Sushi Kyu

Best value omakase experience in London

Horse mackerel

Hidden away on Soho’s Brewer Street, Sushi Kyu offers an omakase experience that feels worlds apart from the bustle outside. With only ten seats wrapped around a pale hinoki-wood counter, this is not the kind of sushi bar that leans on theatrics or showmanship; the atmosphere is meditative, almost hushed, with the chef’s movements providing the only real drama. The food itself is where Sushi Kyu sets itself apart from many of its London peers. The omakase menus—£74.80 for dinner or £51.80 at lunch—strike a sweet spot between accessibility and luxury, especially when compared to Mayfair’s eye-watering sushi counters.

Lobster

A5 Kagoshima wagyu

Red mullet

Does a cheaper price = less quality? Far from it. In fact, the quality of the ingredients can rival other far more expensive sushi joints. I like the fact that Sushi Kyu also offers a wide choice of fish, such as red mullet and red bream, which is uncommon in London. Without a doubt, the A5 Kagoshima wagyu was easily the standout dish from my lunch visit. The buttery, melting texture of the meat met with a sweet and savoury soy sauce glaze inside a handroll, it was just a pure treat. Korean turbot flake was lightly seared, delivering an inviting charred note while the fish itself was creamy with a light hint of sweetness. I enjoyed all the sushi on the day; each piece arrives pre-seasoned and brushed with the chef’s own blend of soy or glaze, making extra dipping unnecessary. The only weakness of this place is the dessert, which felt like it wasn't given any care, with just some standard ice cream on offer.

Tuna and caviar

Botan prawn

Turbot

What makes Sushi Kyu particularly impressive (if you forget about the dessert), beyond the technical execution, is the way it balances restraint and accessibility. This isn’t sushi dressed up for social media; there’s no ostentatious gold leaf or over-the-top garnishing. Instead, the dishes celebrate precision, seasonality, and the natural flavour of the fish, with every cut and brushstroke of seasoning serving a purpose. For under £75, it’s difficult to find a sushi experience in London that rivals this level of skill and intimacy, a fact echoed by critics who have lauded Sushi Kyu as one of the city’s best-value omakase spots.

Food 3.5/5


What I paid: 
£80 per head (lunch)

Average cost without drinks and services:
£90 (dinner)

30 Brewer St, London W1F 0SS

https://sushikyu.com/