Sushi Kanesaka

With a menu price of £420, and easily exceeding £500 after service, this is arguably one of the most expensive restaurants in London. But it also offers the closest thing to a traditional Japanese dining experience in the city. From the vegetables used in the kitchen to the tableware and staff, almost everything is sourced directly from Japan — though, due to regional restrictions, the seafood itself must come from European and American waters. Setting the price aside, there is very little to fault. The dishes are refined, the seasoning delicate, and the progression smooth and varied. But the value for money is undeniably low — almost non-existent. Chawanmushi ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Deep umami running throughout, with crab, sauce, and scallop adding layers of savouriness. Every spoonful of silky custard is wrapped in rich flavour. Akami ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Slightly firm texture with concentrated umami. Chūtoro ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Gentle, rounded umami held together by soft, balanced fat. Braised Octopus (Yawazuni) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Soft on the outside while keeping a springy centre. Sweet, tender, with a delicate aroma of sansho leaves. Seabass ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Light sweetness, bright Japanese citrus fragrance, firm and bouncy texture. Squid with Caviar ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Soft and sticky with a springy bite; sweetness deepens as you chew, lifted by the savoury salinity of caviar. Amadai Saikyō-yaki ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Skin with a slight gelatinous texture; flesh firm and fatty. Sweet umami with a gentle miso fragrance. Ōtoro ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Extremely rich fat with intense, sweet umami. Anago Hand Roll ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Crisp nori, soft sweet eel, refreshing crunch from cucumber, and a hint of sansho powder. Kobe Beef ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Exceptionally tender. With salt and wasabi, the beef flavour becomes clean and aromatic; with the sauce, it turns rich and deeply savoury. Kinmedai (Seared) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ After searing, both aroma and fat become more pronounced, carrying an elegant sweetness. Botan Ebi ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Large, crisp, slightly sticky texture with full, sweet prawn flavour. Blue Lobster Takiawase ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Lobster is crisp, sweet and bouncy, enriched with dashi and a gentle katsuobushi note. Winter melon is soft without falling apart, absorbing flavour while keeping its natural sweetness. Saba ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Soft flesh with round sweetness and a light shiso aroma. Ikura ⭐⭐⭐ Juicy pop, though some freshness has been lost due to storage time. Tuna Roll ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Spring onion aroma blended with fatty tuna — rich, full, yet refreshing. Tamagoyaki ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Pudding-like texture — sweet, bouncy, and custardy. Fruit ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Shizuoka melon and Shine Muscat — both exceptionally sweet and fragrant. Desserts ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Monaka — sweet, creamy, crisp-shelled. Chestnut Yōkan — smooth chestnut and red bean sweetness; warm, gentle, refined. Total bill: £547.4 Recommendation score: 9/10

Sushi Kanesaka offered an incredible dining experience for our 8th anniversary. The restaurant’s intimate setting and traditional Japanese decor set a perfect atmosphere. The Omakase menu was exceptional, with highlights like melt-in-your-mouth toro sushi, fresh botan ebi, and tender Kobe beef. The crispy lobster and ikura sushi were also fantastic. Service was top-notch, with the chef sharing interesting details about each dish. A great spot for a special occasion—highly recommended!

Chef Shinji and his team offer probably the most traditional and authentic omakase in London and if you are looking for a slice of Japan this place is certainly one to investigate. Yes it is expensive, however the experience is extremely intimate with only a few small sittings each night. Further to this the ingredients used are absolutely the best on offer. I have honestly never been served a blue lobster and the Kobe beef was certainly as good as the best wagu I have previously tried in Japan. The whole team was extremely professional and very attentive. The Sake pairing was again exceptional with the sommelier describing each in amazing detail.

The most amazing sushi I've ever had outside Japan. Awesome food, service and atmosphere. Only 13 sushi bar seats in entire restaurant, 9 in main and a more private 4 seater. Pricey but ethereal.

I believe it was one of my greatest experiences .. if I could put 6 stars I would do . The chef , team , everyone in this beautiful restaurant are awesome. The sushi and food is on another level. In a moment I felt like I’m in Japan it’s really a special place to visit

Last month I had the most pleasant dinner at Sushi Kanesaka. I was torn between Araki and Sushi Kanesaka and eventually decided to dine here and it’s safe to say I’m very happy with my decision. The dinner was off to a great start the moment I stepped into Park Lane 45. The Japanese lady in kimono (I forgot to get her name) was ready to greet me right away. The effort they have put into building the space that instantly teleport their diners to Tokyo is incredible. I was told that chef Hirotaka went at length to get the ingredients he thought would provide us an amazing omakase experience. I especially enjoyed Akami and Botan Ebi, they’re my most anticipated nigiris every time I eat omakase. Therefore I was thrilled to find Akami was served first because in my past experience it’s served towards the end of the service. I also really liked Otoro, Saba, and Toro Maki. They definitely lived up to my expectations. The menu is very generous in terms of the quality and variety — premium ingredients they can source given the geographical restrictions. They also managed to incorporate unagi, lobster, king crab etc to tsumami and yakimono alike; it’s very well-executed by them. Everything was very intentional and orchestrated to perfection. I find it especially impressive their attention to detail and I have two examples of this: 1⃣ Chef Hirotaka noticed I put my blazer on and immediately asked the staff to adjust the A/C (while making the first dish) 2⃣ The lady in kimono asked me if I’d like to continue having genmaicha with dessert and somehow she understood that my choice of genmaicha was bc I do not wish to consume caffeine which I think is very considerate. 3⃣ Chef Hirotaka gives credit to his sous chefs and told us that she cut up the leaves into different animal shape, which I find was very sweet and. 4⃣ The lady in kimono would converse with us diners and the conversations were very pleasant and not too intrusive, very polite (就是很有分寸感但不冷漠反而聊的很愉快）, which I think contributed to a very harmonious dining experience so kudos to her. Also dressing in kimono for hours is some hard work I have to say (I’ve experienced kimono when I visited Kyoto years ago so trust me). Hopefully I could return and dine at Sushi Kanesaka soon, perhaps try the matcha with the dessert even at the cost of some caffeine haha

Had the omakase at Sushi Kanesaka and really enjoyed the experience. The ingredients were clearly top quality, and the preparation was precise without being overly showy. Service was attentive and the atmosphere felt calm and refined. A solid choice for high-end sushi in London.

Sushi Kanesaka London delivers an experience that feels nothing short of exemplary. From the first nigiri to the final course, every detail reflects discipline, precision, and a deep reverence for the craft. The fish is impeccably fresh, cut with clarity and confidence, allowing its natural texture and sweetness to unfold without distraction. The rice is seasoned and tempered to perfection, forming a seamless foundation for each piece. There is no excess, no theatrics. Just balance, restraint, and mastery. The atmosphere mirrors the cuisine: refined yet welcoming. The space feels intimate without being restrictive, elegant without intimidation. Conversation flows easily, allowing guests to fully appreciate both the company at the table and the quiet artistry at the counter. The chef’s presence completes the experience. Attentive, gracious, and genuinely warm, he brings a sense of calm assurance that enhances every bite. It is hospitality at its most thoughtful. Sushi Kanesaka London is a rare example of precision, flavor, ambiance, and service aligning flawlessly. A truly impeccable experience. 10 out of 10.