The Best Sushi Restaurants in London
2 months ago
Where to go for your fresh fish fix
(c) Louis Hansel, Unsplash
With world-class chefs and an exciting roster of restaurants to sample, London is one of the best places in the world to find great sushi. We’ve gone and sorted the wheat from the chaff to bring you a definitive list of the very best in the capital. Whether it’s the big fish names or small fry secrets, innovative fusion or traditional Japanese, there’s a spot for you in our list of the best sushi restaurants in London.
Where To Find London’s Best Sushi
The Araki
There are only five restaurants in the whole of the UK that hold three Michelin stars, and The Araki is one of them. Seating only nine people at once, snagging a reservation here is no mean feat, but one that’s well worth the effort. In the intimate setting you’ll watch in awe as renowned Chef Mitsuhiro Araki expertly prepares the raw dish in front of your eyes. In terms of dishes, ordering here is fairly simple given that there’s only one set menu available – but we urge you to trust in it. With only nine seats and £310 a head, you’re looking at an undeniably expensive bill and a long waiting list, but for sushi fanatics and restaurant connoisseurs, The Araki is a bucket list spot you have to tick off.
Unit 4, 12 New Burlington St, London W1S 3BF, the-araki.co.uk
Zuma
Just a few moments from Harrods is one of London’s most acclaimed Japanese restaurants, Zuma, which is a suitably glamorous neighbour. The restaurant itself is vast, with a sushi counter, robata grill and sparkly sake bar, and always full to the brim with a mix of stylish locals, discerning fans of Japanese cuisine, and high-end shoppers dressed head-to-toe in designer clothing, all drawn by Zuma’s globally excellent reputation (there are over 20 other restaurants worldwide). Having tried it ourselves, we can confirm that the hype is strongly rooted in fact – the menu features modern yet authentic dishes which will equally satisfy the guest looking for a recognisable Instagram post as the one on a real foodie pilgrimage. Once you’ve resigned yourself to the fact that a meal here will be pricey, you may as well go all out on the menu – so order the seared wagyu with truffle, fatty tuna with chilli, coriander and sesame, mixed sushi and sashimi (trust the house on this one), spicy beef tenderloin and finish with the classic Zuma melt-in-the-middle chocolate cake. Don’t skip the cocktails.
5 Raphael St, London SW7 1DL, zumarestaurant.com
Sushi on Jones
Nestled within The Courtyard on Goods Way – essentially King’s Cross’ answer to Carnaby’s Kingly Court – sits Sushi on Jones, a brand-new omakase bar offering a unique Japanese-inspired sushi experience. Brought over to the UK following its success in the US (boasting four sites in New York), the trailblazing eatery is sure to win over Brits with its eccentric sushi offering, stylish interiors and trendy courtyard location. Low lit, intimate (with only eight bar stools) and entirely unique, indulge in the likes of king salmon, sea urchin and fresh water eel whilst expert sushi chefs knock up delicious ready-to-eat pieces from across the counter, right in front of your eyes. Not just your average California roll and sashimi offering, Sushi on Jones provides an eclectic mix of pieces, from hirame fluke nigiri, to chu toro (fatty tuna belly, and absolutely delicious), and a sophisticated Big Mac – unlike those you might have come across before (sorry McDonald’s) – comprising of wagyu A5 ribeye, otoro (tuna) and uni (the tasty past of sea urchin). Wash down with a fruity and refreshing glass of sake before rolling home. Lucky King’s Cross station is a two minute walk away.
11 Goods Way, London N1C 4DP, sushionjones.com
Engawa
Piccadilly Circus is undeniably an onslaught to the senses, but a meal at Engawa is worth braving the crowds. As one of the only restaurants to offer real Kobe beef, customers tend to get bogged down in beef but the sushi is where it’s at. Order their signature bento, a wonderfully colourful (and Instagrammable) plate of beautifully intricate sushi, presented in tiny ceramic bowls. Choose the omakase sake pairing, selected by Engawa’s in-house sommelier.
2 Ham Yard, London W1D 7DT, engawa.london
Tsunami
Tsunami is tucked away on a side street in Clapham. On a Saturday night, you’d be well within your right to doubt that you’d find near-perfect, melt-in-your-mouth fish after passing a strip of boisterous nightclubs with lines down the block. Within your right, but completely wrong: Tsunami is all class. Simple, clean lines and dim lights make the relatively small interior with tables and booths feel open and cavernous. As the name suggests, the menu is a bit of an exciting rush. Take your time as you pick on some spicy edamame beans. You’ll be grateful that the restaurant isn’t too buttoned up when you sneakily lick some chilli salt from your fingers. Once you get down to business, your first and foremost priority should be the white tuna, nigiri or sashimi. The soft shell crab roll, lobster maki, and dragon roll are also slam dunks. The snow crab shumai is light and fluffy and the spicy tuna roll is perfectly balanced, too.
