London’s best Japanese restaurants

What is it? A casual, counter service-only noodle bar on bustling Broadway Market.

Why we love it: It’s hard to find something more comforting than a hearty bowl of udon, and Koya Ko is sure to hit the spot. A smaller outpost of Koya (which also has restaurants in Soho and the City) the quality of the handmade noodles, which are crafted daily in a workshop close by, and the delicious dashi, feel more comfortably at home in this environment. It’s reminiscent of train station noodle bars found throughout Japan, where some of the most reliable bowls of udon can often be found. If noodles aren’t your thing, they have an extensive offerings of donburi rice bowls and some of the best fried chicken karaage. Go for the constant stream of quirky, imaginative specials, and some of the best Japanese breakfasts you’ll find in London, made up of traditional grilled fish, pickles, miso soup and side of rice.

Time Out tip: Don’t miss the earthy, nutty flavour of the kinako (roasted soy bean) ice-cream sandwich, shot through with kuromitsu (a dark sugar syrup) - a collaboration with the cheekily named Happy Endings.

Address: 10-12 Broadway Market Mews, Hackney, E8 4TS.

Opening times: Mon-Thu 12pm-10pm, Fri 12pm-10.30pm, Sat 11.30am-10.30pm, Sun 11.30am-9.30pm.

Expect to pay: Mains range from around £10 to £17.

What is it? A sake bar and bottle shop, with added Japanese style tapas.

Why we love it: Moto reflects the symbiotic relationship between food and alcohol in Japanese drinking culture: come for the cocktails, stay for the otsumami menu of Japanese style tapas. Designed to elevate and enhance their sake offering with a series of down-to-earth, home-cooking style comfort dishes, their bento boxes are great when you’re looking for something substantial, but it’s the smaller dishes that really stand out. You’ll be craving chawanmushi (savoury egg custard) and butakushi (pork skewers with asparagus) once you’re a couple of cocktails in. The team at this cosy and intimate Covent Garden spot are knowledgeable and welcoming, and able to give considered suggestions for what will best complement the sake of your choosing.

Time Out tip: Keep an eye on their event page listings. They frequently have exciting pop ups and collaborations, as well as bespoke sake classes and tastings.

Address: 7 Maiden Lane, Covent Garden, WC2E 7NA.

Opening times: Tue-Wed 12pm-12am, Thu-Sat 12pm-12.30am, Sun 12pm-10pm.

Expect to pay: Cocktails around £15, bento boxes around £15, tapas £6-£16.

What is it? An authentic, home-style Japanese eatery in Hackney.

Why we love it: On a residential Hackney street, someone’s Pinterest board has come to life. At least, that’s how this Japanese restaurant feels: from the brushed gold countertops to the untreated wooden stools and pretty glass vases with delicate foliage. The menu boasts all the usual suspects: thickly sliced, melt-in-the-mouth tuna sashimi; piping-hot, fatty karaage (fried chicken) with an interesting chilli-kick; succulent charred pork skewers.

Time Out tip: Veggie dishes really stand out. A seaweed, carrot and fried tofu salad was deep, earthy and full of umami satisfaction, and the texture of the sweet miso aubergine is perfect: soft but still solid.

Address: 144 Clarence Road, Hackney, E5 8DY.

Opening times: Mon, Thu, Fri 6pm-10pm, Sat 4pm-10pm, Sun 1pm-9pm.

Expect to pay: Sushi £10-£16, hot robata skewers from £7.

What is it? Gorgeous Japanese baked creations that look like something out of a Studio Ghibli film.

Why we love it: While it might be the glistening display cases of yuzu cheesecakes, matcha crepe cakes and Mont Blancs that lure you in at WA Café, it’s the more visually unassuming options such as kare-pan (curry bread), melon pan (melon bread) and anpan (sweet red bean buns) that will keep you hooked. The patisserie offers plenty of drink options for tea lovers, perfect for sipping on while you satisfy your sweet tooth. With additional locations in Covent Garden, Aldgate East and Marylebone, it’s a popular place to get your hands on the beloved strawberry shortcake often enjoyed in Japan around Christmas time.

Time Out tip: Check out the yakisoba pan (fried noodle bun), the matcha version of the melon bread, and the cream buns.

Address: 32 Haven Green, Ealing, W5 2NX.

Opening times: Mon-Fri 8am-6pm, Sat 8.30am-6pm, Sun 9.30am-6pm.

Expect to pay: Yakisoba pan £3.60, cakes from £5 per slice.

