13 Best Sushi Restaurants in London: Top Sushi Places in 2026
London has become one of Europe’s most exciting cities for Japanese food, with everything from tiny sushi counters and traditional omakase restaurants to stylish Japanese restaurants serving sushi alongside robata, noodles and other dishes.
The city’s best sushi restaurants range from exceptionally exclusive counters where chefs prepare each piece in front of you to relaxed neighbourhood restaurants where you can enjoy excellent nigiri without spending hundreds of pounds. Recent London food guides continue to highlight the depth of the city’s sushi scene, including Michelin-starred restaurants, traditional sushi counters, conveyor-belt restaurants and affordable neighbourhood spots.
Looking for a special-occasion omakase, a romantic sushi dinner, somewhere impressive for visitors or simply a good place for fresh nigiri, these 13 best sushi restaurants in London are worth knowing about in 2026.
| What you’re looking for | Restaurant |
|---|---|
| 🍣 Traditional sushi | Sushi Tetsu |
| 🥢 Luxury omakase | Sushi Kanesaka |
| ⭐ Michelin-starred experience | Umu |
| 💎 High-end Japanese dining | Endo at the Rotunda |
| 💕 Intimate omakase | Taku |
| 🌸 Relaxed premium sushi | Sumi |
| 💷 Affordable sushi | Sushi Show |
| 🍽️ Conveyor-belt sushi | Kulu Kulu |
| 🏡 Neighbourhood atmosphere | Uchi |
| 🎉 Group celebrations | SUSHISAMBA |
| 🔥 Sushi + robata | ROKA |
| 🌆 East London dining | SUSHINOEN |
1. Sushi Tetsu
Sushi Tetsu is one of London’s most sought-after sushi experiences and is particularly appealing to serious sushi enthusiasts. The tiny Clerkenwell counter has only a handful of seats, creating an intimate environment where the chef and the food are very much the focus.
The restaurant has earned a reputation for carefully prepared traditional sushi rather than flashy presentation. The experience is centred around the quality of the fish, the rice, the knife work and the timing of each piece. Time Out named Sushi Tetsu its number-one sushi restaurant in London in its 2025 ranking, highlighting the tiny seven-seat counter as one of the city’s outstanding destinations for sushi.
Because seating is extremely limited, getting a table can be challenging. But for sushi lovers who want a focused, traditional experience rather than a large restaurant with an extensive menu, Sushi Tetsu is one of London’s essential addresses.
Best for: Serious sushi lovers and omakase
Area: Clerkenwell
2. Endo at the Rotunda
Endo at the Rotunda has become one of London’s most recognised destinations for high-end Japanese dining. Chef Endo Kazutoshi’s restaurant is built around an intimate sushi counter, where the meal becomes as much about watching the chef work as it is about eating.
The restaurant has featured prominently in recent London sushi guides, although its current status should be checked before travelling because recent sources report changes affecting the White City restaurant.
When operating normally, the experience is aimed squarely at diners looking for a premium omakase rather than an inexpensive sushi dinner. The carefully presented pieces, attention to rice and fish and highly theatrical counter experience make it particularly suited to major celebrations and serious food-focused occasions.
Best for: Luxury omakase and special occasions
Area: White City
3. Umu
Umu is one of London’s most prestigious Japanese restaurants and a particularly strong option for diners who want sushi combined with refined Japanese cuisine. Located in Mayfair, the restaurant has long been associated with sophisticated Japanese cooking and Michelin-starred dining.
Rather than being simply a sushi bar, Umu offers a broader Japanese experience, with sushi and sashimi forming part of a more elaborate culinary approach. Time Out currently lists Umu as its pick for Michelin-starred sushi in London, highlighting it among the capital’s leading Japanese restaurants.
The setting also makes Umu suitable for business dinners, celebrations and romantic occasions. If you’re looking for sushi in London but want the atmosphere and service of a luxury restaurant rather than a casual sushi counter, Umu is an excellent choice.
