Akira Restaurant
London
Try the sushi on the signature menu for a taste of Akira's culinary precision and harmony.
Situated on the first floor of Japan House London on Kensington High Street, Akira Restaurant offers a genuine Japanese dining experience that celebrates the harmonious blend of food, tableware, and presentation. Primarily catering to those who appreciate exquisite cuisine, the restaurant serves lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner from Tuesday to Saturday. The culinary journey at Akira is rooted in the 'trinity of cooking' principles, ensuring that each dish is thoughtfully crafted and beautifully presented.
Patrons can delight in Akira's omakase menu, which showcases a diverse selection of traditional Japanese dishes, including fresh sashimi, sushi, and grilled skewers. Popular items among regular diners include the meticulously prepared sushi and the distinctive Wagyu beef croquettes. Sweet connoisseurs can indulge in the matcha green tea Mille-Crepe cake, a delightful finish to the meal.
The restaurant is also notable for its adjacent Japanese bar, where diners can explore a variety of sake and original cocktails infused with Japanese ingredients like yuzu and shiso. This offers an excellent opportunity for guests to soak in an authentic atmosphere while sipping creative drinks served in refined Japanese glassware.
For those craving a unique afternoon experience, Akira provides a Japanese-style afternoon tea with green teas and smoked black teas, accompanied by a seasonal platter of sushi, traditional sweets known as wagashi, and desserts. The elegance of Japanese culture is present at every step, from the carefully selected tableware sourced from Japanese artisans to the understated yet sophisticated presentation of each dish.
Akira fits the bill for discerning diners seeking a thoughtful, nuanced Japanese meal in a cultural setting that bridges London and Japan. Its ambiance and attention to detail make it suited to intimate dinners as well as gastronomic explorations with friends or family.
Reviews
Delicious food with great flavors and a fantastic variety in the box. We left with very full stomachs! The rice bowls were satisfying, and the sushi was the highlight of the meal. A great choice if you’re looking for plenty of options and tasty food.
I thought the food was great if you like Japanese food. The platters are quite big portions so best to share to begin with and get another if you are still hungry. The dessert was very colourful and different and very very tasty. Small criticism: could have done with more oranges. They complimented it really well.
First time at the restaurant with a friend and the experience was beautiful! The simple but elegant and chic environment, the atmosphere of a sophisticated Japanese restaurant. Good service but it can improve, I believe that because we made the reservation late they were in a hurry to close (but that’s okay). The quality of the food was exactly as promised! Exceptional, everything very well done and presented, fresh ingredients and a very good sakee pairing! I definitely recommend it and I would come back! (People on my Instagram loved the review)
Nice restaurant situated on the second floor of Japan House. They have a wide selection for lunch. Best to book as it is very popular and busy. The unagi and food gras bento was excellent and highly recommended. Price is on the high side but was good value.
Unfortunately, I was less keen on the current menu than I have been on previous occasions. The salmon dish was too salty and dry. The sashimi was excellent. The beef was very succulent. Service was friendly and attentive. I felt that the menu was less interesting. I was hoping to have tuna served on the hot stone and the wagyu on the hot stone. The wine list is much shorter than on previous occasions. I felt underwhelmed this time whereas previously I felt elated from the experience. The food was good but at this price it needs to be phenomenal.
