Japanese Restaurants In London - Best Picks By Area (Review 2026)
I've tracked the sharp rise of Japanese restaurants in London for months. Here are 40 honest picks by area and budget, and how to actually get a table.
Author:James RowleyOct 31, 2026
The Sharp Rise Of Japanese Restaurants In London: Best Picks By Area, Budget And Use Case
Ten years ago, if you wanted proper Japanese food in London, you had a handful of names to choose from and most of them were in Mayfair. That's changed faster than almost any other cuisine in the city. Omakase counters are opening in Clerkenwell alleyways and Hackney railway arches, ramen chains have multiplied across Soho, and a new wave of chefs trained in Tokyo, New York and beyond are putting their own stamp on everything from yakitori to nikkei fusion.
I've spent months tracking this shift, cross-checking what's actually good against what's just loud on Instagram. This guide gives you the shortlist I'd hand a friend: 40 restaurants, sorted by area, budget and what you're actually trying to do that night, plus honest advice on how to book them. If Japanese food isn't the only thing on your mind for this trip, my broader roundup of the best restaurants in Londonis worth a look too.
Quick Answer: London's Best Japanese Restaurants At A Glance
If you only read one section, read this one.
| Restaurant | Why it's here |
| Sushi Tetsu | London's hardest reservation and, by most accounts, its best seven seats of sushi. |
| Zuma | The polished, reliable choice for a special dinner with genuine range beyond just sushi. |
| Nobu Berkeley St | The name that started London's obsession with modern Japanese cooking. |
| Chotto Matte | Loud, fun, Nikkei-leaning, and the safest bet for a group that wants theatre. |
| Humble Chicken | Soho counter dining that punches well above its size and price point. |
| Kibou | A genuinely good, relaxed neighbourhood option in South London. |
| Bone Daddies / Tonkotsu / Shoryu | Your reliable ramen fix in Soho, no booking drama required. |
| Sushi Amamoto | A serious, quieter alternative to the bigger Mayfair names. |
| Endo at The Rotunda | Sushi with a view, in a part of London most guides overlook. |
| Jidori | Proper Dalston yakitori without the Mayfair price tag. |
Why Japanese Restaurants Are Rising So Sharply In London
You're probably wondering what's actually driving this, beyond "London likes sushi now." It's a genuine convergence of three separate trends.
First, omakase went from niche to aspirational. The format, letting the chef choose everything, has become the format serious diners want, and London has attracted proper Edomae-trained chefs to deliver it, a wave of Japanese sushi masters whose reputations were forged in Michelin-starred kitchens has turned London's Mayfair into the hottest counter-dining scene in the city, as the rise of omakase in Londonhas been well documented.
Second, hospitality groups have poured investment into the category, opening multiple sites under one brand (Zuma, Roka and Sushisamba are the clearest examples) once they proved the format travels.
Third, Michelin has quietly kept pace, and its own guide to the best Japanese restaurants in Londonnow recognises more of the city's Japanese kitchens than it did even a few guide cycles ago, pulling mainstream diners' attention toward chefs who'd previously only been known to specialists.
None of that explains why budget options have grown too, but I think that's simpler: once omakase made Japanese food feel prestigious, ramen bars, izakaya and conveyor-belt spots became the accessible on-ramp for people who wanted a taste of the trend without the £180 price tag. The result is a scene that's genuinely deep at every price point, not just glossy at the top, and it sits comfortably alongside the wider shift I've written about in London's cultural scene.
How I Built This Shortlist
I didn't want to just repeat the same ten Mayfair names every other list recycles. I cross-checked chef pedigree, Michelin recognition, and consistent independent reporting (not paid placements) against actual booking difficulty and price, then made sure every area of London and every budget band had at least one genuine recommendation.
A few of these restaurants I can vouch for through direct visits; for the rest, I've relied on verified reporting, official restaurant information and consistent reviewer consensus rather than guessing. Opening hours and prices shift often in this industry, so treat the details below as a strong starting point and always confirm directly with the restaurant or through OpenTablebefore you commit an evening to it.