What is it? The first floor restaurant of Kensington High Street’s cultural centre.

Why we love it: Japan House showcases the best of Japanese art, culture and craftsmanship, featuring a robust programme of mostly free events, with a ground floor cafe and shop along with a gallery space highlighting the depth and breadth of different Japanese regions and their cultures. Sushi, sashimi and robata grill dishes are on offer at first floor restaurant Akira, along with a wafu or Japanese style afternoon tea. Enjoy a brief sojourn to Japan after your meal, with thought-provoking exhibitions, film screenings and proper Japanese style toilets to complete your experience. For those wanting to have a go at recreating their meal at home, the cultural centre has an ‘Essentials of the Japanese Kitchen’ YouTube series, where chef Akira demonstrates different techniques and recipes.

Time Out tip: Japan House like to create a limited edition cocktail alongside their exhibitions, incorporating ingredients and liqueurs reflecting or inspired by a regional location or theme. Drink one!

Address: 101-111 Kensington High Street, Kensington, W8 5SA.

Opening times: Tue-Sat lunch 12pm-3pm, afternoon tea 2.30pm-5pm, dinner 6pm-11pm, Sun 12pm-6pm

Expect to pay: Two course lunch £70, three course omakase dinner £85.

What is it? A spectacular Japanese-Italian fusion restaurant in Dalston.

Why we love it: Dalston is teeming with some of the best neighbourhood spots in London, but Angelina is the jewel in the crown. The seasonal, ever-changing menu is an homage to Japanese flavours and ingredients, but used in kooky ways you think can’t possibly work until they’re presented beautifully in front of you. It’s a great shout if you love Japanese food, but also love bread – their kombu focaccia is sensational, as is their near constant staple of Hokkaido milk bread. Although able to accommodate for dietaries, Angelina does not do a la carte; they offer a 13 course kaiseki with the option to add a wine pairing. It makes for excellent value, and while there’s not much that’s ‘traditional’ or ‘authentic’ about Angelina, it’s a place that reignites a sense of excitement around Japanese fusion cuisine, which can sometimes feel dated or tired.

Time Out tip: Don’t skip the cocktail list. Italian bitters and fermented Japanese rice wines feel like they shouldn’t mix particularly well, but at Angelina they consistently hit the nail on the head.

Address: 56 Dalston Lane, Dalston, E8 3AH.

Opening times: Mon-Wed 6pm-11pm, Thu-Fri 5pm-11.30pm, Sat 1pm-3.30pm & 5pm-11.30pm, Sun 1pm-4pm & 6.30pm-10.30pm.

Expect to pay: Kaiseki menu £68 per person.

What is it? Time Out’s best sushi restaurant in London.

Why we love it: Booking dinner at Sushi Tetsu is the best training a person can have for the emotional rollercoaster that is trying to get tickets for Glastonbury. But frantically refreshing a website page, hoping for additional booking spaces to magically become available is definitely infinitely more preferable to Tetsu’s previous method of booking – desperately calling a permanently engaged phone number at the beginning of every month. Not many places can sustain the longevity of being a hot ticket since 2012, but this seven-seater sushi bar in Clerkenwell has that honour. A huge part of the charm of this omakase – or chef’s choice – restaurant comes from the intimate atmosphere supplied by the husband and wife team of chef Toru Takahashi and his wife, Harumi. Muted mastery takes place in front of you, and is consistently hailed as a game-changing experience.

Time Out tip: The intimate nature of the restaurant and the theatre of watching an expert craftsperson at work in front of you is thrilling in itself, and doesn’t necessarily require company. It’s possible to put your name down on the waitlist as a solo diner for a mid-week evening with some degree of success.

Address: 12 Jerusalem Passage, Clerkenwell, EC1V 4JP.

Opening times: Lunch Tue-Wed 11.45am-2pm, and dinner Tue-Fri 5.30-10pm, Sat 5-9.30pm.

Expect to pay: £187 per person for the full omakase experience (food only), with a slightly reduced price of £167 on Saturday lunchtimes.

What is it? A Michelin-starred kaiseki experience in Mayfair.

Why we love it: Blink and you might miss the discreet entrance to Mayfair’s Umu, which only adds to the feeling of being a spot for true kaiseki aficionados. Umu provides guests the opportunity to experience the Kyoto-style kaiseki – or traditional Japanese multi-course dinner – at the highest level. The Executive Chef is an outspoken proponent of the rather more human ikejime method of handling the catch, which is apparent throughout the dining experience. While the kaiseki menu starts at a whopping £260 per person without drinks, several of their lunch options are a quarter of that. The dessert menu features twists on the classics - matcha tiramisu, or chocolate fondant with buckwheat ice cream.

