There’s something irresistible about yakitori—yaki (grilled) and tori (chicken)—aka those sizzling Japanese skewers that turn humble chicken into flame-kissed perfection.
Sydney/Eora is brimming with yakitori spots slinging these smoky delights, but finding the real standouts can be a mission. That’s why Urban List has rounded up Sydney’s best yakitori joints, from slick CBD izakayas to street-food gems in Chinatown and beyond, dishing up bite-sized goodness hot and fast.
Stick around, here’s where to find the best yakitori in Sydney.
Yakitori Yurippi
Ground Floor, 6–8 Falcon Street, Crows Nest
Image credit: Yakitori Yurippi | Instagram
Ask any Sydneysider who knows their stuff and they’d agree that Yakitori Yurippi is the most often recommended best yakitori spot in Sydney. Flame grill masters work their magic on a bunch of meats—and especially on the chicken—knitting in smoky flavours and crisp textures.
After you're all skewered out, head upstairs for a drink at Japanese sports bar Ichiro’s or slurp up big noodle bowls at Ramen Auru—they’re both owned by the same crew.
THE DETAILS
Insider Intel: This place gets packed out, so bookings are highly recommended—just remember there’s a no-show fee of $50pp.
Cost: From $9.5 for two skewers
Kitsch Tokyo
Shop 3/7 Help Street, Chatswood
Image credit: Kitsch Tokyo | Instagram
It’s in the name, but this yakitori bar in Chatswood is super kitschy—in the best way. Bikini-laden beer posters are slathered on the ceiling, a disco ball dripping in front of figurines, and Suntory-branded crate stools that feel straight from the streets of Tokyo circle the sticker-coated tables.
But back to the yakitori—this place must be doing something right, cause customers (like us) keep coming back for their charcoal-grilled goodness. We highly recommend ordering the platter for bite-sized bits of everything.
THE DETAILS
Insider Intel: Pay with cash to receive a discount.
Cost: From $9.5 for two skewers
Sushi Hotaru Charcoal Bar
LG2/455 George Street, Sydney CBD
Image credit: Sushi Hotaru Charcoal Bar | Instagram
Part sushi train and charcoal bar, this neon-lit CBD Japanese restaurant does some of the best yakitori in Sydney. There’s over 30 skewers on the menu, including chicken, wagyu, scallops, miso salmon, smoked duck, beef with shallots, and even eel, plus vegetarian options such as sweet potato, king mushrooms, okra and assorted vegetables. Walk on in or book by calling 0404 517 777.
THE DETAILS
Insider Intel: Sushi Hotaru has a second sushi train in The Galeries and a sister venue in Parramatta called Kumiho.
Cost: From $4.50 per skewer
Rei Izakaya
Shop G04/345B Sussex Street, Sydney CBD
Image credit: Rei Izakaya | Instagram
On the verge of Chinatown, Rei Izakaya (meaning “stay-drink-place”) is a go-to for yakitori, oden (a brothy hotpot), and Japanese beverages like sake, whiskey and Suntory beers on tap. The grilled menu features seven types of chicken skewers, next to premium wagyu and vegetable options, and it’s the kind of space where you’ll be sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with hungry CBD-goers.
THE DETAILS
Insider Intel: Rei also has a pocket-friendly cocktail list with over 15 options all under $20.
Cost: From $9 for two skewers
Goryon-San
47 Reservoir Street, Surry Hills
Image credit: Goryon-San | Instagram
Goryon-San’s award-winning Hakata-style kushiyaki (poultry and non-poultry grilled skewers) makes this one of Sydney’s best yakitori spots. The intimate Surry Hills eatery fries up traditional, original, and rare skewers, including ox heart and chicken liver, depending on what’s available in the market. Chicken thigh yakitori is an obvious must-try, but if you want to try more unique creations, go for the lettuce-wrapped pork belly with salt or yakitori sauce, or the wagyu sukiyaki; flavoured leaf and enoki mushroom wrapped in wagyu with an egg yolk sauce.
