The best sushi in London: 26 must-try specialist restaurants

The best sushi in London is a pretty spicy topic – with or without the wasabi – because there are so many different scenarios where you might want to tuck into this Japanese speciality, and you’ll find fans have very strong opinions. You see, you might be looking for cheap sushi or even a sushi buffet if you’re in the market for that perfect crossover point of good value with high quality. At the other end of the scale, perhaps you’re looking for sushi near you with a Michelin star in mind, or platters that come with all the trappings of fine dining for a special occasion. So you see that the answer to what’s the ‘best’ really depends on your mood. However, there’s some good news to be had, because we’ve quite literally scoured London to find the most delicious morsels of fish, rice and seaweed to bring your our curated, tried-and-tested guide below.

We think it’s fair to say that team SquareMeal are sushi fans, with a good few Japanese spots included in our Top 100 Restaurants in London this year. For this list, putting our collective heads together meant that we were able to come up with a well-rounded list that represents everything from cheap and cheerful through to luxurious dining rooms that are perfect for special occasions and celebrations (or just a very fancy midweek evening, if you’re that way inclined).

There were various recommendations from the team, but one thing we could all agreee on was when you’re hunting for the best sushi, London really does provide. From wonderfully inventive temaki handrolls and sashimi through to nigiri and chirashi, the thing the below serves all have in common is their complete diversity. No two rolls are ever exactly the same, and with fillings or toppings that span sparklingly fresh fish through to seasonal vegetables or luxury, high-quality meats, there really is an option for everyone.

The best luxury and Michelin starred sushi in London

Looking to splash out? These wonderful restaurants are all sushi havens, with both Michelin starred options and more general fine-dining destinations making it to the list. While meals at the below might not come cheap, they’re all of the highest quality, making them good value for money when you want to celebrate something in style.

Umu, Mayfair

One of only a couple of Michelin starred restaurants in London that serve sushi, Umu is a pretty spectacular experience from beginning to end. It’s the type of place where there are more staff than customers, and chefs work from an open kitchen, demonstrating their skill for guests. While there are other courses on offer, the sushi and sashimi platters form the backbone of the menu and are made with carefully sourced, reverently handled ingredients.
Where: 14-16 Bruton Place, W1J 6LX
Book now: Umu

Endo at The Rotunda, White City

Endo Kazutoshi is a third-generation sushi master whose dedication to his craft is evidenced in each mouthful. Every single element that goes into the sushi here is purposefully put together – the rice comes from the chef’s own family farm, the wasabi is brought in from a supplier who is well-regarded as having the best wasabi in the world, and the seaweed is of the same ilk. As you can imagine, the coming together of so many miniature masterpieces results in pretty explosive mouthfuls. This is sushi unlike you can get anywhere else.
Where: 101 Wood Lane, W12 7FR
Book now: Endo at The Rotunda

Takahashi

While we can almost guarantee you’ll come away from Takahashi in high spirits, what we cannot guarantee is a seat at the table. You see, this petite dining room in Wimbledon is pretty hot property for those in the know, becoming booked up months ahead by keeno sushi fans jostling to get a spot. The menu follows an omakase format, so you’ll have to be happy to be led by the expert chefs as they turn out tiny little works of edible art, course after course.
Where: 228 Merton Road, SW19 1EQ
Book now: Takahashi

Ginza, St. James’s

Pull up a pew at the marble topped sushi bar at Ginza St. James’s and you’ll be richly rewarded via some of the absolute best sushi in London. Go a la carte to pick and mix your own rolls (choices include the Ginza maki which combines tuna, salmon, yellowtail futomaki, smoked mouli, yuzu tobiko, shiso, cucumber, and avocado; or the luxurious aburi wagyu maki which stuffs wagyu beef into the centre of a tight little pinwheel). If you prefer to leave things to the experts, there are also fantastically curated platters of both sushi and sashimi on offer.
Where: 15 Bury Street, SW1Y 6AL
Book now: Ginza St. James’s

Aqua Kyoto, Soho

A stone’s throw from Oxford Circus tube but a world away from the hubbub of London, Aqua Kyoto manages to magically transport diners to an altogether more exotic location via its menu of Japanese classics. The interiors are suitably swish for this corner of town, with moody lighting and a buzzy playlist tinkling away in the background to create an upbeat atmosphere. Head here for dinner with various chef’s selections available or save yourself for the weekend when the free-flowing brunch makes a great excuse to eat sushi as your first meal of the day.
Where: 240 Regent Street, W1F 7EB
Book now: Aqua Kyoto