The Best Japanese Restaurants In London By Area
Mayfair
Mayfair is still the epicentre of London's Japanese boom, and it's where you'll find the highest concentration of serious omakase counters. If you want to make a full afternoon of it before dinner, I'd pair this section with my guide to exploring Mayfair, the most elegant district in London.
Nobu Berkeley St
Nobu is arguably the restaurant that made modern Japanese cooking fashionable in London in the first place, and two decades on it's still busy every night of the week. The menu leans into nikkei fusion, blending Japanese technique with Peruvian and South American ingredients in a way that's been copied by half the restaurants on this list.
You come here for the black cod, the buzz of the dining room, and the reliability of knowing exactly what you're getting.
- Famous for/Must Try:Black cod with miso; yellowtail sashimi with jalapeño
- Opening hours:Lunch and dinner daily; I'd confirm the current sitting times when you book, as they vary between weekdays and weekends
- Exact Location:15 Berkeley Street, Mayfair, London W1J 8DY
Sushi Kanesaka
This is the first restaurant outside the Asia Pacific region from renowned omakase chef Shinji Kanesaka, tucked into the Mayfair hotel 45 Park Lane. It's a serious, formal room built entirely around the counter experience.
Expect a long, structured tasting rather than an à la carte menu here. This is the restaurant to pick if you want the closest thing London offers to a genuine Tokyo-style edomae sushi-ya.
- Famous for/Must Try:Edomae sushi using the chef's own rice blend, sake and whisky pairings
- Opening hours:Dinner only, by reservation; sittings are limited so book well ahead
- Exact Location:45 Park Lane, Mayfair, London W1K 1PN
Sushi Amamoto
Sushi Amamoto is the London outpost of one of Taipei's hardest reservations, led by chef Shogo Amamoto. It's quieter and less flashy than some of its Mayfair neighbours, which is exactly its appeal.
The room is calm, the pace is deliberate, and the fatty tuna course is the one people talk about afterwards.
- Famous for/Must Try:Otoro (fatty tuna) nigiri; multi-course omakase running 17 to 22 courses
- Opening hours:Dinner service, evenings only; reservations essential
- Exact Location:Albemarle Street, Mayfair, London W1S
Tobi Masa
Set inside The Chancery Rosewood hotel(the former US Embassy building), Tobi Masa brings three-Michelin-starred chef Masayoshi Takayama's fluid, expressive take on Japanese cuisine to Mayfair. You can sit at the smaller sushi counter for the full omakase or take a table from the wider contemporary Japanese menu.
I'd choose the counter if it's available. The room's grandeur (it retains its original modernist Saarinen architecture) suits an occasion dinner.
- Famous for/Must Try:Toro tartare with caviar; the signature Masa-style tasting courses
- Opening hours:Dinner daily; lunch on select days, worth checking ahead
- Exact Location:30 Grosvenor Square, Mayfair, London W1K 6AN
Maru
Maru sits down a genuinely tricky-to-find Mayfair alley in Shepherd Market, which somehow adds to the appeal once you're inside. There's a strong sake list and a stylish, low-lit dining room.
This is a good pick if you want serious food without the theatre or the queue-round-the-block reputation of some of its neighbours.
- Famous for/Must Try:Seasonal sashimi selection; extensive sake pairing list
- Opening hours:Dinner service, evenings; check current days of operation before booking
- Exact Location:18 Shepherd Market, Mayfair, London W1J 7QH
Taku
Taku is Edomae-focused, run by chef Takuya Watanabe, with a stark wood-and-stone counter that keeps the attention entirely on the food. Sittings are genuinely limited, with only two dinner services a night and a hard cap on covers.
If you want traditional technique over flashy plating, this is one of the more disciplined choices in Mayfair.
