The Best Sushi Spots in London: Our Personal Favourites

Where is the best place to eat sushi in London?

In recent years, London has experienced a sushi boom. This has mirrored the growing global appetite for this delicious and healthy Japanese cuisine. Fancy sushi restaurants are popping up everywhere. Supermarket sushi concessions are becoming more common. Many people's go-to takeaway is now sushi.

As lifelong sushi lovers who rank sushi amongst our favourite foods, we're thrilled to share our favourite sushi restaurants in London, each with its particular charm.

#1 Atariya Cafe Japan (Golders Green and Hendon)

With two branches in north London, Atariya Cafe Japan is a hidden gem to enjoy top-tier sushi and other Japanese food. Atariya is renowned for supplying some of the finest upmarket sushi restaurants in London with the highest quality fish. The result is fresh and quality sashimi and rolls on demand that can rival some of the sushi bars in Tokyo.

The price is very reasonable for such high-quality fish and much better value than for upmarket sushi restaurants which they supply. We personally recommend their sashimi and assorted sushi sets. This is because they offer melt-in-your-mouth experiences that are hard to beat anywhere else in London.

The restaurant staff are friendly and very welcoming and there's always a nice mix of customers. It can get especially busy in the evenings so make sure to book. They have also recently reintroduced their lunch menu on certain days which has some very affordable options. There used to be several more branches across London but these closed a few years back around the time of the pandemic which is such a shame.

Favourite dishes: Sashimi Sets, Assorted Sushi Sets, O-Toro Fatty Tuna, Grilled Yellow Tail Neck with Ponzu Sauce, Tempura, Miso Aubergine

Score: 4/5

 

#2 Sushi Wa (Archway / Highgate)

A quaint establishment with a warm, inviting atmosphere, Sushi Wa is perched on Highgate Hill. It's conveniently located a short walk from Archway station and nearby Waterlow Park. Sushi Wa offers an array of classic sushi and Japanese dishes alongside a selection of Korean favourites. The fish is consistently of high-quality and the sushi chef is a true master of his craft.

Each visit feels personal and intimate, making it a great spot if you appreciate the attention to detail and a relaxed dining experience. We love going there with family and find it to be kid-friendly with plenty of choices.

Favourite dishes: Spicy tuna rolls, Special Maki Rolls, Bento Boxes, Spicy Korean Fried Chicken

Score: 4/5

Credit: London MG

#3 Eat Tokyo (Soho and Various Other Locations)

Eat Tokyo is a 40-year-old, London-based chain of eight affordable and tasty sushi restaurants. The most popular location is perhaps in Soho which has a huge choice of mouth-watering sushi and Japanese dishes.

The sushi chefs at Eat Tokyo are experts at ensuring a delightful experience that keeps us coming back. It's a bustling establishment with a vibrant atmosphere. This complements the tasty sushi served at reasonable prices which is incredible especially if you are in central London.

We would say that the fish quality is arguably not quite the same as the other options on this list. However, Eat Tokyo more than makes up for it when you take the price, range of dishes, atmosphere and drinking options into consideration.

Some of their locations especially in central London can get very busy during peak hours so you may have to be prepared to queue or get there early.

Favourite dishes: Sushi Maki (including Salmon Skin), Chef Selection Rolls, Takoyaki, Chicken Teriyaki

Score: 3.5/5

Credit: Halal Joints

#4 Sticks n Sushi (Soho and Various Other Locations)

For those who enjoy a contemporary twist on traditional sushi, Sticks n Sushi is the perfect spot. This restaurant blends the minimalist aesthetics of Danish design with the delightful experience of Japanese sushi. This creates a unique dining environment.

Their menu includes a variety of sushi, yakitori sticks and other Japanese favourites. There's also a large number of exciting platters which are ideal for sharing and tasting a wide range of flavours.

We recommend Sticks n Sushi for when you want to catch up with close friends, have something special to celebrate or want to spoil someone on a romantic date.

Favourite dishes: Shake Carpaccio, Softshell Crab Roll, Wagyu Yaki Stick, Four Meal Drive Platter, Carpe Diem

Score: 3.5/5

Credit: Kensington Mums

#5 Nobu - All-You-Can-Eat Weekend Brunch (Shoreditch)

Nobu needs no introduction. This world-famous sushi chain is renowned for it's culinary excellence and their all-you-can-eat weekend brunch is no exception. This allows diners to explore an extensive menu of classic and contemporary sushi dishes.

The brunch starts with a selection of edamame, shishito peppers and miso soups for the table. This is followed by unlimited access to the all-you-can-eat sushi buffet as well as your choice of main dish.

The buffet is extraordinary and includes all kinds of sushi and Japanese delights. This includes sashimi, nigiri, maki, salads and desserts. There's also a choice of one main dish per person. They range from rock shrimp tempura to grilled beef in teriyaki sauce and our personal favourite black miso den cod.

The brunch is certainly not cheap which impacted it's score. It starts at £90 without alcohol and £130 with unlimited prosecco, beer and lychee elderflower cooler. The drink option makes it great to celebrate special occasions such as anniversaries and birthdays. But be warned, it can be sold out for months in advance so book early. In our case, we booked over 3 months in advance.

Favourite dishes: Everything on the buffet, Black Miso Den Cod, Grilled Beef in Teriyaki Sauce

Score: 3.5/5

Credit: Tempus Magazine

#6 Sushi Samba (Liverpool Street and Covent Garden)

Sushi Samba restaurant is celebrated for combining sushi with Brazilian and Peruvian flavours. The Liverpool Street branch is perched atop Heron Tower. This is one of London's tallest buildings, offering breathtaking views that pair wonderfully with its menu.

Once at your table you'll find an innovative selection of dishes that are as stunning visually as they are tasty. The vibrant energy and creative presentations make this an unforgettable sushi dining experience. There's also an outdoor bar which makes it a great place to go during the summer when the weather is nice and you have time.

Although the food is high-quality and creative, we always find this on the expensive side and so we only recommend it for very special occasions. What's more, we would almost certainly choose Nobu - All-You-Can-Eat Brunch Weekend brunch over Sushi Samba if we had the choice.

Favourite dishes: Cerviche, Samba Rolls, Robatayaki (Japanese Grill)

Score: 3/5

Credit: Sushi Samba Restaurant

Final Word

And there you have it - that completes our list of favourite sushi restaurants in London.

From the suburbs to the bustling streets of Soho to the high rises of the city, London's sushi scene is as diverse as it is delicious.

We believe there's something on the list for everyone. Whether you are looking for an affordable meal out, a fun relaxing environment or culinary excellence.

Stay tuned for our next post, where we'll explore more hidden gems in London's vibrant Asian food landscape. Happy dining!

 

Please note: we have personally visited and reviewed all the sushi restaurants listed below. Our reviews are completely independent and based on our own experiences. We have not received any compensation or incentives from these establishments for our opinions.