An intimate Japanese restaurant in London offering an omakase dining experience with a focus on traditional Japanese cuisine and Mediterranean influences.
Chef Toru Takahashi is a highly skilled Japanese chef, known for his expertise in sushi, particularly nigiri, having previously honed his craft at the renowned Nobu restaurant. He has helmed his own successful...
Takahashi, London is an intimate Japanese restaurant known for its omakase format, combining traditional Japanese cuisine with influences from the Mediterranean diet, emphasizing modern, healthy, and tasty meals. It is run by a husband-and-wife team and offers a refined dining experience with a focus on carefully sourced, high-quality ingredients and beautiful presentation.
Customer Perception
Customers overwhelmingly praise Takahashi for its exceptional omakase experience, highlighting the freshness and quality of ingredients, thoughtful pairings, and beautiful presentation. Many describe it as an unforgettable and memorable dining experience, ranking it among the best they've had, even compared to meals in Japan. The intimate setting, superb service, and the chef's quiet focus and craft are frequently mentioned positives. While most reviews are highly positive, one reviewer found the price steep for the perceived quality and environment compared to other high-end omakase restaurants.
Additional Details
The menu follows an omakase format, starting with a series of otsumami (small dishes) followed by other courses. Sake pairing is also offered, enhancing the dining experience.
No specific best times to visit were mentioned, but given its omakase format and intimate setting, reservations are likely essential, especially for dinner.
I recently visited this truly hidden Japanese restaurant for omakase, and every course was a wonderful surprise.
Each ingredient — even the seasonings — was carefully sourced and introduced with its origin, showing real respect for quality. The standout was the first dish: sweet, delicate King Crab topped with Oscietra Caviar. The balance of freshness and briny richness was simply outstanding.
Thoughtful pairings, exceptional freshness, and beautiful presentation made this more than just a meal — it was a refined and memorable dining experience. Highly recommended.
After trying several Omakase restaurants around Europe, Takahashi was my favorite in terms of the experience itself, intimacy, privacy and food quality.
The price is steep, but it was an unforgettable experience. Every moment was remarkable, every new dish was surprising and the sake pairing was the cherry on top.
The tuna-based dishes were INSANE.
The staff was highly competent and explained not only every dish in detail but also every single sake and its origin during the pairing.
I can’t wait to go back!
5
Had a experience on 5/10/2025
Superb service and great sushi omakase in London. TAKAHASHI is a restaurant that I definitely wanna go back for sure. The appetizer is super good none of them will make you disappointed. The sushi is great. Dessert is more impressive (because it’s not too sweet and having perfect balance of fig chocolate). Overall, chef deserves more people know about TAKAHASHI.
5
I don’t say this lightly. This meal ranks among the best I’ve had in my life, and that’s after four trips to Japan. From the moment I sat at the counter watching the chef’s quiet focus as he sliced each piece of fish, I knew I was in for something special. Every bite felt deliberate, every flavor balanced like a conversation between ingredients.
There is a real sense of craft here, not showmanship but devotion. You can taste it in the rice, in the temperature of the fish, and in how each course builds on the last. The intimacy of the setting makes it even better. It is the kind of place where you lose track of time and simply surrender to the experience.
The service was seamless, the ambience calm and warm, and the price feels not just fair but a privilege for the quality you receive. I left feeling both full and quietly exhilarated. This is not just dinner; it is a memory you carry with you long after.
Book it without hesitation. You will thank yourself later.
4
I have recently read a one star review on Takahashi, although I can echo with some of the comments I find a one star is definitely an unduly harsh review. Let’s bring some balance back here.
I had my sushi with their sake pairing experience. While I must say I have never been a fan of sake pairing as i don’t think they really do much to bring out the freshness nor enhance the taste of sushi, I only ordered it because the general lack of variety of sake in this country.
Unlike other countries, there isn’t much of a seafood culture in this country and most of the sushi is supplied, I believe, by one main supplier in London. The sushi is as fresh as you can get in London unless you go to one of restaurants of the supplier in London.
The location of the restaurant is obscure and definitely not the best part of London, however, the fact that people are willing to book months in advance and are prepared to travel to this restaurant goes to show the niche market for a good omakase restaurant. I think it is rather unfair to compare it to Japan or any of the Far East countries and territories as they are a completely different food culture. If the chef can make good money in such an obscure place with much lower rent, then kudos to him!
My take on the food, yes it is not world class but definitely one of the best in England.
Food - 8/10, ambience - 8/10, service - 8.5/10, value for money - 7/10.