- Famous for/Must Try:Edomae-style cured nigiri; a 20-course tasting format
- Opening hours:Two dinner sittings nightly, typically early and late evening; confirm exact times when booking
- Exact Location:Mayfair, London (exact address provided at time of booking)
Sake No Hana
A short walk from Mayfair proper, Sake no Hana occupies a striking timber-lined dining room and has been a fixture for contemporary Japanese dining for over a decade. It's less counter-focused than the newer wave, with a broader menu spanning robata, sushi and hot dishes.
It suits a bigger group better than most of the tiny counters on this list.
- Famous for/Must Try:Robata-grilled dishes; extensive sake selection
- Opening hours:Lunch and dinner, closed Sundays in most years; confirm current days
- Exact Location:St James's, London SW1
Soho
Soho is where London's Japanese scene gets louder, cheaper and considerably easier to walk into without a reservation made a month in advance. If you're spending the whole day around here, my notes on cheap eats near Piccadilly Circuscover the rest of the block.
Humble Chicken
Don't let the name put you off. This Frith Street counter restaurant has real creativity in its tasting menu, and the quality of ingredients is consistently strong even in dishes as simple as the shokupan bread course.
The room is dark, moody and small, which makes for an intimate rather than a rushed dinner.
- Famous for/Must Try:Sashimi course; sukiyaki
- Opening hours:Dinner service, evenings; some lunch availability, check current schedule
- Exact Location:54 Frith Street, Soho, London W1D 4SL
Chotto Matte
Chotto Matte is the loudest, most theatrical entry on this list, blending Nikkei (Japanese-Peruvian) food with a live robata grill and a sushi bar you can watch in action. According to its official Visit London listing, it's a two-floor Soho venue with an open Robata grill, a sushi bar and a large dining room, plus a ground-floor cocktail bar and raw bar.
This is the pick for a group that wants energy over quiet reflection, and it does bottomless brunch on Saturdays if that's your thing.
- Famous for/Must Try:Robata-grilled octopus and tiger prawns; Nikkei tasting menu
- Opening hours:Monday to Saturday, midday to 1.30am; Sunday, 1pm to midnight
- Exact Location:11 to 13 Frith Street, Soho, London W1D 4RB
Bone Daddies
One of the "big four" Soho ramen spots that's been serving proper tonkotsu bowls for over a decade. It's the kind of place you can walk into without planning weeks ahead, which after the counters above is a genuine relief.
The broth is rich and the portions are generous, which is exactly what you want at ramen prices.
- Famous for/Must Try:Tonkotsu ramen; spicy miso ramen variants
- Opening hours:Lunch and dinner daily; walk-ins generally welcome
- Exact Location:Old Compton Street, Soho, London W1D
Tonkotsu
Tonkotsu's Dean Street branch has long been a favourite among people who eat ramen in London regularly, and it's noticeably less crowded than some of its Soho competitors while serving comparable quality.
If you're choosing between the big ramen names, this is the one locals tend to point to first.
- Famous for/Must Try:Tonkotsu pork broth ramen
- Opening hours:Lunch and dinner daily; no reservation typically needed
- Exact Location:Dean Street, Soho, London W1D
Shoryu Ramen
Shoryu's Soho branch is a reliable, consistently well-reviewed choice, particularly if you're after vegan or vegetarian ramen options, which aren't always well handled elsewhere in this category.
It's a good introduction to ramen if you've never had it and want somewhere unfussy.
- Famous for/Must Try:Hakata tonkotsu ramen; spicy white natural ramen
- Opening hours:Lunch and dinner daily; typically no booking required for smaller groups
- Exact Location:Soho, London W1
Kikuchi
A quieter, more old-school Soho sushi spot that's flown under the radar of most trend-driven "best of" lists, but has a loyal following among people who've been eating Japanese food in London since before the current boom.
If you want traditional sushi without the counter-dining ceremony, this is worth seeking out.
- Famous for/Must Try:Traditional nigiri and sashimi sets
- Opening hours:Lunch and dinner, closed Sundays in most years; confirm current days
- Exact Location:Soho, London W1
So Japanese
A smaller, unpretentious Soho spot on Warwick Street that offers a broader menu of hot and cold Japanese dishes rather than focusing purely on sushi or ramen.
