restaurante
1 / 3

Yamato Japan

4.3
·294 reviews·Johannesburg, South Africa

Experience authentic Japanese cuisine, from world-class sushi to diverse noodle dishes, in a uniquely stylish setting.

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Weekday Lunch

Great value lunch specials

CrowdLow
Loading map...
restaurante

Yamato Japan

Best Time

Weekday Lunch

Great value lunch specials

CrowdLow

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Experience authentic Japanese cuisine, from world-class sushi to diverse noodle dishes, in a uniquely stylish setting.

4.3
(294 reviews)

"Still South Africa's leading Japanese Restaurant. Authentic Japanese cuisine."

Vertical photo
TIP

🍣 Sushi is a Must-Try

Reviews consistently praise the sushi as 'world-class.' Don't miss out on this signature dish!

✨ Insta-Worthy Ambiance

The restaurant features a unique interior with gold accents and inspiring quotes, perfect for photos.

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.3 · 294 reviews

Type

Japanese Restaurant

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

World-Class Sushi & Sashimi

World-Class Sushi & Sashimi

Main Dining Area

Experience incredibly fresh and expertly prepared sushi and sashimi that reviewers rave about. A must-try for any Japanese food enthusiast.

Authentic Bento Box Lunch

Authentic Bento Box Lunch

Lunch Service

A fantastic value, this lunch special offers a variety of traditional Japanese dishes, including pickles, teriyaki, and miso soup.

Golden Samurai & Minimalist Decor

Golden Samurai & Minimalist Decor

Restaurant Interior

Enjoy the unique ambiance with minimalist decor, golden samurai accents, and inspiring quotes. Perfect for those seeking an 'Insta-worthy' backdrop.

Your AI travel agent

Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you

Start Chatting

Planning Your Visit

Reservations & Peak Times

While Yamato offers a delightful Japanese dining experience, booking a table is highly recommended, especially for weekend evenings. Many visitors note it's a popular spot for celebrations, so securing your spot in advance ensures a smoother visit. Consider visiting on a weekday to potentially avoid larger crowds.

Beyond Sushi Delights

While Yamato is celebrated for its world-class sushi, don't shy away from exploring their diverse menu. From authentic ramen to tempura and noodle dishes, there's a wide array of Japanese cuisine to discover. Reviews suggest venturing beyond just sushi for a fuller culinary adventure.

Best Times

When
Weekday Lunch
Why
Great value lunch specials
Crowd
Low
When
Weekday Evenings
Why
Fewer crowds, relaxed vibe
Crowd
Medium
When
Weekend Evenings
Why
Lively atmosphere for celebrations
Crowd
High

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Happy Birthday To The Most Wonderful Mother Inlaw And Woman In The World We Love You And Hope You Enjoyed Your Special Day You Deserve It All ❤️😘😍🎉💯🥳🎂🎈@estherluke39 Thank You @Yamato Japanese Restaurant For Such A Wonderful Experience And Great Food Definitely Recommend To Others #birthdaydinner #fypシ #yamatojapanesesteakhouse #viraltiktok #birthdaytiktok #specialday #motherinlaw #familytime #cele...
@mrs.telman
20 likes • 396 views

🍣 Sushi is a Must-Try

Reviews consistently praise the sushi as 'world-class.' Don't miss out on this signature dish! Reddit

✨ Insta-Worthy Ambiance

The restaurant features a unique interior with gold accents and inspiring quotes, perfect for photos. TikTok

Yamato Japanese buffet 😋😋#yummyfood #yamato #japanesefood #thankb4youdo #akimomo #foryourpagetiktok
@akimoemoe
23 likes • 295 views
Mums birthday dinner 🥘 #yamato #japanesefood #japaneserestaurant #food #foodvlog #vlog #dailyvlog
@xanderrain__
7 likes • 267 views

📅 Book Ahead for Weekends

Popular for celebrations, booking in advance is highly recommended for weekend dining. TikTok

🍜 Explore Beyond Sushi

While sushi is a highlight, reviewers suggest trying their ramen, tempura, and noodle dishes too. Reddit

Officially my favourite Japanese restaurant 🤤🤤🤤🤤 #sandton #yamitsukibedfordview #japanesefood #japaneseculture #japaneserestaurant #joburg #resturantreview
@sipsandtripswithbibi
111 likes • 1.6K views

Tips

from all over the internet

🍣 Sushi is a Must-Try

Reviews consistently praise the sushi as 'world-class.' Don't miss out on this signature dish! Reddit

✨ Insta-Worthy Ambiance

The restaurant features a unique interior with gold accents and inspiring quotes, perfect for photos. TikTok

