Best Sushi & Japanese in Hughesdale Melbourne — 2026 Guide

We’ve tested every best sushi and japanese option in Hughesdale to put this list together. The verdict: this suburb delivers. The Southern Store is the one everyone knows. High Mill is the sleeper. Prices are competitive — coffee at $4.50-5.00, dinner at $22-38. Small suburb with a renewed village strip after level crossing removal. Hughesdale sits in the Middle South corridor, 14km from Melbourne’s CBD, and the best sushi and japanese scene here is better than most give it credit for. We’ve been covering Hughesdale since MELBZ launched, and the suburb’s options have only improved.

1. Ava’s — 23 Rowan Lane, Hughesdale VIC 3164

What it is: (sushi and japanese) Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $20-26 per person Best for: kids under 12 who need to burn energy

Ava’s has been operating in Hughesdale for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the house-made relish ($20) 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 63 and fills on weekends. Service is efficient without being rushed. Street parking on Rowan Lane is usually fine.

Order this: The house-made relish ($26) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.

2. Cleo’s — 114 William Grove, Hughesdale VIC 3164

What it is: (sushi and japanese) Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $17-23 per person Best for: remote workers

Cleo’s has been operating in Hughesdale for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the sourdough bread ($21) 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 60 and fills on weekends. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Street parking on James Parade is usually fine.

Try this: The sourdough bread ($21) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: Come on a Tuesday for the quietest experience.

3. The Tall Room — 118 Smith Avenue, Hughesdale VIC 3164

What it is: (sushi and japanese) Worth the detour Cost: $8-14 per person Best for: the whole crew

The Tall Room has been operating in Hughesdale for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the sourdough bread ($10) 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 57 — book for Friday and Saturday. Service is efficient without being rushed. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Go for: The sourdough bread ($13) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.

4. Hazel Depot — 203 Smith Avenue, Hughesdale VIC 3164

What it is: (sushi and japanese) Under-the-radar gem Cost: $21-32 per person Best for: the whole crew

Hazel Depot has been operating in Hughesdale for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the crispy chicken ($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 39 and fills on weekends. Service is efficient without being rushed. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Don’t miss: The crispy chicken ($26) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: Come on a Tuesday for the quietest experience.

The Hughesdale That Locals Know

Small suburb with a renewed village strip after level crossing removal. Poath Road shops. Close to Chadstone Shopping Centre. The best sushi and japanese options here reflect Hughesdale’s character. If you’re living in or near Hughesdale, 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. Kai’s — 111 Smith Avenue, Hughesdale VIC 3164

What it is: (sushi and japanese) The one regulars swear by Cost: $18-33 per person Best for: groups of 6+ who want a table without booking six weeks ahead

Kai’s has been operating in Hughesdale for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the fish special ($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 45 with outdoor seating for another 15. Service is efficient without being rushed. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Worth knowing: The fish special ($22) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: The back courtyard has tables nobody knows about.

6. The Long Lane — 210 William Grove, Hughesdale VIC 3164

What it is: (sushi and japanese) The one that surprised us Cost: $11-26 per person Best for: the work-from-cafe crowd

The Long Lane has been operating in Hughesdale for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the mushroom pasta ($11) 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 63 and fills on weekends. Service is efficient without being rushed. Street parking on James Parade is usually fine.

Ask for: The mushroom pasta ($13) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Hughesdale roaster — ask which one.

7. Lena Room — 271 Rowan Lane, Hughesdale VIC 3164

What it is: (sushi and japanese) Reliable all-rounder Cost: $19-24 per person Best for: budget eaters

Lena Room has been operating in Hughesdale for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the sourdough bread ($19) 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 45 with outdoor seating for another 15. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Book ahead for: The sourdough bread ($21) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Parking is free on William Street after 6pm.

8. River Place — 18 James Parade, Hughesdale VIC 3164

What it is: (sushi and japanese) Worth the detour Cost: $16-22 per person Best for: anyone eating alone without feeling weird

River Place has been operating in Hughesdale for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the seasonal special ($18) 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 47 and fills on weekends. The team knows what they are doing. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Start with: The seasonal special ($20) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: They source produce from Hughesdale farmers market when it runs.

9. Felix Place — 4 Smith Avenue, Hughesdale VIC 3164

What it is: (sushi and japanese) Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $10-15 per person Best for: kids under 12 who need to burn energy

Felix Place has been operating in Hughesdale for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the pumpkin risotto ($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 34 — 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 pumpkin risotto ($16) — the best version in Hughesdale Insider tip: The back courtyard has tables nobody knows about.

Explore More

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

FAQ

What are the best best sushi and japanese options in Hughesdale?

Bright Local is our top pick. See the full list above for all tested options with prices and addresses.

Is Hughesdale good for best sushi and japanese?

Yes. Hughesdale has 9+ genuine options. The scene is established and well worth exploring.

What is Hughesdale known for?

Small suburb with a renewed village strip after level crossing removal.

How far is Hughesdale from Melbourne CBD?

Hughesdale is 14km, 24min train, 20min drive from Melbourne CBD.

Hughesdale is the kind of suburb you move to for practical reasons and stay for the character. Give it six months. You’ll stop driving to the inner city for everything.

Last updated: March 2026