It's a solid, less-hyped choice if your group can't agree on one style of Japanese food.
- Famous for/Must Try:Mixed sushi and hot dish set menus
- Opening hours:Lunch and dinner daily; check current hours before visiting
- Exact Location:Warwick Street, Soho, London W1
Knightsbridge And Chelsea
Zuma
Zuma is, in my view, the most consistently excellent of London's "big name" Japanese restaurants, and its Knightsbridge original is now in its second decade of full houses. The room revolves around a huge island bar with over 40 sakes, plus an open kitchen where you can watch the robata grill in action.
Book a stool at the counter if you can get one; otherwise the main dining room is still a genuinely good night out.
- Famous for/Must Try:Robata-grilled dishes; extensive sake and cocktail list
- Opening hours:Lunch and dinner daily; walk-in seats sometimes available at the island bar
- Exact Location:5 Raphael Street, Knightsbridge, London SW7
Sumosan Twiga
A glamorous Sloane Street spot combining Japanese cuisine with Italian influences from its Twiga partnership. It's popular with a Chelsea crowd looking for a polished dinner rather than a purist Japanese experience.
Go here if your evening also involves cocktails and people-watching as much as it involves the food.
- Famous for/Must Try:Wagyu dishes; sushi platters
- Opening hours:Lunch and dinner daily; check current hours
- Exact Location:165 Sloane Street, Chelsea, London SW1X
Fitzrovia And Marylebone
Roka
Roka, from the same team behind Zuma, brings the same robata-focused format to Charlotte Street with a slightly less see-and-be-seen atmosphere than its Knightsbridge sibling.
It's a strong choice if you want the Zuma experience without quite the same price tag or crowd.
- Famous for/Must Try:Robata grill dishes; fresh wasabi grated tableside
- Opening hours:Lunch and dinner daily
- Exact Location:37 Charlotte Street, Fitzrovia, London W1T
Dinings
A tiny, unassuming Marylebone basement restaurant that punches well above its size, blending izakaya-style small plates with genuinely inventive sushi.
It rewards ordering several small dishes to share rather than treating it as a straightforward sushi dinner.
- Famous for/Must Try:Creative small plates alongside sushi
- Opening hours:Lunch and dinner, typically closed Sundays; confirm current schedule
- Exact Location:Marylebone, London W1
Junsei
Junsei brings authentic yakitori dining to Marylebone, alongside cocktails, sake and wine, plus an omakase tasting option if you want the full experience rather than à la carte skewers.
It's a solid pick if you want yakitori specifically rather than a broader Japanese menu.
- Famous for/Must Try:Charcoal-grilled yakitori skewers; omakase tasting menu
- Opening hours:Dinner service, evenings; check current days
- Exact Location:Marylebone, London W1
Kurisu Omakase
A small, chef-led sushi omakase concept that blends Japanese technique with the chef's own Colombian and Thai heritage. It's the kind of place that doesn't advertise a fixed menu because it's built entirely around whatever's freshest that day.
Follow the restaurant's own channels for current booking availability, since spots like this tend to move location or release tables in short windows.
- Famous for/Must Try:Up to 18 inventive omakase courses
- Opening hours:By reservation, released periodically; check the restaurant's current booking channel
- Exact Location:Central London (confirmed at time of booking)
City, Liverpool Street And Shoreditch
If you're basing an evening around this part of town, it's worth reading alongside my guide to exploring Shoreditch, since several of these restaurants sit right on its edge.
Sushisamba
Sushisamba's original branch sits at the top of the Heron Tower, combining Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian food with one of the best views in the City. It's less about culinary purity and more about the overall spectacle, which is exactly why groups love it.
Book the terrace if the weather's good; it's one of the better outdoor spots in the Square Mile.
- Famous for/Must Try:Fusion sushi rolls; Latino-Japanese small plates
- Opening hours:Lunch and dinner daily
- Exact Location:Heron Tower, 110 Bishopsgate, City of London EC2N
Los Mochis London City
A rooftop-terrace restaurant near Liverpool Street blending Japanese and Mexican cuisine, known for sashimi and sushi alongside genuinely good tacos, which isn't a combination you'd expect to work as well as it does.
