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Restaurant

Hanabi Japanese Kitchen

196 Main Rd, McLaren Vale SA 5171, Australia

Recommended by 44 people

Updated

Find Hanabi Japanese Kitchen

196 Main Rd, McLaren Vale SA 5171, Australia

Directions ↗
0431657813
HoursMonday: Closed Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: Closed Thursday: Closed Friday: 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM Saturday: 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM Sunday: 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

Plan your visit

About Hanabi Japanese Kitchen

Hanabi Japanese Kitchen dishes out fresh sashimi and shareable plates inside a restored vintage railway carriage right in McLaren Vale. Slip past the train doors into original carriage booths where husband-and-wife hospitality sets an easy, welcoming rhythm. Table space is tight, but platters make the trip worthwhile—think clean cuts of kingfish and salmon, tender chashu pork, and light potato-starch-crusted karaage. Wash it down with a glass of sake or Japanese beer while the train dining car hums with quiet conversation.

  • Vintage Dining Car Setting: Tables fill original wooden train booths inside a restored heritage carriage in McLaren Vale.
  • Izakaya-Style Tapas: A sharing menu features fresh kingfish and salmon sashimi, tender chashu pork, and crisp chicken karaage.
  • Warm Personal Service: An intimate crew prepares made-to-order dishes with genuine, attentive care.
RestaurantJapaneseRestaurant

What's On at Hanabi Japanese Kitchen

Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.

No events or specials listed right now.

Reasons to Dine at Hanabi Japanese Kitchen

Why locals and travelers choose this vintage carriage for authentic Japanese dining in McLaren Vale

  • Multi-Dish Japanese Tapas Sharing

    Guests enjoy an expansive menu of freshly prepared Japanese tapas, including crispy chicken karaage, melt-in-your-mouth chashu pork, and freshly sliced sashimi.

    Highly recommend getting several 'tapas' sized plates to try everything Hanabi has to offer.

    El P

  • Pristine, Made-to-Order Freshness

    Each dish is prepared to order with delicate execution, from expertly cut sashimi to crisp tempura and tender glazed eel.

    The sashimi is the cleanest tasting we’ve ever had in Australia. The chicken was cooked perfectly and the tofu was silky.

    Josh Bevan

  • Historic Train Carriage Booths

    Diners are seated inside an authentic heritage train car complete with restored booths, creating a distinctive novelty dining atmosphere in McLaren Vale.

    You get to sit in an original train booth with comfy seats and wonder about all the different people that rode on the train many years ago.

    DIANA

  • Quirky, Immersive Ambiance

    The carriage interior provides a cozy, intimate environment where guests can watch their meal prepared in a compact kitchen setting.

    The restaurant is super quirky set in a train cart which adds to the experience.

    Bay

  • Quiet Atmosphere for Easy Conversation

    The calm carriage dining area offers a peaceful setting free from overwhelming dining noise, making conversation with partners and companions easy.

    It was also fairly quiet in the dining area which helped create a peaceful atmosphere and made it easy to have conversations.

    Reece Cockshell

  • Genuine Hospitality from Welcoming Hosts

    The husband-and-wife owners welcome guests warmly, taking time to share their dedication and bond over Japanese culture.

    We stayed after our meal for at least half an hour talking about our common love for all things Japanese.

    Rob Eggers

The most celebrated signature dishes from our kitchen

  • Karaage Chicken

    Karaage was also a standout, lightly and perfectly seasoned with a crispy potato starch coating.

    Josh Clarke

  • Sashimi

    The sashimi was of the highest quality, cut expertly, served at the perfect temperature.

    Josh Clarke

  • Eel

    Eel cooked tenderly in a delicious glaze.

    El P

  • Chashu Pork

    The chashu pork will literally melt in your mouth.

    El P

Other favorites

Small plates, specialty tapas, and appetizers to complete your meal

  • Aji Fry

    deep fried yellow tale scad (Aji Fry)

    carla clark

  • Gekikara Tebadaki

    hot chicken wings (Gekikara Tebadaki)

    carla clark

  • Beef Tataki

    beef tataki

    Henry Lau

  • Agedashi Tofu

    Agedashi Tofu

    Josh Bevan

Beyond the menu

Thoughtful touches that make dining in McLaren Vale memorable

  • Original Railway Booth Seating

    Guests dine directly inside a restored heritage train carriage with original booth seating, offering an intimate and nostalgic setting.

  • Intimate Open End-Carriage Kitchen

    The kitchen sits right at one end of the carriage where guests enter, allowing diners to observe dishes being cooked fresh onsite.

  • Personal Host Connections

    The owners offer sincere, personal hospitality, frequently taking time to talk with diners about Japanese food and culture after meals.

  • Tree-Lined Outdoor Deck Dining

    In addition to the vintage carriage dining car, guests have the option to dine outdoors on the tree-lined deck.

Before you head over

Practical tips for planning your visit to Hanabi Japanese Kitchen

  • Book in Advance

    With limited tables inside the heritage railway carriage, reserve ahead by phone to secure your booth.

  • Share Multiple Tapas Plates

    Order several tapas plates like chashu pork, karaage, and sashimi to sample across the menu with your group.

  • Choose Between Carriage and Deck Seating

    The carriage interior offers original vintage booths, while the outside deck offers seating surrounded by trees.

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