When you're in the mood for sushi, while a lengthy omakase marathon can be the epitome of well-deserved indulgence, sometimes lunch or dinner calls for something faster - the counter-led London hand roll bar. What started as a West Coast phenomenon has firmly taken over the capital's dining scene.
Driven by a preference for quick, interactive dining, temaki counters are fast becoming a go-to spot. The secret behind the boom is its texture. A great hand roll hinges on the strict '15-second rule': the window of time between the chef passing warm, vinegared rice and pristine seafood wrapped in ultra-crisp nori before steam renders the seaweed soft.
As Eliott Grabli, owner of Soho's Miokuru, puts it: "Handrolls are great because they are the perfect combination of freshness, texture and simplicity. They are always made to order and should be enjoyed immediately. Having them at the counter is a social occasion and an opportunity for guests to chat with the chefs and understand where the food comes from."
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London's Best Hand Roll Bars: Our Favourites
1. Miokuru
Having opened in 2026, Miokuru is an intimate, 20-seat counter on the edge of Soho that marries Japanese temaki technique with British ingredients. Here, you can watch chefs wrap crisp nori around warm rice and hyper-fresh British seafood.
We absolutely love the pressed scallops, seasonal house pickles and seared chalkstream trout sashimi, and suggest ordering this alongside a selection of made-to-order handrolls, such as the dry–aged beef tartare with wasabi mustard herbs. Don't miss out on the cocktails either, as the drinks menu focuses on premium London-brewed sake, Japanese-inspired serves, and London-brewed beers.
- Location: 7-8 Warwick Street, Soho, W1B 5LU
- Price: Set menus £28-£48; single rolls £7-£12
- What to order: Cornish white crab with wild garlic mayo hand roll
- DesignMyNight tip: Book a seat at the main counter for dinner, but ask to start or finish your evening with a reservation at the subterranean bar Eki downstairs
Miokuru's interiors were designed by Block1.
2. Temaki
First launched in Brixton back in summer 2021 as London's original dedicated temaki spot, founder A.M. Dupee has relocated and reimagined his cult handroll bar Temaki into a larger Mayfair home spanning two floors.
Upstairs features an intimate 14-to-16 seat kitchen counter where you can watch chefs wrap signature rolls in real time. Downstairs houses a dedicated 28-seat space inspired by traditional Japanese listening bars, confirming music-centric basement drinks alongside the food. Beyond their signature handrolls, the expanded menu features crispy rice topped with premium cuts, A4 Wagyu sliders, revolving katsu sandos, and rich toro.
- Location: 11 Maddox Street, Mayfair, W1S 2QF
- Price: Set menus £36-£52; signature individual rolls £7-£25
- What to order: The namesake 'Temaki' roll (akami, otoro, and caviar) or the melt-in-your-mouth wagyu truffle roll
- DesignMyNight tip: The venue is perfect for date night - pair a set menu at the bar with a pour of small-batch sake before heading down to the venue's vinyl lounge
'The Temaki' hand roll (pictured right).
3. Kumori
Kumori pairs precision sushi craft with a design-forward atmosphere. Founded on Denman Street as a permanent home following three years of successful pop-ups, the kitchen is helmed by Head Chef John Randy De Guzman (formerly of Nobu and Tobi Masa).
Here, you sit around a buzzing central counter where rolls are wrapped to a curated music soundtrack, offering everything from flame-seared fish and torched scallops to inventive vegetarian options like jalapeno miso eggplant.
- Location: 26 Denman Street, Soho, W1D 7HX
- Price: Set menus £24-£45; individual rolls £6-£13
- What to order: spicy scallop hand roll
- DesignMyNight tip: drop in for late-night counter dining paired with a Japanese highball cocktail and take in the curated soundtrack
Head to Kumori for hand rolls and house music.
4. Romeo San: The Temaki Bar
Created by the family behind L'Entrecôte as a loving tribute to a charismatic young Japanese chef, Romeo San: The Temaki Bar brings the sleek, fast-paced temaki culture of Tokyo and LA directly to Marylebone.
Designed for maximum simplicity and speed, the streamlined space features a single low-slung counter where the menu is kept minimal so the chefs can focus entirely on temperature contrast: warm rice, chilled high-grade fish, and crisp nori served moments after rolling.
- Location: 38 George Street, Marylebone, W1U 7DS
- Price: Individual rolls £5-£23; set roll combinations £18-£29
- What to order: spicy eel with gochujang
- DesignMyNight tip: Ideal for solo diners or quick pre-dinner stops - take full advantage of their strict no-reservations policy for a walk-in seat at the counter
There are some seriously good signature dishes on the menu here, like the Otoro Caviar with fatty tuna.
5. Ukiyo
Tucked inside St Martin's Courtyard, Ukiyo offers a calm, minimalist sanctuary away from the bustle of West End theatreland. Inspired by the Edo-period concept of 'living in the moment,' this tranquil sit-at-the-counter spot focuses on light, accessible, and fast-paced temaki dining.
The chefs prepare hand rolls featuring premium sashimi alongside small-plate delicacies like yellowfin tuna cut rolls and king crab California temaki, all paired with rich mixology and traditional Japanese whiskies.
- Location: 8 Slingsby Place, St Martin's Courtyard, Covent Garden WC2E 9AB
- Price: Set menus from £27-£59; single hand rolls £9-£25
- What to order: King crab California temaki roll
- DesignMyNight tip: Order their signature UKIYO Spritz alongside the three-roll express menu for the ultimate light pre-theatre bite before catching a show in the West End
Ukiyo is where simplicity meets elegance in the West End.
FAQ's
What is the difference between a hand roll (temaki) and traditional sushi?
Unlike traditional cut sushi rolls (maki) or pressed rice topped with fish (nigiri), a Japanese hand roll (temaki) is an untrimmed, cylinder- or cone-shaped roll wrapped in a full sheet of roasted nori. Temaki is designed to be eaten with your hands immediately after assembly to preserve the thermal contrast between warm, seasoned sushi rice and crisp, chilled seafood.
Do London hand roll bars take reservations or are they walk-in only?
It varies by venue. Venues with small capacity counters (like Miokuru in Soho or Temaki in Mayfair) take online counter bookings, especially for peak evening dining. Minimalist, fast-service spots like Romeo San in Marylebone operate strictly on a walk-in policy, making them convenient choices for solo diners or quick pre-dinner stops.
Are there gluten-free or vegetarian options available at hand roll bars?
Yes. Most modern temaki counters use naturally gluten-free rice vinegar and premium nori. Venues like Ukiyo explicitly cater to dietary needs with dedicated gluten-free tamari soy sauce, while places like Kumori feature inventive vegetarian and vegan rolls, such as flame-torched avocado or jalapeño-miso eggplant.
How long does a meal at a hand roll counter usually take?
Due to the direct service style, a typical hand roll meal moves quickly. A four-to-five roll set menu is usually served and enjoyed within 30 to 45 minutes, making hand roll bars one of Central London’s popular choices for pre-theatre meals, business lunches, or quick dates.
