Whether you’re in the mood for sensational sashimi or some of London’s best sushi rolls, we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to restaurants serving up the adored Japanese delicacy. From swanky, award-winning spots to traditional, family-run joints, here’s the Secret London lowdown of fifteen essential places with some of the best sushi in London. Don’t say we don’t look after you.
1. Roji
Nestled just off Bond Street, this snug and cosy sushi bar is led by husband and wife duo Tamas and Tomoko. With the restaurant only hosting ten people at a time, Roji is one of Mayfair’s best intimate dining venues and a must-visit spot if you’re one of London’s many sushi lovers.
They pride themselves on using seasonal British produce to conjure up some of the freshest sushi in the city, evident throughout their exciting omakase-style menus. Their dishes are artful and masterfully put together with renowned techniques from Japan. From grilled excellence to perfectly sliced fish, be sure to book your table in advance with this eatery needing a pre-payment before your reservation. Click here to visit their website.
📍 You’ll find Roji at 56 South Molton Street, At The End Of Globe Yard, London W1K 5SH.
🚇 Nearest station is Bond Street.
2. Bisushima
Day or night, Bisushima serves up a combo of bloomin’ fresh sushi and incredible views. This exquisite Japanese restaurant and bar sits atop the Phase8 Hotel in Covent Garden, offering prime 360° views of Trafalgar Square and the city skyline from their wrap-around terrace.
Serving everything from appetisers to hot dishes and cold plates, Bisushima focuses on artful Japanese cooking with locally-sourced and Japanese ingredients. Diners looking to raid the extensive sushi bar can taste traditional Edomae-style bites, which incorporate a special ageing process that promises to bring out the full flavours of raw fish and tasty seaweed.
📍 You’ll find Bisushima at 8 St Martin’s Place, London, WC2N 4JH.
🚇 Nearest station is Charing Cross.
3. SUSHISAMBA
SUSHISAMBA has a sky-high Liverpool Street restaurant on the 38th and 39th floors of the Heron Tower that’s been more than a raging success since opening its doors back in 2012. Their Covent Garden home is based on the same unique blend of Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian culture and cuisine as their other restaurants – think excellent nigiri and sashimi, samba rolls and tasty Brazilian churrasco and moqueca.
On top of the lip-smackingly good food, there are also stunning views from both spots in town, as well as plant-filled interiors and a theatre-style open kitchen where you can see the chefs rustle up their magical dishes.
📍 You’ll find SUSHISAMBA at Heron Tower, Bishopsgate, London, EC2N 4AY and 35 The Market, London, WC2E 8RF.
🚇 Nearest stations are Liverpool Street and Covent Garden.
4. Sushi Tetsu
Good things come in small packages, which is definitely true for Sushi Tetsu, which, despite being a titchy little restaurant – there’s room for just seven diners here – will serve you some of the best sushi in the city.
Chef Toru Takahashi knows sushi like a real dab hand, and once he’s done slicing, dicing, and preparing the food, you’ll end up with a beautiful array of sashimi, nigiri, and sushi rolls. A huge range of seafood is employed in pursuit of sushi excellence, with tuna, shrimp, crab, and eel featuring strongly.
Those of an adventurous bent can plump for the omakase – which translates as “entrust the chef”. In this scenario, you have no control over what you order, but on the upside, you’re giving a high-quality chef permission to let his culinary imagination run wild. Being just a seven-seater restaurant, you’ll need to try and book ahead – it’s pretty hard to get a spot though we need to warn you!
📍You’ll find Sushi Tetsu at 12 Jerusalem Passage, London, EC1V 4JP.
🚇 Nearest station is Farringdon.
5. Sushi Dog
Though not technically a restaurant, SushiDog is one of our favourite lunch spots at Secret London. There are seven of these ‘grab and go’ sushi spots, serving made-to-order rolls, bowls, and salad. Their varied rolls are fresh, and pack a ton of flavour, making them the perfect choice if you’re on the move.
What’s more, throughout August 2024, we’ve partnered with SushiDog to create our very own Secret London sushi roll. The ‘Asian Prawn Cocktail’ roll by Secret London is inspired by the much-loved British classic, but we were sure to honour SushiDog’s Asian influence too – and, because we are Secret London, there is a secret ingredient in the Marie Rose sauce. Will you guess it?
📍You’ll find SushiDog at various locations;Westfield White City, Soho, Seven Dials, Bishopsgate, Baker Street, Strand, and London Bridge.
🚇 Nearest station varies.
6. Atariya
Atariya are not only renowned for their sushi restaurants, but you can pick up some delicious offerings from their supermarkets and wholesale locations – heck, try your luck at home if you’re feeling adventurous in the kitchen! As for their restaurants, they boast two locations up north in Golders Green and Hendon, with a sister restaurant in Mayfair called ‘Tokimeitē’.
