Best Japanese restaurants in London

Dining here is a bit of a labour of love, but one we think is more than worth it. In order to secure a coveted table at this diminutive sushi outfit, you’ll need to phone. It operates a weekly booking system (at specific times), and you need to follow the rules laid out on the website to guarantee a slot. Alternatively, watch out for last-minute cancellations on Twitter. Once you’ve done all that, order judiciously from a line-up of briny-fresh fish and traditional sushi.

From the moment the lightning-quick glass elevator whisks you up to the 38th floor of the Heron Tower to the sexy, show-stopping cocktails, razzmatazz restaurant and thrilling fusion of Japanese and Latino cuisine, you can be sure you’re in for the ultimate spectacle. Sky-high pricing and a feeling of uppity exclusivity (including a strict dress-code policy) might not be everyone’s cup of saké, but Sushisamba remains a high-octane, fun-loving destination for those willing to wait for a reservation.

Unlike its plain Marylebone sibling, this glossy street-level sushi bar gives way to a sunken dining room that’s as well-groomed as the resident Chelsea clientele. It’s an arresting setting for excellent modern Japanese cooking that artfully blends tradition with innovation, and oriental technique with European ingredients. Prices are at the very top-end, but for dishes such as melt-in-the-mouth Wagyu tataki, silky double-cooked aubergine with sweet miso, and sweet-fleshed langoustine grilled on the Josper, they’re perfectly justified.

Set within swathes of cypress and bamboo, trendy Sake No Hana possesses a superb atmosphere that keeps it perpetually busy. Enduringly popular, it offers a vast menu that straddles the Japanese canon and beyond, all prepared and presented with enough pizzazz to make it feel special at the price. Saké classes, whisky and chocolate flights and a boozy Saturday lunch all help to maintain interest in this glam Japanese haunt.

Once a pop-up, now a permanent fixture in Soho, this western-inspired Japanese restaurant promises “no-holds-barred food for the soul”. With its succinct, keenly-priced menu offering an addictive pick-and-mix of flavours, from Japanese-style pizza to miso-coated roast aubergine, Shackfayu is equally suited to a quick bite or a leisurely meal. The bar delivers strong cocktails, sakés and mighty sharing goblets of Koshihikari Echigo beer, plus gao bao buns at lunchtime.

Kazu blends traditional minimalist looks (bare wood, a sushi counter, and an open kitchen) with a friendly welcome and some contemporary flourishes on a menu that’s both generous and not as expensive as it once was. All-in set lunches offer particularly good value for the likes of chicken teriyaki, prawn tempura and tofu steak – all served with miso soup, rice, salad and oranges for dessert – though expect to pay more for standalone sushi.

With fewer than 30 covers and minimal décor, there isn’t too much to distract from the open kitchen’s theatre at this hidden Soho gem. Watch as the skilful chefs prepare morsels of sashimi, sushi and snacks alongside extravagantly presented salads and the main event here: kobe. Engawa is one of just a handful of Japanese restaurants in London to offer this exclusive beef (which is often referred to as the ‘caviar of meat’) but be warned, whatever the cut, it comes with a lofty price tag.

One of London’s smarter and more imaginative purveyors of creative Japanese seafood, Yashin Ocean House is committed to head to tail dining. This dedication to using all parts of the fish means that dishes such as pan-fried cod cheeks in a sweet-and-sour chilli amazu sauce seem to get better year on year. Prices are lower than you’d expect for the South Ken location, though still reflective of the skill involved in Japanese cooking. Staff are eager and knowledgeable.

Slightly out of the way in Parsons Green, but none the worse for it, this sleek restaurant is a must-visit for sushi enthusiasts. Centred around a gorgeous sushi bar, the interior suggests serious dining, but there's plenty of fun to be had under the feather chandeliers. The kitchen is now in the hands of Rolando Ongcoy (from the distinguished Nobu stable), and readers are blown away by his sublime food, as well as Koji’s terrific ambience. Be warned though: prices can be eye-watering.

