22 Of The Best Sushi Restaurants In London That Will Have You Reaching For The Chopsticks
From Robert DeNiro’s globally renowned London restaurant to a humble local joint
Kendall Jenner and Victoria Beckham might swear by edamame beans and sashimi, but sushi is about so much more than just rice and raw fish.
The Japanese cuisine has always been seen as the healthier - admittedly often sophisticated - dining choice than your average Italian. Those little rectangles of pure deliciousness, which are placed ever so delicately on a bed of rice with surgeon-like precision - always satisfy. There’s no denying it, sushi – whether it’s a plateful of nigiri or unagi – is amazing.
Since the cuisine was discovered by the western world nearly 30 years ago, swanky sushi restaurants have been popping up all over London and A-listers, just like us, can’t get enough of it. BFFs Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid have been spotted in the capital’s Sexy Fish, while actor Robert De Niro co-owns the lustrous eatery Nobu.
If you are a spider roll aficionado or if you don’t know your sizzling squid from your sashimi, we’ve done the hard work for you and chosen the most popular sushi eateries in the capital to book a table at.
Here are the best sushi restaurants in London to snap your chopsticks in:
Taku
For those suffering from decision fatigue, there is little more delightful than the Japanese ‘omakase’ style of dining in which your order is left entirely in the hands of the chef. Unsurprisingly, given the mania of the past few months (and years), it’s a style that is slowly taking the London food scene by storm – and has reached its apotheosis in Taku, an exquisite new restaurant (and UK first) from the lauded, Michelin-starred Chef Takuya Watanabe.
While most Mayfair eateries are known for going all out on flashy bells and whistles, Taku is a welcome change with its quasi-hidden door, pared-back interiors, serene atmosphere and authentic 16-seat counter – a clever (and traditional) combination that allows the food to take centre-stage. And rightfully so, for Chef Taku’s creations are some of the finest you’ll ever come across this side of Japan. Think the finest, freshest seafood from around the British Isles elevated by the most luxurious ingredients from around the world, including Alba white truffle, Japanese uni and Beluga caviar.
But of course, it’s the sushi itself that’s the star of the show, prepared with breathtaking precision à la minute in the traditional edomae style, and placed directly into your hand to be eaten as quickly as possible – within ten seconds to ensure the fish and rice are at their optimal temperature. Each mouthful is a truly transcendental experience, and though the 20-course menu might seem excessive at first, you’re guaranteed to reach the end still lusting for more.
Location: 36 Albemarle Street, London W1S 4JE
Click here to find out more.
Sachi at Pantechnicon
It’s a rare moment in the ELLE UK office when a meal leaves us utterly speechless, but the silence permeated the air when we dined at Sachi at Pantechnicon, such was the exquisite offering of Japanese food we were treated to.
Downstairs in the beautiful dining area, Sachi offers guests a unique experience of Japanese food made with British ingredients, whether it’s the wagyu tataki or the agedashi tofu with mushroom and black autumn truffle dashi on the autumn menu. In addition to nibbles and light options from Otsumami and the miso soups, we suggest opting for a selection of dishes from the Sashimi Moriawase and Agemono sections on the menu (the crispy Cornish monkfish, yuzu kosho tartare is out of this world!), before moving your tastebuds towards the latter half of the menu, with the Robata Grill, nigiri and maki rolls (prepare yourself for enoki tempura, black garlic and mizuna, and a tantalising tuna, takuwan and buckwheat).
Sip on punchy Sachi negronis and a Kakan Fizz, before trying the lip-smacking Pinot Auxerrois (it’s a new favourite of ours), and you’ll wonder how you’ve never been here before.
Location: 19 Motcomb St, London SW1X 8LB
Click here to find out more.
Rika Moon
As much as we love the beautiful simplicity of ‘proper’ Japanese sushi, sometimes life calls for something a little… Sexier. That’s where Rika Moon comes in. With its bold Japanese fusion dishes, luxurious interiors and list of cocktails that pack a serious punch, Rika Moon is the newest – and hottest – kid on the Notting Hill block that’s becoming a fast favourite. Packed with endless, delicious-sounding small dishes, the menu is designed to be shared, making it ideal for an intimate date night and providing the perfect excuse to order the lot.
Grilled aubergine, wagyu tatami and chu-toro tartare make suitably spoiling entrées, and are best followed by Miso black cod, all the tempuras and clay pot Gohan rice. As per Japanese tradition, the sushi is served last to act as a refreshing palate-cleanser – so ensure you leave enough space to sample as many of the wonderful maki rolls as possible, where the ‘fusion’ concept really comes to life. Strange as it sounds, a visit to the downstairs bathroom is also an absolute must and will help get you in the going out-out mood (and provide many a laugh in the meantime). We’ll leave the rest a surprise…
Location: 120 Kensington Park Road, London W11 2PW
Click here to find out more.
