The guide to the best sushi restaurants in London

Dine with a third-generation sushi master at Endo at the Rotunda, a high-end sushi restaurant in White City. Endo focuses on the centuries-old Edomae style of sushi, which is a technique particular to Tokyo, and guests who dine here get to enjoy a truly memorable experience as he guides them through an artistic menu of seasonal dishes.

Whether you want to delve into the world of sake or you simply want to chow down on some of the tastiest sashimi in the city, Sachi is where it’s all happening. This sushi restaurant is located on the ground floor of Pantechnicon in Belgravia, a space dedicated solely to Nordic and Japanese creativity and design.

These cosy sushi spots specialise in high-quality sushi, sashimi, salads and side dishes that are all competitively priced. With friendly, welcoming service and an intimate setting, they're a great choice for a sushi lover's date night. The Shoreditch branch even features a dimly-lit sake and whisky bar upstairs for post-meal tipples.

If you've had your eye on Endo at the Rotunda but it's a little on the pricy side, then why not head to its sister restaurant, Sumi. This sibling Japanese spot plates up creative dishes, as well as a selection of aburi (open-flame cooked) nigiri, for a fraction of the price.

Enjoy an authentic Japanese experience featuring traditional sushi at Kikuchi in the heart of Fitzrovia. Chef Masayuki Kikuchi has worked to create an omakase tasting menu that is stocked with a range of delectable appetisers, the freshest sashimi and a selection of grilled dishes.

This restaurant in buzzy Soho specialises in authentic Japanese fare with a twist. The menu features an excellent selection of sashimi, sushi and maki, as well as premium wagyu beef. Wash your meal down with sake or wine from the extensive drinks menu.

This Japanese restaurant specialises in award-winning modern robata Japanese cuisine. There's a wide assortment of refined Japanese delicacies such as sake teriyaki salmon with sansho salt or baby back ribs with cashew nuts to be found on the menu, while sushi enthusiasts can enjoy upmarket delicacies such as wagyu or caviar in their rolls.

Experience the very best of Japanese hospitality and food at Dinings SW3 in Knightsbridge. This restaurant and sushi bar oozes elegance and relaxation and promises a home-away-from-home vibe, as well as some top-notch sushi, of course.

Located in the posh Grosvenor Square area, Koyn is a contemporary izakaya restaurant that seamlessly bridges past and present. It features two distinct dining spaces: Magma, an underground area reminiscent of Mount Fuji's volcanic interior, showcasing Robata grill dishes, and Midori, a light-filled area inspired by Japanese zen gardens, with a focus on fresh sushi. Smack-dab between the two is a bar offering a curated collection of Japanese whiskies, sakes, and handcrafted cocktails.

Sticks'n'Sushi is one of the better-known sushi groups in London. Their menu is filled with delicious Japanese dishes, like maki, nigiri, small sides, salads and even yakitori skewers. There's also a range of desserts, ranging from matcha and dark chocolate cakes to classic crème brûlée.

This Hong Kong-based brand reinvents the classic sushi roll with a layer of flavoured jelly, carefully draped across for maximum flavour and visual impact. The refined contemporary restaurant is spread across two floors and the outdoor terrace at Broadgate Circle, offering picture-perfect Japanese cuisine, wine and lunchtime bento boxes.

One of the best-known sushi spots in the city has to be Sushisamba. You'll probably recognise photos of its signature verdant decor from Instagram but you really have to go to experience it all for yourself. The menu takes inspiration from the culture and cuisine of Japan, Brazil and Peru, with dishes like lobster taquitos and tempura green beans with truffle aioli, as well as sushi rolls combining the different influences.

The five-star Prince Akatoki hotel in Marble Arch houses this refined Japanese restaurant, infused with Japanese tradition. You can choose from an assortment of signature sushi dishes made with upmarket delicacies such as grade A5 Japanese wagyu beef or caviar. You can complement your meal with wine or sake, and TOKii also offers sushi masterclasses for those looking to learn more about this culinary artform.

