Best Sushi & Japanese in Glen Iris Melbourne — 2026 Guide
| Pick | |
|---|---|
| Top pick | The Half Store |
| Free highlight | Green Room |
| Family-friendly | Mabel |
| Locals only | Ivy Commons |
| Indoor option | Nico Kitchen |
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
The room holds 33 with outdoor seating for another 15. Street parking on Young Road is usually fine.
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
Capacity is around 45 and fills on weekends. Street parking on Station Road is usually fine.
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
The space seats about 45 with outdoor seating for another 15. There is a small lot behind the venue.
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
The room holds 58 and fills on weekends. Street parking on Young Road is usually fine.
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
Capacity is around 59 — book for Friday and Saturday. There is a small lot behind the venue.
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
The space seats about 42 and fills on weekends. Street parking on Railway Avenue is usually fine.
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
The space seats about 62 — book for Friday and Saturday. There is a small lot behind the venue.
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
Capacity is around 59 with outdoor seating for another 15. There is a small lot behind the venue.
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 room holds 33 — book for Friday and Saturday. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
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
The room holds 40 and fills on weekends. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Get the: The mushroom pasta ($19) — solid 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
The room holds 43 — book for Friday and Saturday. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Order this: The seasonal special ($26) — solid
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
