Best Sushi Restaurants In London

Forget playing it safe - Freak Scene Sushi & Robata is all about bold, punchy flavours that hit you in the best way possible. The menu is a thrill ride of pan-Asian fusion, from truffle-drenched chips to smoky, miso-laced meats and sushi that's anything but predictable.

With Tight Ass Tuesdays offering wallet-friendly deals and a drinks menu stacked with inventive cocktails, it's the kind of place where every night feels like a special occasion - without the hefty price tag.

One of the most intimate Japanese restaurants in the city, RAI is home to just five tables and an omakase counter that seats 10 people at a time. Chef Padam can whip up nine or more courses right in front of you for as little as £59 per person, or head to their stunning Japanese Garden dining area to enjoy their a la carte menu.

Their sushi selection is second to none, featuring everything from prawn tempura rolls to grilled premium unagi or fatty tuna with avocado. As for the venue itself, expect gorgeous blossom trees, dark interiors and natural stones.

Make your way to the elegant Fuji Grill At Beaverbrook Town House in Chelsea. An extension of the famous hotel in Surrey, it too features interiors from Nicola Harding and Sir Frank Lowe. Dine in a glamorous space decked out with gorgeous, oval lighting, dark wooden furnishings and prints of Mount Fiji fixed to the wall.

Choose between a nine-course omakase menu or plates from the a la carte, which features wagyu temaki, o'toro with black truffle, yellow tail accompanied by salted seaweed and so much more. 

Nestled in Covent Garden, Gura Gura is a striking Pan-Asian restaurant that transports you to sunnier climes with pretty foliage dangling from the ceiling and understated bursts of colour from the seating, floors and pictures framed along the walls.

Grab a seat and watch the chefs behind the live sushi bar whip up your order, each dish prepared with incredibly fresh produce. Go for a round of mixed sashimi (tuna, salmon, hamachi and sea bream) or treat your senses with a few of the rolls – the oshizushi tuna and tomato salsa roll is a highlight.

But if you really want to push the boat out? Make sure to order one of the sushi boats, with passengers including salmon cream cheese rolls, California rolls and a selection of nigiri.

Inamo is slinging out Pan-Asian fare from its Covent Garden and Soho outposts, where you can discover a fusion of Japanese, Thai, Chinese and Korean dishes, not to mention a strong menu of sushi and sashimi.

From salmon tataki with lime marmalade to a classic spicy tuna roll and prawn tempura butterfly rolls, you'll certainly find some of the best sushi in Central London right here. They're also famed for their cutting-edge, interactive tables, on which you can play retro games, watch the chefs in the kitchen or even create works of art.

Nestled in the heart of Liverpool Street, Shiro offers a contemporary, stylish setting for those seeking a unique Japanese dining experience. The menu blends traditional Japanese flavours with modern culinary twists, offering everything from expertly prepared sushi to inventive small plates. Indulge in dishes like the black cod, delicate salmon sashimi, and vibrant shiro sushi rolls, each prepared with the freshest ingredients.

Head there on Mondays to bag 2-4-1 on maki, or the same deal with ramen on Fridays. Whether you're looking for a relaxed dinner or a special occasion feast, Shiro delivers sophistication and deliciousness in every bite. Pair your meal with a selection from their curated wine list or a handcrafted cocktail for the ultimate dining experience.

If you're on the hunt for the best sushi in London's Soho, look no further than Aqua Kyoto. The hotspot, found just off Regent Street, is a gorgeous rooftop restaurant boasting views across Central London. But if you head inside? You'll also be treated to a luxurious, slinky space with low lighting and sultry shades spread across scalloped booth seating.

Alongside succulent wagyu steaks, robata grill dishes and mouthwatering mains, you'll discover an extensive selection of sushi. There's more than enough maki to go around, featuring Canadian blue lobster tempura futomaki and unagi with sansho, shiitake, cucumber and pickled takuwan.

But if you fancy something really deluxe, their signature crystal sushi is not to be missed – think scallop and caviar with kimchee jelly. If that wasn't enough, there's also a long list of sashimi, ranging from red snapper and surf clam to akami tuna and sea urchin.

For those of you after the best affordable sushi in London, YO! (found in locations like Bond Street, Stratford and Bromley) have got what you need. Inspired by the restaurants of Japan, it uses a cool conveyor belt system, where you can pluck colour-coded dishes right off the belt.

Get ready to wrap your lips around California handrolls, dynamite rolls, freshly prepared maki and so much more, with a fantastic selection of vegan sushi up for grabs too, including the squeaky bean hoisin 'duck' roll.

Though originally hailing from Copenhagen (opening in 1994), you'll now find Sticks and Sushi London branches across Kingston, Islington and Shoreditch.

The restaurant's founders, Thor Andersen and brothers Jens and Kim Rahbeck, celebrate their half-Danish, half-Japanese backgrounds, making for a suave, Scandi-chic setting mixed with Japanese elements, like eye-catching art installations.

