Minamishima

Minamishima is a true dining experience right in the heart of Richmond! From the moment you enter the quiet side door you are greeted by beautiful, friendly staff who will wait on you endlessly to make sure you enjoy your experience. With chefs bench seating option you can watch your own chef individually create every single piece of the best Japanese nigiri, sushi and more in Australia. Using the best of Australian and Japanese ingredients from seafood to Wagyu, all individually carved, seasoned and prepared to your plate, it truly is a must try at least once experience. You'll walk away with a new found appreciation for Japanese cuisine. This place is not cheap, but the service, quality of food, and experience is worth it for a special occasion. The 15 course degustation menu is perfectly balanced and you won't go wanting for more, despite specials on offer if you need. The wine/drinks list is divine too. Top marks and a great experience.

Had an amazing omakase experience which consists of ~10 nigiri and a few seasonal dishes in-between, finishing off with dessert and tea. Each piece of sushi felt substantial and satisfying; rice and topping is seasoned so soy sauce is not required. Although this place specialise in sushi, the other dishes were just as amazing. The ingredients, creativity and balance of flavour and texture in each dish was exceptional. There is also an option to add additional dishes if you don't mind spending more. Highly recommend the counter seat to see the sushi chefs at work but probably only possible for small groups.

I was so excited to go to Minamishima, expecting to be blown away. Instead i got my sinuses cleared by the overpowering amount of wasabi they put in the sushi. I've never had such an unbalanced and underwhelming experience. Service felt rather robotic as the only time our waiter really interacted with us was to upsell extra sushi before we had even started eating, or to explain each course in a monotone voice. The wine we were recommended was good but the kyoho grape cocktail was super disappointing for the price. I was sat at one of the tables not the sushi counter so atmosphere was nonexistent. There was pretty much no music whatsoever to provide ambience only the sound of other diners' conversations and the kitchen whenever the kitchen doors opened. Nothing really impressed me overall. You can definitely find better sushi elsewhere for much cheaper.

A great Japanese fine dining experience that really celebrates the essence of the cuisine - the freshest produce, presented beautifully, enhanced by subtle technique. Our group had the special fugu cheek and the otoro maki. The former was good but the latter was spectacular. The rest of the omakase was full of flavour that was always well balanced. Definitely one of the best fine dining experiences out there. I will definitely be back (if I can get another booking!).