Yamatora is located in the Quarters apartment hotel building on the busy Finchley Road – but step through the doors and you will find an eye-catching elegant design and a tucked-away garden decorated with lights and greenery.
The food offer includes a ten-course tasting menu, bottomless brunch, and meat or fish skewers cooked on a traditional robata grill, while drinks range from cocktails to a curated sake collection.
With its tan banquettes, Japanese artwork, screens and bamboo lights, Yamatora combines traditional Japanese cuisine with European flair.
A spokeswoman said: “It’s fine Japanese dining in an accessible way. We are as authentic as we can be with our offering, with a huge sushi and sashimi selection mostly imported from Japan.
“The design is beautiful, very cool and modern and there is a huge beautiful open garden terrace that seats 45 people, that you wouldn’t know was there unless you walked in.
“It has a big domed roof that’s completely retractable so it can be heated and covered in winter and open in summer – people absolutely love it.”
“There’s nothing else like it in the area.”
The venue is owned by Hong Kong restaurateur Paul Cheung and since opening three months ago has garnered gushing reviews, with one diner posting: “Very tasty and well presented with excellent service from the staff. The restaurant was beautifully decorated, I loved all the posters, lamps and design. Well worth a visit!”
Another wrote: “The place is beautiful decorated – stylish, cozy, and full of great vibes.
“The sushi was super fresh and incredibly tasty. You can really tell they use top-quality ingredients, and everything was presented so nicely.
“One of my favourite parts was the courtyard, it’s beautiful and cozy, the perfect spot to hang out.”
Yamatora Sushi and Yakitori Bar is at 120 Finchley Road near Finchley Road tube station. www.yamatora.co.uk