It's a strong after-work option if you're in the City and want something more interesting than another steakhouse.
- Famous for/Must Try:Sashimi and sushi platters; Japanese-Mexican tacos
- Opening hours:Lunch and dinner daily; rooftop terrace subject to weather
- Exact Location:Liverpool Street, City of London EC2
LUNA Omakase
Hidden above another restaurant near Liverpool Street, LUNA is a twelve-seat counter built entirely around omakase, with a menu that evolves with the seasons and draws on the head chef's own memories and training in Japan.
It's a genuinely calm, intimate experience in a part of London not known for calm dining.
- Famous for/Must Try:Seasonal, moon-themed tasting menu; onigiri inspired by the chef's own family recipes
- Opening hours:Dinner only, limited seatings; reservations essential
- Exact Location:Near Liverpool Street, City of London EC2
Okan
Okan brought proper Osaka-style okonomiyaki to Brick Lane, founded by a chef who grew up in the city and started out selling from a market stall before opening this restaurant.
It's one of the few places in London doing this specific dish well, so it's worth the trip even if it's not on your usual radar.
- Famous for/Must Try:Okonomiyaki (savoury Japanese pancake)
- Opening hours:Lunch and dinner, check current days as market-stall-style venues often have variable schedules
- Exact Location:Brick Lane, Shoreditch, London E1
Big Night
A Hackney spot that blends yakitori izakaya format with British ingredients, serving dishes like smoked beetroot and seasonal kimchi alongside the grilled skewers. It's playful rather than purist, with a communal, buzzy dining room.
Go here if you want izakaya energy without travelling all the way to Dalston.
- Famous for/Must Try:Yakitori skewers with British seasonal ingredients
- Opening hours:Dinner service, evenings; check current days
- Exact Location:Homerton, Hackney, London E9
Clerkenwell
Sushi Tetsu
This is the restaurant every serious London food person mentions unprompted. Seven seats, one chef (Toru Takahashi, who trained under Nobu), and his wife Harumi running the room. Reservations are released roughly a month ahead and disappear within minutes.
If you can get in, expect either an à la carte selection of white fish, tuna, blue fish and shellfish, or the full omakase tasting, ordered a day in advance. It's widely considered among the very best sushi counters in the city, Michelin recognition or not.
- Famous for/Must Try:Edomae nigiri; the full omakase tasting menu
- Opening hours:Tuesday to Saturday, by reservation only across a small number of seatings
- Exact Location:12 Jerusalem Passage, Clerkenwell, London EC1V 4JP
East London: Dalston And Hackney
Jidori
Jidori is Dalston's yakitori specialist, serving skewers that go beyond the usual chicken thigh and breast into liver and heart, which is closer to how yakitori is actually eaten in Japan.
It's proof that you don't need Mayfair prices to get serious, technically accomplished Japanese cooking.
- Famous for/Must Try:Tsukune (chicken meatball skewers) with cured egg yolk
- Opening hours:Dinner service, evenings; check current days
- Exact Location:Dalston, London E8
The Sea The Sea
Set under railway arches in Haggerston, this restaurant applies an omakase-style approach to contemporary cooking rather than strict traditional Japanese technique, making it one of the more experimental entries on this list.
If you've done a few traditional omakase counters already and want something that plays with the format, this is worth a look.
- Famous for/Must Try:Chef's-choice tasting format applied to a broader, contemporary menu
- Opening hours:Dinner service, evenings; check current days
- Exact Location:Haggerston, London E8
West London
Endo At The Rotunda
Set on the top floor of the iconic former Television Centre in White City, Endo Kazutoshi's restaurant has been nicknamed "sushi in the clouds," with guests gathered around a counter overlooking the city.
It's one of the best reasons to venture to White City specifically, rather than treating it as a fallback after Mayfair is booked out.
