is a popluar restaurant known for serving modern Japanese cuisine using fresh, seasonal Australian ingredients.
They have a great selection of sushi rolls to choose from as well as serving fresh bento boxes for lunch.
Jade Fuz wrote this glowing review on Google; “I had a quiet dinner with some friends a few weeks ago and this place was lovely. Beautiful atmosphere and very friendly staff. The food was fantastic! Very tasty seafood and presented really well. Would definitely recommend!”
Sushi Bell
Located in the heart of the city, Sushi Bell is a well regarded Japanese restaurant serving delicious sushi at affordable prices.
Their menu features an incredible array of sushi that provides ease and convenience for customers. Here are a few examples of the sushi on offer, fresh salmon, cooked tuna, tempura prawn, crispy chicken, California rolls, spicy prawn and plenty more.
Chelsea Abel left this five star review on Google; “Best sushi in Canberra for sure! Fresh, perfectly cooked rice and seaweed is so so fresh. And the best opening hours – love coming by before heading home from work and dinner sorted.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is sushi?
Sushi is a Japanese dish that typically consists of vinegared rice, various types of seafood, meat or vegetables, and often includes ingredients such as seaweed, soy sauce, and pickled ginger.
Is sushi healthy?
Sushi can be a healthy food choice, but it depends on the ingredients and preparation methods used. Sushi typically consists of cooked vinegared rice, seaweed, and various fillings such as raw or cooked fish, vegetables, and sometimes egg. Fish used in sushi can be a good source of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and other nutrients, however, some types of sushi, such as those with deep-fried fillings, may be high in calories, saturated fat, and sodium.
What are the most popular sushi rolls?
There are many different types of sushi rolls, but some of the most popular ones include: California Roll, Spicy Tuna Roll, Dragon Roll, Prawn Tempura and Crispy Chicken.
Is sushi always raw fish?
No, sushi does not always contain raw fish. While raw fish (sashimi) is commonly used in sushi, there are many types of sushi that incorporate cooked seafood, vegetables, or even tofu as fillings. Sushi can be enjoyed with a variety of ingredients and flavors to suit different preferences.
Can vegetarians or vegans enjoy sushi?
Yes, vegetarians and vegans can enjoy sushi. Many sushi restaurants offer vegetarian or vegan sushi options that feature ingredients like cucumber, avocado, tofu, or pickled vegetables. There are also specialised vegan sushi rolls that creatively replicate the flavors and textures of traditional sushi using plant-based ingredients.