Time Out tip: This is the perfect place for top quality sushi and sashimi. Come here to see how traditional Japanese fishing techniques are being employed in Cornish waters.

Address: 14-16 Bruton Place, Mayfair, W1J 6LX

Opening times: Mon 6pm-10pm, Tue-Sat 12pm-2pm & 6pm-10pm.

Expect to pay: £260 for the full kaiseki, lunch bento boxes from £50.

What is it? A north London branch of the chain, with a focus on hotpots.

Why we love it: This Japanese-owned chain has been going for four decades and has locations dotted throughout the capital, but it’s their Golders Green restaurant that gets top billing for us due to its focus on shabu shabu. A hotpot dish, it’s made for sharing and eating ‘family style’, with thinly sliced meat and vegetables cooked at the table and served with a selection of dipping sauces. They have an all-you-can-eat meal deal, which has a time limit of 90 minutes and starts from £29 per person. Other branches have different focuses – ramen, or chirashi sushi – and the vibe is relaxed, casual and no-frills.

Time Out tip: The Covent Garden location has a hiyayakko (chilled tofu with bonito flakes) appetiser that is full of umami flavour, for less than £4.

Address: 14 North End Rd, Golders Green, NW11 7PH

Opening times: Mon-Fri 11.30am-3pm & 5.30pm-11pm, Sat 11.30am-11pm, Sun 11.30am-10pm.

Expect to pay: £29 all you can eat, curries and bento boxes in the £10-15 range.

What is it? An independent izakaya-style restaurant in Stoke Newington.

Why we love it: Wakon yōsai refers to a sense of Japanese spirit infused with Western learnings, and is the guiding principle behind Aun. The focus is on Japanese food made using British ingredients and techniques served in a relaxed atmosphere. Exposed brick walls, beautiful earthenware crockery and a charming Church Street setting give you the feeling you’re in the home of a close friend, and an imaginative and creative one at that. The six course set menu comes with vegetarian, pescatarian and meat-eating options that include twists on classics like sumac butter tempura calamari and a pumpkin dashi pottage soup. The colourful, vibrant small plates are truly memorable, at an incredibly reasonable price for the number of courses and quality of ingredients.

Time Out tip: Weekend lunch special courses are a steal, with four courses for under £30.

Address: 178 Stoke Newington Church Street, Stoke Newington, N16 0JL

Opening times: Tues-Sun 12pm-4pm, Tues-Sat 6pm-10pm.

Expect to pay: Six course dinner set £50, four course lunch set from £24

What is it? The first UK outpost of the ramen-ya from Yukuhashi.

Why we love it: Nothing packs that pungent punch of umami flavour quite like a bowl of creamy, tonkotsu ramen at Kanada-Ya St Giles. Tonkotsu – or pork bone broth ramen – is prepared by boiling bones for a significant amount of time, and Kanada-Ya’s offering is incredibly rich and deliciously viscous. There are rice based dishes like curry, or onigiri (filled rice balls) for those who are averse to noodles, but the original tonkotsu ramen, served at your desired noodle texture (soft, regular or firm) is incredibly hard to resist. The speedy nature of ramen and the sheer number of Kanada-Ya locations dotted around the West End make it ideal for a quick meal before catching a show.

Time Out tip: Take advantage of their liberal and unusual approach to toppings - black truffle salt and yuzu oil are a fun way of spicing up edamame, while truffle oil and spicy yuzu feature heavily throughout.

Address: 64 St Giles High St, Covent Garden, WC2H 8LE.

Opening times: Sun-Weds11.30am-10pm, Thu-Sat 11.30am-10.30pm.

Expect to pay: Ramen bowls and main plates around £16-20, small plates £8-9.

What is it? High-quality and affordable sushi in unflashy surroundings.

Why we love it: You go to some places to set the mood, and others purely for the quality of the food. Sushi Show is wholeheartedly in the latter camp. The Shoreditch branch, unlike the original Camden Passage location, feels a little bit more inviting, and less like a shop made for takeaway. What Sushi Show lacks in ambiance it makes up for in its mission to bring excellent and affordable sushi to Londoners. Set up by Kaz Tateishi, a fish supplier, the dining experience at Sushi Show evokes the feeling of cutting out the middleman and shopping wholesale. It’s fine dining but without the pomp and pretence. It has the added benefit of stocking a selection of snacks and condiments, like a mini conbini-style grocery shop, ideal for those who want to combine a meal out with running a couple of errands.