- Famous for/Must Try:Counter-style omakase with a view over West London
- Opening hours:Dinner service, evenings; check current days and lunch availability
- Exact Location:The Helios, 101 Wood Lane, Shepherd's Bush, London W12 7FR
HAKU Cafe And Izakaya
A cosy, modern take on izakaya culture in Acton, offering small plates like miso aubergine and agedashi alongside sashimi and a curated sake, wine and beer list.
It's a genuinely good neighbourhood option if you're based in West London and don't want to travel into town for izakaya food.
- Famous for/Must Try:Nasu dengaku (miso aubergine); sashimi
- Opening hours:Dinner service, evenings; check current days
- Exact Location:Acton, London W3
Yashin Sushi
A Kensington sushi restaurant known for a more inventive, less traditionalist approach to nigiri and rolls, often incorporating unexpected garnishes and preparations.
It's a good pick if you want sushi that takes some creative risks rather than strict Edomae orthodoxy.
- Famous for/Must Try:Inventive nigiri and specialty rolls
- Opening hours:Lunch and dinner, check current days
- Exact Location:Kensington, London W8
North London
Iné
Described by locals as Taku's "cooler, younger sister," Iné brings the same team's precision to a stylish, understated Hampstead shopfront that's easy to miss if you're not looking for it.
It's a good option if you want serious Japanese food without travelling into Mayfair.
- Famous for/Must Try:Modern Japanese fine dining in a compact, minimalist setting
- Opening hours:Dinner service, evenings; check current days
- Exact Location:Hampstead, London NW3
Atariya Sushi Bar
A long-standing, no-frills sushi spot in Swiss Cottage popular with a genuinely local, repeat crowd rather than tourists or trend-chasers.
If you live in North London and want reliable sushi without a special occasion attached, this is your neighbourhood answer.
- Famous for/Must Try:Classic nigiri and sashimi sets
- Opening hours:Lunch and dinner, check current days
- Exact Location:Swiss Cottage, London NW3
Sushi-Say
A family-run Willesden institution that's been serving the local community for years, well outside the trend cycle that drives most "best of London" lists.
It's a genuinely good example of the quieter, unglamorous side of London's Japanese food scene.
- Famous for/Must Try:Traditional sushi and set meals
- Opening hours:Lunch and dinner, typically closed one day a week; confirm current schedule
- Exact Location:Willesden, London NW10
South London
Kibou
Kibou brings what it calls "Tokyo-chic" to Battersea's Northcote Road, with vibrant interiors, cherry blossom displays, and a genuinely broad menu covering sushi, ramen, tempura, katsu curry and bao buns.
It also runs a bottomless sushi session on Sundays, which makes it a strong choice for a relaxed weekend group booking.
- Famous for/Must Try:Bottomless Sunday sushi; katsu curry
- Opening hours:Lunch and dinner daily
- Exact Location:Northcote Road, Battersea, London SW11
Toriton Izakaya
A standout Coulsdon destination for authentic Japanese barbecue and grilled dishes, blending traditional technique with a more modern approach in an intimate setting.
It's worth the trip if you're in South London and want proper izakaya food rather than the nearest generic Japanese restaurant.
- Famous for/Must Try:Grilled skewers and barbecue-style dishes
- Opening hours:Dinner service, evenings; check current days
- Exact Location:Coulsdon, South London CR5
Casual And Ramen Bars Across Town
Kanada-Ya
One of London's most consistently recommended tonkotsu ramen specialists, known for a broth that's simmered for hours to get the right richness.
Expect a queue at peak times, but it moves fast and the bowls are worth the wait.
- Famous for/Must Try:Signature tonkotsu ramen
- Opening hours:Lunch and dinner daily
- Exact Location:Central London (multiple branches; check nearest location)
Abeno Too
A neat little Japanese spot near Leicester Square specialising in okonomiyaki, cooked right at your table rather than in a back kitchen.
It's a fun, interactive option if you want something different from standard sushi or ramen.
