The TOP 10 Japanese Restaurants in London

What is it? Sexy Fish is a fine dining restaurant located in Berkeley Square House, Berkeley Square. It sits a six-minute walk from the Royal Academy of Arts and ten minutes from Bond Street.

Why we love it: The kitchen focuses on Japanese and seafood preparations that justify a price point well above the local average. With over 5,000 reviews and a strong 4.60 rating, it remains a consistent draw for those who want a high-energy bar and dining environment near Green Park.

Good to Know: The smart and elegant dress code at Sexy Fish is strictly observed, so expect to elevate your look beyond standard London casual if you intend to secure a table.

What is it? Lucky Cat by Gordon Ramsay is a Michelin-starred Japanese and Asian fusion restaurant located at 10 Grosvenor Square. It sits a ten-minute walk from Bond Street and is within a short stroll of both The Wallace Collection and Selfridges.

Why we love it: The venue holds a regional win for the best short wine list with fewer than 200 bottles from the 2024 The World’s Best Wine List Awards, offering a curation that avoids the bloat often found in Mayfair cellars. With over 1,300 guest reviews averaging 4.69, it manages to maintain a consistent standard of luxury and fine dining in an area where high price tags don't always equate to precision.

Good to Know: Adhere to the smart and elegant dress code to match the room, as Lucky Cat by Gordon Ramsay enforces a refined aesthetic that rewards the well-dressed.

What is it? Gaia Mayfair sits at 50 Dover St, a ten-minute walk from the Royal Academy of Arts and under ten minutes from both Bond Street and Green Park. It is a fine dining restaurant focused on Japanese and sushi-led Asian cuisine.

Why we love it: While many Mayfair venues feel transient, Gaia Mayfair sustains a 4.79 rating across 700 reviews by prioritizing a high-end, romantic atmosphere that holds its own against the established galleries and boutiques nearby. The price reflects its status as a destination for special occasions rather than a casual drop-in.

Good to Know: Gaia Mayfair requires a smart and elegant dress code, so save the denim for the walk through Green Park and opt for formal attire to match the dining room.

Cos'è? Mano Mayfair porta un'energia pulsante nel cuore di Londra. Questo ristorante scambia la cena tranquilla per un'atmosfera vibrante e sociale che riempie la sala. Si sente il brusio della folla nel momento in cui si entra.

Perché ci piace: Lo spazio prospera sul movimento. Il personale mantiene un ritmo serrato, eguagliando l'intensità della sala senza perdere un colpo. Trasforma una cena standard in un evento che si sente distintamente connesso all'energia notturna della città.

Da sapere: I piccoli piatti brasiliano-giapponesi del Mano Mayfair sono pensati per essere condivisi, quindi ordinatene diversi per il tavolo per sperimentare la gamma completa dei sapori.

What is it? MNKY HSE sits at 10 Dover Street, a fifteen-minute walk from both Harrods and the Victoria and Albert Museum. It is a restaurant offering a Japanese and Asian menu with an upscale price point.

Why we love it: It balances a high-end, fine-dining approach with a lively bar atmosphere that is rare for its immediate surroundings. Being a short walk from Hyde Park, it provides a different energy than the more traditional establishments nearby, focusing on its specific Japanese and Asian culinary fusion rather than standard Mayfair fare.

Good to Know: MNKY HSE features a bar that anchors the space, making it a reliable destination for those looking to pair sushi with an extensive drinks menu.

What is it? Zuma sits on 5 Raphael St, a ten-minute walk from both the Victoria and Albert Museum and Harrods. This contemporary Japanese restaurant focuses on sushi and fine dining within a luxury setting.

Why we love it: The venue manages a high level of consistency, evidenced by its 4.70 rating from over 2,000 guests. It avoids the typical tourist-trap pitfalls of its proximity to the Royal Albert Hall, offering a refined space that feels deliberate rather than incidental.

Good to Know: The terrace at Zuma provides an outdoor perspective on the area, which is a rare feature for a venue of this cuisine type in the district.

Cos'è? Sushi Samba si erge sopra le strade di Londra. Le porte dell'ascensore si aprono rivelando un ambiente caratterizzato da alta cucina e viste mozzafiato. Ogni dettaglio è curato ed elegante.

Perché lo amiamo: La fusione tra le culture giapponese e sudamericana definisce l'energia della sala. È possibile osservare lo staff di cucina comporre piatti di sushi con estrema precisione, mentre le luci della città brillano attraverso le ampie vetrate. Cattura perfettamente il ritmo frenetico ed esclusivo di Londra.

Da sapere: L'influenza sudamericana di Sushi Samba emerge al meglio quando si accompagna il sashimi fresco con un robusto pisco sour, ricco di note fruttate.

Cos'è? Rika Moon porta un'energia acuta e orientata al design nel suo angolo di Londra. Questo ristorante scambia toni sommesso con un brusio concentrato che inizia proprio alla porta. Entri in uno spazio che sembra deliberato e rifinito. Fonda l'esperienza culinaria in un movimento costante.

Perché ci piace: La cucina sforna piatti con un ritmo che mantiene il tavolo coinvolto. L'atmosfera cresce man mano che la serata procede. Passa da una cena raffinata a una scena più sociale, ricca di cocktail. Il servizio rimane impeccabile e attento, assicurando che l'attenzione non si sposti mai dal cibo.

Da sapere: Richiedi un posto vicino alla cucina a vista da Rika Moon per osservare gli chef fiammeggiare il wagyu nigiri proprio prima che arrivi sul tuo piatto.

What is it? Aqua Kyoto is a Japanese restaurant located at 30 Argyll St. It sits a ten-minute walk from Oxford Street and less than ten minutes from both Regent Street and Piccadilly Circus.

Why we love it: This venue balances modern Japanese and sushi techniques with a rare level of scale for the area. While many West End dining rooms feel tucked away, the terrace and the view from this floor provide a distinct sense of place above the surrounding streets. It remains a reliable destination for those seeking high-end fine dining that leans into a romantic, luxury aesthetic.

Good to Know: Aqua Kyoto maintains a smart and elegant dress code, so plan your attire to match the polished, high-ceilinged dining room.

What is it? ROKA Mayfair sits on 30 N Audley St, a ten-minute walk from Bond Street. It holds 3 AA Rosettes and specialises in Japanese grills and sushi.

Why we love it: While many London spots rely on hype, this restaurant backs its high-end positioning with the technical precision required for those 3 AA Rosettes. The kitchen balances the intensity of its open-grill focus with a refined, fine-dining approach that justifies the premium price point better than its neighbours near The Wallace Collection.

Good to know: Request a table on the terrace when the weather allows to make the most of the outdoor space within the Mayfair district.