Tokyo Diner

Why this wonderful establishment is only rated 7th best in London is way beyond my ken.

The service is exceptional and the food is always top notch.

Awesome, truly awesome
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Alan Webb
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Saturday, December 26, 2009

My experience of Japanese food is limited to Yo Sushi and Wagamama but this place was better than both. It seemed a much more authentic experience. There were plenty of Japanese in there. The food was good and reasonably priced. Service was helpful and discreet.

I'd happily go there again.
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- View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Thursday, December 24, 2009

For me, Tokyo Diner is just the reliable kind of place I would go for that lovely authentic Japanaese experience which is rare in modern Japanese restaurants in London.

At first glance it may not seem like much, very simple decor and maybe you might be put off by the cramped layout of tables and chairs, but once you sit down there's generally enough space to eat comfortably and it actually feels quite cosy.

As soon you are seated they immediately serve you complimentary green tea (which is refilled for free) and crackers and hand you the menus.

In terms of food, it may not be the best but it's still pretty good. The portion sizes are great and they don't charge to give extra large portions of rice, I always find myself very satisfied after eating there.

The service there is excellent. The staff are attentive when needed and discreet when not. (A particular waitress who wears glasses is especially friendly and nice).

They do not accept tip which is traditional in Japanese culture which is great as it saves a bit of money too. They also have a no tunas policy which reflects their ethical principles too. It's not all about making lots of money without a care for the environment and people which I found quite appealing.

My only qualms with the place is the toilets. Theres only 1 toilet for each sex and it can get crowded waiting in line on the stairs. As well as that the toilet bin gets overfilled and it's not regularly cleared away as much as needed so I did have to try avoid stepping on used paper on the floor.

Also there is not the biggest variety on the menu and if you are exclusively there for sushi there isn't a wide selection. But if you're only there for a quick fullfilling meal, Tokyo Diner is ideal.
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Michelle
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 7
Saturday, September 05, 2009

Me and my 24 year old son visited Tokyo Diner. We enjoyed our food. Waiters are warm and friendly but when they are not serving or cleaning up the tables, they chat and laugh among themselves too loudly in their Japanese language which is quite disturbing for customers who wants to have conversation with their companions in the restaurant.
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Bing
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 7
Saturday, August 22, 2009

Very disappointing.

The chicken katsu had been fried so long it was a dark brown colour and the daikon had no taste whatsoever - definitely not fresh. The pork katsudon was also very poor. We went to the Japan Centre the next day which though not perfect but a lot better than Tokyo Diner.
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Ken
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 5
Sunday, July 12, 2009

I recommend this restaurant!!! Tokyo Diner is a real Japanese Restaurant.

I am from Paris, i've tried many Japanese restaurants in Paris and London as well and i can say that this one is typical. The food is yummy, the staff very very nice, they give you some tea for free, and the atmosphere is warm and japanese!!!

I love this restaurant!
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Alissa
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, April 22, 2009

I'm actually a bit surprised Tokyo Diner's got such good ratings here. It's a very nice restaurant, but I feel it's very overrated.

I have been there for quite a few times, with friends or on my own. I think it's very good food they serve, but not among the best. The service is absolutely dreadful, mainly due to the lack of staff I feel. Atmosphere is quite cool and unique, but it's too packed and tables are way too close.

Actually this is how I feel about most restaurants in China Town. They know they're going to get transient customers so they don't really make an effort to produce good food and do good service.
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Jing Tang
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 7
Wednesday, March 04, 2009

Went to Tokyo Diner recently... very very disappointed...

the food is no where as nice as it used to be.. and it's quite pricey relative to other eateries offering similar food. there's no service charge on top, and green tea's offered free of charge, so I guess that helped to balance off the higher price tag vs other places.....
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CQ
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 6
Thursday, February 05, 2009

Just visited this place and it was simply great. Very nice atmosphere and the food was really delicious. Would recommend to go. It is for very reasonable price - especially daily menu from 12 to 6pm (after 3pm it is even £1 cheaper) so if you are budget traveller visit it between 3pm to 6pm and you can have great food for less then £10 including whole menu and tea for free. Really lovely place with nice atmosphere. It is real value for money. I think they were even voted by Times magazine between top10 as place value for money!
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Petr
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, November 19, 2008

The Tokyo Diner is a little gem of a place, just off Leicester Square. The food is excellent, and remarkably good value for Central London. The attitude to service charges is very Japanese, too: they actively discourage leaving tips, and any "inadvertently" left behind are donated to good causes.

I'd strongly recommend the bento boxes, particularly the salmon teriaki, or vegetarian, ones, and the sushi is very good, too, prepared by a proper sushi chef, not catering school graduates.

Service is attentive when needed, discreet when not.

Before the smoking ban, upstairs used to be very smoky and unpleasant for non-smokers, but now the whole premises are bright and fresh.
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Jon Green - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Monday, November 03, 2008