Sushi Tetsu, Farringdon

Listen, it isn’t easy to get a table here: you can only make a reservation on the phone at very specific times and if you don’t follow the rules laid out on the website, forget it. However, when you do crack the code and eventually find yourself sitting in front of Toru Takahashi demonstrating his specialist skills via immaculately presented parcels of fish, rice and seaweed, all the hassle getting here will be forgotten. Additionally, Toro’s partner Harumi manages front of house with utmost ease and courtesy.
Where: 12 Jerusalem Passage, EC1V 4JP
Book now: Sushi Tetsu

Kikuchi, Fitzrovia

With a pedigree that stretches back over two decades, Kikuchi is an iconic London sushi restaurant with real clout. That’s not to say that it’s by any means flashy, it’s much more unassuming than its glitzy neighbours (like Hakkasan around the corner). In true Japanese style, the interiors are nearly monochromatic with clever lighting and wooden accents used to lift the cool tones that play out across other elements. You’ll find the choice of an omakase experience, a chef’s selection of sushi or sashimi with miso soup, or an a la carte spread of sushi that includes rolls filled with combinations like squid and spicy cod rod or eel and cucumber, while sashimi includes a signature finely sliced sea bream with ponzu.
Where: 14 Hanway Street, W1T 1UD
Book now: Kikuchi

Sticks ‘n’ Sushi, Covent Garden

Having grown from a debut London site in Covent Garden to a clutch of restaurants across the capital, Sticks ‘n’ Sushi has won over Londoners with its fast-paced and fun menu. As the name suggests, the best orders here are the sushi rolls and the ‘sticks’ (grilled yakitori dishes served on skewers): the former includes tightly-packed maki rolls filled with the likes of salmon and avocado, spicy tuna, and tempura shrimp.
Where: 11 Henrietta Street, WC2E 8PY
Book now: Sticks ‘n’ Sushi Covent Garden

The Araki, Mayfair

It would be difficult to put together a list of London’s best sushi without including The Araki. The restaurant is mighty in status (it boasts three Michelin stars), but tiny in size, accommodating just ten diners at any one time. Eating here will set you back an eye-watering £310, but if you can afford it, you’ll be rewarded by watching Marty Lau do his thing, a successor (four years in the making) and right hand man of sushi master Mitsuhiro Araki – a truly once in a lifetime dining experience.
Where: 12 New Burlington Street, W1S 3BH
Book now: The Araki

Nobu, Shoreditch  

With shout-outs in Drake songs and near daily Kardashian sightings, Nobu has made quite the name for itself around the world. Its London sites are all impossibly glamorous and very much known as a place to see and be seen. On the menu, expect to find classic sushi combinations such as a soft shell crab roll and a 'California' (avocado and crab), while sake lovers can sip on a high-end brand which is exclusively served at Nobu’s parade of restaurants.
Where: 10-50 Willow Street, EC2A 4BH
Book now: Nobu Shoreditch

Sumosan Twiga, Knightsbridge

You’ll usually find a Ferrari parked up outside the entrance to this Knightsbridge hotspot, while the weekend party brunch often rumbles on until the wee hours. If you’re visiting for lunch or dinner though, you’ll be greeted by a glamorous and sophisticated dining room, which matches the menu of luxe comfort food (Sumosan Twiga’s USP is that it serves both a Japanese and an Italian menu). The deliciously decadent ‘billionaire rolls’ are our top pick, which arrive crowned with truffle and Wagyu beef.
Where: 165 Sloane Street, SW1X 9QB
Book now: Sumosan Twiga

Zuma, Knightsbridge

It’s notoriously hard for restaurants to have longevity, but having being opened for over two decades and still pulling in the crowds, we think Zuma has cracked it. Zuma London, and its sibling sites around the globe, still pulls in hordes of well-heeled sushi lovers, with most guests alleviating the burden of choice by ordering the chef’s sushi selection. That means your plate could be filled with the likes of soft shell crab pepped up with chilli mayonnaise or tuna slathered with homemade chilli miso and yuzu tobiko.   
Where: 5 Raphael Street, SW7 1DL
Book now: Zuma