An essential experience for any serious food lover, Nobu prides itself on serving up distinctive, award-winning Japanese-Peruvian cuisine made from the freshest ingredients. The emblematic black cod with miso, served on butter lettuce for that contemporary kick of clean-eating satisfaction, is a must-try, though the extensive menu has plenty more to offer. The drinks list comprising of cocktails, saké and wine is priced for big budgets, but with food this good and views of Hyde Park, it’s worth splashing out on.

Come with a decent appetite and you could make a healthy stab at ordering most of the menu for around £50 a head at this firecracker of a chef’s counter in the heart of Soho. Standout dishes among the selection of reinvented junk food dishes include the salmon sashimi ‘pizza’ and the black cod and sushi rice tacos, though as menu changes weekly, you could get something totally different. It’s worth noting that wine prices will bump up the bill considerably.

An astonishingly good Japanese restaurant tucked away at the rear of a Notting Hill pub, Ukai is a magnet for locals and tourists alike. Chef Alessandro Verros honed his skills at Nobu and Roka and brings a distinctive mix of modern and authentic Japanese cooking overlaid with ultra-fashionable Peruvian touches, so you can expect everything from steamed buns and gyoza to scallops and spicy lamb chops. Fun and lively, Ukai offers counter dining and live music on weekends, as well as cocktails mixed by an expert bar team.

Serious foodies head straight for the sushi counters surrounding the open-plan kitchen at this ultra-trendy celeb favourite, but most people elect to sit in the comfortable, industrial-Zen dining room. A sophisticated twist on the traditional Japanese Izakaya style of informal eating and drinking, Zuma is all about sharing plates from crispy squid to east/west crossover desserts. Given the clientele, it’s unsurprisingly pricey, but spot-on for a bit of indulgence.

Mayfair is an unlikely destination for reasonably-priced top-end Japanese food, but you’ll find it at this tapas and sushi restaurant. The contemporary menu at Cubé (which means to ‘pamper’ or ‘treat’ in Japanese) delivers a mix of traditional Japanese cuisine combined with European flair. In other words, expect inventive Asian tapas married with beautifully-crafted sushi. Takeaway sushi boxes are available at lunchtimes, but we recommend taking a seat at the counter to watch chef Osamu Mizuno (ex-Sake No Hana) perform his culinary magic.

Spread across two floors in a prime location off Soho Square, this neon-splashed nightclub of a restaurant is as trendy as they come. A champion of Nikkei cuisine (a fusion of Japanese and Peruvian), Chotto Matte is flashy and bold in every respect, from brightly coloured sushi platters to the inventive cocktail list. High prices for small portions make this an expensive prospect, so if you’re on a budget, we’d suggest one of the better-value set menus.

Simple, masterfully-crafted sushi is the order of the day at this bijou space off High Street Kensington. Whether you choose a seat at the handsome, green-tiled bar or head downstairs to the sleeker monochrome dining room, prepare to indulge in a menu crafted by two Nobu-trained chefs. Saké is a big deal here, with regular masterclasses on offer, while the pithy wine list has some interesting options. Like everything here though, prices are on the high side.

Settle in to elegant surrounds for a complex culinary blend of Japanese, Korean and Scandinavian-inspired dishes designed by American/Korean owner Juliana Kim Moustakis and chef Pavel Kanja (ex-Roka). The pair has created a repertoire of great originality, with raw and plant-based dishes for veggies in addition to the meat and fish-based delicacies, plus a drinks list that embraces small vineyards, unusual grapes and wacky juices. It’s slightly out of the way, but great for special occasions.

Both technique and cooking are exemplary at this postage stamp-sized restaurant that occupies two floors of a backstreet townhouse near Edgware Road. Sushi and sashimi, such as open rolls of spicy tuna with sesame sauce and shichimi pepper, come from the ground-floor counter, while set lunches including donburi with toppings of freshwater eel and foie gras or Wagyu beef with garlic butter soy are best enjoyed in the basement dining room. Booking is essential here.

