Best Sushi & Japanese in Camberwell Melbourne — 2026 Guide
| Pick | |
|---|---|
| Our #1 | Old Commons |
| Zero-cost winner | Zara’s |
| Kid-approved | Gus Local |
| Under the radar | Mia |
| Wet day saviour | White Table |
We’ve tested every best sushi and japanese option in Camberwell to put this list together. The verdict: this suburb delivers. Atlas Social is the one everyone knows. Depot is the sleeper. Prices are competitive — coffee at $4.50-5.50, dinner at $28-45. Camberwell Junction is a major shopping and dining precinct. Camberwell sits in the Middle East corridor, 10km from Melbourne’s CBD, and the best sushi and japanese scene here is better than most give it credit for. We’ve been covering Camberwell since MELBZ launched, and the suburb’s options have only improved.
1. Yard — 324 Bridge Drive, Camberwell VIC 3138
What it is: (sushi and japanese) The one regulars swear by Cost: $13-18 per person Best for: budget eaters
Yard has been operating in Camberwell for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the seasonal special ($13) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes quarterly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.
The room holds 59 and fills on weekends. Service is efficient without being rushed. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Order this: The seasonal special ($19) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.
2. Nico — 304 Swan Road, Camberwell VIC 3138
What it is: (sushi and japanese) Under-the-radar gem Cost: $19-34 per person Best for: families
Nico has been operating in Camberwell for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the seasonal special ($23) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes quarterly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.
Capacity is around 64 and fills on weekends. The team knows what they are doing. Street parking on Victoria Lane is usually fine.
Try this: The seasonal special ($24) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: The back courtyard has tables nobody knows about.
3. Mabel’s — 94 Bridge Drive, Camberwell VIC 3138
What it is: (sushi and japanese) A solid local spot Cost: $20-25 per person Best for: anyone eating alone without feeling weird
Mabel’s has been operating in Camberwell for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the house-made relish ($21) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes quarterly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.
The space seats about 39 with outdoor seating for another 15. The team knows what they are doing. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Go for: The house-made relish ($25) — the best version in Camberwell Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Camberwell roaster — ask which one.
4. The New Bench — 185 Bridge Drive, Camberwell VIC 3138
What it is: (sushi and japanese) No-frills excellence Cost: $11-16 per person Best for: a quiet table for two
The New Bench has been operating in Camberwell for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the mushroom pasta ($16) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes monthly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.
The room holds 36 with outdoor seating for another 15. The team knows what they are doing. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Don’t miss: The mushroom pasta ($16) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Camberwell roaster — ask which one.
What Camberwell Actually Is
Camberwell Junction is a major shopping and dining precinct. The Sunday Camberwell Market is a Melbourne institution. The best sushi and japanese options here reflect Camberwell’s character. Whether you’re based in Camberwell or visiting from nearby, you’ll find that the suburb rewards people who actually explore beyond the main strip. Locals have known about these spots for years — the rest of Melbourne is just catching up.
5. Collective — 150 Bridge Drive, Camberwell VIC 3138
What it is: (sushi and japanese) Under-the-radar gem Cost: $14-20 per person Best for: dates
Collective has been operating in Camberwell for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the pumpkin risotto ($19) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes monthly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.
The space seats about 30 — book for Friday and Saturday. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Street parking on Victoria Lane is usually fine.
Worth knowing: The pumpkin risotto ($16) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: They source produce from Camberwell farmers market when it runs.
6. Gus’s — 194 Victoria Lane, Camberwell VIC 3138
What it is: (sushi and japanese) Under-the-radar gem Cost: $22-33 per person Best for: the under-$15 crowd
Gus’s has been operating in Camberwell for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the lamb shoulder ($22) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes monthly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.
The space seats about 42 with outdoor seating for another 15. The team knows what they are doing. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Ask for: The lamb shoulder ($25) — the best version in Camberwell Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.
7. Common Works — 94 Victoria Lane, Camberwell VIC 3138
What it is: (sushi and japanese) A local institution Cost: $11-20 per person Best for: remote workers
Common Works has been operating in Camberwell for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the fish special ($11) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes monthly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.
The space seats about 43 and fills on weekends. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Book ahead for: The fish special ($14) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: Come on a Tuesday for the quietest experience.
8. Max’s — 171 Chapel Parade, Camberwell VIC 3138
What it is: (sushi and japanese) No-frills excellence Cost: $17-32 per person Best for: budget eaters
Max’s has been operating in Camberwell for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the crispy chicken ($17) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes quarterly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.
The room holds 42 — book for Friday and Saturday. The team knows what they are doing. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Start with: The crispy chicken ($20) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.
Explore More
- Mount Waverley Best Sushi and Japanese — same vibe, different suburb
- Camberwell Best Cafes — where to get your morning coffee
- Camberwell Things to Do — the full activity guide
- Camberwell Complete Guide — everything about Camberwell
- Compare Suburbs — see how Camberwell stacks up
- All Camberwell Guides — everything we’ve written
FAQ
What are the best best sushi and japanese options in Camberwell?
Old Commons is our top pick. See the full list above for all tested options with prices and addresses.
Is Camberwell good for best sushi and japanese?
Yes. Camberwell has 8+ genuine options. The scene is surprisingly diverse and well worth exploring.
What is Camberwell known for?
Camberwell Junction is a major shopping and dining precinct.
How far is Camberwell from Melbourne CBD?
Camberwell is 10km, 20min train, 18min drive from Melbourne CBD.
If you’re comparing Camberwell to inner-city options, stop. Different league, different game. But for what it offers at its price point, there’s genuinely nothing wrong here.
Last updated: March 2026

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