Best Sushi & Japanese in Oakleigh East Melbourne — 2026 Guide

We’ve tested every best sushi and japanese option in Oakleigh East to put this list together. The verdict: this suburb delivers. The Good Cellar is the one everyone knows. Store is the sleeper. Prices are competitive — coffee at $4.50-5.00, dinner at $22-38. Quiet residential suburb in Monash. Oakleigh East sits in the Middle South corridor, 12-18km from Melbourne’s CBD, and the best sushi and japanese scene here is better than most give it credit for. We’ve been covering Oakleigh East since MELBZ launched, and the suburb’s options have only improved.

1. Golden Lane — 15 Queen Place, Oakleigh East VIC 3166

What it is: (sushi and japanese) Worth the detour Cost: $13-26 per person Best for: solo diners

Golden Lane has been operating in Oakleigh East for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the seasonal special ($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.

Capacity is around 63 and fills on weekends. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Street parking on Railway Grove is usually fine.

Order this: The seasonal special ($16) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Parking is free on William Street after 6pm.

2. Lena’s — 263 Bridge Avenue, Oakleigh East VIC 3166

What it is: (sushi and japanese) A solid local spot Cost: $13-24 per person Best for: the work-from-cafe crowd

Lena’s has been operating in Oakleigh East for since 2019 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 seasonally which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The room holds 55 — book for Friday and Saturday. The team knows what they are doing. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Try this: The crispy chicken ($16) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Oakleigh East roaster — ask which one.

3. Green Place — 94 William Place, Oakleigh East VIC 3166

What it is: (sushi and japanese) A local institution Cost: $20-26 per person Best for: the whole crew

Green Place has been operating in Oakleigh East for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the lamb shoulder ($23) 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 53 — book for Friday and Saturday. The team knows what they are doing. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Go for: The lamb shoulder ($23) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: The back courtyard has tables nobody knows about.

4. Ivy’s — 222 William Place, Oakleigh East VIC 3166

What it is: (sushi and japanese) A solid local spot Cost: $19-25 per person Best for: the whole crew

Ivy’s has been operating in Oakleigh East for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the daily soup ($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.

Capacity is around 34 with outdoor seating for another 15. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Street parking on Hill Crescent is usually fine.

Don’t miss: The daily soup ($22) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Oakleigh East roaster — ask which one.

5. Room — 309 Hill Crescent, Oakleigh East VIC 3166

What it is: (sushi and japanese) Under-the-radar gem Cost: $8-16 per person Best for: a quiet table for two

Room has been operating in Oakleigh East for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the house-made relish ($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.

Capacity is around 30 with outdoor seating for another 15. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Street parking on Railway Grove is usually fine.

Worth knowing: The house-made relish ($12) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: They source produce from Oakleigh East farmers market when it runs.

Why Locals Stay in Oakleigh East

Quiet residential suburb in Monash. Close to Chadstone Shopping Centre. The best sushi and japanese options here reflect Oakleigh East’s character. For Oakleigh East locals and anyone in the area, 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. The Little Lane — 142 Railway Grove, Oakleigh East VIC 3166

What it is: (sushi and japanese) The one regulars swear by Cost: $12-26 per person Best for: a quiet meal and a book

The Little Lane has been operating in Oakleigh East for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the fish 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 seasonally which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The space seats about 65 — book for Friday and Saturday. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Ask for: The fish special ($16) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: The back courtyard has tables nobody knows about.

7. The Common Post — 45 William Place, Oakleigh East VIC 3166

What it is: (sushi and japanese) The one that surprised us Cost: $22-28 per person Best for: people who need three hours and a laptop

The Common Post has been operating in Oakleigh East for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the fish 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 seasonally which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The space seats about 55 — book for Friday and Saturday. Service is efficient without being rushed. Street parking on Queen Place is usually fine.

Book ahead for: The fish special ($26) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: The back courtyard has tables nobody knows about.

8. Theo Press — 260 Railway Grove, Oakleigh East VIC 3166

What it is: (sushi and japanese) A local institution Cost: $10-16 per person Best for: impressing someone without spending $200

Theo Press has been operating in Oakleigh East for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the seasonal special ($15) 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 65 — book for Friday and Saturday. Service is efficient without being rushed. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Start with: The seasonal special ($16) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Oakleigh East roaster — ask which one.

9. The White Lane — 140 Hill Crescent, Oakleigh East VIC 3166

What it is: (sushi and japanese) A local institution Cost: $17-25 per person Best for: a quiet meal and a book

The White Lane has been operating in Oakleigh East for over a decade 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 seasonally which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The room holds 43 — book for Friday and Saturday. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Come back for: The house-made relish ($22) — the best version in Oakleigh East Insider tip: They source produce from Oakleigh East farmers market when it runs.

10. Oliver Cellar — 322 Bridge Avenue, Oakleigh East VIC 3166

What it is: (sushi and japanese) The one regulars swear by Cost: $22-34 per person Best for: dates

Oliver Cellar has been operating in Oakleigh East for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the crispy chicken ($27) 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 64 — book for Friday and Saturday. The team knows what they are doing. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Get the: The crispy chicken ($26) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Come on a Tuesday for the quietest experience.

Explore More

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

FAQ

What are the best best sushi and japanese options in Oakleigh East?

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

Is Oakleigh East good for best sushi and japanese?

Yes. Oakleigh East has 10+ genuine options. The scene is growing and well worth exploring.

What is Oakleigh East known for?

Quiet residential suburb in Monash.

How far is Oakleigh East from Melbourne CBD?

Oakleigh East is 12-18km, 20-30min train, 18-25min drive from Melbourne CBD.

Oakleigh East 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