As for the food, you'll find an expertly prepared lineup of sushi, from seared salmon nigiri topped with Exmoor caviar to ceviche kaburimaki and wagyu tartare house rolls.

Perched on Berners Street is Flesh & Buns, an eatery based on Japanese izakayas, serving delicious marinated meats, bao buns and sushi.

It comes from the same brains behind popular ramen restaurant Bone Daddies and is kitted out with contemporary décor - think leather sofas and walls lined with lucky cats.

Bring your mates here to delve into sensational sushi, with options like California maki, tuna sashimi and salmon rolls sure to be right up your street.

Found along the canal in Paddington, underneath Smith's Bar & Grill, lies a beautiful restaurant that combines the flavours of Peru and Japan, Ayllu. The elegant space is intimate with low lighting, rich forest green walls lined with lily pads and sophisticated seating, making it perfect for date nights.

You'll find a range of Nikkei dishes here, although we've got our eye on the sushi. Get stuck into the chef's selection of nigiri, the vibrant Ayllu platter (featuring spicy tuna rolls, soft shell crab futomaki and more) and dive into fresh slabs of sashimi – but our personal favourite is the rainbow roll, made with tuna, salmon, sea bass and avocado. Oh, and did we mention they also host DJ sessions and live samba shows?

Offering authentic Japanese cuisine with fine dining flair is Ginza St James's. The Michelin Guide-recommended spot is one of the best sushi restaurants in London; it offers luxury experience from start to finish, with sophisticated interiors showcasing elegant neutral tones and geometric wooden partitions.

But it doesn't stop there, as it's also home to a sushi counter where you can enjoy some of the best omakase in London; the professional chef will surprise you with a creative selection of dishes using fresh, premium ingredients.

Or, if you fancy going a la carte, you can order nigiri platters, high-grade sashimi and rolls (don't sleep on the Ginza maki, made with tuna, salmon, yellowtail futomaki, smoked mouli, shiso, cucumber and avocado). To pair with your feast, choose from Japanese whiskey and an acclaimed sake list.

Bamboo Mat is the brainchild of Denis Gobjila (formerly of Chotto Matte) and Victor Rosca (previously at Lucky Cat and Sushisamba), meaning there are some seriously exciting credentials behind this Stratford sushi spot. Plus, with laid-back interiors and a sprawling outdoor terrace, it's ideal for casual dinners with dates and mates.

Coming with the wave of Nikkei restaurants to recently hit the capital, this joint slings out nigiri, sashimi (including one topped with flame-torched A4 wagyu) and sushi. When we visited, our favourite dish had to be the ceviche hot maki, made of seabass, prawns, aji amarillo tiger's milk and salsa.

Sushi Atelier on Great Portland Street in Fitzrovia is a cosy Asian spot offering a contemporary take on traditional sushi recipes, with creative dishes and exciting flavour combinations.

Though we wouldn't pass up the opportunity to dine along the wooden counter at this top sushi restaurant in London, where the skilled chefs hand-deliver your plates (and you get to see the sushi made right before your eyes), there's also outdoor seating for when the weather's warm.

You'll find a long list of sushi to get stuck into here, and each dish beautifully presented – but make sure to try the aburi toro truffle, topped with seared fatty tuna and truffle teriyaki sauce. To wash it down, choose from premium sake and draft Japanese beer.

Self-proclaimed as 'sushi in the clouds', Endo at the Rotunda is offering Michelin star sushi in London. A third-generation sushi master, Endo Kazutoshi specialises in Edomae (a centuries-old style of sushi from Tokyo), and is famed for his beautiful and balanced creations.

Over the years, he's developed a strong relationships with suppliers, either working with Europe's finest or importing from Japan, ensuring only the highest quality produce is used in his dishes. You can delve into a 20-course omakase sitting (two a day Tuesday to Friday and one lunch sitting on Saturdays) for £275 per person.

The restaurant is found in White City at the former BBC TV Centre - occupying an 8th-floor lookout over the surrounding area. You'll dine along the 200-year-old hinoki wood counter, where Endo will explain each dish with passion and detail.

Bringing elegant countertop dining to Brixton Market, Temaki specialises in the dainty handroll that gives the restaurant its name. The eatery showcases a wrap-around wooden counter with just a handful of stools, to a backdrop of a marble-effect wall, making for a cosy, intimate atmosphere.

Here, you'll enjoy traditional Kappo-style dining, which means the chefs prepare the rolls right in front of you before handing them over – we loved the personal touch this gave our dining experience here, as it meant we could interact with the chefs and learn about the Japanese delicacies as they arrived to our plates.

We highly recommend trying a fair few of the temaki, and there are plenty of options to suit all tastes, including BBQ eel, lobster, tuna, prawns and aubergine. But you'll also find a range of accompanying dishes, like sashimi and miso soup, not to mention a fantastic selection of sake to pair.

