Edinburgh offers numerous excellent traditional Japanese restaurants, sushi menus, and takeaways. So, if you’re in the mood for the exotic tastes of a sushi feast, all you have to do is go through our list to discover the one nearest to you.
Sushi is one of the most popular Japanese foods globally, and its popularity has skyrocketed in the United Kingdom over the last decade.
There are a lot of beautiful cherry blossoms in Edinburgh, and we’ve been reminded of Japan and its world-famous food because of them! Continue reading our guide on the top 10 Japanese Restaurants Edinburgh.
Top 10 Japanese Restaurants Edinburgh
1. Kanpai Sushi
This multi-award-winning Japanese restaurant and takeout provide sushi, tempura, teppan, and other dishes. The cuisine is excellent, plus the restaurant’s exquisite design and ambiance make it an ideal date night spot for sushi lovers.
As with many of the top restaurants, we recommend making a reservation in advance.
2. Umi
Umi Stepping down to this underground restaurant in Stockbridge transports you to a small bit of true Japan. Umi has more than a dozen alleyways off Rose Street., like tuna, salmon, octopus, sea bass, and more.
Their sushi rolls have a wide range of flavors and are works of art in their own right. They also have great sushi presentation and taste. If you like Ramen, you should try making your ramen bowls in different flavors and levels of heat.
3. Hakataya
With its pleasant ambiance and elegant oak seats, this intimate restaurant is the ideal spot to unwind after a hard day on Princes Street. It seems a million miles away, tucked away in one of the alleyways off Rose Street.
Entering this eatery feels nearly like stepping into a little Tokyo hangout. The cuisine at Hakataya is straightforward and basic, featuring delicacies like Izakaya-style Ramen, sushi presented in lovely bento boxes, and delicious gyoza. Their drink selection is extremely comprehensive, making this a great spot to unwind and relax.
4. Harajuku Kitchen
The AA has given this eatery an actual rosette, and it’s simple to understand why. Its cuisine features dishes produced and passed down via the proprietors’ family for decades. They are now available for everyone to enjoy!
This spacious restaurant filled with potted plants has a clean, elegant bistro ambiance and provides a variety of tempura meals, classic gyoza dumplings, noodles, curries, and more When it comes to sushi, there are a plethora of options. You can be sure that the octopus and squid sashimi, tuna nigiri, sweet potato tempura temaki, and cucumber and salmon maki rolls will all be fantastic.
5. Slurp At the Kirk
This famous restaurant, formerly known as Tang’s, is part of the Hakataya family and bills itself as “the newest Japanese restaurant in Edinburgh’s Old Town.” Their logo is distinctive and engaging, and the restaurant has a contemporary and elegant interior design.
Chef Tang had his training in Japan, and at ‘Slurp,’ you may experience a wide range of Japanese flavors and some creative drinks. Their secret-recipe Ramen is created with a thick and nuanced miso stock, and traditional Japanese curries are served with chicken, pig, or prawn katsu.
They also provide cutely prepared little plates for the kids. Try one of their exclusive white chocolate matcha brownies for dessert. Alternatively, pick up one of their takeout bento boxes and have a picnic at The Meadows!
6. Bonsai
Despite the moniker ‘Bonsai,’ the food at this eatery is everything but tiny! It serves dumplings, soups, rice, sushi, other dishes, and various pickles and different sides. The sushi rolls come in reassuringly basic flavors, making this an excellent choice for sushi newcomers.
To begin, try the tuna or avocado maki Gushi before moving on to alternatives like sea bass sashimi. The tooting restaurant features a laid-back bar-bistro decor, making it an excellent choice for a relaxed after-work supper with friends.
7. Koyama
Koyama is another popular hangout in Old Town. It is a more informal and traditional establishment with a simple design and a laid-back vibe. Sushi is at the center of their business, providing tempura and fresh salads as light entrees.
Student discounts and a separate karaoke area with seating for 15 people make this a favorite hangout for students.
8. Kanpai Sushi
Simplicity is at the core of Kanpai’s concept. Sushi, sake, and tempura are the three main components served at this restaurant. And what more could you want? Because the name ‘Kanpai‘ is derived from the Japanese phrase for ‘cheers!
‘ You won’t be shocked to learn that this restaurant offers a variety of full-bodied, delectable sake selections. The sushi menu is delicious, with plenty of hand rolls loaded with anything from snow crab to eel and plenty of sashimi and nigiri selections. If you want to share with a few other people – or if you’re very hungry – try the 20-piece sashimi package.
9. Yamato
Yamato is Kanpai’s younger sister, and she is just as sophisticated. This tiny restaurant, nestled away off Home Street, serves high-quality traditional Japanese food. Yamato features various difficult-to-find specialties, like sea urchin and yellowtail sushi.
They’re also one of the few restaurants in Edinburgh that serve Wagyu, a premium-quality Japanese beef. This melt-in-your-mouth meat has a distinct umami flavor, unlike any other meat. You won’t be sorry if you visit Yamato on your next special occasion.
10. Maki and Ramen
Maki & Ramen, one of three restaurants in Edinburgh, serves calming bowls of soup with braised bean curd (or try the ‘Hell Ramen‘ if you dare!) and lots of fresh sushi on the side or as an extra meal.
Because of its creative and exquisite vegetarian set menus, this is perhaps the greatest sushi restaurant on our list for vegetarians.
Conclusion
Sushi is colorful, creatively made, and excellent for sharing delicacy for lunch, dinner, or snacks. Pubs in Edinburgh are brimming with excellent restaurants where you can taste genuine and exquisite sushi meals – you have to know where to go. Above are the top 10 Japanese Restaurants Edinburgh.