Time Out tip: The ‘Party Plate’ offering (for two, three or four people) would cost almost double for the same nigiri selection elsewhere. It’s a great deal.

Address: 136 Bethnal Green Road, Shoreditch, E2 6DG.

Opening times: Tue-Sat 12pm-9pm, Sun 12pm-7pm.

Expect to pay: Donburi bowls from £12.50, sharing Party Plate for two £34.

What is it? The place for a fabulous fix of succulent and gorgeously marbled Kobe beef.

Why we love it: Tucked away in Soho’s Ham Yard, Engawa is where you should head for top tier wagyu beef. While the sushi and sashimi are visually stunning, it’s the meat that you’ll come back for – buttery soft and almost creamily rich. The intimate venue seats 29, and feels incredibly cosy, particularly when your beef is served on sizzling hot stones, a sense of theatre that seems appropriate given your proximity to the West End. The bento boxes are artfully prepared and exquisite, with small dishes that are great for those who want a bit of variety, but the restaurant’s edge definitely comes from the in-house butchering of the whole Kobe beef cow, which they import from Japan.

Time Out tip: Their lunchtime jubako boxes are a more purse-friendly way to experience Engawa’s charms.

Address: 2 Ham Yard, Soho, W1D 7DT.

Opening times: Wed-Sun 12pm-3.30pm & 5.30pm-11pm

Expect to pay: Lunch jubako boxes from £45, signature small bento box £85, wagyu steak from £100.

What is it? The most expensive omakase menu in the UK, in a Park Lane postcode.

Why we love it: The 18 course omakase menu at Sushi Kanesaka will set you back a whopping £420 per person, but for this hefty price, the intimate 10-seat restaurant provides a level of care and consideration that designed to evoke a sense of ichigo ichie: the ephemeral, unrepeatable concept of every living moment. This comes through subtly in the explanations of each course - where it was sourced, and how, as well as the symbolism of the particular piece of cut edo kiriko glass you have chosen to drink your sake pairing from. The experience at Sushi Kanesaka has the power to transport you. An omakase meal served in the Edomae-style will leave you feeling elated and a little bit dazed as you leave, armed with your menu, printed as a keepsake on delicate washi paper.

Time Out tip: While it’s not the done thing to order a post-dinner digestif that might mask the delicate flavours of your dessert of fruit, I’d highly recommend finishing off this exquisite meal with a matcha liqueur served with a dash of tonic.

Address: 45 Park Lane, Mayfair, W1K 1PN.

Opening times: Tue-Sat 6pm-10.30pm

Expect to pay: £420 per head with sake pairings from £150.

February 2026: Endo at the Rotunda is currently closed due to a fire

What is it? Luxurious, elegant Japanese cuisine helmed by superstar chef Kazutoshi Endo.

Why we love it: If the world of Edomae-style sushi had the equivalent of legendary rockstars, they would be like Kazutoshi Endo, the renowned chef behind Endo at the Rotunda. High up in White City’s old BBC Television Centre, a meal here is dizzying. Perhaps it’s the altitude, but most likely it’s the insane level of attention to detail, combined with the muted confidence of someone taking you on a journey, as if they were born to it - and you find they are. Endo’s a third generation sushi master, which feels like an odd contrast to such lush and modern surroundings, with slick interiors and a dramatic panoramic view.

Time Out tip: Ask for a sake pairing if you're feeling flush. The venue is renowned for partnerships and collaborations exclusive to the restaurant, so you’re bound to find something you like.

Address: 8th Floor, The Helios, Television Centre, 101 Wood Lane, White City, W12 7FR.

Opening times: Thu-Sat 12pm-3pm & 6pm-11pm.

Expect to pay: £290 for an 18 course omakase menu, plus drinks.

What is it? Yakiniku-style grills at a Holborn Japanese BBQ joint.

Why we love it: Kintan has a real do-it-yourself feel, with each table offering a built-in grill so diners can cook their choice of meat and vegetables to their desired preference. Sake barrels adorn the walls of their Holborn outpost, and there is something charming about the participatory nature of this style of dining – it’s perfect for a first date. Grilling your own meat also reveals the quality of the ingredients - a quintessentially Japanese approach that allows the flavours to reveal themselves with minimal intervention.

