Minamishima
Melbourne, Australia; 4 Lord Street, Richmond, Melbourne VIC 3121, Australia
Minamishima is built around the judgement of a specialist. Chef Koichi Minamishima draws on Edomae sushi traditions, working with Australian seafood and ingredients from Japan to create an omakase experience whose progression is determined by the kitchen. The pleasure lies in noticing how preparation, seasoning and the handling of rice change the character of each piece. The Richmond restaurant’s restrained, softly lit setting encourages that concentration. At the counter, the chef’s work becomes part of the meal, while composed Japanese dishes extend the experience beyond nigiri. Gourmet Traveller’s recent review highlights preparations involving mackerel and Tasmanian abalone, examples of the breadth within a restaurant that remains tightly focused on its chosen culinary language. Three hats in the 2027 Good Food Guide awards, announced in October 2026, confirm its standing. Minamishima belongs in this selection because Melbourne’s excellence is as much about depth of specialisation as breadth of cuisines. It offers visitors a major Japanese dining experience whose precision and pacing make a substantial evening feel unusually concentrated.