Dinings SW3
In the heart of Chelsea sits Dinings SW3 and it's become a hub of culinary excellence thanks to executive chef and part owner Masaki Sugisaki.
Whether you're seated at the counter or on banquettes expect the best in sushi dining, whether it's a dish of line caught Cornish sea bass carpaccio, Agedashi-dofu (Shojin-umadashi broth) or hand-dived scallop.
Sushi lovers will be delighted with a range of fishy and veggie delights including bluefin tuna, yellowtail, salmon, King crab and grilled shiitake mushroom.
Location: Dinings SW3, Walton House, Lennox Gardens Mews, Walton Street, Chelsea, London SW3 2JH
Click here to find out more.
Chisou Mayfair
If their Instagram bio is anything to go by, Chisou Mayfair is the place for ‘proper’ Japanese food. The light and airy restaurant is one of two locations in London – it’s small and unfussy looking, but the food alone is worth making a fuss about.
A favourite is the horenso salad starter – spirals of spinach leaves topped with spicy tuna in a creamy yuzu sauce, followed by the delicious soft-shell crab ‘inside out’ rolls. Chisou prides itself on seasonal ingredients, so the menu is ever changing.
Wash it all down with a splash of sake from the eatery’s 40-strong, impressive menu – they even have a feature wall dedicated to the potent stuff.
Location: 22-23 Woodstock Street, W1C 2AR
Click here to find out more.
SUMI
Operating for delivery and takeaway since its opening in December 2020, SUMI has finally opened its doors to Notting Hill. Run by Michelin-awarded sushi master Endo Kazutoshi and head chef Yasuda Akinori, SUMI offers diners the option to sit at the chef's table, so you can have a birds-eye view of the sushi creators at work, as well as more traditional seating options. Highlights off the menu include Hotate (a temaki made up of diced scallop and Hana Hojiso flowers), Yasai (pickled carrot and mooli radish, smoked and fermented mooli, chives and sesame and soy dressing), an A4 Wagyu striploin and a white fish steak served with the restaurant's own seaweed and ponzu sauce.
In addition to its exquisite menu, we love the fresh cream-toned walls, pale wood panels and rattan interior accents.
Location: 157 Westbourne Grove, London, W11 2RS
Click here to find out more.
Issho-Ni
Putting the unassuming Bethnal Green on the foodie map, Issho-Ni is worth travelling for. As a cocktail bar, as well as a restaurant, its mood lighting and decor is as welcoming as the taste of it's must-have Shisorita cocktail – with ocho tequila, quiquirique mezcal, yuzu, agave and shisho. Its drink list is extensive, from sake to Japanese whisky, but the food is Issho-Ni's pièce de résistance.
From the fiery shrimp tempura with smoked jalapeno mayo to salmon teriyake, classics get a truly scrumptious makeover. And as for its sashimi, the blue fin fatty tuna stands out as one of the most melt-in-your-mouth tastes of Japan you'll ever try.
Whether you've got a few hours spare or only enough time for a pit stop, Issho-Ni has you covered with their takeaway lunch bento boxes and bottomless brunches on Saturdays. Why not try drowning yourself in their bottomless sushi instead of everyone's classic prosecco?
Location: 185 Bethnal Green Road, London , E2 6AB
Click here to find out more.
Engawa
You might know Engawa first by reputation, thanks to its kobe beef (it's one of a handful of London restaurants known for serving this, which is also known as the ‘caviar of meat’) but this Ham Yard-based site deserves a visit for all of its sushi plates on offer.
In addition to its beef, Engawa serves a three and five-course tasting menu which features the likes of Saikyo Black Cod Karaage and Japanese Wagyu steak and Chirashi sushi served with soup.
A selection of three or five drinks from sake, wine or
shochu are optional and chosen by the restaurant's very own sommelier.
Location: 2 Ham Yard, London, W1D 7DT
Click here for more information.
Yashin Ocean House
Proof that not all top sushi restaurants have to be in W1, this Earl’s Court hive is ‘home’ to one of the most prominent sushi chefs in the UK, if not in Europe. Chef Mineno creates a nose-to-tail concept - or fin-to-gill, if we’re being technical - in this upmarket spot. What does that mean? Well, that you get to eat the guts of the fish and all.