Best for: Michelin-starred Japanese dining
Area: Mayfair
4. Sushi Kanesaka
Sushi Kanesaka is another destination for diners who take sushi seriously. Located within 45 Park Lane, the restaurant brings the refined Edomae sushi tradition to one of London’s most prestigious neighbourhoods.
The focus is on precision and simplicity. Rather than overwhelming diners with dozens of different dishes, an omakase experience allows the chef to determine the progression of the meal, with each piece prepared to showcase the quality of the fish and the balance between seafood and seasoned rice.
Recent London Japanese restaurant guides have placed Sushi Kanesaka among the city’s leading high-end sushi counters. It is best suited to diners who are prepared to spend significantly more for a highly polished Japanese dining experience.
Best for: Edomae sushi and luxury omakase
Area: Mayfair
5. Taku
Taku is another intimate London sushi counter aimed at diners looking for a more serious omakase experience. Situated in Mayfair, it has become part of the growing group of specialist sushi restaurants raising the standard of high-end Japanese dining in London.
The attraction is the intimacy of the counter. Instead of sitting in a large dining room, guests are able to watch the chef prepare the sushi and follow the progression of the meal piece by piece. This creates a much more personal experience than simply ordering sushi from an à la carte menu.
Recent 2026 guides continue to place Taku among London’s leading sushi experiences, alongside restaurants such as Endo, Sushi Kanesaka and Roketsu. For a special occasion where the meal itself is the main event, Taku is worth considering.
Best for: Intimate omakase and serious sushi
Area: Mayfair
6. Sumi
Sumi is one of the more approachable ways to experience the cooking associated with chef Endo Kazutoshi. Located on Westbourne Grove, the restaurant offers sushi and Japanese dishes in a more relaxed environment than a formal omakase counter.
The sushi menu includes nigiri, sashimi and hand rolls, while the wider menu gives diners the option of ordering cooked dishes as well. The Infatuation currently describes the nigiri at Sumi as exceptional and recommends focusing on the sushi if you want to keep the bill more manageable.
That balance makes Sumi particularly attractive for people who love sushi but don’t necessarily want to commit to an ultra-expensive tasting menu. It is also a good choice for groups because diners can mix sushi with other Japanese dishes.
Best for: Quality sushi without a formal omakase
Area: Notting Hill
7. Roketsu
Roketsu is a refined Japanese restaurant in Marylebone that focuses on traditional Japanese cuisine and a carefully curated dining experience. It is particularly appealing to people who want to move beyond mainstream sushi and explore more formal Japanese cooking.
The restaurant has been included among London’s leading high-end Japanese destinations in recent 2026 guides, alongside Sushi Kanesaka, Taku and other specialist counters.
Its intimate character makes it particularly suitable for couples and serious food lovers. This isn’t the kind of place you choose simply because you want a quick sushi lunch; it is better approached as a full Japanese dining experience where technique, ingredients and presentation all play important roles.
Best for: Traditional Japanese cuisine and omakase
Area: Marylebone
8. Kulu Kulu
If the thought of spending hundreds of pounds on omakase doesn’t appeal to you, Kulu Kulu provides a completely different sushi experience. The Soho restaurant is known for its conveyor-belt format, allowing diners to choose dishes as they pass by.
This style of dining is fast, informal and fun, making it particularly suitable for casual lunches, quick dinners and groups of friends. Instead of committing to a long tasting menu, you can simply pick the dishes that look appealing and order additional items as you go.
Time Out currently lists Kulu Kulu among its favourite London sushi restaurants and describes it as one of the city’s classic conveyor-belt options. If you want sushi in central London without the formality of a luxury counter, it is a great alternative.
Best for: Casual sushi and conveyor-belt dining
Area: Soho
9. Sushi Show
Sushi Show in Islington is proof that good sushi in London doesn’t always require a luxury budget. It has become known for providing a more affordable route into sushi while maintaining a focus on fresh ingredients and carefully prepared dishes.
The restaurant is particularly useful for diners who want sushi as part of an everyday meal rather than a major occasion. That makes it a good option for lunch, a casual dinner or a quick meal before exploring Islington.
Time Out currently names Sushi Show its choice for best bargain among London’s sushi restaurants. For anyone searching for quality sushi without the price tag associated with Mayfair omakase restaurants, this is one of the names to remember.
