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25 May 2013
(menu)

Roka two stars

37 Charlotte Street, London W1T 1RR

£88.00 Japanese , Sushi Bloomsbury, Fitzrovia
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Roka ‘never fails to deliver', insists a fervent admirer of this Japanese heavyweight, which is currently closing in on its first decade as a Charlotte Street hotspot. Dressed from head-to-toe in knotty wood (rather like a giant sauna), the interior is dominated by an open robata grill – a central counter where energetic chefs fire up ‘works of art' before a rapt audience. Savour the meaty magnificence of kankoku fu kohitsuji (lamb cutlets cooked with Korean spices), the subtleties of yaki hotate (scallop skewers with wasabi and shiso) and other memorable flavours from the flames. Novices should heed ‘instructive' advice from the attentive staff – otherwise, check out some of most ‘beautifully plated' raw fish in town, such as yellowtail sashimi with truffle yuzu dressing, mizuna and pickled vegetables. A superb selection of saké and some fascinating international wines match the food to a T. Not surprisingly, prices can quickly tot up, but most reckon it's ‘money well spent'.

Ethnic Restaurant Wine List Of The Year

Roka’s attempt to make its wine list accessible stood out for two reasons. Firstly, the wines have been chosen with great care to suit the challenges of Japanese food; secondly, the unfussy presentation with reds and whites split by style (‘fruity and velvety’, ‘rich and spicy’, and so on). Even though there’s a lot going on, with ‘Sommelier Selections’ and a ‘Wish List’ of fine wines, it’s easy to navigate.

Overall Diner Rating

 
Food & Drink
8.6
Service
7.6
Atmosphere
7.9
Value
6.8

Based on 34 ratings. Rate it!

 
  1. Roka

    37 Charlotte Street, London W1T 1RR
    Overall rating:
     
    Nancee M.

    Excellent Experience

        (1)

     
    • Food & Drink: 10
    • Service: 10
    • Atmosphere: 8
    • Value: 8

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  2. Roka

    37 Charlotte Street, London W1T 1RR
    Overall rating:
     
    Gary F.

    Terrible service, tables too close together

        (1)

     
    • Food & Drink: 8
    • Service: 2
    • Atmosphere: 2
    • Value: 6

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  3. Roka

    37 Charlotte Street, London W1T 1RR
    Overall rating:
     
    London Gourmet
        (99)

     
    • Food & Drink: 9
    • Service: 9
    • Atmosphere: 8
    • Value: 5

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  4. Roka

    37 Charlotte Street, London W1T 1RR
    Overall rating:
     
    Marc K.
        (1)

     
    • Food & Drink: 10
    • Service: 10
    • Atmosphere: 10
    • Value: 10

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  5. Roka

    37 Charlotte Street, London W1T 1RR
    Overall rating:
     
    David D.
        (2)

     
    • Food & Drink: 3
    • Service: 3
    • Atmosphere: 6
    • Value: 2

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  6. Roka

    37 Charlotte Street, London W1T 1RR
    Overall rating:
     
    GH
      Silver Reviewer  (43)

     
    • Food & Drink: 8
    • Service: 4
    • Atmosphere: 5
    • Value: 5

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  7. Roka

    37 Charlotte Street, London W1T 1RR
    Overall rating:
     
    Steven F.
        (2)

     
    • Food & Drink: 10
    • Service: 10
    • Atmosphere: 10
    • Value: 9

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  8. Roka

    37 Charlotte Street, London W1T 1RR
    Overall rating:
     
    Kim P.
        (2)

     
    • Food & Drink: 9
    • Service: 9
    • Atmosphere: 10
    • Value: 8

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  9. Roka

    37 Charlotte Street, London W1T 1RR
    Overall rating:
     
    Louise A.
      Silver Reviewer  (19)

     
    • Food & Drink: 9
    • Service: 8
    • Atmosphere: 9
    • Value: 9

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  10. Roka

    37 Charlotte Street, London W1T 1RR
    Overall rating:
     
    Natalie B.
        (5)

     
    • Food & Drink: 10
    • Service: 10
    • Atmosphere: 9
    • Value: 10

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  1. Published : Saturday, 30th March 2013

    little swallow : china doll :: Roka, Soho

    Non-reservation counter seating wraps around the robata grill in the restaurant, where we precariously propped our drinks, dishes, and soy sauce on its naturally uneven wood surface...
    More from little swallow : china doll »

  2. Published : Saturday, 23rd March 2013

    Scoff London :: Roka (Charlotte Street), W1

    Roka is the sister restaurant of Zuma and both offer a sophisticated twist on the traditional Japanese Izakaya style of informal eating and drinking. Roka itself is beautifully designed, with it’s floor to ceiling glass to the street and hefty knotted wood counter surrounding the open kitchen...
    More from Scoff London »

Rainer Becker

Rainer Becker's hyper-trendy Zuma was a truly cosmopolitan affair when it opened in 2002: a German chef with an Indian business partner selling Japanese food to London diners. Becker began his career working in Germany's finest restaurants, before touring the world with Hyatt hotels. He arrived in London via Sydney & Tokyo, where he spent six years immersed in local cuisine & culture. After launching the Rib Room at London's Hyatt Carlton Tower (now the Jumeirah Carlton Tower), he branched out on his own in 2002 with Zuma, following it up two years later with Roka. Meanwhile, Zuma is establishing itself as a global brand, with openings in Hong Kong, Dubai & Istanbul.
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Essential Details for Roka

  • Address: 37 Charlotte Street, London W1T 1RR
  • Telephone: 020 7580 6464
  • Email: info@rokarestaurant.com
  • Website:
  • Opening Hours: Mon-Sun 12N-3.30pm (Sat-Sun 12.30-4pm) 5.30-11.30pm (Sun -10.30pm)
  • Restaurant Facilities: Alfresco dining area

Roka is included in the following Square Meal Selections

Location of Roka

Showing 5 of 23 Reviews

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  1. Roka

    37 Charlotte Street, London W1T 1RR
    Overall rating:
     
    Nancee M.

    Excellent Experience

        (1)

     
    • Food & Drink: 10
    • Service: 10
    • Atmosphere: 8
    • Value: 8

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  2. Roka

    37 Charlotte Street, London W1T 1RR
    Overall rating:
     
    Gary F.

    Terrible service, tables too close together

        (1)

     
    • Food & Drink: 8
    • Service: 2
    • Atmosphere: 2
    • Value: 6

    Was this review helpful to you?

  3. Roka

    37 Charlotte Street, London W1T 1RR
    Overall rating:
     
    London Gourmet
        (99)

     
    • Food & Drink: 9
    • Service: 9
    • Atmosphere: 8
    • Value: 5

    Was this review helpful to you?

  4. Roka

    37 Charlotte Street, London W1T 1RR
    Overall rating:
     
    Marc K.
        (1)

     
    • Food & Drink: 10
    • Service: 10
    • Atmosphere: 10
    • Value: 10

    Was this review helpful to you?

  5. Roka

    37 Charlotte Street, London W1T 1RR
    Overall rating:
     
    David D.
        (2)

     
    • Food & Drink: 3
    • Service: 3
    • Atmosphere: 6
    • Value: 2

    Was this review helpful to you?

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