hôntô

I tried every small bites on the menu. The scallops were super. The best I’ve ever had indeed. The rest of them were ok but nothing to get excited about. Specially the mashed edamame, which wasn’t tasty. We had the grilled stockyard wagyu for main. Again it was Ok. I was expecting a more tender meat, given it is a wagyu beef. The garlic soy was nice. I also tried the wagyu brisket and aburi salmon and pork katsu. The brisket was tasty. The other two were Ok. For desert I had the coconut sorbet, which was very good. The desert and the scallops were the highlight of the night. We went there with a preconceived idea of going to one of the best Japanese restaurant and I thought everything is going to by 5 out of 5. But I am afraid that wasn’t the case.

Best dining experience I’ve had in Brisbane in quite a while. Honto makes a great date night spot with a great moody ambience paired with attentive and knowledgeable waitstaff. In terms of food, the fusion flavours were outstanding and each of the dishes were balanced and seasoned perfectly.

I wish I could give honto more than 5 stars (which isn’t something I say often in reviews). I was a solo walk-in on a Saturday night, they were clearly fully booked, but quickly made space for me at a table in their wine bar. The service was attentive, friendly, warm, helpful, yet not overbearing from the moment I sat down (walked in really). I was extra delighted when my server (Nat was wonderful!) told me that could do the chef’s menu for 1 person, as a frequent solo diner it’s frustrating when a restaurant can’t adjust the dining experience to suit for 1 person. Honto didn’t skip a beat at making me feel comfortable and taken care of. The food was incredible, each course was different and flavorful. I loved the salmon tartare and the steak in particular. The ice cream sandwich is not to be missed, absolutely incredible. They have an awesome beverage program - my margs were great, as was my red wine and bubbles. The space was gorgeous, sleek, dark, and modern. The music wasn’t too loud which I appreciated. The crowd was diverse - I saw both an elderly couple as well as group of young dressed up women dining throughout my meal. Honto clearly has something for everyone.

TL;DR: I’ve never left a review before — but the experience here was so exceptional, I felt compelled to. My wife and I are both doctors with three young kids, so getting a night out together is incredibly rare nowadays. We were celebrating our birthdays and our 7-year wedding anniversary, and chose Honto after a recommendation — hoping for a nice evening. What we got surpassed all expectations. From the food to the service to the atmosphere, everything was exceptional. The atmosphere was classy but relaxed — never pretentious. Every element, from the lighting to the décor, felt considered. Nothing was overpowering or showy — it all worked together to create the perfect backdrop. The staff were warm, attentive (without being intrusive), and genuinely lovely. That balance — between being looked after and being left alone to enjoy your meal — is hard to get right, but they nailed it. Special thanks to our server and the floor manager who took such good care of us. The food was absolutely standout — easily above anything we’ve had anywhere near this price tier. The server’s recommendations (Whiting Sando, Pork Sando, and the Chicken main) were spot on. The meals weren’t flashy for the sake of it — just thoughtful dishes with rich flavours and every element done to perfection. It felt like refined comfort food with elegance and finesse. In the middle of our meal, a tea candle near our table suddenly burst, splashing wax on our plates and drinks. It could’ve ruined the night — but the staff handled it so swiftly and professionally. They moved us, replaced everything (including drinks, free of charge), and kept the evening calm and enjoyable. No fuss, just pure class. When they found out we were celebrating, they brought out a dessert with candles — and later, two complimentary drinks as a thank-you. It was a thoughtful gesture that really capped off the night. In a world where hospitality often feels transactional, those small moments of genuine care make a lasting impression. I’ve genuinely never left a Google review before, but this place earned it. We’ve been to many places before — some far more expensive — but none have managed to feel this memorable. Most feel overdone or forgettable. Honto gets everything right: food, service, atmosphere, and that rare human touch — all at a very reasonable price. We left feeling full, happy, and deeply grateful for the experience. We haven’t stopped talking about it since, and have recommended it to everyone who will listen. Well done, Honto — you’re doing everything right.

This is the ultimate dinner date spot. It’s dark, it’s moody, it’s gorgeous and a gem in the valley. The food was 10/10, and service was great. The oysters were small but delicious and left me wanting more🥰 highly recommend!!

The overall dining experience at Honto was great. We had the banquet menu ($130pp) and also ordered the yellowfin tuna sashimi from the raw bar — it was delicious. The only complaint, or slight disappointment, with the menu would be the citrus-cured salmon with Ika vinaigrette, finger lime, and wasabi leaf. From the sound of the dish, we were expecting a bit more tanginess, but when paired with the nori, it turned out to be quite salty — which was a surprise and a slight letdown. Also, for that price range, as we were dining as a table of two, it would have been nice to receive four oysters instead of just two — it came across as slightly stingy, especially as they were not particularly large oysters. Otherwise, I think the highlight of the menu was absolutely the Wagyu tartare with shokupan. It was perfectly seasoned, and you could taste the smokiness in the dish as well. A well-rounded dish and definitely a favourite of the night.

We were served by the lovely Nadia, who was so amazing, really set a good vibe. Food was absolutely delicious, we got the big banquet, which you have to treat yourself and get if you are considering going. We also got to meet the Head Chef Marvin, who gave us some very interesting insight into the food and menu and who was also just genuinely a great guy. So thankful for such a great time, definitely going again xx

The premium banquet menu at Honto was divine, with each dish full of flavour and beautifully presented. The atmosphere was elegant, and the service was friendly, attentive, and very professional.

Honto was special. A friend tipped me off to an amazing Japanese restaurant tucked away in a back alley. I was skeptical but gave it a shot. It was fantastic. Inside was dimly lit and wonderfully decorated. We sat at the bar and watched expert chefs prep sushi all night. The food was delicious, portions were plentiful and we left satisfied. Reasonable prices and great service topped it all off. Americans, don't hesitate to try this place. You will love it!

One of the best restaurants I've ever tried in Australia. Class from start to end. Highly recommend.