📅 Book Ahead for Weekends

Popular for celebrations, booking in advance is highly recommended for weekend dining. TikTok

🍜 Explore Beyond Sushi

While sushi is a highlight, reviewers suggest trying their ramen, tempura, and noodle dishes too. Reddit

💰 Lunch Specials Value

The Bento box lunch special is highly recommended for its variety and amazing value. Reddit

What Travellers Say

4.3
(294 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Yamato Japan is widely praised for its exceptional sushi and sashimi, often described as 'world-class.' The restaurant also boasts a unique and 'Insta-worthy' ambiance with its minimalist decor and golden samurai accents. While the sushi is a definite highlight, other dishes like ramen receive mixed reviews, and some find the overall pricing on the higher side, especially for dinner.

"Tucked away in the middle of slick Melrose Arch, where even the asphalt shines, is a "Japanese" restaurant with a minimalist interior, golden samurai on sarcophagi, and a piece of wisdom on the wall that makes you run away: "People who love to eat are always the best people." Thanks for nothing, Pinterest. The restroom is only accessible after successfully completing a key quest. At least the food came quickly. Sushi was world-class. Ramen was more meh, and my chicken stir-fry in vinegar water was more of a culinary attack. For the price, I expect more than half-decent main courses and Insta-worthy wisdom. Sushi 100%, the rest was rather meh."

Tilman Benecke

"Still South Africa's leading Japanese Restaurant.
Authentic Japanese cuisine.
Today I had a variety of dishes, including the lesser known Natto (fermented soya beans). The Bento box lunch special was absolutely amazing! There were Japanese pickles, katsu don (crumbed pork), with salmon teriyaki, gomma ae (Japanese spinach with sesame paste) steamed rice and miso soup.
A visit is never complete without gyoza - (pork dumplings).
Highly recommended."

Zane Beer

"Delicious Japanese food and nice atmosphere here.
If you wanna try Japanese food not only for sushi, here's a nice choice."

Joyce Zhang

What People Like

World-class sushi & sashimi
Unique, 'Insta-worthy' ambiance
Excellent Bento box lunch specials

What People Dislike

Mixed reviews on ramen
Can be pricey for dinner

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

Yamato is located in Melrose Arch, a popular shopping and dining precinct in Johannesburg. You can reach Melrose Arch by car, with ample parking available. Public transport options might be limited, so ride-sharing services or taxis are also convenient choices. TikTok

Melrose Arch is generally considered a safe and well-maintained area, popular with locals and tourists. It's a contained precinct with security, making it a comfortable place to dine and explore. TikTok

There is parking available within the Melrose Arch precinct. It's advisable to check the specific parking rates and availability upon arrival, as it can get busy during peak hours. TikTok

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

It is highly recommended to book a table, especially for weekend evenings, as Yamato is a popular spot for celebrations and can get busy. TikTokReddit

Opening hours can vary, but Yamato typically serves lunch and dinner. It's best to check their official website or call ahead for the most up-to-date opening times. TikTok

There is no entrance fee to dine at Yamato Japan. You only pay for the food and drinks you order. TikTok

While walk-ins may be possible during off-peak hours, it's not guaranteed, especially on busy nights. Booking in advance is the safest bet to avoid disappointment. TikTok

🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining

Yamato is renowned for its 'world-class' sushi and sashimi. However, they also offer a wide range of other authentic Japanese dishes like ramen, tempura, and noodle dishes. Reddit+1

While the menu heavily features seafood, many Japanese restaurants offer vegetarian options like vegetable tempura, vegetable sushi rolls, and vegetable-based noodle dishes. It's advisable to inquire directly with the restaurant about their current vegetarian offerings. Reddit

The Bento box lunch special is a highly recommended option, featuring a variety of traditional Japanese items such as Japanese pickles, katsu don, salmon teriyaki, gomma ae, steamed rice, and miso soup. Reddit

Reviews on ramen are mixed, with some finding it 'meh' while others enjoyed it. It's worth trying if you're a ramen enthusiast, but the sushi is generally considered the standout dish. Reddit

While some reviewers mention it can be 'quite pricy',Reddit others find the prices reasonable considering the quality and variety of dishes, especially for the lunch specials. Reddit

📸 📸 Photography

Yes, Yamato is described as having 'Insta-worthy' spots with its minimalist interior, golden samurai accents, and decorative elements. TikTok

The 'gold black lamp wall' and areas with plants are highlighted as particularly photogenic. The overall ambiance with its unique decor makes for great pictures. TikTok