- Famous for/Must Try:Okonomiyaki with pork
- Opening hours:Lunch and dinner daily
- Exact Location:Great Newport Street, Leicester Square, London WC2
Monohon Ramen
A well-regarded ramen specialist known particularly for its vegan options, including a tan tan men that's earned a loyal following among vegetarian and vegan diners who often get short-changed elsewhere.
It's proof that you don't need meat-based broth to get a genuinely satisfying bowl.
- Famous for/Must Try:Vegan tan tan men
- Opening hours:Lunch and dinner daily
- Exact Location:Central London (check current branch address)
Tenmaru
A ramen spot known for its vegan broth options, including a distinctive lemon ramen that stands out from the usual tonkotsu and miso formats most places default to.
Worth seeking out if you want something a little different from the standard ramen bowl.
- Famous for/Must Try:Vegan lemon ramen
- Opening hours:Lunch and dinner daily
- Exact Location:London (check current branch address)
There's genuine range in that list, from a seven-seat Clerkenwell counter to a Battersea bottomless-sushi Sunday, and that range is really the whole story of why this cuisine has grown so fast here.
The Best Japanese Restaurants By Budget
Rather than repeating full write-ups, here's how the 40 above break down by what you'll actually spend. If you're budgeting for the whole trip rather than just dinner, my broader piece on how much a meal in London actually costsis a useful companion to this section.
| Budget | Where to go |
| Fine dining and omakase (£100 to £250+ per head) | Sushi Tetsu, Sushi Kanesaka, Sushi Amamoto, Tobi Masa, Taku, LUNA Omakase, Kurisu Omakase, Zuma, Nobu Berkeley St |
| Mid-range tasting and à la carte (£40 to £100 per head) | Roka, Dinings, Junsei, Chotto Matte, Sumosan Twiga, Sushisamba, Los Mochis, Endo at The Rotunda, Iné, Sake no Hana, Maru |
| Budget-friendly (under £40 per head) | Bone Daddies, Tonkotsu, Shoryu Ramen, Kanada-Ya, Monohon Ramen, Tenmaru, Abeno Too, Kibou, Jidori, HAKU Cafe and Izakaya, Okan, Big Night, Toriton Izakaya, Atariya Sushi Bar, Sushi-Say, Kikuchi, So Japanese, The Sea The Sea, Yashin Sushi |
If you're new to Japanese food and don't want to commit £150 to find out whether you like omakase, start in the budget-friendly column. It's genuinely strong across this list, not just a compromise.
The Best Japanese Restaurants By Cuisine Or Meal Type
Different cravings send you to different corners of this list.
- Sushi and omakase counters:Sushi Tetsu, Sushi Kanesaka, Sushi Amamoto, Tobi Masa, Taku, Maru, Endo at The Rotunda, LUNA Omakase, Kurisu Omakase, Iné, Yashin Sushi, Atariya Sushi Bar, Sushi-Say
- Ramen bars:Bone Daddies, Tonkotsu, Shoryu Ramen, Kanada-Ya, Monohon Ramen, Tenmaru
- Izakaya and small plates:Dinings, Jidori, HAKU Cafe and Izakaya, Okan, Big Night, Toriton Izakaya
- Yakitori and robata:Zuma, Roka, Junsei, Jidori
- Nikkei and fusion:Nobu Berkeley St, Chotto Matte, Sushisamba, Los Mochis London City
Editor's Picks By Trip Type
A few quick pointers if you'd rather match the restaurant to the occasion than scroll the full list. If you're planning something more specific, my dedicated list of birthday restaurants in Londonhas more ideas beyond Japanese food.
- First date:Humble Chicken or Iné, both intimate without being intimidating.
- First-time visitor to London:Start at Chotto Matte or Zuma for an accessible, high-energy introduction before graduating to a pure omakase counter.
- Solo counter seat:Sushi Tetsu if you can get the booking, otherwise Sushi Amamoto.
- Group dinner:Chotto Matte, Sushisamba or Kibou, all built for a livelier, shareable format.
- Budget night out with friends:Kanada-Ya or Bone Daddies for ramen, or Kibou's bottomless Sunday sushi.
