The World’s 10 Best Japanese Restaurants
Explore ten japanese restaurants around the world, from Tokyo, Japan to Cape Town, South Africa. Discover the restaurants and plan your next dining experience.
Den
Japan
DEN is a restaurant in Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo, identified on its official site as DEN, with the entrance on Gaiennishi-dori Street at Architect House Hall JIA. The operator’s pages confirm that this is the Tokyo restaurant itself rather than a generic listing. The venue keeps a limited evening service, with opening hours shown as 18:00 to 20:00 and Sunday listed as the regular holiday. The reservation line and booking information are published directly by the restaurant. The restaurant is led by owner-chef Zaiyu Hasegawa, whose note presents DEN as a place for cooking that is meant to be welcoming and satisfying to guests. The current format is omakase only, so diners are not choosing from an à la carte menu. The menu changes according to seasonal ingredients, which means the dishes vary from day to day and the experience is shaped by what the kitchen receives and selects for service. Reservations are taken by telephone only, with the English site stating bookings are accepted Monday to Saturday between 12:00 and 17:00. The restaurant does not take online reservations or bookings through third-party services, and parties are limited to up to four people. Guests are asked to mention allergies or intolerances at the time of booking, although the restaurant cannot guarantee that every request can be accommodated. The restaurant’s published policies also set clear boundaries around service changes, with same-day cancellations or reductions in diner numbers charged at the full pre-fixed price. Taken together, the official materials describe a compact Tokyo dining room built around advance booking, a fixed evening sitting and a changing seasonal menu. Its identity is strongly tied to direct communication with diners, with the kitchen’s approach defined by omakase service and the practical limits of a small reservation-led operation.
Sushi Sho
New York, USA
Sushi Sho is a restaurant in New York, USA.
Nobu at Atlantis The Palm
Dubai, UAE
Nobu at Atlantis The Palm is a culinary oasis where guests can indulge in an exquisite fusion of Japanese and Peruvian flavors amidst the opulent surroundings of one of Dubai's most iconic hotels. Helmed by acclaimed chef Nobu Matsuhisa, the restaurant offers a tantalizing menu featuring signature dishes such as Black Cod Miso, Yellowtail Jalapeño, and Tiradito, expertly crafted with the finest ingredients and innovative techniques. With its elegant ambiance, impeccable service, and panoramic views of the Arabian Gulf, Nobu at Atlantis The Palm promises a dining experience that delights the senses and leaves a lasting impression on discerning guests seeking a culinary journey like no other.
The Araki
London, UK
The Araki is a sushi restaurant in Mayfair, London, at 12 New Burlington Street, W1S 3BH. Its official site identifies it as a London restaurant operated by Araki London Limited, and the dining room is arranged as a specialist counter rather than a broad à la carte room. The setting is in the West End, but the experience is shaped by the counter, the sequence of dishes and the close contact between guests and the kitchen. The restaurant serves a single set tasting menu built around raw and cooked fish and shellfish, presented in a controlled sequence. Dinner is listed Tuesday to Saturday, with two sittings at 18:00 and 20:30, and guests are seated at the chef’s counter for a close view of preparation. That format points to a tightly focused service style, with limited scope for adjustment to dietary requirements and a strong emphasis on pacing. Capacity is intentionally small. The counter takes up to nine guests per sitting, and the website also notes a separate private room for up to six guests, which can suit meetings or family gatherings. The house style is described as Edomae sushi, made with locally sourced ingredients and presented with traditional Japanese hospitality. Together, these details suggest an intimate restaurant built around technique, precision and a very direct relationship with the chef. Official and established restaurant listings place The Araki within London’s specialist Japanese dining scene, with its Mayfair address and sushi-counter format clearly identified. The venue is therefore best understood as a compact, reservation-led restaurant where the fixed tasting sequence, limited seating and chef’s-counter arrangement create a structured meal. It is a place for closely observed sushi craft rather than a flexible neighbourhood dining room.
Shoushin
Toronto, Canada
Shoushin is a restaurant in Toronto, Canada.
MASU by Nic Watt
Auckland, New Zealand
MASU by Nic Watt is a restaurant in Auckland, New Zealand.
Wakuda
Singapore
Wakuda is a restaurant in Singapore.
Zuma
Dubai, UAE
Zuma Dubai is renowned for its brunch offerings, which are known for their high-quality food, lively ambiance, and extensive selection of dishes and beverages. The brunches at Zuma Dubai are typically held on Fridays, as Friday brunch is a popular tradition in the United Arab Emirates. The brunch at Zuma Dubai often features a wide array of Japanese-inspired dishes, including sushi, sashimi, robata grilled items, tempura, and various other hot and cold dishes. Additionally, there are typically dessert stations with an assortment of sweet treats to indulge in. The beverage offerings at Zuma Dubai brunches are also extensive, with options ranging from champagne and cocktails to sake and other premium spirits. Zuma Dubai's brunches are known for their vibrant atmosphere, with live music or DJs adding to the energetic ambiance. Due to their popularity, it's recommended to make reservations in advance to secure a table, especially during peak brunch hours.
Sushi Saito
Tokyo, Japan
Sushi Saito is a restaurant in Tokyo, Japan.
Nobu Cape Town
South Africa
Nobu Cape Town brings Nobuyuki Matsuhisa’s Japanese-Peruvian cooking to One&Only Cape Town at the V&A Waterfront. The restaurant offers a recognisable international style while providing a distinctive dining destination within the waterfront hotel. The menu includes signatures such as black cod with miso and yellowtail with jalapeño. These dishes illustrate the combination of Japanese technique and bolder accents that defines the Nobu approach. A wider selection of hot dishes and sushi allows the meal to be built in different ways, from a focused choice of favourites to a longer exploration of the menu. The associated bar and lounge add an option for drinks around dinner. For visitors already familiar with Nobu, this is a South African setting for established signatures. For newcomers, the menu provides several clear starting points for understanding the restaurant’s style.