Monochrome furnishings, pale woods, a robata grill and a marble sushi bar give a good indication of what diners can expect at this globe-spanning restaurant group, namely exquisite updates on the Japanese hallmarks of delicacy and refinement, alongside ultra-respectful versions of classic sushi and tempura. The pre-theatre menu for £35 offers an affordable way in, while the £200 ‘Teppan Yaki’ menu highlights how much one could easily spend here.

Named after the eponymous townhouses that once defined the Kyoto cityscape, Machiya is an all-day restaurant dedicated to serving up simple home-style cooking alongside authentic patisserie inspired by the food halls of Japan. The short range of carefully rendered dishes is complemented by a long drinks list, which includes sakés, shochu, old world wines and spirits as well as flavour-packed cocktails.

Ten seats, two sittings, no cooked dishes, no choice and no pandering to dietary requirements. This is how it is at sushi master Mitsuhiro Araki’s three-Michelin-starred gaff in Mayfair. It sounds formidable, but such heady gastronomic experiences are extremely rare in London, and we urge you to put this one on your bucket list. Be warned though, diners are required to pay up front when booking (£310 minimum per head), and anyone who arrives late is in danger of forfeiting their dosh as well as their meal.

A sexy line-up of elegant sushi, sashimi, tempura and robata grill selections, combined with flawless service from a well-honed team of charming staff makes this Fitzrovia flagship an ever-popular Japanese hotspot. The buzzy vibe is equally suited to date nights and business meets, whether you take a table or pull up a ringside seat at the sleek polished wood counter around the robata grill. Such quality doesn’t come cheap, but since eating here is a joy from start to finish, it’s worth splashing out on.

Set in a grand Grade-II listed period mansion from the 1850’s, complete with a huge palatial entrance door, this elegant Japanese restaurant exudes a gentle, romantic buzz that makes it perfect for date nights. Sushi is the headline act here, but the kitchen also delivers excellent tempura, Wagyu beef from the robata grill and seasonal specials, so there’s something for everyone. The cocktail bar on the ground floor is the perfect place for pre-dinner drinks and nibbles before ascending to the dining room on the mezzanine.

Billed as a gyoza specialist, this tiny restaurant just moments from Green Park tube station is a great little find. Established by Kiwi chef Jeff Tyler (formerly of flashy mega restaurant Novikov), Titu is far from fancy, but what it lacks in terms of décor it more than makes up for in excellent quality modern Japanese food. As well as creative dumplings, you’ll also find a selection of small plates and a variety of desserts. Prices aren’t cheap, but are something of a bargain for Mayfair.

Starchy exclusivity is nowhere to be seen at this light and airy restauant from the team behind Zuma and Roka. Here, the dress code is relaxed, the young staff are chatty and friendly, and there are even high chairs to seat toddlers with a taste for edamame. The menu ranges from small plates to more substantial grill dishes and there’s a decent selection of saké, wine and cocktails on the drinks list. Don’t miss the amusing fortune cookies.

An elegant reincarnation of Sumosan in Mayfair, this four-storey fusion restaurant has a sweeping staircase linking a basement nightclub, first-floor dining room and spacious top-floor bar. On the food front, Sumosan’s Japanese menu has been joined by Italian dishes, so you could follow sushi with sea bass spaghetti, Dover sole or veal Milanese and wash it down with a glass of European wine or a glass of sake. Prices? Yes, they’re high.

Pham Sushi won’t win any awards for décor or plate presentation, which is basic at best, but what this tiny eatery lacks in interior design, it more than makes up for with its extensive and uniformly impressive selection of sushi and sashimi. Most people come for raw stuff, but soups, noodles, rice dishes, bento boxes and some spot-on tempura are solid choices too. Wash it all down with beer, saké or green tea.