Best for: Affordable sushi and casual meals
Area: Islington
10. Uchi
Uchi in Clapton offers a more relaxed neighbourhood approach to Japanese dining. It is a good choice for people who want sushi in an informal environment rather than a formal restaurant where the emphasis is entirely on an omakase menu.
The atmosphere is part of the appeal. Instead of feeling like a destination restaurant designed solely for special occasions, Uchi works well for a relaxed evening with friends or a casual date night.
Time Out currently highlights Uchi as its choice for the best neighbourhood cosiness among London’s sushi restaurants. That makes it an especially appealing option for East London residents or visitors exploring Clapton and Hackney.
Best for: Casual dining and neighbourhood atmosphere
Area: Clapton
11. SUSHISAMBA Covent Garden
SUSHISAMBA Covent Garden is a very different experience from London’s intimate sushi counters. The restaurant combines Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian influences, resulting in a menu that is more colourful, energetic and contemporary.
The setting is a major part of the attraction. Located in Covent Garden’s historic Market Building, the restaurant is designed for people who want dinner to be part of a wider night out. The atmosphere is lively, making it particularly suitable for birthdays, celebrations and groups.
With thousands of current reviews and a strong local rating, it is also one of the more established destinations on this list. SUSHISAMBA Covent Garden
Best for: Stylish dinners, groups and celebrations
Area: Covent Garden
12. ROKA Charlotte Street
ROKA Charlotte Street is one of London’s best-known Japanese restaurants for diners who want sushi alongside robata-grilled dishes. Rather than focusing exclusively on raw fish, the menu gives you plenty of choice, making it particularly useful for groups with different preferences.
The restaurant’s open kitchen and central robata grill create much of its atmosphere. You can order sushi, sashimi and other Japanese dishes while also watching food being cooked over charcoal.
With more than 3,000 current reviews, ROKA Charlotte Street has become an established part of London’s Japanese dining scene. ROKA Charlotte Street It is a particularly good choice when you want a lively restaurant rather than a quiet sushi counter.
Best for: Sushi, robata and group dinners
Area: Fitzrovia
13. SUSHINOEN
SUSHINOEN is a strong choice if you’re exploring East London and want Japanese food in a more relaxed setting. Located on White Church Lane, it has built up a substantial following and currently has more than 3,000 reviews in its local listing.
The restaurant is particularly convenient because its menu extends beyond sushi, giving groups the opportunity to combine sushi with other Japanese dishes. That makes it more flexible than a dedicated omakase counter and suitable for casual dinners as well as larger meals.
Its East London location also makes it a useful stop if you’re exploring Brick Lane, Spitalfields or the wider Whitechapel area. For diners who want a less formal Japanese restaurant with plenty of choice, SUSHINOEN is worth considering.
Best for: Casual Japanese dining and sushi
Area: Whitechapel
Which Is the Best Sushi Restaurant in London?
There isn’t one answer for every diner because London’s sushi scene covers such a wide range of experiences.
If you’re looking for serious traditional sushi, Sushi Tetsu, Sushi Kanesaka and Taku are among the names to investigate. For luxury Japanese dining, Umu and Endo at the Rotunda stand out, while Sumi provides a more relaxed way to experience cooking associated with chef Endo.
For a more affordable sushi meal, Sushi Show is one of the strongest choices, while Kulu Kulu is ideal if you enjoy the fun and informality of conveyor-belt sushi. If atmosphere matters as much as the food, SUSHISAMBA and ROKA are excellent choices for groups and celebrations.
Final Thoughts
For a once-in-a-lifetime sushi experience, start with the specialist omakase counters. For a more relaxed dinner, Sumi, ROKA or SUSHISAMBA are easier choices. And if you’re simply craving good sushi without turning dinner into a major financial event, Sushi Show and Kulu Kulu are excellent places to begin.
One final tip: high-end sushi restaurants often have very limited counter seating, and some require advance reservations. Check the restaurant’s current opening hours, menu and booking arrangements before travelling, particularly for specialist omakase counters.
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