Starting off with a bougie bang—this Mayfair spot delivers elegance and refinement at its absolute max. They serve omakase in an intimate 16-seater room, so be prepared to feel super exclusive.

There’s a choice between the lunch tasting omakase (17 courses) or the prestige omakase, which comes in at a scary £380. In their defence, that one includes 22 courses with the most outstanding, top-quality ingredients. We stuck to the tasting menu.

The fish honestly just melted in the mouth and was seasoned to actual perfection. Paired with the sommelier’s recommended Pinot Blanc, it was a total dream. If you’ve ever wanted to feel like you’re living that Kardashian elite lifestyle, this is the place.

Have to try: Pinot blanc (white wine)
Perfect for: Special occasions
Approx price for 2: £500–£600

Yes, here we are again in Mayfair. What can we say—when in London, you’ve got to embrace the bougie lifestyle, and Chisou makes it easy.

We kicked things off with a Kirin Ichiban, a Japanese lager-style beer. Normally we’re more “wine with sushi” people, but this was definitely worth the switch-up. Obviously, no Japanese restaurant visit is complete without edamame beans—just salted, super simple, yet somehow impossibly addictive. Next up, the seared salmon belly marinated in ponzu and topped with black truffle. Honestly, an insane combination of flavours.

Now onto the sushi itself. The spicy tuna maki is a must-order. It comes as six pieces, but let’s be real—thirty wouldn’t have been enough. To mix it up, we also tried one of their grilled dishes: the spicy miso lamb chops. Immaculate flavour, perfectly cooked meat. Chef’s kiss.

Have to try: Spicy tuna maki
Perfect for: Catch up with friends
Approx price for 2: £120–£160

Located in Fitzrovia—where most restaurants tend to do the absolute most—Sushi Atelier keeps it sleek and simple with mellow wooden interiors. That’s always a good sign, because it means the focus is on the food, and trust us, it doesn’t disappoint.

We tried their lunch menu, which was a lifesaver since the à la carte can feel a little overwhelming. They take the guesswork out and decide for you. We went for the Atelier Bento, which comes with two sashimi, three pieces of nigiri, four maki rolls, pickles, and a small starter. Honestly, the perfect amount—enough to enjoy without falling into that dreaded post-lunch slump. The standout was definitely the snow crab sashimi. Fresh, delicate, and absolutely divine.

Have to try: Lunch set menu
Perfect for: Quality sushi
Approx price for 2:  £60–£80

Anyone who hasn’t seen Sushi Samba trending online must be living under a rock. This spot is perfect if vibes matter just as much as the sushi. It’s buzzing no matter what time you go, and they even host DJ nights if you’re high on sushi and fancy a little boogie.

This isn’t your typical Japanese joint—they mix Peruvian and Brazilian influences into the menu (hence the “samba”). This makes it great for groups since there’s something for everyone. We went for their samba rolls, which are so unique and such a refreshing switch-up from the usual sushi. The standout had to be the El Topo roll: salmon, jalapeño, fresh mozzarella (yes, you read that right), crispy shallots, spicy mayo, and eel sauce. We’d never dared to combine sushi and cheese before, but honestly? Game-changer. For the purists, the salmon roe nigiri is a simple, classic win.

And the cocktails here are non-negotiable. The Golden Pear was easily our favourite!

Have to try: Samba rolls
Perfect for: Fun with friends
Approx price for 2: £120–£150

Sushi Show is a super casual, low-key spot in Shoreditch. It gives off those homely vibes—a refreshing change from the extravagant sushi joints. Don’t get us wrong, those bougie spots hit, but sometimes you just want that “cooked at home, away from home” feel. No gimmicks, no over-the-top aesthetic. Just some of the most authentic-tasting sushi we’ve had in London.

We went for the prawn tempura avocado roll and the teriyaki chicken maki, and both were absolutely delicious. They also serve donburi bowls, which we’re definitely trying next time. They looked hearty, comforting, and perfect for those colder days when sushi doesn’t quite hit the same.

Have to try: Prawn tempura and avocado roll
Perfect for: Homely sushi joint
Approx price for 2: £30–£50

Sticks’n’Sushi have spots all across London, but the Covent Garden branch is hands down our favourite. The interiors are sophisticated and sexy – they’re sleek, dark, and effortlessly cool.

