Wawawa Izakaya — Restaurant in Queensland

From the moment I walked in, I was impressed by the fantastic service and the welcoming atmosphere. The staff were attentive, polite, and worked with a level of organisation that instantly put me at ease. What really stood out was the calm rhythm in the kitchen, chefs moving with quiet precision, each action showing a deep pride in the food they were preparing. It was less like watching a busy restaurant and more like witnessing a well-rehearsed performance.

The atmosphere itself was warm and inviting, with a sense of authenticity that made the dining experience feel special. The presentation of each dish was thoughtful, highlighting the artistry behind Japanese cuisine. While the serving sizes leaned on the smaller side, this encouraged me to try more of the menu and enjoy a greater variety of flavours. For those with a bigger appetite, I’d suggest ordering an extra dish or two to share.

This is definitely the kind of place best enjoyed with someone who appreciates Japanese food as much as you do. Sharing dishes allows you to experience the balance of flavours across the menu, from delicate, subtle tastes to bold, rich combinations.

Overall, it’s a restaurant I would happily return to, not only for the food but for the overall experience. If you’re looking for authentic Japanese dining with exceptional service and a calm yet vibrant energy, I highly...

My first 5 star review and well warranted.

This quaint Japanese restaurant is an absolute gem. From the wait staff, to the food, to the chef himself, an absolute flawless experience from start to finish.

Immediately upon arrival you are greeted with the friendliness and enthusiasm you come to expect from any reputable Japanese restaurant. Staff were kind, cheerful, and prompt to catering to your needs.

Once the drinks had arrived and orders were taken, the chef (who you can see make your food from your table) started promptly on our dishes. Once the food is ready to go, onto the pass it goes, and what's especially impressive and welcome to see, is once he rings the bell to notify wait staff his food is ready for the customer, if that food isn't on the customer's table immediately, he is into his wait staff to get a move on. This ensures the food doesn't dry out and shows true pride in one's food.

The food itself was immaculate, scallops were buttery and delicate, chicken karaage was crispy and moist, and the curry was flavourful and incredibly well balanced.

All in all a real delight to have visited this establishment and I cannot rate them highly enough. A truly wonderful experience and I implore you to try this restaurant if you haven't already done so and are a fan of...

Our last night in Cairns and we had not tried any Japanese restaurants, yet Cairns probably had access to the best range of fresh fish in Australia!!! There were several to choose from, but we trusted Google reviews to find what we believed might suit us. Only a 10 minute walk from the hotel, we found this relatively small very Japanese oriented restaurant. Although we had no booking, they provided a table and menus for our selection. It is always of note, when you see all staff being Japanese, and this is no different as they are family owned. There was only one chef and I felt it might be a slow delivery, but as we watched him prepare our meal, his versatility was unbelievable, and food was served from our smiling waitress in a very short time. We started with Tuna, salmon and Kingfish sashimi and a selection of sushi. I can safely say, the sashimi was the best I have ever tried in Australia, especially the tuna and kingfish. Their beef tataki, although the beef being really good, the sauce left a little to be desired which was a shame as everything else we tried was incredible, including the wagyu. All was washed down with some ice cold Asahi and a jug of warm Saki. Highly...