Where To Find The Best Sake In London

Along with banging floral displays and some serious sushi plates, London's Japanese restaurants are also responsible for bringing this city its drink du jour: sake. Traditionally served in small ceramic cups, the fermented rice wine has been knocking around for more than 1,500 years, and while we're only just getting in on the action (a little late to the party, we know...), it's now never been easier to find yourself a glass of the good stuff. Whether you slurp it cold or warm, cloudy or freshly brewed - we've rounded up the best places in London to drink sake.

Last edited by Lauren Cole

Last updated on 18th November 2024




La Bibliotheque

For some of the city's best tipples, head to La Bibliotheque in Hackney. Their sake tasting experience with food pairings brings you six delicious drinks alongside a complementary tasting menu, or for something heartier check out their three course dinner with a sake pairing instead.

Flesh & Buns Oxford Circus

The second venue from this popular Japanese restaurant, Flesh & Buns Oxford Circus is a casual spot for authentic East Asian fare - specialising in bao and fresh sushi platters. There's also a real focus on sake in their drinks menu, with seven different types available by the glass or bottle, starting from £5.80 for a 100ml measure - and they offer a sake pairing brunch on Saturdays too. What's more, they host supper clubs here on a regular basis, where you can enjoy a guided sake testing alongside a mouthwatering four-course menu, costing just £45 per person.

Akashi-Tai Sake Tasting @ Opium

@ Opium on Thu, 21st Nov 2024 @ 18:00 - 20:00

Swish Soho venue Opium are hosting a brilliant sake tasting this November, taking place in their gorgeous red Peony Bar. They'll take you on a journey through the flavours of Akashi-Tai, as you sample a number of delicious sakes.

Tickets cost £35, and there's a selection of tasty dim sum available if you get peckish - with 20% off any purchases on the night.

Bamboo Mat Stratford

For those of you who fancy a swig of sake with your meal, head on over to Bamboo Mat Stratford. This Nikkei restaurant is slinging out a mighty menu of creative and classic sushi rolls, alongside kingfish tiradito and grilled octopus. Plus, you can bag a 120ml glass of Kawatsuru for £8 (bottle for £42) or Junmai Daiginjo for £9 a glass.

WISE x KAY SAKE MASTERCLASS - Demon, Wise & Partners

@ Demon, Wise and Partners on Wed, 4th Dec 2024 @ 18:00 - 19:30

Basement speakeasy cocktail bar Demon, Wise & Partners specialise in making their very own limited-edition spirits and drinks that can only be made 100 times, until they're all gone. For all you sake-lovers, they've got a three-drink flight and masterclass in store alongside Shochu Adviser Francesco Braun, where you'll try their signature Wise #34 for only £20 each.

CLAP

Knightbridge's CLAP is a fine dining Japanese restaurant just a stone's throw from Harrods, offering you the chance to dig into their delicacies and sip through the finest sake. Their bottles range from £45 a piece up to £950 for the rare and premium sakes, while two cocktails - including the yuzu and berry-flavoured Nippon Sangria - also boast sake.

Zuma

And the prettiest London sake bar? That's got to be Zuma in Kensington, which brings the blossom season to the city every darn day. If you know your stuff, dive straight into their extensive sake menu, or if you're new to this drink, try one of the sake-infused cocktails; the Rubabu is a slinky little mix of rhubarb-infused sake, vodka, and passion fruit.