Attentive service and consistently top-notch food make this glamorous yet lively modern restaurant a draw for all types, from office workers to families. The heart of the operation is the robata grill with its line-up of fire-licked specialities such as sweet potato baked in a bamboo husk, but you’ll also find well-made modern-day sushi and sashimi, snacks and specialities. Prices are in keeping with most Japanese restaurants in London (not cheap), but there is a decently-priced pre-theatre menu.

Whether this oriental veteran is the oldest Japanese restaurant in London (as it claims to be) is by-the-by. What matters is its renown for offering standout traditional dishes in pleasingly approachable surrounds. Take a seat at the unfussy sushi bar or descend to the tunnel-like basement for a quiet meal made up of sushi and sashimi, soba and udon noodles, teriyaki and tempura, green salads anointed with vinegary dressings and other benchmarks of the old cuisine.

Just a couple of minutes’ walk from Bond Street station, this understated restaurant offers beautifully authentic Japanese food in tranquil surroundings. Whether you go for a selection of super-fresh sushi or sashimi served at the counter or a banquet accompanied by sake or wine, quality is guaranteed. The lunch/pre-theatre menu is a great shout, but you’ll need to arrive early for seats at the sushi counter.

As the name suggests, hot stone dishes are the thing to try at this Islington gem. Sizzling, super-heated slabs of granite will arrive at the table with your choice of protein, which you’re then free to cook to your liking. If that doesn’t appeal, there are plenty of other dishes which impress, as well as a short and straightforward list of saké and international wines. Hot Stone is by no means a cheap eat, but prices aren’t outrageous for the quality.

Taking its cue from Japan’s rock ‘n’ roll izakayas, where small plates and drinks make the evening go with a swing, this branch of Kurobuta is as fun and lively as its Chelsea sibling. Ultra-friendly waiters, extravagant cocktails and occasional live music, coupled with full-frontal flavours in the form of sushi, snacks, robata grills and Japanese junk food make it a favourite among younger crowds, though staff welcome guests from all walks of life.

In spite of being one of a large chain, this noodle joint is as authentic as they come. The serene dining room is full of communal tables, making it perfect for groups, while friendly and efficient staff deposit large bowls of steaming ramen and perky sides from the open kitchen to your place setting in true fast-food style. Prices are middle-of-the-road and you’ll find eastern-style cocktails and myriad refreshing teas, plus rare and premium sakés on the drinks list.

As you’d expect from this high-end group, Aqua Kyoto serves pricey Japanese food with more than a bit of razzmatazz. Gorgeous kimono silk-padded booths give way to a dramatic dining room with its showpiece sunken sushi bar where you can watch the chefs hard at work crafting luxurious items for your enjoyment. Dishes such as king crab tempura with crab miso and Wagyu maki rolls will hit your wallet hard, but lunchtime bento boxes and sashimi selections are more affordable.

Expect a heart-stopping mix of finesse and flavour at this luxurious two-Michelin-starred enclave, which also boasts a cool vibe and hints of Zen-like purity. There are bento box lunches or diet-friendly sashimi for those wanting a quick fix, but we recommend the full kaiseki menu, a multi-course seasonal tour de force that takes a couple of hours to consume and is worth every minute of your time. Perfect saké pairings and a spectacular wine list make dining at Umu unashamedly glamorous.

Situated in the heart of Mayfair, this upmarket Japanese restaurant specialises in a ‘kappo’ style menu of small dishes, bespoke for each diner and prepared as you watch. Overseen by chef Yoshihiro Murata (who boasts a whopping seven Michelin stars across his three restaurants in Japan), Tokimeite majors in luxury ingredients including lobster, king crab and Wagyu steak, so it should come as no surprise that prices are high – even by Mayfair standards. Impeccable service and attention to detail help to make dining here worth the cost though.