12 Best Japanese Restaurants in London in 2027
London is home to an incredible Japanese food scene, with restaurants ranging from intimate sushi counters and traditional kaiseki dining rooms to ramen shops, udon specialists, robata restaurants and modern Japanese izakayas. Whether you’re planning a special dinner or simply looking for a comforting bowl of noodles, the capital has plenty of options.
The best Japanese restaurants in London also showcase how diverse Japanese cuisine can be. You can enjoy traditional sushi and omakase in Mayfair, handmade udon in Soho, ramen in Piccadilly or charcoal-grilled dishes in Fitzrovia.
Current London food guides continue to highlight restaurants across this broad spectrum, making 2026 a great time to explore the city’s Japanese dining scene.
If you’re searching for the 12 best Japanese restaurants in London, here are some of the top places worth adding to your list.
| Restaurant | Best for |
|---|---|
| Himi | Modern Japanese dining |
| Umu | Luxury Japanese cuisine |
| Roketsu | Traditional Japanese dining |
| Taku | Omakase |
| Sushi Tetsu | Traditional sushi |
| Koya | Udon |
| Kanada-Ya | Ramen |
| ROKA Charlotte Street | Robata & sushi |
| Sticks’n’Sushi Soho | Groups |
| Yashin Sushi | Contemporary sushi |
| Sasa | Neighbourhood dining |
| Donabe Hannah | Relaxed Japanese food |
1. Himi
Himi is a stylish Japanese restaurant in central London that takes a modern approach to Japanese dining. Its menu combines sushi and other Japanese favourites with contemporary influences, making it a good choice when you want something more sophisticated than a casual noodle restaurant without committing to a formal omakase experience.
The restaurant’s central location makes it particularly convenient for anyone exploring Soho, Carnaby and the West End. Its modern atmosphere also works well for date nights, dinners with friends and occasions when you want a stylish restaurant for the evening.
Himi is currently featured among London’s notable Japanese restaurants by The Infatuation, reflecting the variety of modern Japanese dining available across the capital.
Best for: Modern Japanese dining
Location: Soho / Carnaby
2. Umu
Umu is one of London’s most prestigious Japanese restaurants and an excellent destination for refined Japanese cuisine. Located in Mayfair, the restaurant combines sushi, sashimi and sophisticated Japanese cooking in an elegant fine-dining environment.
This is a restaurant best suited to special occasions rather than a quick casual meal. The elegant setting, detailed presentation and carefully prepared dishes make it particularly suitable for anniversaries, birthdays, business dinners and celebrations.
Umu is also regularly featured in London’s leading restaurant guides. Time Out currently highlights it among the city’s top sushi destinations and identifies it as a Michelin-starred Japanese restaurant.
Best for: Luxury Japanese cuisine and fine dining
Location: Mayfair
3. Roketsu
Roketsu in Marylebone is a strong choice for diners who want to experience a more traditional side of Japanese cuisine. The restaurant has an intimate atmosphere and places considerable emphasis on technique, quality ingredients and the progression of the meal.
Rather than functioning like a typical casual sushi restaurant, Roketsu is better approached as a complete Japanese dining experience. Its refined style makes it particularly appealing to food lovers who want to discover more sophisticated Japanese cooking.
The intimate setting also makes Roketsu a good choice for couples and special occasions. If you’re looking for somewhere that feels distinctly different from London’s larger Japanese restaurants, this is one to consider.
Best for: Traditional Japanese cuisine
Location: Marylebone
4. Taku
Taku is an intimate Japanese restaurant in Mayfair centred around a highly focused omakase experience. The restaurant is designed for diners who want to sit close to the chef and enjoy a carefully structured progression of Japanese dishes.
Omakase is ideal for diners who enjoy discovering food rather than choosing every dish themselves. The chef controls the progression of the meal, allowing seasonal ingredients, preparation techniques and different textures to take centre stage.
Taku is particularly suited to serious Japanese-food enthusiasts and special occasions. Because the experience is intimate and seating is limited, booking ahead is recommended.
Best for: Omakase and luxury sushi
Location: Mayfair
5. Sushi Tetsu
Sushi Tetsu is one of London’s most intimate sushi restaurants. Located in Clerkenwell, the tiny restaurant revolves around a sushi counter, allowing diners to focus on the chef and the food rather than a large dining-room experience.
The limited seating is an important part of the restaurant’s character. Guests can watch the preparation closely and experience sushi in a more personal and traditional environment. This makes it particularly appealing to diners who are serious about Japanese food.
Time Out has previously ranked Sushi Tetsu as London’s top sushi restaurant, while its current Japanese restaurant coverage continues to recognise the restaurant as one of the capital’s standout sushi destinations.
Best for: Traditional sushi and omakase
Location: Clerkenwell
6. Koya
If you’re looking for Japanese food beyond sushi, Koya is one of London’s best-known destinations for udon. The Soho restaurant focuses on handmade noodles and simple but satisfying Japanese dishes in a relaxed environment.
The beauty of Koya is its straightforward approach. Instead of an elaborate fine-dining experience, the focus is on the quality of the noodles, broth and accompanying ingredients. It’s the kind of restaurant where you can enjoy a comforting bowl of food without spending hours at the table.
