London’s Japanese dining scene has never been stronger, ranging from intimate sushi counters and Michelin-starred omakase experiences to lively robata grills and contemporary Japanese restaurants.

Whether you’re looking for a special occasion tasting menu, exceptional sushi or a more relaxed izakaya-style meal, these are some of the best Japanese restaurants in London.

Sushi Tetsu

Sushi Tetsu is a traditional Japanese Sushi Bar located on a side street in Clerkenwell.

Specialising in sushi and sashimi that is considered to have some of the best sushi in London, there are only a handful of seats so booking well in advance is highly recommended.

Tip: Sushi Tetsu uses Twitter to announce free seats and cancellations, but they get snapped up quickly.

Dinings SW3

Dinings is a contemporary Japanese Tapas and Sushi restaurant located in a muse off Walton Street, close to both Chelsea and Knightsbridge.

The restaurant offers food based on the traditional Japanese Izakaya style with modern European influences where the menu is split into hot tapas, cold tapas and a large sashimi and sushi selection.

Takeaway is also available for lunch and dinner.

Aki London

AKI London brings contemporary Japanese cooking to a striking former banking hall.

The restaurant combines sushi, robata and kushiyaki with a menu that takes inspiration from Kyoto’s farm-to-table approach, while the design makes full use of the building’s impressive and historic features.

The food is modern, with dishes such as Tuna Tartare with caviar, Wagyu Tataki with truffle and brown butter, and Hay-Smoked Scallop with tofu cream and Fuji apple sitting alongside a broader selection of sushi and grilled specialities.

Make sure to check out Kiyori, a cocktail bar located within the building’s former bank vaults.

Roka Charlotte Street

Of all the Rokas in the world, the original on Charlotte Street in Fitzrovia remains our favourite.

The upstairs restaurant is based around a robata grill, the focal point of the restaurant.

Downstairs, the Shochu Lounge is a more relaxed environment with the lights down low and a DJ in the cocktail bar until the early hours on weekends.

We think Roka is one of the best Japanese restaurants in London.

Chotto Matte

The Signature Sharing Menu at Chotto Matte in Soho is wonderful – the Japanese Peruvian fusion feast consists of 11 dishes, all of which we loved.

Yellowtail Nikkei Sashimi with yuzu truffle soy, Nikkey Gyoza (pork & prawn dumplings) and Asado De Tira (slow-cooked braised beef short rib with purple potato puree and teriyaki jus) were our highlights.

Pair the delicious meal with some fabulous Pisco Sour cocktails and black sesame ice cream with almonds and chocolate, and the feast of flavours is truly complete.

The lighting at the restaurant is dark and sexy, but don’t book for the evenings only – we were there for Sunday lunch, and the experience kept us delightfully full for the entire day.

Zuma

More than two decades after opening, Zuma remains one of London’s benchmark Japanese restaurants.

The Knightsbridge restaurant helped popularise the contemporary izakaya style in the capital, with a menu built around sushi, sashimi, robata-grilled dishes and sharing plates.

The atmosphere is lively, the service polished and the food consistently impressive, which helps explain why Zuma continues to attract a loyal following. For many, it remains one of the best all-round Japanese dining experiences in London.

Nobu

One of the most recognisable names in Japanese dining, Nobu remains a popular choice for both Londoners and visitors alike.

Now located within Nobu Hotel London Portman Square, the restaurant combines Japanese techniques with Peruvian influences, a style that has become synonymous with chef Nobu Matsuhisa.

Signature dishes such as Black Cod with Miso and Yellowtail Jalapeño continue to attract diners, while the sushi and sashimi selection remains consistently strong.

While London’s Japanese dining scene has expanded considerably since Nobu first arrived, it remains a reliable choice for a special occasion or business lunch.

Bar des Prés

Bar des Prés is the London outpost of acclaimed French chef Cyril Lignac, which combines French cooking with Japanese ingredients and techniques.

Expect a mix of sushi, sashimi and raw dishes alongside French-inspired plates, all served in a glamorous dining room in Mayfair. Highlights include the restaurant’s crispy rice creations and delicate sashimi dishes.

UMU

Down a cobbled street in Mayfair hidden behind a sliding door, Umu, meaning ‘born of nature’, uses the freshest ingredients sourced from Japan to create Kyoto-style Kaiseki cuisine.

Each plate is meticulously created and presented like a work of art. Try the ‘Kaiseki’ tasting menu for the full experience.

Sushisamba

Perched high above the City on the 38th and 39th floors of Heron Tower, Sushisamba remains one of London’s most distinctive dining destinations.

The restaurant blends Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian influences, resulting in a menu that ranges from sushi and sashimi to ceviche, tiraditos and dishes from the robata grill.

The panoramic views across London are among the best in the city, particularly from the outdoor terraces.

The Best Japanese Restaurants in London

If you enjoyed this feature on the best Japanese and sushi restaurants in London, read some of our other London guides including London’s best Italian restaurants and our favourite restaurants in Covent Garden.

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Note: none of the venues have paid to be featured in the article.