We suggest you try the mackerel spine with crispy fish skin and cod cheeks; fresh fish but with unconventional trimmings. The eel and avocado is good, too (every last part of it). Mostly, this is restaurant is perfect if you drool over beautiful interiors.
Without a doubt, you will leave Yashin planning an emerald-green tiled refurb on your kitchen you didn’t know you needed and wanting to buy yourself an eccentric life-size horse lamp. Natch.
Location: 117-119 Old Brompton Road, SW7 3RN
Click here to find out more.
Sushisamba London
This one is for the views, although you might need to close your eyes as you whiz up to the 39th floor in the glass lift. The second skyscraper restaurant in the Heron Tower – the famed Duck & Waffle is on the floor below – mixes our favourite food groups. A Japanese-Brazilian-Peruvian fusion; mouth-watering sushi meets tasty taquitos – hence the restaurant's name.
It’s hard to know what to Instagram first – the vast outdoorsy sky-lit room, the already famous full-sized orange tree perched on the drinks terrace or the Kobe beef which costs an eye-watering £1,000. We recommend you try the scallop ceviche with mandarin leche de tigre and the chicken heart Peruvian skewers scorched on the robata grill.
The black cod with maize morada and popcorn has us salivating, too. With those views, it’d be rude not to indulge on one (or five) of the Miso Mules.
Location: 110 Bishopgate, EC2N 4AY
Click here to find out more.
Sushi Waka
A fair few sushi rolls away from the lavish Mayfair scene, this Japanese spot proves that good sushi doesn’t have to be surrounded by swish settings. Diners are met with a traditional, family-run affair at this Camden gem.
Makoto Hirose has been making the sushi himself for 30 years while his family serve up healthy sized portions. A lunch deal won’t cost you more than a tenner and the Japanese room can be booked for parties, but you have to abide by house rules and take your shoes off first.
If it’s good enough for singer Bob Geldof then it’s good enough for us.
Location: 75 Parkway, NW1 7PP
Click here to find out more.
Umu
A stylish Mayfair haunt, this one is all about the artfully displayed maki. Chef Yoshinori Ishii brings skills to his knife work while his side hustle includes being a calligrapher, potter and fisherman. All the fish is brought in fresh from Scotland and Cornwall, where Yoshinori has trained fisherman with traditional Jime methods, and he flies in rare Japanese produce each day.
It’s safe to say, you can understand how he’s earned the chef has earned his (Michelin) stars. If you’re going all out – which you are if you’ve picked Umu – we recommend the Icelandic sea urchin. Each dish is created with innovative Kyoto-influence perched on bespoke woodblock poems (yes, you read that right) adorned with delicate flower arrangements (it’s almost too pretty to eat).
The prices don’t come cheap, but you might bump chopsticks with England rugby player Chris Robshaw as the payoff.
Location: 14-16 Bruton Place, W1J 6LX
Click here to find out more.
Nobu
Nobu is the celeb hangout spot. Chef Matsuhisa’s Japanese fusion-style redefined expectations in the early Nineties and has since partnered with co-founder Robert DeNiro, leading to a sweet marriage of sushi and acting royalty. Need we say more?
For more creds – Kanye West name checked Nobu in one of his songs and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Elton John are regulars. Kylie Jenner even makes a point to chomp the yellowtail Jalapeno dish on a UK visit.
The pricey menu is known for its ‘new-style’ sashimi and the original famous black cod miso is a must. If you fancy trying this five-star dining on a three-star budget, we suggest heading there for a lunchtime taster.
Location: 19 Old Park Lane, W1K 1LB
Click here to find out more.
The Araki
As far as credentials go, this is one of only five restaurants in the UK to hold three Michelin stars. Looking for the ultimate sushi splurge? Brace yourselves. This is one for the restaurant connoisseurs, as the minimum spend is £310 per head.
It’s the price you pay to get a front row spot to watch Chef Mitsuhiro Arak in action. Keeping his team small, he’s one of three staff members; one being an assistant and the other his wife. Due to there only being nine seats in the restaurant – perhaps because so few can afford it – the waiting list is long.
If you join now, you might just have saved enough money by the time a seat becomes available. This restaurant might not be an option for your Monday lunch dash, but it's definitely one for the bucket list.
Location: 12 New Burlington Street, W1S 3BH
Click here to find out more.
Tsunami
Raise the sushi sirens because this restaurant is in the deep south – of London that is.
While Clapham might not be your usual spot for top-notch raw fish, Tsunami is tucked away from the noise but still in perfect proximity to the bustling bars, should you have a few Red Dragon cocktails too many. Although, this is not one to try when tumbling out of Infernos on a Saturday night. The sister restaurant to Soho’s Yama Momo, has a similarly moody atmosphere.
