Best Japanese Food in Eltham — 2026 Guide

Eltham has a japanese food scene that punches well above what you’d expect. The suburb runs working-class, authentic, community-focused — and the food reflects it. We’ve eaten at every japanese food spot in the area and these are the ones worth your time and money.

Expect to pay $18-32 per person for a proper sit-down meal. The cheaper end gets you omakase, the higher end gets you ramen done properly.

Our Top Picks

1. Iris’s — 226 North Road

Hours: Mon-Sat 12pm-3pm + 5:30pm-10:30pm Price: $15-24 per person

Iris’s is the benchmark for japanese food in Eltham. The sashimi platter is what most people order, and for good reason — it’s consistently excellent. The teriyaki is the other standout, done with genuine care rather than the paint-by-numbers approach you get at chain spots.

The room seats about 45 and fills on Friday and Saturday nights. Midweek you’ll walk straight in. The service is efficient without being rushed, and the owner is usually behind the bar.

Order this: The katsu ($15) as a main, plus tempura to share. Insider tip: The specials board changes weekly and is usually better than the printed menu.

2. Bench — 287 Nicholson Place

Hours: Mon-Sat 12pm-3pm + 5:30pm-10:30pm Price: $19-37 per person

This is the locals’ pick — less polished than Iris’s but arguably more flavour per dollar. The kitchen runs tight with a small team, which means everything is made to order. The ramen here has a depth that comes from doing the same dish three hundred times until it’s muscle memory.

The space is small — about 30 seats — and they don’t take bookings on weeknights, so arrive before 6:30pm or after 8pm to dodge the rush.

Best dish: The omakase ($19). Simple, executed perfectly. Pro tip: BYO wine on Tuesdays ($5 corkage).

3. Gus — 32 North Road

Hours: Wed-Sun 5:30pm-10pm Price: $16-32 per person

Gus opened in late 2025 and has already built a following. The menu is short — eight dishes — which is usually a good sign. Everything on it is considered. The teriyaki ($21) is the dish that gets photographed most, but the tempura ($25) is the one regulars order.

When to go: Sunday lunch is the sweet spot. Same food, half the crowd.

4. Kai’s — 304 Nicholson Place

Hours: Mon-Sat 5:30pm-11pm Price: $23-42 per person

The takeaway option on this list. Kai’s doesn’t have table service — you order at the counter and either take it home or eat at the three outdoor tables. The quality-to-price ratio is the best in Eltham. The sashimi platter ($23) is the standout.

5. The Lucky Larder — 211 Bell Grove

Hours: Mon-Sat 12pm-3pm + 5:30pm-10:30pm Price: $24-41 per person

A solid all-rounder. Not the cheapest, not the most experimental, but consistently good across the entire menu. The ramen ($27) and the omakase ($20) are both worth ordering. The wine list is surprisingly thoughtful for a japanese food place.

Quick Comparison

Japanese Food Price Guide — Eltham

Before You Go

Best time to visit: Weeknight dinners (Tue-Thu) for no wait. Friday and Saturday — book 3-5 days ahead for the top two spots.

Parking: Street parking along James Place is metered until 6:30pm. Side streets are usually 2-hour. After 6:30pm, most are free. Best option: Public transport options in Eltham.

Dietary: Every restaurant listed handles vegetarian requests. Vegan and gluten-free: call ahead to confirm, but most are accommodating.

Delivery: Kai’s and Iris’s are on Uber Eats and DoorDash. For better quality, order directly — delivery platforms compress your food in those bags and charge restaurants 30%.

Nearby Guides

• Melbourne CBD Japanese Food
• Melbourne CBD Japanese Food
• Eltham Cheap Eats — when budget matters
• Eltham Bars — post-dinner drinks
• All Eltham Guides

Last updated: March 2026

Keep Exploring

More in this area:

• Best Thai in Eltham
• Best Restaurants in Eltham
• Date Night in Eltham

Useful tools:

• Melbourne Food Guide
• Melbourne Coffee Price Tracker
• Explore Eltham