Harden's survey result
Summary
“The original Charlotte Street site is the best”, but, in fairness, all the branches are superb when it comes to Arjun Waney and Rainer Becker’s sleek Japanese-inspired group, where “a visit always feels like a treat: from the slick service to the buzzy atmosphere to the consistently good food”. Sushi and luxurious bites (for example black cod, yellowtail with ponzu and truffle oil), mostly from the robata grill, are the backbones of the menu. The odd report was slightly downbeat of late (“it was less good than normal, but to be fair they had just reopened post-lockdown with new staff”), but the dominant view remains that a trip is “always a lovely, fun experience” (and some regulars tip a stool at the counter as the best perches).
Summary
“I’ve never had a bad meal at Roka, and I’ve eaten there many, many times” – Arjun Waney and Rainer Becker’s small modern Japanese group delivers an “exceptional”, “all-round” package of clean-tasting fusion food served in stylish and “buzzy” contemporary surroundings. Dishes are “beautifully presented but also amazingly well-flavoured” – be it “fantastic black cod”, “fabulous sushi” or grilled tapas-y bites from the robata grill. Top Tip – in E14, the “weekend brunch menu is splendid value for money: especially the children’s menu”.
Summary
“I’ve never had a bad meal at Roka, and I’ve eaten there many, many times” – Arjun Waney and Rainer Becker’s small modern Japanese group delivers an “exceptional”, “all-round” package of clean-tasting fusion food served in stylish and “buzzy” contemporary surroundings. Dishes are “beautifully presented but also amazingly well-flavoured” – be it “fantastic black cod”, “fabulous sushi” or grilled tapas-y bites from the robata grill. Top Tip – in E14, the “weekend brunch menu is splendid value for money: especially the children’s menu”.
Summary
“I love sitting at the counter with my partner, drinking the cocktails and sake, and having the most brilliant food!” – These “chilled” (if “noisy” and “buzzy”) operations hail from the same stable as Zuma, and have carved a formidable following thanks to a Japanese-inspired array of “clean-tasting” fusion dishes, sushi and robata grills, full of “vibrant flavour”. “It all adds up to a wonderful experience, but with a bill to match!” Top Tips – “fantastic weekend brunch menu, with booze included!” at all branches; and “rocking basement bar” at the Charlotte Street original.
For 31 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
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Restaurant details
Roka Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Too buzzy for me! Looking back later, I realised that the cooking was actually excellent at the price. It's just a personal preference, but I'd struggled to truly appreciate what I was eating and felt like I was stuffing dishes down like a late night take away."
Opening hours
lunch noon, Sat & Sun 12.30 pm - 3.15 pm, dinner 5.30 pm - 11.15 pm
Last orders: 11.15 pm
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