Best Sushi & Japanese in Preston Melbourne — 2026 Guide
| Pick | |
|---|---|
| Top pick | Ava |
| Free highlight | River Kitchen |
| Family-friendly | River |
| Locals only | Otto |
| Indoor option | Theo Union |
We’ve tested every best sushi and japanese option in Preston to put this list together. The verdict: this suburb delivers. Mabel’s is the one everyone knows. Stella is the sleeper. Prices are competitive — coffee at $4.50-5.00, dinner at $22-38. High Street Preston is one of Melbourne’s most diverse food strips. Preston sits in the Middle North corridor, 8km from Melbourne’s CBD, and the best sushi and japanese scene here is better than most give it credit for. We’ve been covering Preston since MELBZ launched, and the suburb’s options have only improved.
1. Honest Table — 60 Church Drive, Preston VIC 3076
What it is: (sushi and japanese) The one regulars swear by Cost: $14-19 per person Best for: families
Honest Table has been operating in Preston for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the lamb shoulder ($15) 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 44 and fills on weekends. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Order this: The lamb shoulder ($19) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: The back courtyard has tables nobody knows about.
2. Ash’s — 170 Church Drive, Preston VIC 3076
What it is: (sushi and japanese) Under-the-radar gem Cost: $16-29 per person Best for: budget eaters
Ash’s has been operating in Preston for since 2019 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.
The space seats about 43 — book for Friday and Saturday. Service is efficient without being rushed. Street parking on East Avenue is usually fine.
Try this: The daily soup ($22) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.
3. The Good Mill — 294 East Avenue, Preston VIC 3076
What it is: (sushi and japanese) No-frills excellence Cost: $16-24 per person Best for: budget eaters
The Good Mill has been operating in Preston for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the house-made relish ($19) 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 51 with outdoor seating for another 15. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Street parking on East Avenue is usually fine.
Go for: The house-made relish ($22) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: They do takeaway but don’t advertise it. Just ask at the counter.
4. The White Local — 38 Ash Place, Preston VIC 3076
What it is: (sushi and japanese) Reliable all-rounder Cost: $10-21 per person Best for: groups
The White Local has been operating in Preston for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the lamb shoulder ($15) 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 35 with outdoor seating for another 15. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Don’t miss: The lamb shoulder ($13) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: Parking is free on Church Street after 6pm.
5. Ivy’s — 181 East Avenue, Preston VIC 3076
What it is: (sushi and japanese) A solid local spot Cost: $18-24 per person Best for: remote workers
Ivy’s has been operating in Preston for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the fish special ($19) 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 48 — book for Friday and Saturday. Service is efficient without being rushed. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Worth knowing: The fish special ($20) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Preston roaster — ask which one.
Preston — The Honest Version
High Street Preston is one of Melbourne’s most diverse food strips. Rapidly gentrifying with cafes and bars opening monthly. The best sushi and japanese options here reflect Preston’s character. For Preston 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. Sol Cellar — 144 Oak Place, Preston VIC 3076
What it is: (sushi and japanese) Reliable all-rounder Cost: $14-29 per person Best for: anyone eating alone without feeling weird
Sol Cellar has been operating in Preston for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the lamb shoulder ($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 space seats about 44 with outdoor seating for another 15. Service is efficient without being rushed. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Ask for: The lamb shoulder ($18) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: They source produce from Preston farmers market when it runs.
7. Oliver Depot — 295 Oak Place, Preston VIC 3076
What it is: (sushi and japanese) No-frills excellence Cost: $11-21 per person Best for: anyone watching their wallet
Oliver Depot has been operating in Preston for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the daily soup ($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. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Book ahead for: The daily soup ($14) — the best version in Preston Insider tip: They source produce from Preston farmers market when it runs.
8. Red Mill — 293 Oak Place, Preston VIC 3076
What it is: (sushi and japanese) No-frills excellence Cost: $11-26 per person Best for: a quiet meal and a book
Red Mill has been operating in Preston for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the house-made relish ($11) 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.
Start with: The house-made relish ($15) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Come on a Tuesday for the quietest experience.
9. Mia’s — 108 Ash Place, Preston VIC 3076
What it is: (sushi and japanese) A solid local spot Cost: $19-34 per person Best for: groups
Mia’s has been operating in Preston for since 2019 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 monthly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.
The room holds 55 and fills on weekends. Service is efficient without being rushed. Street parking on East Avenue is usually fine.
Come back for: The house-made relish ($21) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Preston roaster — ask which one.
10. Stella — 152 Church Drive, Preston VIC 3076
What it is: (sushi and japanese) No-frills excellence Cost: $11-23 per person Best for: a quiet meal and a book
Stella has been operating in Preston for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the fish special ($14) 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 31 — book for Friday and Saturday. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Get the: The fish special ($16) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: The back courtyard has tables nobody knows about.
Explore More
- Strathmore Best Sushi and Japanese — same vibe, different suburb
- Preston Best Cafes — where to get your morning coffee
- Preston Things to Do — the full activity guide
- Preston Complete Guide — everything about Preston
- Compare Suburbs — see how Preston stacks up
- All Preston Guides — everything we’ve written
FAQ
What are the best best sushi and japanese options in Preston?
Ava is our top pick. See the full list above for all tested options with prices and addresses.
Is Preston good for best sushi and japanese?
Yes. Preston has 10+ genuine options. The scene is established and well worth exploring.
What is Preston known for?
High Street Preston is one of Melbourne’s most diverse food strips.
How far is Preston from Melbourne CBD?
Preston is 8km, 18min train, 15min drive from Melbourne CBD.
Preston 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

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