Sakana-Ya Japanese Restaurant

Sakana-ya is one of my favourite local Japanese restaurants in the area. They serve very authentic Japanese food. I highly recommend their Una-ju (Eel on rice) and sashimi platter.

One of the best places in Sydney to eat authentic Japanese food.
Highlights include their soft shell crab, salmon belly sashimi, scampi, miso soup. My personal favorite is their bara sushi - best sashimi rice ever!

This is definitely a place to go for yummy traditional japanese restaurant with seafood focus. If you like your seafood then you cannot miss this place. Some of their dishes reminded us of the kaiseki dinner experience we had in kyoto..

Book early to avoid disappointment as this place is usually booked out.

We love the following dishes
Wasabi taro
Monk fish liver with ponzu
Agedashi tofu
Barra sushi
Salted grilled salmon belly
Octopus karaage
Sea urchin
Deep fried soft shell crab
Sake steam bar cod head
Kingfish simmered with sweet sake and soy sauce

First time dining here and man do I wish we had found this place earlier! This hidden gem has got to be one of Sydney’s best kept secrets as far as Japanese dining goes. The food and drinks were amazing and very reasonably priced; the service was outstanding; as was the hospitality of Yashua-san the owner.

Been dining at the long standing Japanese restaurant in Crows Nest for many mnay years. It's a traditional Japanese restaurant. Their sashimi are always above par compared to the rest of Sydney. Always fresh and a more thicker slice. Occasionally, thorough the years, and depending on the fish, they also have the very thinly sliced as well. Grilled kingfish head is also perfect, not too salty and also recommend their tempura, bara sushi, agadashi tofu and grilled ox tongue. The service has always been great here as well - although it may be difficult to book sometimes - especially after covid. Have always recommended this place and will continue to recommend to those who like their sashimi! 👍😋😋

Authentic Japanese restaurant, on the pricier side but well worth the money as it’s good quality. Exceptional service - non intrusive but attentive. The beef tataki was a bit salty. My fave was the soft bone squid

Was wanting to come here for sometime now, so celebrated an anniversary here with the flagship course. We both loved it! Will definitely come again, wish we came sooner! The hospitality was very welcoming and friendly. The food was top notch and fresh we couldn't find a fault!

My absolute favourite in the area , boutique,homely Authentic Japanese cuisine, my go to place for something fresh and comforting. Be it big group or a couple dine out, the set menu set you up for a good meal, or keep it simple to a few grills and sashimi. A must try if you miss your trip to Japan :)

The sashimi is extremely fresh, as fresh as the restaurant's name 'fish shop'. Miyagi Urakasumi Junmai alcohol drink is good. The crispy fish skin is over salted. It also has fine dining menu and does function. Though its fitout is old, it is very clean. Staffs served better than other japanese restaurants in Crows Nest. Overall I recommend this restaurant, and I will come back.

We all enjoyed the special birthday lunch with fresh sashimi and delicious Japanese food.

The service was great as always and we got a surprise birthday hats and sweets although we didn’t mention anything at the time of the booking.

Definitely an unforgettable experience.
Thank you!

A homely slice of japan in the heart of the sydney.
I could rave about the immaculate presentation, quality of the seafood and deliciously authentic dishes (particularly the whole fried lemon sole, which is so crispy even the bones make for a cheeky senbei like snack), but i wont.
All i have to say is: *SAKE SLUSHY* 🤯🤤

I had Sakana-Ya Delux Bento box take away.

Absolutely stunning.

The quality of the Sashimi is amazingly fresh and delightful. Generous proption and great variety.

Highly recommend.

(Btw, I lived and worked in Japan for four years so defiantly hold a high bar! What a gem restaurant)

Wonderful! So far the best Japanese restaurant. Service is perfect, and food quality and taste is fantastic! Provide a various range of food selections and have daily specials which not on menu. Highly recommended!

Loved this restaurant, service is really good and food is excellent. I tried the green tea soba (cold) with vegetable tempura and the grilled teriyaki chicken. Food was well prepared and the presentation was immaculate. It's a small and quiet venue which is nice and they have additional seating upstairs. We were able to walk in without a booking on a Monday night. It's close to the bus stop. They have clean toilet facilities. They didn't have the grilled kingfish available so I'll be back to try that and their sashimi and sushi.

Quality of food here is high. All other patrons were Japanese - they know quality when they come across it. Food is not cheap - I'd estimate a 20% premium above other restaurants but it's worth it for the quality. The whitebait, the barasushi and mackerel were my favourites. The barasushi is excellent. And yes the service is very attentive.

Great little family run authentic Japanese restaurant. Food is classic Japanese using fresh ingredients. More Japan home cooked than fancy flair but it's tasty and prices are reasonable and service is great.

One of the most traditional and authentic Japanese restaurants in Sydney! The staff are so friendly and the food is top quality! Definitely recommend to have their course sets or as least their sashimi.

Great food, the sashimi is sensational. Amazing service and the kids got free dessert. On the pricey side but completely worth it

Sashimi and bara sushi were stand out dishes! All the grilled dishes were amazing - the beef tongue, mackerel, wagyu beef and soft shell crab with ponzu was delicious! The entrees of pickled white radish with yuzu flavour was very tasty. The wait staff were courteous and the decor made us feel like we were in Japan. Nice hand wash, moisturiser and hand sanitizer too. The owner also gave us complimentary plum wine which was stellar 😁

I took my wife here for her birthday; the food and service was amazing. Then when we asked for the bill, I mentioned it was her birthday and they earned their 5 stars - they broke out the decorations, party hat, icecream and sparkling.