Hankering after hosomaki? Seriously fancy some sashimi? Well, you're in luck. Our up-to-date guide showcases London's best sushi restaurants.
Endo at The Rotunda
White City - Television Centre, 8th Floor The Helios, 101 Wood Ln, London W12 7FR
It’s all about counter dining here at chef Endo Kazutoshi’s ultra-modernist. Michelin-starred, restaurant with a view at Television Centre. They say it’s sushi in the clouds. There are two omakase sittings each day it’s open - to allow Endo to guide you through his singular sushi vision. (Closing mid March 2024 for a revamp, reopening Summer 2024)
Follow them on Instagram: @kazutoshi.endo
Sushi Kanesaka
Mayfair - 45 Park Ln, London W1K 1PN
All the coverage when this new omakase restaurant opened focused on the price point. And while that is seriously punchy (£420 per person at the time of writing), the key question is - is it good? Clearly Michelin thought so, awarding Shinji Kanesaka’s London restaurant a star just seven months after it opened. It’s a full-on omakase experience with up to 20 dishes involved.
Follow them on Instagram: @sushikanesakalondon
Takahashi
Merton - 228 Merton Rd, London SW19 1EQ
Chef Nobuhisa Takahashi (ex-Nobu) runs this tiny neighbourhood sushi spot with his wife Yuko. The restaurant has, in recent years, transitioned to being a fully omakase offering with the menu fully dependent on what's good that day. What you can rely on is superb sushi, expertly prepared in front of you. Reopens 13 March 2024.
Follow them on Instagram: @takahashi_wimbledon
Juno
Notting Hill - 2-4 Farmer St, London W8 7SN
For sushi with a twist (in this case Mexican) you can’t do better than booking a seat at London’s smallest omakase counter in Notting Hill. Executive Chef, Leonard Tanyag is ex-OKKU and Zuma and serves up a daily-changing omakase menu that is gluten and nut-free as well as super sustainable.
Follow them on Instagram: @juno.omakase
Sushi by Masa
Knightsbridge - 87-135 Brompton Rd, London SW1X 7XL
Inside the newly-revamped Harrods Dining Hall, the biggest restaurant is the central counter of Sushi By Masa. Chef Masayoshi (‘Masa’) Takayama's original restaurant in New York boasts three Michelin stars and here in London, he's offering a choice of a la carte sushi or a tasting menu. The signature dish is the very luxe Masa toro tartare with caviar.
Follow them on Instagram: @sushibymasa
Izakaya at Supermarket of Dreams
Notting Hill - 26 Holland Park Ave, London W11 4UE
This OTT, immersive sushi experience takes two forms. On Tuesdays, they serve up a 16-course omakase menu which changes weekly, depending on what comes into the restaurant from around the UK, Europe and Japan. Then from Wednesday to Friday, it switches up to an izakaya. Look out for Tuna Fight Club nights where fresh tuna is unloaded fresh off a lorry outside the restaurant before diners head into the restaurant for a 12-course tuna menu.
Follow them on Instagram: @izakayaatdreams
Sumi
Notting Hill - 157 Westbourne Grove, London W11 2RS
Endo Kazutoshi’s more casual restaurant in Notting Hill still features his superlative sushi, but here it could be served up in ceviche dotted with edible flours or in innovative toppings for temaki hand rolls.
Follow them on Instagram: @sumilondon.
Maru
Mayfair - 18 Shepherd Market, London W1J 7QH
This omakase restaurant in Shepherds Market is a teeny affair serving a daily changing 20-course menu to 10 guests only each evening. Expect the same dry-aged fish techniques they first showcased at Taka with third-generation sushi chef Taiji Maruyama in charge.
Follow them on Instagram: @maru__london
Sushi Tetsu
Farringdon - 12 Jerusalem Passage, London EC1V 4JP
This teeny Clerkenwell sushi restaurant is one of the best in town. With only half a dozen seats inside, each item served to you will be almost a work of art.
Follow them on Twitter: @SushiTetsuUK
Pic by Samphire & Salsify
Sushi Revolution
Brixton - 240 Ferndale Rd, London SW9 8FR
Purists should turn away now - Sushi Revolution serves up the classics but also as the name suggests, turns it on its head too. So you're as likely to enjoy yellowtail nigiri as you are tuna tartar with - deep breath - goats cheese, avocado and truffle onion soy. Founders Aidan Bryan and Tom Blackshaw are ex-Sticks ‘n’ Sushi.
Follow them on Instagram: @sushirevolution
My Umami
East Finchley - 7 Fortis Green, London N2 9JR
East Finchley locals may try and gatekeep this neighbourhood sushi spot, but word is already getting out about the quality of the sushi here. Expect to find both classic sushi alongside chef's specials including flamed fatty salmon with yuzu jelly.
Follow them on Instagram: @myumamiizakaya
Roketsu
Marylebone - 12 New Quebec St, London W1H 7RW
Roketsu comes from Daisuke Hayashi (previously Executive Head chef at Tokimeitē) and this is very much a passion project. The restaurant revolves around a Japanese kaiseki tasting menu, taking dashi as its base. Particular care has been taken with the design, with elements that have been imported from Japan - it looks amazing as a result.
Follow them on Instagram: @roketsulondon
The Araki
Mayfair - Unit 4, 12 New Burlington St, London W1S 3BF
Now that founder Araki Mitsuhiro has returned to Japan, it's head chef Marty Lau, who trained under Araki, running the show here. The £310 omakase menu showcases some of London's best sushi but with just nine seats getting a reservation is always going to be hard. If you do secure one, sit up at the counter (a gift from composer Ryuichi Sakamoto) and enjoy the experience.