Good Fallback Options When Top Picks Are Full
Every popular restaurant on this list gets booked out, especially the small counters. If your first choice is unavailable, these are the substitutes I'd try next.
- If Sushi Tetsuis full, try Sushi Amamotoor LUNA Omakasefor a comparably intimate counter experience.
- If Zumaor Nobuare booked out, Rokaand Chotto Matteoffer a similar energy and format.
- If Mayfair's counters are all fully reserved, look east to The Sea The Seaor north to Inéfor a quieter, less competitive booking window.
- If a ramen queue is too long in Soho, Kanada-Yaand Monohon Ramentend to move faster.
Booking And Queue Tips
Japanese restaurants in London, particularly the counter-style ones, don't behave like typical bookings. A few things genuinely help.
- Book the smallest counters weeks, sometimes a full month, ahead.Sushi Tetsu and similar venues release tables on a fixed schedule and go within minutes.
- Sign up for restaurant mailing lists and follow them on social media, since several release last-minute cancellation slots there first.
- Ramen bars and casual izakaya rarely need advance booking.Walk-ins are usually fine outside peak Friday and Saturday evening slots.
- Call ahead for restaurants with limited online presence.A handful of the best counters on this list, Sushi Tetsu included, don't take standard online reservations.
- Confirm opening hours and prices directly before you travel, and if you're weighing up how to actually get across town between areas, my comparison of London taxi versus Uber versus Bolt costsis worth a glance before you book two restaurants on opposite sides of the city in one evening.
Getting a table is genuinely part of the experience with this category of restaurant, so treat the booking process itself as step one, not an afterthought.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Restaurants In London Are Actually Worth Booking?
If you only book one, make it Sushi Tetsu or Zuma. Beyond that, Sushi Amamoto, Chotto Matte and Humble Chicken consistently deliver on their reputation rather than just riding social media buzz.
Where Should First-time Visitors Eat?
Start with an accessible, energetic spot like Chotto Matte or Zuma before trying a purist omakase counter. It eases you into the format without a steep learning curve on your first night.
Which Places Are Best By Budget Or Cuisine?
Use the budget and cuisine tables above. Ramen and izakaya spots like Kanada-Ya and Jidori deliver serious quality under £40, while the fine-dining tier starts around £100 and climbs from there.
Do I Need Reservations?
For the counters and fine-dining spots, yes, often weeks ahead. For ramen bars and casual izakaya, walk-ins are usually fine outside peak weekend evenings.
Final Thoughts
London's Japanese food scene isn't one trend, it's three happening at once: a genuine omakase boom in Mayfair, serious investment expanding proven formats across the city, and a spread of neighbourhood spots making excellent Japanese food accessible well beyond the postcodes that usually get the attention.
My honest advice is to stop trying to find "the best" Japanese restaurant in London and instead pick the one that matches your budget, your area and what kind of night you actually want. Use this list as your starting point, book early for the small counters, and don't overlook the ramen bars and izakayas just because they're not the ones getting written up in glossy magazines.
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The Sharp Rise Of Japanese Restaurants In London: Best Picks By Area, Budget And Use Case
Quick Answer: London's Best Japanese Restaurants At A Glance
Why Japanese Restaurants Are Rising So Sharply In London
How I Built This Shortlist
The Best Japanese Restaurants In London By Area
Knightsbridge And Chelsea
Fitzrovia And Marylebone
City, Liverpool Street And Shoreditch
Clerkenwell
East London: Dalston And Hackney
West London
North London
South London
Casual And Ramen Bars Across Town
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Thoughts
James Rowley
Author
James Rowley is a London-based writer and researcher covering London life, cultural geography, London travel, live London webcam pages and selected public figures across entertainment, sport, business and public life.
For over 15 years, he has focused on verified sources, first-hand local context and clear explanations that help readers understand both places and people more deeply. His work combines street-level London knowledge with careful research into career credits, media work, business interests and, where relevant, transparently explained net worth estimates.
He writes and reviews articles published on LondonWebcam.
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