The Hendon location is where to go if you’re in the mood for stellar sushi. However, every location is sure to satisfy those comprehensible cravings, except you can expect a more diverse selection of Japanese dishes and delicacies in the Golders Green and Mayfair locations.
If you’re heading to Hendon, we recommend kicking things off with the Agedashi Tofu, which is deep-fried tofu served with a dash of delicious dashi sauce. Make sure you bring your appetite or a friend to share, as their sashimi sets taste as good as they look, being both visually stunning and utterly drool-worthy.
📍 You’ll find Atariya at 31 Vivian Avenue, Hendon, London NW4 3UX, or 626 Finchley Road, London, NW11 7RR.
🚇 Hendon Central for their Hendon location, Golders Green for the Finchley Road location.
7. Yoshino
The famous neon sign announces ‘sushi’ but tucked down a quiet alley just around the corner from Piccadilly Circus, this is still an easy spot to miss. Not just a restaurant serving the freshest of fresh sushi, this great little spot is also a supplier of some pretty tasty seafood too.
The selection of sushi at Yoshino is relatively small, but the salmon on the nigiri is so silky that it practically melts in the mouth. Other things here include the signature ‘chirashi sushi’ – a combination of tuna, salmon, cod and prawn decked out over colourful sushi rice – omelette and salmon nigiri and an eel and tuna sushi platter. You also can’t really call yourself a Londoner unless you have been here. Jus sayin’.
📍You’ll find Yoshino at 3 Piccadilly Place, London, W1J 0DB.
🚇 Nearest station is Piccadilly Circus.
8. Inamo
Inamo is the world’s first restaurant with interactive tables, and it’s clearly lightyears ahead of its competitors. It’s also got some incredible food on tap – you’ll find a fusion of different Asian cuisines – Japanese, Chinese, Korean and Thai food are all on the menu.
There will be plenty of sushi, sashimi, Asian tapas, soups and a number of larger sharing dishes to go round. And if you’re spoilt for choice, their ‘tasting menu’ will provide you with five mouthwatering dishes handpicked by the chef.
The 15-piece sashimi platter and signature ‘dragon roll’ – a tasty mix of crunchy tempura shrimp, creamy avocado and mayo – are both well worth a try, plus they also do a bottomless Asian tapas with sushi brunch if you’re feeling peckish. Add in bottomless fizz too and you’ve got yourself an afternoon to remember, we say.
📍You’ll find Inamo at 134-136 Wardour Street, London, W1F 8ZP and at 11-14 Hanover Place, London, WC2E 9JP.
🚇 Nearest stations are Tottenham Court Road and Covent Garden.
9. Kaia
Another worthy addition to this list of the best sushi in London, this Asian-Pacific-inspired restaurant is set within the famous London hotel, The Ned, and specialises in fresh and healthy food. As you’d expect from a classy restaurant hotel, it’s pretty damn good – there are poke bowls, robata grill dishes, fried udon noodles, miso aubergine and so much more.
But where Kaia really goes to town is in its extensive sushi and sashimi offerings. There’s everything here from soft shell crab rolls to chutoro sashimi and the ‘kaia tartare’ – a mixture of salmon, tuna and seabass, avocado, served alongside salmon skin chips. There are also various different platter options, as well as nine different kinds of sake – ideal for washing it all down with.
📍You’ll find Kaia at 27 Poultry, London, EC2R 8AJ.
🚇 Nearest station is Bank.
10. Zuma
This high-end, Knightsbridge-based spot offers a sophisticated twist on the traditional Japanese Izakaya style of informal wining and dining. A favourite celebrity hangout, the ethos behind the restaurant was to ‘deliver an authentic flavour of the east, while respecting the traditions of the past’.
Come to Zuma for immaculate high-art inspired sushi and sashimi, robata seafood, excellent wine list and ‘chawan musi’ – a delectable dessert consisting of coconut custard, exotic fruits and egg roll biscuit. Now onto the sushi – you can choose from two different platters, ‘zuma chirashi’, and the ‘sake’ – a delectable mish-mash of salmon, avocado, tenkasu and kizami wasabi.
📍You’ll find Zuma at 5 Raphael Street, London, SW7 1DL.
🚇 Nearest station is Knightsbridge.
11. Uchi
Nestled in a quiet pocket of Clapton, the rustic-chic Uchi is a great little spot and a worthy addition to this list of the best sushi in London. The decor, lighting and cosy corners here are all creating a romantic vibe – perfect for a date may we suggest – and the food is pretty good to boot to.