THE DETAILS
Insider Intel: It also has a great selection of ramen, donburi and sake.
Cost: From $6.50 per skewer
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Chaco Bar
186–188 Victoria Street, Potts Point
Image credit: Chaco Bar | Instagram
Char is the star of the show at Chaco Bar, a dimly lit yakitori joint in Potts Point by chefs Keita Abe, Ryota Kishimoto and Hsiang Chen. Catch glimpses of the grill in all its glory up at the bar or settle into a bench seat at the long table across from a date.
Besides the beloved chicken thigh and chicken crackling yakitori, tick off charcoal-fried signatures like the spiced lamb shoulder and glazed pork belly skewers, plus the drool-worthy miso eggplant.
THE DETAILS
Insider Intel: Go all in with the $78pp banquet of assorted yakitori, starters and mains.
Cost: From $5.9 per skewer
Izakaya Uomichi
Level 9 Regent Place, 501 George Street, Sydney CBD
Image credit: Izakaya Uomichi | Website
This refined Sydney CBD yakitori joint is a bit more swish than your standard skewer street food stand. Illuminated by traditional lanterns down an alleyway in Regent Place, Izakaya Uomichi specialises in authentic Japanese food. Grilled chicken thigh fillets and skin are brushed with teriyaki sauce before being charred to perfection on an open-flame grill. And for dessert, there’s warabi mochi or hojicha tiramisu—yum.
THE DETAILS
Insider Intel: The premium grade chef’s selection sashimi platter is also a must-try.
Cost: From $10 for two skewers
Kushi 2095
1/10 Belgrave Street, Manly
Image credit Kushi 2095 | Instagram
Kushi (meaning skewer in Japanese) stepped onto postcode 2095 in July 2024, bringing with it a crowd of Northern Beaches locals keen to test out its yakitori game. The izakaya and robata grill definitely lives up to the hype, using traditional Japanese culinary techniques to win over the crowds.
The classic negima yakitori with chicken and shallots is a must-order, as well as the tsukune (house-made meatballs) and MB9+ wagyu beef skewers. Wash it down with sake and premium Japanese beers on tap. Kanpai!
THE DETAILS
Insider Intel: There’s also a whole list of tempura-ble items from eggplant to soft shell crab that’s worth checking out.
Cost: From $10 for two skewers
Inase Sakaba
501 George Street, Sydney CBD
Image credit: Inase Sakaba | Instagram
Yakitori is served alongside sushi tacos, sashimi hand rolls, ramen, okonomiyaki (Japanese savoury pancakes), hotpot and heaps of vegetarian dishes at this CBD izakaya on the ground floor of Regent Place Shopping Centre. The most popular skewer is the chicken thigh, slid in between leak and chives, and glazed with teriyaki sauce before being cooked over a charcoal grill.
THE DETAILS
Insider Intel: Inase Sakaba does yakimochi, aka grilled sweet mochi rice cakes.
Cost: From $5 per skewer
Tokyo Yakitori
Level 1, 127–133 Burwood Road, Burwood
Image credit: Tokyo Yakitori | Instagram
Above the neon-lit lanes of Burwood Chinatown, you’ll find Tokyo Yakitori, a neat little skewer bar sizzling marinated meat cuts and veggies. Grab chicken meatballs, wings, thigh, breast, gizzard, heart, skin, and soft bone on a stick, alongside grilled pork belly, black angus, wagyu beef and mushroom. Walk-ins only.
THE DETAILS
Insider Intel: There’s also Sapporo premium beer on tap.
Cost: From $3.50 per skewer
Hungry for more? Check out
- The Best Restaurants In Chinatown
- The Best Restaurants In Sydney Right Now
- The Best Restaurants In Surry Hills
Main image credit: Kushi 2095 | Instagram
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