These sushi restaurants are owned and run by T&S Enterprises, a wholesaler who supplies fresh fish to some of the best sushi spots in the city. A wide assortment of sushi pieces and rolls are available for dine-in or takeaway, but if you want to play it safe, try the omakase menu, which includes the chef's choice of the best dishes of the day.

For budget-friendly sushi that is still excellent quality, head to Sushi Atelier on Great Portland Street. Sit at the counter and watch as the sushi masters create platters of sashimi whilst you sip on sake and shochu.

The Yashin restaurants, run and owned by Chef Yasuhiro Mineno and Shinya Ikeda, serve a menu of delicate small plates and intricate sushi, making use of upmarket ingredients and the freshest seafood. If you want an experience to remember, you could opt for the omakase menu by Yasuhiro Mineno; a meal made using seasonal ingredients that have been crafted into something truly artistic. 

Chishou is a staple on the London sushi scene with an all-encompassing assortment of classic Japanese dishes such as sashimi, tempura, pickles, and even dessert options. The authentic food is served in an upscale, nature-inspired setting that evokes calm and serenity.

Uchi may not boast the usual grandeur seen in many of London's more picturesque Japanese eateries, but this is precisely its charm. Its tranquil Japanese ambience, characterised by white textiles, mellow wood, and slippers so you can pad about in comfort, enhances rather than overshadows the curated selection of sushi presented each day.

Just a stone's throw from Hyde Park, the London branch of Zuma offers an izakaya experience with a contemporary twist. Balancing tradition with sophistication, the restaurant is popular among business crowds by avoiding excessive formality while still maintaining a professional feel. You can opt for a seat at the counter to observe the chefs crafting Japanese classics such as sushi, tempura, and robata-grilled specialties, with the menu changing frequently.

West London's Ukai is set within a former pub with an eye-catching exterior mural and offers stylish sushi in a lively atmosphere. The restaurant's interior is modern yet evokes its historical past, with meticulous attention given to food presentation, ensuring every dish is both visually and gastronomically pleasing. Alongside classic Japanese dishes, diners can indulge in expertly-crafted cocktails and a diverse wine list.

Originally from New York, the inaugural Sushi on Jones outside the US has found a home at the Goods Way complex in King's Cross. True to its name, the menu features a curated array of skilfully crafted sushi rolls, complemented by wagyu-based specialties and a select range of sake and Japanese whisky. The establishment is particularly renowned for its omakase experience, in which the chef navigates you through a journey of twelve meticulously chosen Japanese dishes.

Deep in London lies Amazónico, a rainforest-themed restaurant originally launched in Madrid. The London branch immerses diners in a lush South American atmosphere while presenting an eclectic menu that blends tropical Amazonian flavours with influences from the region's Asian communities. Beyond the vibrant dishes, the experience is enhanced by a live house band, resident DJs, speciality cocktails, and an open kitchen that ensures there's always something interesting going on.

A casual spin-off of acclaimed chef Alexis Gauthier's eponymous vegan establishment in Soho, Studio Gauthier serves contemporary plant-based cuisine from around the world in a youthful setting. The restaurant is particularly famous for its vegan sushi, made with vegan fish and seafood alternatives and plenty of vegetables. The vegan sushi is also available as an all-you-can-eat bonanza.

It's not often that the service is the star of the show, but CHŪŌ Sushi in Paul Street has introduced the UK to advanced food service automation, innovating the iconic sushi conveyor belt concept with a custom monorail system. The restaurant serves roughly 40 sushi and izakaya-inspired dishes, catering to diners with both counter seats and group booths.

Scott Hallsworth, previously of Nobu, has converted his pop-up success into an acclaimed bricks-and-mortar venture offering a cosy and welcoming ambiance. The Freak Scene highlights his distinctive take on pan-Asian cuisine, blending various culinary styles in creative ways. On the menu, guests can find imaginative creations like the renowned salmon sashimi pizza with truffle ponzu and black cod tacos accompanied by a fiery red chili salsa, along with inventive sushi.