Chotto Matte, Soho

Eating at bright and bold Chotto Matte feels a little like dining in a low-key nightclub, with its neon-splashed walls and slick soundtrack. The food here comes with just as much bravado as the interiors, so expect to see sushi platters which are fanned out on funky plates, while the signature seabass and salmon-topped Sato maki rolls (named after the head chef) are flambéed with a blowtorch at the table.
Where: 11-13 Frith Street, W1D 4RB
Book now: Chotto Matte

Sushisamba, Covent Garden

Whether it’s the jaw-dropping views from Heron Tower, or the lush greenery that envelopes the bar in Covent Garden, both of Sushisamba’s London locations are designed to be a treat for the eyes. Luckily, the menu is just as tempting, serving up dishes which blend the cuisines of Peru, Japan and Brazil. From the sushi selection, top picks include the El Topo, which sees salmon nigiri finished off with jalapeno and melted mozzarella.
Where: Opera Terrace, WC2E 8RF
Book now: Sushisamba Covent Garden

Hot Stone, Islington

While so many of London’s great Japanese restaurants reside in the glitzy likes of Mayfair and Chelsea, this Islington spot proves it’s good enough to be up there with the best of them. Stripped back, classically Japanese interiors speak to the menu of traditional dishes (Hot Stone is one of few restaurants that serves 100% fresh Japanese wasabi), including the likes of crunchy eel and seared butterfish rolls.  
Where: 9 Chapel Market, N1 9EZ
Book now: Hot Stone

Yashin Sushi, Kensington

An offshoot of Chelsea’s Yashin Ocean House, experimental Yashin Sushi is dedicated entirely to the art of sushi making. Guests can dine a la carte or opt to try the tasting menu, with both menus filled with innovative takes on sushi – think yasai maki rolls with asparagus tempura, or an eel and avocado variety. We’d also recommend taking the chefs’ lead when it comes to soy sauce – they apply it cautiously, ensuring that it doesn’t overpower the other flavours at play.
Where: 1A Argyll Road, W8 7DB
Book now: Yashin Sushi

Dinings SW3, Chelsea

It’s often said that sequels are never as good as the original, but this SW3 outpost of Marylebone’s Dinings appears to buck the trend, with a more spacious dining room and an accomplished menu. Luxe rolls come topped with the likes of wagyu beef and truffle, but traditionalists might prefer the purer flavours of smoked eel with yuzu or yellowtail topped with mustard.
Where: Lennox Garden Mews, SW3 2JH
Book now: Dinings SW3

Inko Nito, Soho

Found in bustling Soho, Inko Nito is a refreshingly relaxed Japanese restaurant amongst London’s more exclusive offerings (although that’s not to say prices are pedestrian). The restaurant is best known for the dishes it serves from the central robata grill, but we’d argue that the sushi selection is worth a punt too. Top shouts include The OTT (spicy tuna, yuzu mayonnaise, chives) and The KFC; Korean-fried cauliflower with chilli sauce and sesame.
Where: 55 Broadwick Street, W1F 9QS
Book now: Inko Nito

Sexy Fish, Mayfair

If you care as much for your surrounds as your sushi, Sexy Fish in Mayfair offers a pretty spectacular dining room. Sushi plays to crowd-pleasers, so you can expect spicy tuna rolls and soft-shell crab stuffed maki, while for those who find joy in simplicity, the sashimi offering uses luxurious ingredients. There are ready-made selections which are great when you want to pass over all decision making to the experts, or else you can pick and choose from an a la carte listing which allows you to make your own perfect selections.
Where: Berkeley Square, W1J 6BR
Book now: Sexy Fish

The best cheap sushi in London

Cheap doesn’t sound great, does it? But let’s face it, sometimes we all want a dinner that isn’t going to rinse our savings account in one big bite. These affordable options allow you to feast on fresh rolls safe in the knowledge that the experience isn’t costing you a fortune.

