There are restaurants where you eat well, and then there are places where you feel at home the moment you arrive. NIJU belongs to the latter — a dining experience shaped not only by exquisite food, but by a team whose warmth, charisma and genuine care create an atmosphere that feels like spending the evening with old friends. The staff speak to you with ease and charm, offering thoughtful recommendations and delivering a level of attention that goes far beyond expectation. Their playful jokes and quick humour bring an infectious energy to the room, making the entire night feel fun and relaxed.
At the heart of the restaurant lies its open kitchen — a hypnotic stage where the sushi chefs work with poise, grace and astonishing precision. Watching them slice, torch and shape each piece with such mastery is mesmerising; it feels like a live performance, unfolding just metres away. Their craftsmanship is extraordinary, every detail considered. It’s impossible not to admire the dedication in their hands as they create dishes that look almost too beautiful to eat.
This season, NIJU unveils its Festive Tasting Menu (£120 per person, minimum of two) — a celebration of winter flavours and traditional Japanese technique, served with the elegance and generosity that define the restaurant.
The experience begins with winter vegetable crudités and a soy cream that is so smooth and addictive you’ll want to spread it on absolutely everything. Next comes a pumpkin miso soup so velvety and deeply comforting that it rivals the bowls served in Japan’s finest ryokans. Then arrives the chef’s selection of rainbow NIJU-style sashimi, each piece glistening with freshness and prepared with exceptional finesse.
The journey continues with NIJU-style sushi, a harmonious progression of flavour and texture crafted with absolute attention. From the robata, you’ll enjoy charcoal-grilled Scottish teriyaki sea trout, its delicate smokiness balanced by a gentle sweetness. Then the main event: Kagoshima A4 Wagyu sirloin, a cut so rich and tender that it melts instantly the moment it touches your tongue. Alongside it: a vibrant Akaito saffron risotto, soy-glazed mushrooms, and sprouting broccoli dressed in a fragrant goma sauce.
Just when you think the evening couldn’t reach greater heights, dessert arrives, a stunning Matcha Gâteau with winter fruits and handmade wagashi. It is delicate, balanced and deeply satisfying, the perfect finale to an extraordinary menu.
Throughout the evening, trust the staff implicitly when it comes to drinks. Their pairings are always spot on. We followed their guidance and went for the yuzu spritz, which turned out to be crisp, aromatic and utterly refreshing. Every moment of the night was flawless. From the laughter shared with the staff to the artistry of the chefs and the exceptional dishes that followed one another with effortless rhythm.
20 Berkeley St, London W1J 8EE