The robata grilled skewers and deep-fried tempura are worthy choices, but it’s the sushi that’s the real gem here. Choose from soft-shell crab, tuna crunch or seared beef, and there are also veggie and fish platters of nigiri on offer too. Add in some Japanese plum wine, sides of steamed edamame beans, sea salt lotus crips and premium-grade sake and you’ve got a good night ahead.
📍You’ll find Uchi at 144 Clarence Road, Lower Clapton, London, E5 8DY.
🚇 Nearest station is Hackney Downs.
12. NOBU
We couldn’t write a roundup of the best sushi in London without mentioning this one. Chef Nobu Matsuhisa has conquered the globe with his innovative blend of traditional Japanese cuisine fused with Peruvian influences.
The fare whipped up at NOBU – either at the Metropolitan Hotel on Park Lane, in Shoreditch, in Marylebone, or at the original on Portman Square – gives a unique twist on the more traditional sushi, with a distinctly South American twist.
Expect creative small plates, excellent sushi and some fab multi-course tasting menus, along with an extensive sake and wine list. The black cod miso here is world-famous, and there are over 21 different flavours of sushi maki, including salmon skin, scallop and smelt egg and yellowtail and scallion. If you’re a fan of sashimi and nigiri, go for Japanese wagyu beef, freshwater eel and sea bream. Sounds pretty damn delicious to us.
📍You’ll find NOBU at various different locations in London. You can find out more here.
13. Sticks ‘n’ Sushi
This Danish export now boasts nine locations across London, with restaurants in Soho, Covent Garden, Wimbleton, and beyond. Famed for their fabulous combo of traditional sushi and yakitori sticks, these intimate restaurants are perfect for a memorable Japanese feast.
Each Sticks ‘n’ Sushi location has a unique aesthetic connected to its neighbourhood, making each restaurant personable and further enhancing its distinctive character.
As for the food, expect those Japanese staples that we’ve come to love and adore, including maki, nigiri, small dishes, salads, and more. But whatever you do, you can’t leave this place without trying one of their indulgent desserts, like the Yuzu, a shortcrust pastry with yuzu curd and a marvellous meringue.
📍 There are several Sticks ‘n’ Sushi locations in London. Click here for more information.
14. Ikeda
Another valid addition to this list of the best sushi in London is Ikeda, a charming family-run spot that has been serving up exquisite sushi and other Japanese fare since 1979. Set within the heart of Mayfair, it’s a fantastic spot with a wide-reaching menu using top-notch and seasonal ingredients.
The restaurant Ikeda itself is both upmarket and intimate, and the food served here is bloody good. If you’re a sashimi fan, go for the ‘chirashi ikeda’ – a supreme assortment of sashimi from the finest fish of the day – or the tuna sashimi served on a bowl of sushi rice. Other sumptuous things on the menu here include fatty tuna rolls, prawn tempura, squid and cod roe rolls, as well as a plethora of different a la carte dishes.
📍You’ll find Ikeda at 30 Brook Street, London, W1K 5DJ.
🚇 Nearest station is Bond Street.
15. Endo at the Rotunda
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This 16-seater, Michelin-starred spot is located right at the top of the landmark BBC Television Centre in White City, where you can enjoy ‘sushi in the clouds, where the sea meets the sky’. Already it seems you’re on to a winner right? Add in the excellent grub and the 200-year-old decor and you’ve got one of the best wining and dining experiences anywhere in the city.
Born in Yokohama, head chef Endo Kazutoshi is a third-generation sushi master. Inspired by his father and grandfather from a formative age, he became immersed into the world of the centuries-old Edomae style of sushi – a technique particular to Tokyo. The resulting product is an exquisite ‘Omakase’-style meal which will be served to you over 20 different courses. There’s also a pretty neat bar serving some sakes which are only found at Endo at the Rotunda.
📍You’ll find Endo at the Rotunda at the Television Centre, 8th Floor The Helios, 101 Wood Lane, London, W12 7FR.
🚇 Nearest station is White City.
16. Sumi Restaurant
Rounding off this list of the best sushi in London is another establishment run by Endo Kazutoshi. SUMI – which is named after his mother – opened at the tail end of 2020, and it’s made quite a few waves since opening.
Set right in the heart of the Westbourne Grove area of London, this cool and chic spot is slightly more relaxed than Endo, with friendly staff and a ‘neighbourhood vibe’ kind of feel to it. The food is still excellent. You’ll be able to choose from a selection of carefully-crafted handmade sushi and sashimi, made using the freshest and finest quality seasonal ingredients, alongside other traditional Japanese dishes.
There’s also an extensive selection of Sake and Japanese whisky, as well as beers, wines and beautifully-presented cocktails on tap.
📍You’ll find Sumi at 157 Westbourne Grove, London, W11 2RS.
🚇 Nearest stations are Notting Hill Gate and Westbourne Park.