Going strong since 2001, Tsunami is a Clapham institution just off the high street offering beautiful plates of sushi to the South London masses. Alongside a load of mouthwatering Japanese dishes, there's an abundance of hand rolls, sashimi, nigiri and uramaki.

So, grab a seat in the trendy space, which showcases plush, pastel-coloured armchairs alongside leather banquettes, or perch alfresco-style on their cute foliage-lined patio.

Some of the highlights include the dragon roll (an inside-out roll, made with shrimp tempura, spring onions, eel and avocado) and the soft shell crab rolls. And if you just fancy some sashimi? You can nab yellowtail, tuna, mackerel, scallop, seabass, salmon and shrimp variations.

Boasting an impressive 56 restaurants across the globe, it's safe to say that Nobu (founded by acclaimed chef Nobu Matsuhisa and Robert de Niro) is one of the most famous Japanese restaurants in the world – with its Portman Square outpost being a must-visit for Londoners.

Head to this Marylebone restaurant for slick interiors, from the plush booths to the open kitchen, to dive into their world-renowned dishes. During our visit, we couldn't get enough of the beautifully prepared nigiri rolls – the salmon, seabass and shrimp were particular highlights – although make sure to also try out their fresh maki, sashimi and tempura while you're there too.

One of only two Michelin-starred omakase restaurants in London, Taku in Mayfair is a pretty stylish spot for sushi. Run by Executive and Chef Patron Takuya Watanabe, previously at Jin Paris, and Head Chef Long Ng, you can expect truly masterful preparation of seafood here.

You can choose between 17 or 20 courses of the chef's choice on their tasting menus, which start from £160 per person. Though dishes change regularly, you can expect the likes of raw turbot, oysters and nigiri. The intimate restaurant features only sixteen seats along a bar, with simple wooden interiors surrounding you, making for a personalised experience.

It's literally in the name over at SUSHISAMBA, which is located on the 38th and 39th floors of the Heron Tower at 110 Bishopsgate, providing us with one of the best sushi restaurants in London.

This sky-high spot is both stylish and colourful, with the impressive views to match - an awe-inspiring setting that pairs with the menu's unique blend of Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian cuisine.

As for sushi? Think yellowtail with jalapeño and lemongrass, A5 Kobe beef with pickled wasabi, bubu arare and truffle citrus soy, and shrimp tempura rolls - followed by robata-grilled dishes or large plates to round off your meal.

Located in Knightsbridge, CLAP is a high-end Japanese restaurant that offers more than just good food - it's an immersive culinary and sensory experience. Thanks to an open kitchen, sushi and robata counters and even a rooftop terrace, this stunning spot offers an innovative dining sensation with equally enticing interiors, designed by Noriyoshi Muramatsu of Studio Glitt.

Expect resident DJs, cool vibes and Japanese-inspired cocktails, as well as a killer menu. On the sushi front, they offer everything from shrimp tempura rolls to salmon volcanos and avocado maki, with omakase tasting menus available if you fancy trying a bit of everything.

At Hot Stone, you can expect some seriously good sushi prepared by Padam Raj Rai, who's previously worked at Nobu, Zuma and more. This award-winning steak and sushi bar in Angel, which also now has an outpost in Fitzrovia, specialises in wagyu, and is one of only nine restaurants in the UK to serve certified Kobe beef.

When you're not sizzling juicy, fatty cuts of beef on their signature hot stones right at your table, you'll want to dig into their classic and signature sushi rolls. Whether you go for the seared butterfish with spicy ponzu or the prawn tempura and wagyu tartare roll, make sure to pop a bit of their fresh 100% Japanese wasabi on it for an extra flavour hit.

Though the food is obviously a pull (we're still drooling over their wagyu), we also absolutely adore the vibe here – it's classy yet laid-back, making it perfect for cosy date nights with your other half.

From Endo Kazutoshi (the chef behind Michelin star restaurant Endo at the Rotunda) is SUMI, an elegant, upmarket Japanese restaurant in Notting Hill. If you're lucky, you can nab a seat by the open kitchen (like we did on our visit), otherwise there are plenty of other relaxed tables in the bright and airy dining space, which brings a modern Japanese touch to its décor.

Sushi lovers are in for an absolute treat here, thanks to a range of upscale dishes created by a highly skilled team of chefs who take inspiration from Japanese traditions. Delicious temaki is on offer, filled with everything from scallops to salmon, as well as premium sashimi, nigiri and tataki.

It doesn't get much trendier than Issho-Ni, a hip Bethnal Green hangout where you can delight in all manner of Japanese small plates in a cool space fitted with pendant lights, live wood counter dining and a real chill vibe.

Led by founder Claire Su, whose parents owned Noodle King (the venue's predecessor), the kitchen whips up prawn tempura maki rolls, salmon sashimi, and seabass nigiri, topped off with a round of mochi ice cream for dessert.

Just make sure to pair your feast with one of the signature cocktails, such as the Bloody Geisha (a kimchi-flavoured spin on the classic).