Their cocktail list is Japanese-inspired and honestly deserves as much attention as the food. No basic pornstar martinis here (thankfully). Our favourite was the lychee martini, a total classic, but the Tiki Fuji Punch really stood out. Rum, coconut, grapefruit liqueur, pineapple—all normal so far, right? But then they add matcha. And it works!

As for the sushi, the menu is loooong and you’ll want a taste of everything. We went for the lobster abokado roll with avocado, cucumber, soya sesame, chives, and coriander—delicate and beautifully put together. Another must-try is the Hell’s Kitchen kaburimaki: topped with tuna, stuffed with tempura shrimp and avocado, and finished with the most addictive spicy sauce.

Have to try: Hell’s kitchen kaburimaki (tempura shrimp, avocado, spicy mayo)
Perfect for: Date night
Approx price for 2: £70–£100

Roka in Canary Wharf is a sight for sore eyes. The space is beautifully lit with patterned lights, giving it an elegant vibe without tipping into over-the-top extravagance.

We kicked things off with the chicken karaage served with chilli sauce and garlic soy. Honestly, you can never go wrong with fried chicken—especially when the sauces are this good. For sushi, we went straight for the Tokusen, their signature selection. The standout had to be the yellowtail sashimi, not just for the fish but for that insane yuzu and truffle dressing. It was unlike anything we’ve ever had before—soy sauce felt completely redundant after this. We also went classic with the spicy tuna maki, topped with chives and crunchy tempura flakes, and it hit the spot perfectly.

To finish, the sticky toffee pudding is an absolute non-negotiable. Served piping hot with miso sweet potato caramel ice cream, it was pure heaven. Honestly, Ben & Jerry’s need to team up and sell this by the pint.

Have to try: Roka’s signature sushi and the sticky toffee pudding
Perfect for: Date night
Approx price for 2:  £90–£120

Obviously, we can’t make a list of London’s best sushi restaurants without featuring the infamous Nobu. The Park Lane location is probably the most casual of the bunch—not quite the Dubai-level glamour you see all over socials. But honestly, we kind of preferred that more laid-back vibe.

A must-try are the Nobu tacos—too intriguing to pass up. We went for the king crab with yuzu oil fry miso, which was a literal mouthful in every sense, but absolutely worth it. From there, we dove straight into the classics: salmon nigiri, California rolls, salmon and avocado rolls—the works. Not going to lie, we lost count and basically had to be rolled out of there like sushi ourselves.

To drink, we loved the pandan and jasmine highball. It’s a fun, fragrant Asian twist on a classic cocktail, and now we only want it this way.

Have to try: Pandan and jasmine highball
Perfect for: Date night
Approx price for 2: £120–£150

Sumi is a Michelin-starred gem in Notting Hill and the perfect spot when you want to properly treat yourself. First things first: the sesame seaweed salad. We know—ordering salad at a restaurant usually feels like a waste, but trust us, this is the exception. It’s the most flavour-packed greenery we’ve ever had, and the fact that it’s actually healthy? Bonus. Someone please get us that recipe so we can work it into our diets.

Now for the main event: the toro-taku temaki. It was minced fatty tuna with fermented radish, chives, and soy. The freshness from the radish and chives cut through the decadence of the tuna so perfectly, it was an instant standout. Of course, they’ve got the classic sashimi and nigiri options too, plus a selection of robata dishes if you’re craving something hot.

To finish, don’t miss the matcha mille crepe. It’s light, delicate, and has that earthy matcha flavour that just feels like the perfect ending.

Have to try: Matcha mille crepe
Perfect for: Special occasions
Approx price for 2: £120–£160

We’re coming full circle and ending where we started: back in Mayfair, of course. The restaurant has dimly lit, sleek interiors, which make the vibrant sushi served at the table pop perfectly.

Sure, they’ve got all the classic sashimi and nigiri, and they’re all top quality—the yellowtail and tuna just melt in your mouth. But what really sets this place apart is their sushi afternoon tea. You get a mix of sushi and Japanese-inspired sandwiches, and it actually works. The sandwiches are creative and full of flavour: the katsu coronation chicken with flaked almonds on sun-dried tomato bread and the smoked salmon with yuzu crème fraîche are absolute highlights. They’ve taken the classic afternoon tea favourites and elevated them with serious taste.

Have to try: Sushi afternoon tea
Perfect for: Catch up with friends
Approx price for 2: £70–£90