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Restaurant

Ainoya

Shop 3/34 Burton St, Kirribilli NSW 2061, Australia

Recommended by 75 people

Updated

Find Ainoya

Shop 3/34 Burton St, Kirribilli NSW 2061, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 2 9922 1512
HoursMonday: Closed Tuesday: 5:30 – 9:30 PM Wednesday: 5:30 – 9:30 PM Thursday: 5:30 – 9:30 PM Friday: 5:30 – 10:00 PM Saturday: 5:30 – 10:00 PM Sunday: 5:30 – 9:30 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About Ainoya

Tucked along Burton Street, Kirribilli regulars slip into Ainoya for sharp izakaya plates and an unhurried, calm dining pace. Behind the sliding entrance, wood-panel partitions carve the room into private dining cubicles that keep neighbor chatter down to a hush. The kitchen pairs classic sashimi platters and wagyu beef sukiyaki with modern turns like raw fish tucked into crisp taco shells. Tables fill quickly with theatre-goers bound for the Ensemble down the hill, sipping chilled dry sake alongside plates of grilled miso eggplant and agedashi tofu.

  • Partitioned cubicle dining: Wooden divider panels turn the dining space into quiet, semi-private booths that keep room noise low.
  • Crunchy sashimi tacos: Fresh raw fish folded into crisp shells offers a playful twist alongside traditional sashimi platters.
  • Pre-theatre dining: A swift, satisfying stop for cold sake, takoyaki, and hot pot before curtains up at the nearby Ensemble Theatre.
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What's On at Ainoya

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

No events or specials listed right now.

Deciding Advantages

Why diners choose Ainoya for authentic dining, quiet conversations, and pre-theatre evenings in Kirribilli.

  • Modern Sashimi Tacos

    Ainoya crafts innovative fusion sashimi tacos featuring fresh, high-grade raw fish paired with crisp taco shells alongside traditional plates.

    high quality sashimi and crunchy cracker

    Sally Lewis

  • Artful Japanese Gastronomy

    Every dish is thoughtfully prepared with exceptional ingredients, from Wagyu sukiyaki to delicate grilled miso eggplant.

    The food was fresh, full of flavor, and beautifully prepared.

    Elisa Tseng

  • Acoustic & Visual Privacy

    The dining room is deliberately structured with partitioned booths designed to manage acoustics and minimize sightlines between neighboring diners.

    tables are positioned in a way to minimise noise and reduce eye contact with other customers.

    Karl Chong

  • Quiet, Intimate Ambiance

    A subdued soundscape creates a comfortable, relaxed setting ideal for intimate conversation and focused dining.

    The ambience was great, not too loud

    cata castillo

  • Seamless Pre-Theatre Dinner

    Located moments from the Ensemble Theatre, Ainoya accommodates curtain-time dining with swift, coordinated service.

    A pleasant Japanese restaurant to go to, before the theatre begins.

    Andrea Pulati

  • Theatrical Evening Destination

    Diners heading to local stage performances rely on Ainoya for an authentic, high-quality meal that fits performance schedules.

    A must go to restaurant if you're planning a visit to The Ensemble Theatre for a show.

    KC

Customer-favorite signature dishes and Japanese specialties

  • Sashimi Tacos

    We had the sashimi tacos (very generous serving for the price, high quality sashimi and crunchy cracker)

    Sally Lewis

  • Sashimi

    Sashimi main was very generous and extremely fresh

    Karl Chong

  • Wagyu Sukiyaki

    We had the Wagyu beef sukiyaki, grilled miso eggplant, daikon salad, and chili edamame — everything was absolutely delicious!

    Elisa Tseng

  • Gyu Tataki

    My favourites will always be the Gyu tataki and kingfish carpaccio ❤️

    Lisa Doan

Other favorites

Appetizers, sides, and traditional drink selections to accompany your meal

  • Gyoza

    The gyoza tasted fresh and like it was made on site. Tasty filling and wrappers not too thick.

    Holly Corpe

  • Tempura

    The tempura batter was light and crispy.

    Holly Corpe

  • Takoyaki

    The takoyaki was good too. The sticky sauce was what really made these super delicious.

    Holly Corpe

  • Sake

    Excellent service and good choices of Sake.

    Jenny Dooling

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to make a reservation?

Booking in advance is highly recommended, particularly for weekend visits when tables fill quickly. While early walk-ins occasionally find seating, reservations are strongly advised.

What dishes are recommended to order?

Alongside classic sashimi and nigiri, diners frequently recommend trying modern fusion dishes like the sashimi tacos, as well as gyu tataki, gyoza, wagyu sukiyaki, and tempura.

Is it a good spot for dinner before an Ensemble Theatre performance?

Yes, Ainoya is a frequent dinner choice for patrons attending shows at the nearby Ensemble Theatre. Fast, efficient service helps make early evening dining run smoothly.

What is the seating layout and atmosphere like?

The dining room features partitioned wall panels that create private, intimate booths, designed to keep noise levels down and minimize eye contact with other tables.

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