Morinoya, Victoria

Plonked on Victoria Station’s doorstep, this Bloomsbury classic might not come with all the frills of fine dining, but the plentiful spread of sushi should be enough to tempt you despite the utilitarian interiors. The menu can actually feel overwhelming in its length, with everything from hosomaki and nigiri through to tamaki and uramaki on offer. Plus, there are plenty of serves under £1 a piece, so you can dine like a king here for less than £20. There are even poke bowls if you fancy mixing up the format of your usual spread, and the ingredients used are top quality for the price.
Where: 1 Gillingham Street, SW1V 1HN
Book now: Morinoya

Sushi on Jones, King's Cross

The first outpost of this New York based brand, Sushi on Jones finds its home in the heart of King’s Cross and is famous for its fast-paced format. Sit at the bar and enjoy a 45-minute chef’s selection experience for under £50 – which while not a bargain, comes in significantly under the majority of the other best omakase restaurants in London. For those who prefer a touch of autonomy, there’s a short run of a la carte items you can add, like wagyu nigiri or crispy rice topped with salmon, tuna or uni.
Where: 11 Goods Way, N1C 4PW
Book now: Sushi on Jones

Temaki, Brixton

Temaki is a more recent addition to the London sushi scene, having launched in 2021. This relaxed, counter-dining eatery housed in Brixton's Market Row, has a simple offering: hand rolls of incredible sushi, prepared less than a metre in front of you. Expect fillings like BBQ eel, prawn tempura, otoro, salmon and even lobster. Each roll is seasoned differently, with ingredients like yuzu and spicy koji mayo. We recommend the sake flight, a perfect accompaniment to the delicious rolls. There are also top-notch side dishes such as monkfish karaage. Best of all, however, is the price - it's not difficult to eat here for under £35. 
Where: 12 Market Row, SW9 8LB
Book now: Temaki

Sushi buffets: The best all you can eat sushi in London

Sushi buffets are a thing, guys, and they’re a really good thing. Turns out there are wonderful places all across London serving up unlimited rolls of the good stuff in either served or buffet formats.

Tsukiji Fusion Sushi, Tooting Broadway

This one sounds too good to be true, but sure enough Tsukiji Fusion serves unlimited sushi for just £25. Kick things off with a range of starters like gyoza, tempura, karaage or miso soup before tucking into rounds of sashimi, nigiri, and dragon rolls. Everything comes prettily presented on platters, making great photo fodder while you’re at it, and you can keep it coming for as long as you can manage to put it away. The setting is Tooting Broadway Market, which means a bustling atmosphere and lowkey surrounds.
Where: Broadway Market, SW17 0RJ
Book now: Tsukiji Fusion Sushi 

Inamo, Covent Garden

Famous for its interactive tables and at-seat ordering, Inamo’s playful dragon rolls have become the stuff of legends thanks to the cheeky caricature faces made from edible ingredients at the end of each plate. On weekdays, enjoy unlimited sushi (including the dragon roll) for under £25 if you get organised. You see, you have to pre-book and buy a voucher before you arrive for your table, but once the admin is out of the way you’ll thank your former self for your foresight. A spicy prawn tempura is a fan favourite, as well as the Rainbow Roll, stuffed with salmon, mackerel, tun, avocado and crab sticks.
Where: 1-14 Hanover Place, WC2E 9JP
Book now: Inamo Covent Garden

Sushi Shimai

Open six days a week, this Hearne Hill iconic destination serves up a gargantuan sushi buffet come the evenings. For under £25 you’re free to feast on a wide range of both classic sushi rolls and more unusual serves. We love the vegetarian hosomaki rolls stuffed with yellow oshiko pickles and the flying fish roe gunkans, which are oval shaped pieces of rice wrapped in seaweed and then crowned with your chosen topping.
Where: 24 Milkwood Road, SE24 0HH
Book now: Sushi Shimai

Roka, Canary Wharf

Originally a spin-off of Zuma, Roka has gone on to become a foodie favourite in its own right, now boasting four sites across the capital (Aldwych, Canary Wharf, Charlotte Street and Mayfair). Here, expect to dine on prettily presented plates which pack a punch – our favourites include the wagyu tempura maki and the spicy yellowfin tuna, given extra edge via a smattering of tempura flakes. If you’re visiting on the weekend, the lively Han Setto Brunch is a must-try.
Where: 40 Canada Square, E14 5FW
Book now: Roka Canary Wharf

If your love of Japanese food isn’t just limited to sushi, take a look at our pick of the best Japanese restaurants in London.