Follow them on Instagram: @the_araki_london
Photo: Elliot Grover
Temaki
Brixton - 12 Market Row, London SW9 8LB
Billed as London's first bar dedicated to temaki hand rolls, Chef Shaulan Steenson who trained in Japan is serving up a mixture of superb handrolls (make sure you try his Surprise Me one which is topped with caviar) along with small plate options like veggie tempura and sashimi.
Follow them on Instagram: @temakihandrollbar
Chisou
Chelsea and Mayfair
Chisou’s two restaurants are all about the counter dining experience - they also pride themselves on their sake selections (both of which are reflected in their delivery offering). Expect classic, no-gimmick sushi.
Also see: Right next door to Chisou in Mayfair is their 10-seater omakase restaurant Roji.
Follow them on Instagram: @chisoulondon
Cubé
Mayfair - 4 Blenheim St, London W1S 1LB
This Mayfair restaurant specialises in a more contemporary take on omakase, so their eel roll comes with foie gras and there's an interesting tapas section too where you might find tuna tataki with kurokosho sauce. Their lunchtime bento boxes are particularly good value for this party of town.
Follow them on Instagram: @cubemayfairuk
Dinings SW3
Chelsea - Lennox Gardens Mews, London SW3 2JH
Masaki Sugisaki’s Chelsea Japanese restaurant serves up sushi which is - almost - too beautiful to eat. Sustainability is key here, with all the fish either from Cornish day boats or ethical suppliers in the UK and Japan. There's also usually something interesting going on in the way of collaborations too with other chefs and restaurants.
Follow them on Instagram: @dinings_sw3
Jin Kichi
Hampstead - 73 Heath St, London NW3 6UG
This popular family-run Hampstead izakaya is probably better known for its yakitori than its sushi. But that doesn't mean the sushi is an also-ran. From exemplary eel nigiri to their Hampstead sushi rolls you're always sure of great dishes from chef Atsushi Matsumoto and his staff. It most recently got a fresh burst of fame when Kate Moss picked it as one of her favourite restaurants in London.
Ginza St James
St James - 15 Bury Street, London, SW1Y 6AL
This establishment sushi spot features dedicated counters for teppan-yaki, robata and - crucially - Edomae Sushi. They also boast one of the biggest sake collections in London.
Follow them on Instagram: @ginzastjames
Hot Stone
Islington - 9 Chapel Market, London N1 9EZ
Formerly head sushi chef at Tsukiji in Mayfair, chef Padam Raj Rai’s sushi spot in Islington is something of a hidden gem, tucked away on Chapel Market. Sushi options here are just that bit different - think fatty tuna with caviar rolls and seared butterfish with truffle spicy ponzu.
Follow them on Instagram: @hotstonelondon
Jugemu
Soho - 3 Winnett St, London W1D 6JY
This hole-in-a-wall Soho joint features as many negative reviews about its idiosyncratic service as it does positive ones about the amazing sushi. Chef Yuya Kikuchi is in charge here, and the menu is very dependent on what’s been good at the fish market that morning. Sit up at the bar, if you can, for his hand rolls which are excellent.
Follow them on Instagram: @jugemu.uk
Nobu
Mayfair, Marylebone and Shoreditch
This is the mothership where so many of London's sushi chefs trained. Their menus feature so many well known sushi dishes from the crispy sushi with spicy tuna to yellowtail with jalapeno. The newest addition to the group is the Nobu Hotel in Portman Square which has a glorious dining room and pretty terrace for alfresco dining.
Follow them on Instagram: @nobuoldparklane.
Kibou
Wandsworth - 175 Northcote Rd, London SW11 6QF
This Battersea spot is the London branch of a well-respected Cheltenham restaurant. Alongside hot dishes like gyoza and ramen, their sushi options are pretty eclectic - think kimchi seafood rolls, ebi yukari Californian rolls and their very popular volcano roll. They're particularly good on catering for vegetarian and vegan sushi lovers.
Follow them on Instagram: @kiboubattersea
Sushi Atelier
Fitzrovia, Shoreditch and St John’s Wood
If it’s modern sushi you’re after, then look no further. Allow the chefs here to make their choice for you and go for one of their omakase platters. Alternatively, if you fancy having a sushi gathering in your own home, they do a nice line in takeaway party platters.
Follow them on Instagram: @sushiatelierlondon.
Sasa
Angel - 422 St John St, London EC1V 4NJ
Islington sushi lovers have known for some time about this narrow little restaurant just south of the traffic lights at Angel. Owner Mr Pham trained up at Suntory and Miyami. In a different take, the menu lets you pick the fish first and choose whether you want it as nigiri, sashimi, tataki and so on.
Follow them on Instagram: @sasasushilondon
Yashin Sushi and Yashin Ocean
Kensington
Founded by ex-Nobu and Yumi head chefs Yasuhiro Mineno and Shinya Ikeda, both the Yashin restaurants serve up sushi with a bit more modernity and theatre than you might find elsewhere. Expect dishes like yellowtail carpaccio with orange soy and chilli oil while even their delivery options come paired with sakes.
Follow them on Instagram: @yashinlondon.
See also: their sushi counter spin-off Sushi Kamon at Arcade on Tottenham Court Road and Battersea Power Station.
Also see
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