Izakaya Kotobuki

This Japanese experience was truly exceptional! The sake tastings and the availability of various sake bottles added a delightful touch to the experience.

The bento boxes were not only delicious but showcased the authenticity of the cuisine. The staff, with their fun and engaging demeanor, enhanced the overall dining atmosphere.

The menus, with their authentic feel and avoidance of a generic or mainstream vibe, were a great touch, contributing to the genuine Japanese experience. Highly recommended for those seeking an authentic and enjoyable journey into Japanese cuisine and culture.

Authentic Japanese cuisine served in an atmosphere reminiscent of dining in Tokyo. The deep fried mackerel set menu was excellent value served with a bowl of rice which could have fed at least two people. The karaage bento box had a good selection of items to enjoy. Both were delicious and filling. Highly recommend Izakaya Kotobuki if you’re looking for a good value dining option in the Brisbane CBD.

Wrote a review about this place well over a year ago and nothing has changed as far as quality and price.

The staff are quick to serve without being pushy.

Japanese beer on tap at fair price plus on bottles and cabs. Sake or Japanese spirits and liquors available.

I love the Okanomiyaki on a stick. Is my favourite.
Had pickled vegetables and agedashi tofu which were excellent.
Nigiri eel and scallops were great grilled options.

I hoped to sample more but with a couple of beers was full. A farewell sake or 2 completed a memorable night.

The owner Ito is a true gentleman and will recommend items not on the menus if pushed. I had the octopus and wasabi to finish which he said is very popular in zjapan. Really enjoyed it.

If you're in Brisbane CBD anytime, do yourself a favour and try it.

So damn hot! I got a Japanese Chicken Curry and two Aburi Salmon for takeaway, and even though I ate it about 20 minutes after it was made it was still steaming hot!

The chicken was crispy and delicious, and the aburi was classic. Loved it!

Heard from many sources that the Japanese food in Brisbane was top tier, so obviously had to see for myself. I must say, it definitely lived up to the expectation. As someone who is half-Japanese, the flavour was genuine and reminiscent of what I eat while in Japan. But as with all good foods, go there with the expectation to pay top dollar for the food. Regardless, it is definitely recommended!

We had a wonderful dinner at Izakaya Kotobuki. Staffs are very helpful and friendly. Atmosphere is great and nicely decorated with Japanese influence. We had mixed sashimi as entree and Unaju Don, chicken curry rice, Fried oyster Bento, Wagyu Beef Sizzling. Sashimi is fresh and tasty. The grilled eel is delicious and fried osyter is very yummy. We are very happy with our visit and looking forward to come back and try other dishes.

Exactly what we needed for a late night dinner before heading out on the town. Great customer service and efficient and polite staff who are patient and happy to answer or recommend certain dishes and drinks. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal and experience and was pretty much 2 meters from the exit doors of the hotel Oaks Casino Towers where we stayed for the night. Highly recommend. Arigato gozaimasu ☺

Exceptional taste, beautiful environment, wonderful staff. ONE OF THE BEST JAPANESE RESTAURANTS IN BRISBANE

Good Japanese restaurant, located close by to the CBD. They seat you down quite quickly and are quick to serve you water. The interior of the restaurant is quite nice, with the red lanterns hanging overhead acting as a significant contrast to the black and white walls (almost like a manga).

The food was really tasty. I ate the scallop aburi and the salmon lion king rolls. I would highly recommend both of these dishes! They were fresh, tasty, and seared to the right amount. They had a good degree of sauce too, which elevated the dish.

I’d recommend coming here for the general vibe and the food. Service is quite good. They accidentally added someone else’s order to mine, but quickly resolved this when they realised!

We enjoyed our family get-together here. The food was delicious, the helpings were large, and the prices were reasonable. Staff are friendly.

Excellent Japanese cafe in the CBD.
Very much casual dining the food is delicious, hearty and authentic.
Loved the sushi and eel domburi.
This will definitely be one of my new Brisbane favourites when I am in town.

Great atmosphere! Loved their oyster bento box and different sushis. Will definitely be back again.

I’d recommend the soft shell crab fried rice to anyone, yeah it’s that great, while the other starters would be great if they were fried one or two minutes shorter.

Pretty good Unagi, not the best but would be back if am ever back in Brisbane. My husband had a Bento box and he liked it. There was no wait when we went in around 8-8:30pm.

This place is so good. The sushi was fresh, and the aburi is absolutely to die for!! The tempura udon was amazing as well, very reasonable size for the price.

The lotus and gobo chips were the highlight for me. I've never had burdock before but I have seen the light, crunchy and amazing with mayo.

Yummy, great food and lovely service. I can't wait to go back and try another dish on the menu.

The combination of Tempura Udon + Sushi was perfect. Especially the Sake (Salmon) Aburi - should have ordered more!! Reasonable price with great quality. Fantastic vibe. I managed to find a nice corner and enjoy my lunch.

Best Japanese restaurant in Brisbane by my books. Food is super affordable n is my go to location each time I'm in the city. They open till late which is great as I work long hours. The food is authentic as it gets. The staff are all Japanese n they extend their cultures warm hospitality every time I'm there with my partner. A staff even offered to snap a picture of us after seeing use struggle to get a good selfie angle. The lunch rice bowl menu is what I order each time. Many options n a complimentary rice top up. Just ask the staff. It would be amazing if they developed a food challenge. Love the food, hospitality n decor.

The customer service is great however you don't need much of it as they have a tablet ordering system. The food is excellent and they have a variety available. For any customisations you need to call for someone but again can be done through the tablet. There are clear photos and descriptions for every item and you can order whenever you like.

Drinks, sauce, food, all ordered through the tablet. Food is deleviered with a smile. As you would expect they greet you on arrival and thank you when you leave. Once you are finished you just request the bull on the tablet and they almost immediately bring it to your table. Highly rated the food and the experience.

Fried oyster is absolutely beautiful, all the other dishes are great too!