NIIWA
Japanese dining in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane.
NIIWA is a Japanese restaurant and izakaya at 10/65 James Street, in the central stretch of the James Street precinct.
Suited to
Shared Japanese plates and cocktails from Tuesday to Sunday, a banquet for two or more, or a weekday lunch special.
Why this place
GP photographed NIIWA's menu board on a James Street walk on 2 September 2026. We have not eaten here yet, and we do not have a photo of the restaurant itself yet, so this page sticks to what NIIWA publishes: its menu, banquets and trading hours.
What to order
The official menu has sushi and raw plates from $18 to $38, including kingfish usuzukuri ($28) and a nine-piece sashimi selection ($38). Yakitori comes two skewers to an order ($18 to $28), the robata grill does a 250g MBS 8-9 wagyu rump ($58), and wagyu yakisoba noodles are $32. Two banquets for two or more cost $75 and $105 per person.
Good to know
NIIWA's website, checked on 11 October 2026, lists Tuesday to Thursday 11.30am to 10pm and Sunday 11.30am to 4pm, and closed on Monday. For Friday and Saturday its own pages give both 11pm and late, so check before a late booking. The menu adds 10% on weekends, 15% on public holidays and 1.5% on credit cards.
Published menu snapshot
Menu and prices
Checked October 2026
From NIIWA's official lunch and dinner menu on its website (file dated 26 August 2026), checked 11 October 2026. The menu board we photographed on 2 September showed the same dishes and prices for sushi, smalls, sharing plates, robata and yakitori. The lunch menu lists its specials from Tuesday to Friday, 11.30am to 4pm, while the What's On page says Tuesdays and Thursdays, so check the day before you go. The menu adds 10% on weekends, 15% on public holidays and 1.5% on credit cards. Dishes and prices can change.
Sushi and raw
Salmon tataki, wasabi salsa, yuzu soy
$28
Kingfish usuzukuri, truffle soy, kombu
$28
Sashimi moriawase, chef's selection (9 pieces)
$38
Spicy tuna roll, takana, ponzu mayo, cucumber, negi, tenkasu
$28
Prawn tempura roll, avocado, asparagus, spicy mayo
$26
Salmon aburi roll, yuzu kosho mayo, avocado, cucumber, pickled daikon
$24
Wagyu yakiniku roll, cucumber, pickled daikon, mayo
$28
Yasai vegetable roll, baby cos, avocado, asparagus, pickled vegetables
$18
Smalls
Japanese fries, shio kombu, aonori
$14
Charred broccolini, yakitori glaze
$18
Charred corn, nori butter, chives, yuzu
$16
Miso soup, tofu, wakame
$8
To share
House pickles
$10
Edamame, salted or with chilli
$10 / $12
Chicken karaage, yuzu and spicy mayo
$20
Popcorn prawns, seaweed salt
$24
Prawn gyoza, ponzu, rayu (5)
$18
Tempura miso eggplant, nori flakes
$20
Wagyu yakisoba noodles, onsen egg
$32
Chilled noodle salad, mixed vegetables, sesame dressing
$18
Robata grill
Wagyu rump MBS 8-9 (250g), spicy daikon, garlic chips, fresh wasabi
$58
Charcoal chicken, shio koji, yakitori glaze, charred broccolini
$38
Yakitori, two skewers per order
Chicken thigh, yakitori glaze, negi, shio kombu
$20
Wagyu beef, tare, chives, pickled shallot
$28
Pork belly, saikyo miso glaze, chive
$20
Prawn, chilli garlic, mizuna, rayu
$22
Salmon, tare, spicy butter, chives
$24
Mushrooms, truffle ponzu, lime
$18
Banquets, for two or more
Sakura banquet
$75 pp
House pickles, edamame, chilled noodle salad, salmon tataki, prawn gyoza, mushroom skewer, charcoal chicken, steamed rice and dessert of the day
Imperial banquet
$105 pp
House pickles, edamame, chilled noodle salad, kingfish usuzukuri, miso eggplant, popcorn prawns, chicken thigh skewer, wagyu rump, steamed rice and dessert of the day
Lunch specials
Vegetarian yakisoba
$22.90
Add chicken for $2
Gyudon (beef) donburi
$24.90
Chicken teriyaki donburi
$24.90
Miso salmon donburi
$24.90
Karaage Japanese curry
$24.90
Menu information is a dated snapshot. Prices, ingredients, availability, allergens, and trading hours can change; verify the live ordering menu or contact the venue before ordering.
Known for
- Sushi, robata and yakitori
- Banquets for two or more
- Weekday lunch specials
Opening hours
Opening hours can change. Check the restaurant's official website, booking platform, or social channels before visiting.
Photography
Photographed by GP for Brisbane Food Guide
Common questions
Practical answers before booking.
What is on NIIWA's menu, and how much does it cost?
On the official lunch and dinner menu checked 11 October 2026, sushi and raw plates are $18 to $38, smalls $8 to $18, sharing plates $10 to $32, yakitori $18 to $28 for two skewers, and the robata grill $38 and $58. Banquets for two or more are $75 and $105 per person.
Does NIIWA have a banquet?
Yes. The Sakura banquet is $75 per person, and the Imperial banquet, with kingfish, yakitori and MBS 8-9 wagyu from the grill, is $105 per person. Both are for two or more guests.
What are NIIWA's opening hours?
Its website, checked 11 October 2026, lists Tuesday to Thursday 11.30am to 10pm and Sunday 11.30am to 4pm, and closed on Monday. For Friday and Saturday its own pages give both 11pm and late, so check before a late booking.
Does NIIWA do lunch specials?
Its lunch menu lists donburi, yakisoba and karaage curry specials from $22.90, Tuesday to Friday from 11.30am to 4pm. Its What's On page mentions Tuesdays and Thursdays, so check the day before you go.
Can I book NIIWA for a private event?
Its events page lists the garden lane for up to 15 guests, the courtyard for up to 45 and the full venue for up to 60, and recommends enquiring at least two weeks ahead. Minimum spends and deposits apply.
How can the restaurant update this page?
Restaurant owners can request factual corrections or claim a listing to verify official links, ownership, hours, cuisine category, booking links, menu notes, image credits, or closure status.
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