Harden's survey result
For 25 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. This year diners have submitted over 60,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK.
Summary
“Some of the best fusion fare that will pass your lips” – these “always buzzy” and “vibey” Japanese-inspired operations dazzle with their “beauteous robata dishes”, “amazing black cod”, sushi and other “superb Asian dishes”, and even if “the prices are as incredible as the food” it’s “money well spent”. That they are perennially ignored by Michelin is incomprehensible.
Summary
“Exquisite” dishes “bursting with flavour” – be they “sumptuous sushi and sashimi” or “wonderful robata-yaki style BBQ” – are the hallmark of these “cool and vibrant” Japanese-fusion operations. The Charlotte Street original is still the best: “sit at the bar made of slabs of tree trunk and watch the chefs’ delicate preparations!”
Summary
“Stunning” sushi and “exquisite robatayaki” again win acclaim for this venerated and recently-expanded Japanese-fusion group (whose Charlotte Street original is the best of the bunch). Enthusiasm dipped a little this year, however, with gripes that the newer siblings in particular seem more “noisy” and “corporate”.
Summary
“Forget Nobu – this is much better!”; “Zuma’s little sisters” offer “light-hearted and creative” Japanese-fusion dishes that “explode on the palate”, and “terrific” cocktails too; the Charlotte Street original is the best, with the new Mayfair branch “not as convincing”; late-2014 sees a large new Aldwych branch.
Restaurant details
Roka Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Arriving in plenty of time for dinner we took ourselves to the shochu lounge which is located in the basement. It’s an excellent place to start the evening and we thoroughly enjoyed grapefruit & bergamot and mango & spices cocktails . Taking our seats upstairs for dinner you join a bit of theatre with the open kitchen and it’s charcoal grills. We started off with a selection of Nigiri accompanied by a very nice Tedori Lady Luck sake. We then moved on to the grill and highlights being the baby back ribs, soft shelled crab and chicken skewers. A very pleasant Yuzu infused sake finished off the evening. Service throughout had got that right balance of attentiveness and relaxed."
"A style of presentation that works and works well. Many courses, many, courses, each only a few pounds, all of them beautifully and freshly cooked. It all adds up to a wonderful meal experience with a bill to match. Black cod dumplings are a triumph."
Opening hours
lunch noon, Sat & Sun 12.30 pm - 3.15 pm, dinner 5.30 pm - 11.15 pm
Last orders: 11.15 pm
Best Japanese restaurants nearby
Japanese restaurant in Fitzrovia
Italian restaurant in Soho
Japanese restaurant in Soho
Best similarly priced restaurants nearby
Steaks & grills restaurant in Piccadilly
French restaurant in Mayfair
Japanese restaurant in Soho
