Brisbanites were early adopters when it comes to Japanese food – the city was home to one of the country’s first Japanese restaurants, Little Tokyo, which opened in 1966. And that enthusiasm for Japanese food hasn’t dimmed across the decades, with sushi’s portability, intergenerational appeal and keen price point behind an ongoing wave of new venues. So whether you are a traditional minimalist or a more-is-better sushi advocate, with venues proliferating from the city centre to the furthest suburbs, you’re never far from a sushi-source.

Fresh Sushi Co

Being part of the James Street Fresh Fish Co, it’s a given that there’s a strong seafood focus here, and over the years, Sushi Co has attracted a large retinue of regulars who come for the generous portions of maki (seaweed on the outside) and uramaki (seaweed inside) rolls in market-fresh tuna, kingfish, salmon, Moreton Bay bug or prawn, topped with Japanese mayo, a dab of wasabi or a pop of fish roe. There are non-seafood options too, like the wildly popular chicken katsu or a simple avocado. Replenished throughout the day, you can modify your order for made-to-the-minute rolls. 17 Wandoo Street, c09/22 James St, Fortitude Valley; freshfishco.com.au.

Ichiban Sushi

Who hasn’t sat around a sushi train, chopsticks poised waiting in vain while the same sad-looking dishes circulate? Not the case here – the well-presented offerings are frequently refreshed and if you don’t see what you fancy, you can order a la carte via an iPad. Meat, such as pork, duck and wagyu beef are ethically sourced and there are lots of seafood options; from scallops to octopus, tuna, salmon belly, kingfish and mackerel in various iterations, from elegant nigiri (fish on top) to maki rolls. Vegetarians will be happy too, with eggplant, corn tempura, omelette and more in regular circulation. 111 Boundary St, West End; ichibansushi.com.au.

The Sushi Factory

In-the-know traditionalists flock to this sushi bar set within a fish market, where sushi is made from the best sashimi-grade fish available. Open Thursday to Sunday, the packs are constantly replenished by chef Ishi who rolls maki, uramaki and nigiri. The filling or topping are a changing selection, depending on what’s in the market; from king fish, to tuna, raw or tataki style, salmon, prawn or Moreton Bay bug, with chicken or avocado as non-seafood options. Authentic and excellent quality, from the rice to the fillings, you can take your sushi to the tables outside to catch the afternoon bay breeze. 355 Lytton Rd, Morningside; sushifishfactory.com.au.

Harris Farm Sushi

Neither a sushi shop, nor a restaurant, but still one of Brisbane’s best places to buy sushi. Prepared by Fish In The Family, who run the fish market within Harris Farm, the upmarket-looking sushi offerings here, prepared by a dedicated sushi chef, draw inspiration from the catch bought in daily. Super-fresh, kept at the correct temperature so the rice remains moist, and replenished frequently, fish, such as salmon, kingfish and tuna dominate in maki and uramaki rolls, but there are also plenty of options for meat lovers and vegetarians. It’s takeaway only, but there are plenty of shady benches outside in the square to enjoy your sushi. 97 Boundary St, West End; harrisfarm.com.au.

Sushi Kotobuki

Behind an unassuming shopfront, with a scattering of chairs and tables for dining in, this very popular stalwart caters to both minimalists and modernists. There are no chill cases, rather sushi is rolled to order in the open kitchen. The menu is exhaustive; from one side, traditionalists can choose from nigiri and temaki to uramaki in seafood such as prawn, salmon and tuna, scallops and unagi (eel) as well as chicken and a good selection of vegetarian options. The “fusion sushi” section, meanwhile offers contemporised no holds-barred iterations, with tuna, fried chicken or crab accompanied by cream cheese, chilli and even piri-piri sauce. 3/53 Lytton Rd, East Brisbane; sushikotobuki.com.au.