5-7 Voltaire Rd, London SW4 6DQ, tsunamirestaurant.co.uk
NOBU Hotel London Portman Square
Few names are as recognisable in the restaurant (and now hotel) world as Nobu, and it’s one that lives up to its reputation. The chef’s Peruvian-Japanese dishes are raved about the world over; rap songs, Trip Advisor, and movies included. It may be cliched but don’t leave without sampling the restaurant’s beloved Black Cod Miso, or the soft shell crab roll and the ‘New Style’ sashimi you’ll see on the menu.
This summer, Nobu has partnered with Chateau d’Esclans Rosé on a Provence-inspired terrace. Head there to enjoy a glass of rosé alongside Nobu signatures, such as the black cod lettuce wraps, crispy rice and sashimi.
22 Portman Square, London W1H 7BG, noburestaurants.com
UMU
Forgoing the theatrical bells and whistles found at London’s more name-checked Japanese establishments, Umu favours a more refined, less Westernized cuisine that won it a Michelin star within months of opening (it now has two). Around 70 per cent of the fish served is British, and such is Chef Yoshi’s dedication to the highest quality produce that he personally trained Cornish fishermen in the ikejime method of killing and preserving fish to ensure it met his exacting standards – order the mixed sashimi and you’ll taste the difference. But it’s not all about the sushi – the seasonal kaiseki tasting menu takes you on a journey of elegant, traditional and previously unheard-of dishes, with many of the top contenders being fully vegetarian.
14-16 Bruton Place, Mayfair, London W1J 6LX, umurestaurant.com
Sushi Waka
Good sushi in London doesn’t have to be accompanied with all the pomp and frills – or an eye-watering bill. The sushi chefs at Sushi Waka serves up high quality fresh fish sans the pretension in its shabby-chic Camden restaurant; one look at its Google reviews (many of which claim ‘best sushi I’ve ever had outside of Japan’) is enough to have us booking a table hastily. While the steaming bowls of noodles and gyoza are enticing, the highlight here is sushi and sashimi so we suggest sticking to their forte. Up the authentic ante and perch at the bar so you can watch the chefs work their magic, or book a table upstairs where you can sit cross-legged on tatami mats.
545a Battersea Park Rd, London SW11 3BL, sushiwaka.co.uk
Dinings SW3
Helmed by the quiet genius Masaki Sugisaki, Dinings SW3 is a shining light in the constellation of London sushi restaurants. Everything in this Knightsbridge restaurant is thoughtfully and warmly done, from the elegant, low-key interior to the charming, unassuming staff to the sleek table settings – and that’s before you even get to the food.
Styled as a modern interpretation of a traditional izayaka (an informal Japanese bar that serves drinks and snacks) Dinings SW3 serves up seasonal sushi and sashimi using the freshest seafood from Cornish day boats, as well as a menu of select dishes like delicious hand-dived scallops, moreish wagyu beef and potted lobster served in an unctuous buttery sauce. To wash it all down are unusual wines from around the world, as well as the usual crowd-pleasers, plus the restaurant’s signature cocktails, which are bespoke takes on classic drinks. Try the Dinings SW3 Negroni, with Roku gin, ginger, Campari, nori seaweed and blended Mancino vermouth.
An evening at Dinings SW3 is always an evening well spent – but be warned, you might just be tempted to order everything on the menu.
Walton House, Lennox Gardens Mews, Walton St, London SW3 2JH, diningssw3.co.uk
SUSHISAMBA
The spectacle of SUSHISAMBA Liverpool Street begins from the panoramic glass lifts, which whisk you up to the 38th and 39th floors of the Heron Tower where the restaurant is located. It boasts one of the highest outdoor dining terraces in Europe, but during the winter months you can admire the views from indoors thanks to the restaurant’s three glass walls. A glamorous New York City import, the menu fuses together Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian cuisines. There’s everything from nigiri to samba rolls to ceviche to robata, with dedicated vegan and gluten-free menus too. Our highlights? The wagyu gyoza is the best we’ve ever had, while the Churrasco Rio Grande is heavenly: perfectly cooked ribeye, chorizo and fillet mignon served with three different dipping sauces. All the sushi rolls are excellent, particularly Samba London: tuna, salmon, avocado and asparagus wrapped in crispy rice and topped with crispy yuba and yuzu dressing. Cocktails are a must here – Shiso Fine is a fruity number mixed with vodka, shiso leaf and Thai basil syrup, while Tom Yam is a refreshing tipple featuring gin, chilli and lemongrass. A heads up: SUSHISAMBA is not cheap, but the combination of top-quality food, unparalleled views and faultless service warrants the high price point.
