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Whether you want to sample the unique flavours of authentic Japanese cuisine or watch the chefs cook in front of you, our guide includes some of the best Japanese restaurants in London. Discover options to suit every taste and budget, from intimate and immersive chef's table experiences to cheap sushi restaurants in London that don’t compromise on quality.
So, if you’re planning a weekend break to the capital or an evening out with friends and family, take your pick from the best Japanese food and the top sushi restaurants in London.
The best sushi restaurants in Central London
From popular restaurants with world-renowned reputations to hidden gems, explore the best sushi spots in central London.
Sagamiya, Waterloo
sagamiya-london.jimdofree.com
Belvedere Road, London SE1 7GP
Located on the south bank of the River Thames, Sagamiya is the perfect spot for a casual lunch or dinner. Choose from the à la carte menu or a set menu, including sushi, sashimi, nigiri and rolls. If you’re not into sushi, they also offer bento sets and curries.
What to order: The chef’s choice of sushi offers various items, including nigiri and rolls. Alternatively, you can opt for a mix of sushi and sashimi or hand rolls with various fillings. You’ll also find several vegetarian options here, including deep-fried aubergine with sweet miso, vegetable tempura and avocado rolls.
How to get there: Sagamiya is 8 minutes’ walk from London Waterloo.
Price range: ££-£££
Sticks’n’Sushi, Covent Garden
sticksnsushi.com
11 Henrietta Street, London WC2E 8PY
This contemporary Danish-Japanese sushi spot is the ideal lunch pit stop while shopping in the area or the perfect place for a pre-theatre dinner. From its sleek interior to the extensive sushi menu and Japanese-inspired cocktails, you’re guaranteed a top-tier dining experience.
What to order: Menu highlights include beef tataki, salmon carpaccio with trout roe, yellowfin tuna sashimi and the Wagyu yaki skewers. You can also choose a set menu for 1 to 4 people to try a selection of popular dishes. Vegan and vegetarian options include panko-fried blue oyster mushrooms and green tartare with broccoli and avocado.
How to get there: Walk to Sticks’n’Sushi Covent Garden in 21 minutes from London Waterloo. Alternatively, take the northbound Northern or Bakerloo line from Waterloo to Covent Garden – a 9-minute journey.
Price range: ££-£££
Dozo Sushi, Soho
dozosushi.co.uk
32 Old Compton Street, London W1D 4TP
Looking for an authentic Japanese restaurant in Central London? Dozo Sushi is your go-to, thanks to its zashiki seating, where guests sit on the floor at low tables. They’re known for their affordable lunch menu but also offer a more extensive dinner menu.
What to order: Start with the soft-shell crab harumaki or the scallop carpaccio, followed by a selection of rolls, nigiri or sashimi. Want something special? Choose the Dozo omakase sashimi – the chef’s seasonal selection. Vegan and vegetarian options include the tofu steak, black truffle gyoza and asparagus tempura maki.
How to get there: From London Waterloo, take the northbound Northern line to Tottenham Court Road, then walk 8 minutes to the restaurant.
Price range: ££-£££
Sushi Atelier, Great Portland Street
sushiatelier.co.uk
114 Great Portland Street, London W1W 6PH
Want to try a modern take on your favourite sushi? Head to Sushi Atelier for creative dishes with exciting flavour combinations. If you love the unique experience of Japanese restaurants where they cook in front of you, Sushi Atelier offers exactly that – sit at the long sushi bar to watch the chefs at work.
What to order: Try the squid and pineapple tartare, the spicy scallop roll, the mixed sushi set, or choose your own combinations from the à la carte menu. The set lunch menu is excellent value – choose from bento, don and sushi sets and get miso soup and a side salad included. For vegetarians and vegans, the veggie special rolls or the ume veg mix rolls pack a punch.
How to get there: Take the northbound Bakerloo line from London Waterloo to Oxford Circus, then it’s an 8-minute walk to Sushi Atelier.
Price range: ££-£££
The best Japanese restaurants in Central London
Discover the best Japanese restaurants in Central London, from riverside dining to modern izakaya experiences.
Evernight, Vauxhall
evernightlondon.co.uk
3 Ravine Way, Embassy Gardens, London SW11 7BH
Combining Japanese cooking techniques with seasonal British ingredients, Evernight is a modern izakaya restaurant. Their menu boasts creative flavour combinations while the setting is minimalist and chic, promising a luxurious dining experience.
What to order: The menu is small and changes regularly, so you can try something new every time. There’s a focus on fish and seafood, with limited vegetarian and vegan options.
How to get there: Evernight is a 17-minute walk from Vauxhall station.
Price range: ££-£££
Hannah, Southbank Riverside
hannahrestaurant.london
Belvedere Road, London SE1 7PB
This fine dining restaurant merges Japanese and British cooking for a unique sensory experience. The creative menu, modern décor, and unique tableware make this an unforgettable location for a special meal.
What to order: Hannah offers a 12-course and 8-course omakase menu, with the option to add a sake pairing for each dish. There’s also the more affordable 5-course lunch menu. All three menus feature mostly fish, seafood and meat, with limited options for vegans and vegetarians.
How to get there: Hannah is an 8-minute walk from London Waterloo.
