
Café Japan
Quick info
About Café Japan
Café Japan is a Japanese restaurant in London, at 626 Finchley Rd, with a sushi bar area alongside a regular dining area. Sushi and sashimi are the main items on the menu, prepared at the counter, and uni is also available for diners who want sea urchin. An omakase set is served at the sushi counter at both lunch and dinner, so the counter suits either meal. Warm dishes and rice bowls such as chirashi don fill out the rest of the menu. The restaurant is a small space, and booking in advance is needed.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- AccessibilityWheelchair: seating
- Good for kidsGood for kids
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention omakase set, fresh sashimi, uni sea urchin and tempura and udon.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention omakase set, fresh sashimi, uni sea urchin and tempura and udon.
Customer Review Summary
The recurring caveat is space and demand. Several say booking in advance is essential, one notes the restaurant was already very busy by 6pm on a Sunday, and another says the small room feels tight with kids or a pram. One reviewer felt close to Tokyo level but knew better options in London at this budget. One diner was warned about the sea urchin by the host, pressed ahead anyway, and found it not to their taste.
Customer Review Summary
The recurring caveat is space and demand. Several say booking in advance is essential, one notes the restaurant was already very busy by 6pm on a Sunday, and another says the small room feels tight with kids or a pram. One reviewer felt close to Tokyo level but knew better options in London at this budget. One diner was warned about the sea urchin by the host, pressed ahead anyway, and found it not to their taste.
Featured reviews
- Google user
“Cafe Japan is an excellent spot for authentic sushi and Japanese cuisine. The quality is very legitimate, with fresh ingredients across all dishes. Beyond the sushi, the warm dishes such as the tempura don and udon were equally delicious and well-prepared. The restaurant was already very busy by 6pm on Sunday, which speaks to its popularity. I would definitely recommend making a reservation in advance to avoid disappointment. We will certainly be returning.”
- Google user
“Best sashimi I’ve had in London ! I’ve tried many many Japanese restaurants in London and i / we were so impressed by the sashimi. The other foods were just as impressive but the sashimi for me is the headline piece. Do book in advance, and keep this place a secret :)”
- Google user
“sushi is fresh and delicious. staff are super friendly. close to tokyo level but honestly have better options in london within this budget range on top of my head. maybe it is just my preference. still a really good restaurant indeed.”
- Google user
“After my review about Sushi Atelier , I thought it would be unfair not to share with all of you Cafe Japan, my go to place for sushi in London. This eatery is run by a fish wholesaler (I was told) so freshness and variety are guaranteed. You must book in advance for a table. They used to have lunch specials but has since stopped as they have enough business to keep it going. They now mainly do dinners with only 3 days (weekends) open for lunch. £38 for ten pieces and you get otoro! Won’t leave the premise half full. The chef aren’t necessarily Japanese but it’s full of Hong Kong customers , a sure sign something yummy with value is served here. At the bar area no chef wears a watch or a ring here while touching fish with the best quality you could have in the uk. No pretentious and money grabbing menu of Wagyu and caviar and so on, no one argues “we are in Mayfair” no one spills anything on you. While bookings could be tight, the ambience is less stressed here. Take the northern line from Euston and after a new stops you would be transported to tsukiji . I urge you all to take this subway ride, thank me later . Note: shameless rivals eat toxxx have opened branches all over the neighborhood, including one right next to this place, so be careful not to bump into the wrong place”
- Google user
“I’ve a foodie son that loves Sushi, we heard good things about this place, so we headed here on our London trip. It didn’t disappoint - sushi was fresh, and well prepared. Service was warm and friendly. The very nice host tried to warn us about the sea urchin, but we pressed ahead anyway in the spirit of discovery (I’m sure it was high quality, but not for me..) Really lovely meal - thank you for having us.”
Highlights
“Sushi and sashimi prepared at the counter in simple Japanese cafe with tables and bar stools.”
- Great tea selection
- Popular for lunch
- Popular for dinner
- Popular for solo dining
- Healthy options
- Small plates
Amenities
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Accepts reservations
- Delivery
- Takeout
- Dine-in
- Good for kids
Show more amenities
- Bar onsite
- Cozy
- Onsite services
- Beer
- Healthy options
- Quick bite
- Dining options· 5
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Counter service
- Dessert
- Table service
- Crowd· 1
- Groups
- Offerings· 4
- Alcohol
- Hard liquor
- Small plates
- Wine
- Facilities· 1
- Restroom
- Highlights· 1
- Great tea selection
- Popular for· 1
- Solo dining
- Atmosphere· 1
- Casual
- Planning· 2
- Lunch reservations recommended
- Dinner reservations recommended
Location
Japanese restaurants near Café Japan
- Sushimania Golders Green4.09210.3 mi£20–30
salmon sashimi, prawn tempura, chicken gyoza
- Nazuki Garden4.54864 mi£20–30
tempura prawns, beef and pork ramen, sashimi and sushi platter
- Bento-ya4.83714 mi
chicken katsu curry, salmon teriyaki bento, customizable sauce and rice
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Café Japan | 4.7448 | — | £30–80 | omakase set, fresh sashimi, uni sea urchin |
| Sushimania Golders Green | 4.0921 | 0.3 mi | £20–30 | salmon sashimi, prawn tempura, chicken gyoza |
| Nazuki Garden | 4.5486 | 4 mi | £20–30 | tempura prawns, beef and pork ramen, sashimi and sushi platter |
| Bento-ya | 4.8371 | 4 mi | — | chicken katsu curry, salmon teriyaki bento, customizable sauce and rice |
The 3 nearest japanese restaurants by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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