Koya is currently highly rated by The Infatuation, while Time Out highlights its noodles among London’s best Japanese food options.
Best for: Udon and casual Japanese food
Location: Soho
7. Kanada-Ya
Kanada-Ya is a popular choice for anyone searching for authentic-style Japanese ramen in central London. Its Piccadilly location makes it particularly convenient for visitors exploring the West End, Soho and surrounding areas.
The restaurant focuses on ramen rather than trying to cover every type of Japanese cuisine. This allows diners to concentrate on the combination of noodles, broth and toppings that makes a good bowl of ramen so satisfying.
It is also considerably more casual and affordable than London’s luxury sushi restaurants, making Kanada-Ya a useful option for lunch, a quick dinner or a comforting meal after exploring central London.
Best for: Ramen
Location: Piccadilly
8. ROKA Charlotte Street
ROKA Charlotte Street is one of London’s established Japanese restaurants and is particularly well known for its robata cooking. The menu combines sushi and sashimi with dishes prepared over a charcoal grill, giving diners plenty of variety.
The open kitchen and central robata grill are a major part of the restaurant’s atmosphere. You can watch dishes being cooked while sharing sushi, seafood, meat and vegetables with the table.
This makes ROKA particularly suitable for groups. It is also a good option when not everyone in your party wants sushi, because the menu offers plenty of cooked Japanese dishes as well.
Best for: Robata, sushi and group dining
Location: Fitzrovia
9. Sticks’n’Sushi Soho
Sticks’n’Sushi Soho is a particularly convenient option when you’re dining with friends or family. The restaurant combines sushi and sashimi with grilled skewers, giving diners plenty of choices around the table.
The broad menu makes it easier to satisfy different preferences. One person can order sushi, another can choose grilled skewers, while the whole table can share several dishes.
Its Soho location is another advantage. With theatres, shops, bars and nightlife nearby, Sticks’n’Sushi works well for pre-theatre dinners, birthday celebrations and group evenings out.
Best for: Groups and sharing dishes
Location: Soho
10. Yashin Sushi
Yashin Sushi in Kensington offers a contemporary approach to Japanese dining and is a good choice for diners who want sushi in a stylish restaurant environment.
The restaurant provides a different experience from the tiny traditional sushi counters found elsewhere in London. Its modern atmosphere makes it particularly suitable for date nights, dinners with friends and relaxed special occasions.
Yashin Sushi is currently rated highly by The Infatuation, making it a strong option for diners searching for contemporary Japanese food in West London.
Best for: Contemporary sushi and date nights
Location: Kensington
11. Sasa
Sasa on St John Street in Angel is a relaxed Japanese restaurant with the feel of a neighbourhood favourite. It offers an appealing alternative to the more formal Japanese restaurants concentrated around Mayfair.
The menu provides enough variety to suit different diners, while the relaxed atmosphere makes it suitable for an everyday dinner rather than only a special occasion. It is a good choice if you want Japanese food without the formality associated with high-end omakase restaurants.
The restaurant is currently featured in The Infatuation’s London Japanese restaurant guide, where it is described as a neighbourhood-style Japanese restaurant in Angel.
Best for: Neighbourhood Japanese dining
Price: ££
Location: Angel / Islington
12. Donabe Hannah
Donabe Hannah is a relaxed Japanese restaurant around Waterloo and South Bank. Its location makes it particularly useful if you’re visiting the South Bank, the London Eye, National Theatre or other nearby attractions.
The restaurant offers Japanese cooking beyond the standard sushi-and-ramen combination. Its warm, understated setting makes it a comfortable choice for a relaxed evening meal rather than a formal dining experience.
The Infatuation currently gives Donabe Hannah a strong rating and describes it as a calm Japanese restaurant around Waterloo and Southbank, making it a worthwhile option when exploring this part of London.
Best for: Relaxed Japanese dining
Location: Waterloo / South Bank
How to Choose the Best Japanese Restaurant in London
The best Japanese restaurant for you depends on the type of food and experience you’re looking for.
For luxury sushi and omakase, Sushi Tetsu, Taku and Umu are excellent options. If you’d rather explore traditional Japanese cuisine, Roketsu offers a more refined experience, while Koya is ideal for handmade udon.
For ramen, Kanada-Ya is a great choice for a casual and comforting meal. For groups, ROKA Charlotte Street and Sticks’n’Sushi offer broader menus with sushi, grilled dishes and sharing plates.
If you’re looking for a modern Japanese restaurant, Himi and Yashin Sushi are worth considering, while Sasa and Donabe Hannah offer a more relaxed neighbourhood-style experience.
Final Thoughts
The best Japanese restaurants in London offer far more than sushi. The city has an impressive range of Japanese dining experiences, from intimate omakase counters and sophisticated kaiseki restaurants to handmade udon, comforting ramen and lively robata restaurants.
For a special occasion, Umu, Taku, Roketsu and Sushi Tetsu are excellent choices. For something more casual, Koya and Kanada-Ya are ideal when you’re craving noodles, while ROKA Charlotte Street and Sticks’n’Sushi are particularly good for groups.
The variety is what makes London’s Japanese food scene so exciting. Whether you want an elegant tasting menu, authentic-style sushi, a quick bowl of ramen or a relaxed dinner with friends, there is a Japanese restaurant in London to match the occasion.
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