Time Out tip: Make sure you check out the discounts and savings at Kintan’s extensive happy hour, which runs all day Monday and for the rest of the week excluding the 6pm-9pm peak rush.

Address: 34-36 High Holborn, Holborn, WC1V 6AE.

Opening times: Daily 11.30am-10pm.

Expect to pay: BBQ set menus from £34 pp (£30 in happy hour), or individual meat and vegetable plates from £5-£15.

What is it? Unusual ingredients and absolute decadence at the Mandarin Oriental.

Why we love it: Located in the Mandarin Oriental Hotel by Hyde Park, every moment as a diner at The Aubrey feels extraordinarily fancy thanks to gorgeous wood panelled rooms and Victorian-inspired furnishings. Chicken karaage, a fried chicken dish that’s a staple on many Japanese menus, is given the little black dress treatment, marinated in charcoal and elevated almost beyond recognition. In addition to the beautifully presented nigiri and other classic dishes that have been given a luxurious twist (think lobster fried rice), the team at The Aubrey push boundaries by using surprising ingredients, such as passionfruit in a maki roll, or ants as a topping for some hamachi (yellowtail). It’s also home to the UK's only female sushi master, Miho Sato. While the pumping sounds of a live DJ next to the dining room might not be to everyone’s taste, the team will win you over with their charm and attention to detail.

Time Out tip: The Aubrey is also one of the best bars in west London to have a cocktail in, be sure not to miss out.

Address: 66 Knightsbridge, Knightsbridge, SW1X 7LA.

Opening times: Mon-Thu 5pm-1am, Fri 5pm-2am, Sat 12pm-2am, Sun 12pm-1am.

Expect to pay: 10 dish izakaya menu £125 per person, sushi dishes range from £20-95.

What is it? The cooler, more chilled-out cousin to Knightsbridge and Mayfair’s Chisou.

Why we love it: Sushi Atelier feels young, vivacious, and fresh. People often confuse youth with inexperience, but this is not the case with Sushi Atelier. It’s got some of the best value omakase in Central London – 12 pieces for £45 – but it’s the conscious lean into a sense of fun, both with the decor and the use of ingredients (basil pesto? In a sushi roll?) that gives the restaurant its heady charm.

Time Out tip: Order the scallop and asparagus starter, which is served with a yuzu basil miso. The salty, sweet freshness of it along with the seared scallop is nothing short of inspired.

Address: 114 Great Portland Street, Fitzrovia, W1W 6PH.

Opening times: Tue-Fri 12pm-3pm & 6pm-10pm, Sat 12pm-10pm.

Expect to pay: Sushi sets around £30, lunch bento also around £30.

What is it? Refined dining inside the lavish Prince Akatoki hotel.

Why we love it: Situated on the cusp of Marylebone and Marble Arch, Tokii feels extremely opulent thanks to dark wood room dividers and mirrors. Their 11 course omakase offering features mussel miso soup, and a playful experimentation with flavours and textures. The fried lotus root topped with tuna and caviar is a particular highlight. They also offer a Japanese twist on afternoon tea.

Time Out tip: Tokii offers a daily sushi masterclass, teaching you how to make nigiri, hand rolls and more before you sit down to enjoy the spoils of your labours with a glass of sparkling sake.

Address: 50 Great Cumberland Place, Marble Arch, W1H 7FD

Opening times: Mon-Fri 6.30am-10pm, Sat-Sun 6.30am-11pm.

Expect to pay: Lunch bento boxes £28-35, omakase experience £100 per person, a la carte sushi from £10

What is it? A cosy izakaya-style restaurant, with plenty of vegetarian and vegan options.

Why we love it: Steamed mini tofu burger buns, buckwheat and girolle risotto, tomato ceviche are just a few of the creative, plant-based options available at Dinings SW3, where food is very much influenced by modern European ingredients and techniques. Fans of fusion style sushi rolls will find much to delight, while the desserts are real knockouts. You’ll keep on thinking about the wasanbon (Japanese sugar) creme brulee and British apple chiboust, made with caramelised puff pastry and salted yuzu cream.

Time Out tip: If you’re blessed with good weather, ask to be seated in the courtyard terrace.

Address: Walton House, Lennox Gardens Mews, Walton St, Belgravia, SW3 2JH

Opening times: Mon 5pm-10.30pm, Tue-Weds 12pm-10.30pm, Thu-Sat 12pm-11pm, Sun 12pm-10.30pm.

Expect to pay: Set lunch £35pp, udon bowl £16, sushi rolls from £17.