Price range: £££
Ikeda, Brook Street
ikedarestaurant.com
30 Brook Street, London, W1K 5DJ
Serving traditional cuisine in a fine dining setting, Ikeda is one of the best Japanese restaurants in London for good reason! They offer a set lunch menu and an à la carte dinner menu, which you can pair with some of the finest sake, champagne, wine and Japanese spirits.
What to order: The set sushi lunch options let you sample the finest fish selection of the day. For dinner, the grilled black cod or Wagyu fillet steak are among the chef’s special dishes, or you can choose from a range of sushi, sashimi, tempura, noodles and rice. Vegan and vegetarian options are also available.
How to get there: Take the northbound Jubilee line from London Waterloo to Bond Street, then it’s a 6-minute walk to the restaurant.
Price range: £££
Coco Ichibanya, Covent Garden
ichibanya.uk
17-18 Great Newport Street, London WC2H 7JE
Coco Ichibanya is a Japanese curry house with restaurants across the world. If you’re looking for a casual spot to refuel while shopping or a quick, pre-theatre meal, this is a great place to eat.
What to order: Their signature chicken, pork or omelette katsu curries are the standout dishes. But if curry isn’t your thing, they have other options on the menu, including salads, tempura and vegan and vegetarian dishes.
How to get there: Head northbound on the Northern line from London Waterloo to Leicester Square, then Coco Ichibanya is a 4-minute walk away.
Price range: £
The best sushi restaurants in South West London
Staying south of the river? These are the best sushi restaurants in South West London.
IRO Sushi, Clapham Junction
irosushi.com
3 Bramlands Close, London SW11 2NR
This affordable sushi spot in Clapham Junction also offers katsu, poke and noodle soup, so there’s something for everyone. Whether dining in at the restaurant or ordering takeaway, they have an extensive menu, including vegan and vegetarian options, meal deals and sushi sharing platters.
What to order: You can’t go wrong with classics like salmon and avocado maki, spicy tuna and cucumber rolls, or a mixed nigiri. If you’d prefer something hot, try the katsu curry, salmon teriyaki or spicy chicken ramen.
How to get there: IRO Sushi is 2 minutes’ walk from Clapham Junction station.
Price range: £
Sushi Moka, Wandsworth
sushimoka.co.uk
Ram Quarter, 24 Ryeland Boulevard, London SW18 1UN
This modern sushi restaurant serves authentic Japanese food in a relaxed environment. There’s a set lunch menu and an à la carte menu in the evening, offering sushi and sashimi, noodles, curries and yaki.
What to order: Mix and match your favourite sushi or choose a hot dish like ramen or donburi. The Sukiyaki (for a minimum of 2 people) is a fun experience, letting you cook at your table.
How to get there: Sushi Moka is an 8-minute walk from Wandsworth Town station.
Price range: ££-£££
Ohayo Sushi, Putney
ohayo-sushi.co.uk
71 Upper Richmond Road, London SW15 2RB
If you’re looking for an affordable sushi restaurant, Ohayo Sushi in Putney offers an extensive menu featuring sushi, sashimi, nigiri and maki, alongside hot dishes like teriyaki, katsu curry and udon. You can dine in or take away, making it the perfect place for a quick bite on the go.
What to order: Choose a sushi set to try a few different styles and flavours, with 48, 18, 16, 12, 8 and 6-piece sets available – the perfect sharing option. Feeling hungry? Get the all-day deal on selected teriyaki and curries served with rice and miso soup for just £10.50.
How to get there: Walk 6 minutes from Putney to Ohayo Sushi.
Price range: £-££
The best Japanese restaurants in South West London
Enjoy authentic Japanese cuisine at these top-rated restaurants in South West London.
Tsunami, Clapham
tsunamiclapham.co.uk
5-7 Voltaire Road, London SW4 6DQ
Tsunami is the ideal place for lunch or dinner, located in the heart of Clapham. It’s a modern take on traditional Japanese cooking, serving sushi, sashimi and nigiri alongside bao buns, Japanese-inspired tacos, skewers, tempura, and several vegan and vegetarian options.
What to order: Get a few small sharing plates for the table to start, then opt for a main course like the seafood toban, roasted pork belly or truffle beef. Go on a Monday for the 4-course set lunch for £25. And don’t forget to make the most of their happy hour cocktails!
How to get there: From Vauxhall, take the number 88 bus to Clapham North & High Street station – an 18-minute journey. Alternatively, take the southbound Victoria line to Stockwell and change for the southbound Northern line to Clapham North. Then, walk 3 minutes to the restaurant.
Price range: ££
Tomoe, Putney
tomoelondon.co.uk
292 Upper Richmond Road, London SW15 6TH
This izakaya-style restaurant has an extensive sushi menu, available at lunch and dinner. Alongside this, they also serve noodles and rice dishes, Japanese tapas, curries, and bento boxes. Although vegetarian and vegan options are limited, several items can be made vegetarian by swapping out the stock.
What to order: The sushi rice bowls are a great lunch option, while the Japanese tapas and sushi sets are perfect for sharing with the table. For larger plates, choose from the grilled or fried dishes, including sirloin steak, black cod and chicken katsu.
How to get there: Tomoe is a 9-minute walk from Putney station.
Price range: ££-£££
Book your train with SWR
Once you’ve booked a table at your favourite restaurant, why not purchase advance tickets to save money on train travel? We offer a range of cheap train tickets, including Group Save, Sunday Out and Semi-Flex Return tickets, so you can find the best option for your journey.
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