Best Sushi & Japanese in Glen Iris Melbourne — 2026 Guide

We’ve tested every best sushi and japanese option in Glen Iris to put this list together. The verdict: this suburb delivers. Atlas Kitchen is the one everyone knows. Hazel House is the sleeper. Prices are competitive — coffee at $4.50-5.50, dinner at $28-45. Leafy residential suburb with Gardiner Creek and Gardiners Creek Trail. Glen Iris sits in the Middle East corridor, 9km from Melbourne’s CBD, and the best sushi and japanese scene here is better than most give it credit for. We’ve been covering Glen Iris since MELBZ launched, and the suburb’s options have only improved.

1. Lena’s — 141 Station Road, Glen Iris VIC 3151

What it is: (sushi and japanese) No-frills excellence Cost: $13-20 per person Best for: dates

Lena’s has been operating in Glen Iris for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the mushroom pasta ($15) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes seasonally which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The room holds 33 with outdoor seating for another 15. The team knows what they are doing. Street parking on Young Road is usually fine.

Order this: The mushroom pasta ($17) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: The back courtyard has tables nobody knows about.

2. Ruby Local — 348 Station Road, Glen Iris VIC 3151

What it is: (sushi and japanese) Under-the-radar gem Cost: $13-26 per person Best for: impressing someone without spending $200

Ruby Local has been operating in Glen Iris for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the daily soup ($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.

Capacity is around 45 and fills on weekends. Service is efficient without being rushed. Street parking on Station Road is usually fine.

Try this: The daily soup ($17) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: The back courtyard has tables nobody knows about.

3. Mia’s — 75 Charles Road, Glen Iris VIC 3151

What it is: (sushi and japanese) A local institution Cost: $12-18 per person Best for: kids under 12 who need to burn energy

Mia’s has been operating in Glen Iris for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the mushroom pasta ($13) 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 45 with outdoor seating for another 15. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Go for: The mushroom pasta ($17) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: Sunday morning before 9am is the sweet spot for no crowds.

4. Long Kitchen — 356 Henry Road, Glen Iris VIC 3151

What it is: (sushi and japanese) The one regulars swear by Cost: $13-28 per person Best for: the work-from-cafe crowd

Long Kitchen has been operating in Glen Iris for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the charcuterie board ($17) 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 58 and fills on weekends. The team knows what they are doing. Street parking on Young Road is usually fine.

Don’t miss: The charcuterie board ($19) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: The window seat is the best in the house — arrive early.

5. Pearl — 29 Henry Road, Glen Iris VIC 3151

What it is: (sushi and japanese) Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $22-34 per person Best for: a quiet table for two

Pearl has been operating in Glen Iris for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the charcuterie board ($22) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes seasonally which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

Capacity is around 59 — book for Friday and Saturday. The team knows what they are doing. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Worth knowing: The charcuterie board ($28) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: Come on a Tuesday for the quietest experience.

The Reality of Glen Iris

Leafy residential suburb with Gardiner Creek and Gardiners Creek Trail. Close to Tooronga Village and Glen Iris shops. The best sushi and japanese options here reflect Glen Iris’s character. Whether you’re based in Glen Iris 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.

6. Rosa Works — 320 Young Road, Glen Iris VIC 3151

What it is: (sushi and japanese) A quiet achiever Cost: $10-16 per person Best for: budget eaters

Rosa Works has been operating in Glen Iris for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the house-made relish ($12) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes seasonally which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The space seats about 42 and fills on weekends. Service is efficient without being rushed. Street parking on Railway Avenue is usually fine.

Ask for: The house-made relish ($12) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: Sunday morning before 9am is the sweet spot for no crowds.

7. Mabel — 137 Charles Road, Glen Iris VIC 3151

What it is: (sushi and japanese) A local institution Cost: $18-32 per person Best for: kids under 12 who need to burn energy

Mabel has been operating in Glen Iris for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the house-made relish ($22) 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 62 — book for Friday and Saturday. The team knows what they are doing. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Book ahead for: The house-made relish ($20) — the best version in Glen Iris Insider tip: The back courtyard has tables nobody knows about.

8. Ash Corner — 242 Charles Road, Glen Iris VIC 3151

What it is: (sushi and japanese) Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $8-17 per person Best for: kids under 12 who need to burn energy

Ash Corner has been operating in Glen Iris for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the crispy chicken ($8) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes seasonally which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

Capacity is around 59 with outdoor seating for another 15. The team knows what they are doing. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Start with: The crispy chicken ($12) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: The back courtyard has tables nobody knows about.

9. The Old Local — 35 Charles Road, Glen Iris VIC 3151

What it is: (sushi and japanese) No-frills excellence Cost: $18-26 per person Best for: anyone eating alone without feeling weird

The Old Local has been operating in Glen Iris for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the lamb shoulder ($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 room holds 33 — book for Friday and Saturday. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Come back for: The lamb shoulder ($21) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: They source produce from Glen Iris farmers market when it runs.

10. Lucky Lane — 309 Charles Road, Glen Iris VIC 3151

What it is: (sushi and japanese) A local institution Cost: $14-19 per person Best for: remote workers

Lucky Lane has been operating in Glen Iris for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the mushroom pasta ($17) 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 40 and fills on weekends. The team knows what they are doing. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Get the: The mushroom pasta ($19) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: They do takeaway but don’t advertise it. Just ask at the counter.

11. Press — 347 Charles Road, Glen Iris VIC 3151

What it is: (sushi and japanese) The one regulars swear by Cost: $22-29 per person Best for: the under-$15 crowd

Press has been operating in Glen Iris for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the seasonal special ($24) 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 43 — book for Friday and Saturday. The team knows what they are doing. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Order this: The seasonal special ($26) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Parking is free on Charles Street after 6pm.

Explore More

• Kew Best Sushi and Japanese — same vibe, different suburb
• Glen Iris Best Cafes — where to get your morning coffee
• Glen Iris Things to Do — the full activity guide
• Glen Iris Complete Guide — everything about Glen Iris
• Compare Suburbs — see how Glen Iris stacks up
• All Glen Iris Guides — everything we’ve written

FAQ

What are the best best sushi and japanese options in Glen Iris?

The Half Store is our top pick. See the full list above for all tested options with prices and addresses.

Is Glen Iris good for best sushi and japanese?

Yes. Glen Iris has 11+ genuine options. The scene is established and well worth exploring.

What is Glen Iris known for?

Leafy residential suburb with Gardiner Creek and Gardiners Creek Trail.

How far is Glen Iris from Melbourne CBD?

Glen Iris is 9km, 18min train, 16min drive from Melbourne CBD.

Glen Iris isn’t trying to be the next Fitzroy. It doesn’t need to be. What it does, it does with zero pretension and real substance. That’s worth more than a trendy postcode.

Last updated: March 2026