NIJŪ opens the door to a Modern Japanese experience in Mayfair, London where Katei Ryōri—Japanese home-style cooking—meets precise restaurant technique. Step into a room split between moody, clubby banquettes and a brighter area centered on a small, bespoke sushi counter. Early evenings deliver the smell of charcoal and butter as Wagyu sizzles on the Konro grill and nigiri glide from the sushi bench. The restaurant’s layout makes it easy to move between intimate conversation and animated sharing, and the kitchen’s focus on seasonal British produce keeps each visit different through the year. This is a London Japanese restaurant that asks guests to slow down and taste each element.

The culinary vision at NIJŪ comes from Culinary Director Endo Kazutoshi, a third-generation sushi master, working alongside Executive Chef Chris Golding and Head Sushi Chef David Bury. Their approach blends traditional Japanese techniques with local sourcing, creating a menu that reflects Omotenashi-style hospitality while staying rooted in the Mayfair dining scene. NIJŪ is recognised in the Michelin Guide and has earned Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice placement, signalling both critical and public approval. The team’s decision to frame the menu as Katei Ryōri—small plates designed for sharing—sets NIJŪ apart from formal tasting rooms and from casual sushi counters. Service is attentive and instructive; staff guide guests through selections and suggest pairings from a focused wine and cocktail list.

The culinary journey at NIJŪ balances raw and fire. Start with precise nigiri and hamachi sashimi, where the fish’s texture and seasoning are the focus. Seafood highlights include roasted turbot finished with furikake and miso butter, offering a crisp skin and umami-rich glaze. The Konro grill transforms Japanese and British meats: Wagyu on charcoal arrives with a shiso salsa verde that cuts the fat with herbal brightness. Half Cobb Farm chicken katsu is breaded and fried to a clean, crisp crunch, served with a tangy dipping sauce. Seasonal dishes have included chalk-stream trout roe and Scottish lobster, combined with elements like avocado and radish to add creaminess and bite. The kitchen keeps portions intentionally small so diners can curate a varied, multi-textured meal. Expect technical techniques—careful rice seasoning for sushi, focused grilling over binchotan-style heat, and restrained miso butter—to highlight ingredient quality.

NIJŪ’s atmosphere pairs restrained Japanese aesthetics with Mayfair polish. Materials are natural wood and soft textiles, with lighting that supports conversation without glare. The main dining room offers plush banquettes reminiscent of a members’ club, while the sushi counter provides front-row culinary theatre. Downstairs, the Nipperkin cocktail bar recalls 1950s Japanese listening bars with a low, focused mood and an inventive cocktail list. Staff manage pacing so plates arrive in a way that encourages sharing and tasting rather than strict courses. Music and acoustics are tuned for comfort; the overall effect is a warm, inviting atmosphere that still feels elevated and deliberate.

Best times to visit are early dinners or midweek evenings when the sushi counter often has availability; reservations are recommended on weekends. NIJŪ accepts bookings via SevenRooms and is located at 20 Berkeley Street, Mayfair—call +44 20 3327 3691 for assistance. The price range is mid-to-high (£££) and the kitchen closes earlier than some London restaurants, operating until 8:30 PM as of March 2025. Dress is smart casual; arrive with appetite and leave space for dessert or a cocktail downstairs.

If you want a meal that blends family-style sharing with high-end technique, book NIJŪ in Mayfair. The combination of Endo’s sushi expertise, Chris Golding’s kitchen direction, and the charcoal-driven grill creates memorable plates that reward repeat visits. Reserve your table through NIJŪ’s reservation channel and experience a London Modern Japanese service that pairs precise sushi, grilled wagyu, and seasonal British ingredients in a relaxed, elegant setting.