Heron Tower, Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4AY, sushisamba.com
Los Mochis
Los Mochis – a perfect blend of two languages in title, and perfect blend of two cuisines in menu. This cosy Notting Hill restaurant serves head-spinning Japanese-Mexican fusion – and brilliant Maki Rolls.
The Baja-Nihon menu can be found in a gorgeous white building situated just two minutes’ walk from the station. And although convenient, this haunt still offers a ‘hidden’ feel, just tucked away from the bustle of commuters and tourists seeking out their Hugh Grant moment. Perhaps sit inside – cosied underneath Japanese-inspired ambient lighting, amidst timbers and exposed brick – and take in vibrant murals painted by Mexican artist, Jorge Tellaeche. Otherwise, considering the recent heatwave, perhaps try to nab a sofa seat on the terrace, perfect for a summertime cocktail – and given this restaurant has the second largest tequila collection in Europe, it’d simply be rude not to try their frozen palomas.
However, sushi really is the main event here. Offering a fresh take on the Japanese staple, with its pan-pacific interpretation, we recommend the chutoro sashimi, or the shrimp tempura maki rolls (the tempura offers a tasty surprise as you bite into this battered tasty ball of mixed veg and fish, and encounter a gorgeous spicy aioli, truly balancing the pan-pacific flavours). And for those with trickier dietaries, too, Los Mochis is brilliant. Plant-based eaters rejoice, for there is an offer of miso-cactus tacos and plant-based ceviche on the menu, and all dishes are gluten and nut-free.
2-4 Farmer St, London W8 7SN, losmochis.co.uk
Nakanojo Chelsea
You’ll fall hook, line and sinker for the fish on this menu – Nakanojo Chelsea, a quiet haven along the bustling King’s Road, is your new favourite sushi jaunt. Carefully fusing Japanese and Peruvian cuisine, the flavours its menu offers are brilliant and unexpected.
A particular standout dish beyond the sushi menu the black cod den miso, which combines the flavours of yuzu and jalapeño on top of the most tender cod. Expect it to fall off the fork (or chopsticks, depending on your skills with the instruments).
But, of course, for its moreish maki, Nakanojo knows its craft. Make sure to try the piri piri rolls with its delightful seared salmon and salsa combo.
356-360 King’s Road, SW3 5UZ, nakanojo.com
Bamboo-Mat
It’s a fresh perspective on Nikkei at Bamboo-Mat, and a fresh perspective on sushi: hot, crispy maki sits alongside classic dragon maki and California rolls, with the freshest fish infused with – or drenched in – mouthwatering Peruvian flavours. Don’t miss the Volcano Maki (salmon, seabass, cucumber, asparagus, avocado), the roll topped with a pile of soft fresh fish that is charred at the table with a blowtorch. The Unagi Maki, meanwhile, is perfect for teriyaki and umami lovers, with sea eel, avocado, cucumber, spring onion, unagi sauce and sesame seeds. The star of our show, however, is the Ceviche Hot Maki roll, a battered roll reimagining classic Nikkei ceviche, with seabass, prawns and veg salsa deliciously dripped with aja amarillo tiger’s milk. Ceviche fans can sample more of this with a small plate starter of Seabass Ceviche: fresh fish, sweet potato and chancha corn swimming in a pool of orange aja amarillo tiger’s milk, with a healthy dose of red onion; you’ll only wish you had more of a way to scoop up that delicious sauce. By Olivia Emily
Stratford (Unit 3.2, 21-24 Victory Parade, E20 1FS), Leyton (625 High Road, London E10 6RF), bamboo-mat.co.uk
Freak Scene Sushi and Robata
An exciting new addition to the Balham food scene is Freak Scene, the second London branch of ex-Nobu chef Scott Hallsworth’s restaurant (you’ll find the other one in Fulham). Housed in a colourful two-floored space just off the high street, the pan-Asian fusion eatery has been a big hit since opening earlier this year – every night of the week it has a buzzy vibe, filled with groups of friends and couples.
No surprise: the food here is really impressive. The menu offers an array of small plates, sushi and robata dishes, all packed with flavour and presented with flair. Kick things off with the edamame (charred in a deliciously moreish sake and butter pairing), plus some sushi: the Freak Scene Special really is something special, filled with crispy tempura shrimp and topped with seared hamachi. Don’t knock the sushi tacos ‘till you’ve tried them, either (we’d recommend the tuna). Save plenty of space for the robata dishes, too – there’s sticky miso aubergine; rich, buttery black cod in thick laksa; hispi cabbage with ponzo and truffle and much more. This is seriously flavoursome food, amid fun and relaxed settings. By Ellie Smith
1 Ramsden Rd, London SW12 8QX, freakscenerestaurants.com
Featured image: Louis Hansel, Unsplash
