Yoko Dining is a Japanese izakaya-style restaurant at Howard Smith Wharves in Brisbane, with outdoor tables overlooking the river. The menu spans sashimi, noodles, share plates and hibachi-grilled dishes, alongside cocktails, sake, wine and beer. For lunch, a $25 weekday special includes sashimi, a soft shell crab futomaki, soba and agedashi tofu; the crab roll is a standout, though the portions are light. For a longer meal, the $95-per-person Yoko Feast brings a range of dishes to the table.
A Japanese izakaya by the Brisbane River
Yoko Dining is at Howard Smith Wharves, at 2/5 Boundary St in Brisbane City. The restaurant brings together Japanese food, drinks and music-bar touches across two levels. Timber finishes, booths and neon lighting shape the dining room, while outdoor seating puts the river in view. The setting suits a casual dinner with friends or a date, and the menu is built around both small plates and larger dishes.
Seafood has a strong place on the menu. You can choose from sashimi and other raw-bar dishes, then move on to noodles, vegetables, meat or seafood from the kitchen’s hibachi grill. The broader menu also includes sushi, seasonal gyoza and salads. Many plates are suited to sharing, though one account of the weekday lunch special found its portions too light to make a filling meal on its own.
Choosing a meal
The $25 weekday lunch special is a set of four components: assorted sashimi, a tempura soft shell crab futomaki, chilled rye soba noodles with cucumber ponzu jelly, and agedashi tofu. The sashimi selection described with the special included tuna, ocean trout, kingfish and a Sydney rock oyster. The crab roll brings a crisp element to the meal, while the soba and tofu offer lighter, softer contrasts. If you have a bigger appetite, factor in the modest portions when deciding whether to add more.
For a wider tasting of the kitchen’s cooking, the Yoko Feast is listed at $95 per person in the supplied details. Set menus can include a progression of dishes, with one account describing a meal that finished with caramel ice cream. Other menu items mentioned include fried eggplant and miso-glazed eggplant sticks. Menus and set offerings can change, so check the current choices when booking.
Drinks and the upstairs bar
Yuzu slushies are one of the restaurant’s signature drinks, and the drinks selection also includes sake, cocktails, beer, Japanese spirits and wine. The upstairs B-Side has a more playful atmosphere, with DJs spinning vinyl and a drinks list that includes Yoko Dining’s options as well as B-Side specials. Its food includes miso-glazed eggplant sticks, a prawn roll and miso caramel soft serve.
If you want the river scenery to be part of dinner, request an outdoor table. Sunset is a particularly appealing time for a waterside drink. For another kind of evening, head upstairs to B-Side for music and a livelier bar mood. The two settings give you a choice between a meal by the water and a longer stop centred on drinks and vinyl.
FAQ
What kind of food does Yoko Dining serve?
Yoko Dining serves Japanese izakaya-style food, including sashimi, sushi, noodles, gyoza, share plates and hibachi-grilled dishes.
Does Yoko Dining have river views?
Yes. Outdoor tables overlook the Brisbane River. Ask for an outdoor table if the view is important to you.
What is included in the weekday lunch special?
The $25 special includes assorted sashimi, tempura soft shell crab futomaki, chilled rye soba noodles with cucumber ponzu jelly, and agedashi tofu. The portions are light.
Does Yoko Dining have vegan options?
Vegan options are available, and a vegan banquet has been served at the restaurant. Check the current menu when booking for details.
