Matsuri High Holborn

We have been to Matsuri High Holborn several times and they have never disappointed us. Their teppanyaki sets are lovely and well balanced with a flambe ice cream show at the end. The ice cream was sweet and delicious, with bits of freshly cooked pineapples in it. Teppanyakis are done downstairs and other dining done upstairs on the ground floor (where the scenery is much nicer). Our favourites are their salmon carpaccio, agedashi tofu, pickles and tempura anything. They have sushi sets but we prefer the sushi we get at Ginnan and Donzoko. The dishes are a bit pricey but their salmon carpaccio is worth every penny. We found the service good and have never had any complaints. During the teppanyaki sets, the servers are very attentive and come with the next course the moment we finish each course. Very good for a relaxing night out and for treating yourself to a genuinely good Japanese meal in London.
Comment on this reader review

E Chan
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Saturday, June 20, 2009

We ate downstairs in the teppanyaki room, seemed a little soulless but then we were early and therefore the only ones there for half of our meal. The food, however, was exceptional - beautifully fresh, and served directly onto your plate by the chef who cooks it on a hot plate in front of you with wonderful theatrical flourishes - all part of the show! The service was also great, although they were clearly nervous that our young boy might explode and create carnage - suspect they're not used to children (or maybe they are, hence the nervousness...)

My only reservation is the high prices - there aren't a lot of places that do good Japanese food in London (and this is one of them), but it's still a bit toppy.
Comment on this reader review

abu892 - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 7
Monday, June 08, 2009

I was amazed with the authentic real sushi.I used the dining room of this restaurant for my wife's birthday. The qualiutyfood is the best in London. I am a Japanese, but I think the quality of sashimi and sushi is beyond the level of the famous sushi restaurants in Tokyo. The atmosphere is nice and staff are friendly. Next time I will try to book the sushi counter which is the same style of Japanese sushi. Anyway if you want to feel the real sushi, I recommend this restaurant.
Comment on this reader review

Nick
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, May 28, 2009

First time I've been here and I'm impressed. We went to the separate room where they cook the food in front of you on a hot plate (Teppan-Yaki). Only a few people in there at the time, but the decor was certainly impressive. Service was very friendly, while being attentive but not overbearing.

Had a set menu which was reasonable value, starting with some pretty tasty scallops, then moving on to a surprisingly large steak. Was expecting thin slices, but it was a full size steak cooked as we wanted and served up in larg-ish chunks. It was a little tricky to eat with chopsticks, as rib-eye is pretty fatty, but it was good.

The dessert was flambe'd ice cream, which looked pretty impressive when cooked but was very tasty and a good finish to the meal. Cost was about £45 with some beers, so reasonable value, and overall recommended.
Comment on this reader review

Stephen H - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Saturday, May 09, 2009

We had a pre-emptive Valentines meal at Matsuri; all I can say is that the experience was unforgettable. I have lived in London for the past 10 years in which time I have not tasted sushi so fresh, even the ginger was moist and succulent!

If going to Matsuri, the best room to dine in is the Teppan-yaki room where your meal is cooked in front of you - all I can say is fire-ball icecream is a sight to behold!!

It is a little pricey there, but I think its more of a special occasion restaurant; I will definitely be going again for various birthdays throughout the year and will definitely recommend it to everyone I know!
Comment on this reader review

Toni x
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Saturday, February 14, 2009

Went for lunch at the sushi bar recently and had a very delicious experience.

The hotate, toro and hamachi were so fresh that I kept ordering more and more. Needles to say the bill was a little steep but it was well worth it. Flawless sushi and sashimi (did not eat any hot dishes) and the rare and mindblowing chu-toro.

Totam oishi.
Comment on this reader review

Mimi
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 7
Thursday, October 23, 2008

I went to Matsuri High holborn a couple days ago and had very very nice dinner at the dinning area. I would recommend this place if you want to have authentic japanese food and I would definitely go there again!
Comment on this reader review

Ran
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Monday, September 22, 2008

I would recommend this place for sushi and sashimi, but I find the cooked main dishes a bit salty and the tempura not as crispy as some others I have tried in London and I thought the dessert menu was a bit limited. The service was quite attentive and quick.
Comment on this reader review

JL
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 5
Saturday, August 16, 2008

Cannot agree with the comments below - I think it's far from the best in London. I spent a lot of money in this place and while the food is good thats where it stops. The staff are rude and do not know how to treat returning customers. It's a shame the sushi chefs keep wiping their runny noses on their sleeves. Shame because they could be good on the whole.
Comment on this reader review

Mulberryeater - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 6
Sunday, March 23, 2008

The best Japanese restaurant in London, and my Japanese wife & I have spent 14 years looking. Sushi and sashimi almost close (but not quite!) to Tokyo standards especially if you choose European fish. Saba (Mackerel) is always fantastic here, as is the salmon belly, suzuki (seabass) and the unagi (eel) is to die for. Ikura (salmon roe) can be hit or miss, as can the Uni (sea urchin). The sushi rice is perfectly cooked, with a slight bite and perfectly weighted vinegar. Excellent Agedashi-dofu and Miso soup like mama makes.

Prices are very high, but if you want a taste of Japan, this is as close as you're going to get. Surprisingly empty at the sushi bar most of the time, even Friday and Saturday nights...no idea why...
Comment on this reader review

Al
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 8
Sunday, March 02, 2008