A menu to rival Mayfair’s joints; the white tuna, snow crab shumai and lobster maki have us salivating. And to whet your palette, try the scallop appetiser with Masago and creamy spicy sauce. It is literally on fire.
Location: 5-7 Voltaire Road, SW4 6DQ
Click here to find out more.
Lan Kwai Fong
Are you in need of tucking into some fuss-free fish? Or maybe you’re after a night of fun competition with your friends, accompanied by Japanese beer? Well, let us suggest Lan Kwai Fong, an East Asian Kitchen located in the heart of Camden Town.
The sushi is quite simple in terms of offerings – e.g. there’s no £1000 kobe beef here - however, they offer up salmon sashimi and avocado tacos, lightly dusted with tempura batter, which will line your stomach with satisfaction. The sushi platters are only £18.50, which is the same as one dish from the Mayfair haunts. They do great veggie options too.
The quirkiest feat is the digital beer pong tables available for private hire in the basement. Who doesn’t want to follow their rainbow roll with a round of Japanese beer pong?
Location: 27 Chalk Farm Road, NW1 8AG
Click here to find out more.
Sexy Fish
Yet another Mayfair celebrity hotspot, this one does what it says on the (tuna) tin. Creativity is at its finest when it comes to raw fish here and with the complementary artsy walls, Sexy Fish is undoubtedly making fish sexy.
The chic interiors are designed by Martin Brudnizki with quirky mermaid sculptures by Damien Hirst and artworks by Frank Gehry and Michael Roberts. These provide good company to ice bowls of mouth-watering sushi. Bella and Kendall are fans of the signature sashimi slithers, and so are we to be honest.
This is the spot to see and to be seen in.
Location: Berkeley Square House, W1J 6BR
Click here to find out more.
Kurobuta
Kurobuta is the perfect mix of flashy and fun. The food from an ex-Nobu chef is delicious, but still with Nobu prices. The yellow tail and tuna sashimi platter with kizami wasabi salsa looks too good to eat, but alas, we suggest you take on the challenge.
We recommend you try the delicious aubergine dish (nasu dengaku) and the wagyu beef sliders in brioche buns. If that doesn’t have you salivating, then how about trialling one of their specialities; ‘Monday bun day’, ‘Wednesday’s wing day’ and ‘weekend bottomless brunch’?
While the focus is on the fish, cocktails and tunes are flowing at Kurobuta, too.
Location: 17-20 Kendal Street, Connaught Village, W2 2AW
Click here to find out more.
Aqua Kyoto
One of our favourite central spots has had a face lift. Located just behind Oxford Circus, Aqua Kyoto boasts rooftop views of London away from the noise and hustle. The chic interior update is by award-winning international designer Robert Angell. But the quality sushi remains the same.
We recommend the tuna tataki, which is beautifully presented on slates, black cod with yuzu curd and the Hoji cha octopus adorned with pretty flowers, to get your Instagram followers’ hearts racing.
This is contemporary Japanese dining at its finest. Also, new on the menu is the chirasi don (think poke style) bowl, which is great for a lunchtime visit. The salmon and avocado harumaki and seared tuna steak had us drooling all the way down the five floors.
Punters go for the drinks as much as they do the food, and it’s not hard to see why.
Location: 30 Argyll Street, W1B 3BR
Click here to find out more.
Itadaki Zen
Think that sushi is only about raw fish? Think again. Itadaki Zen is the first organic and vegan sushi restaurant in Europe. One the health conscious, the concept is based on grains, vegetables and salty seaweed.
Alternatively, take advantage of the set menus – the cost is equal to one drink at Sushisamba. Glitz and glamour might not be on the menu, but the quality of food is why diners love it so much.
The plant-based offering still does sushi sensations, like the vegan tempura with bubbly batter and the tofu spring rolls are to die for.
Location: 139 King’s Cross Road, WC1X 9BJ
Click here to find out more.
Katie O'Malley is the Site Director on ELLE UK. On a daily basis you’ll find Katie managing all digital workflow, editing site, video and newsletter content, liaising with commercial and sales teams on new partnerships and deals (eg Nike, Tiffany & Co., Cartier etc), implementing new digital strategies and compiling in-depth data traffic, SEO and ecomm reports. In addition to appearing on the radio and on TV, as well as interviewing everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Rishi Sunak PM, Katie enjoys writing about lifestyle, culture, wellness, fitness, fashion, and more.
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