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When Nobu London Old Park Lane opened in 1997, it became the Japanese-Peruvian restaurant’s first European address and introduced London to a style of dining that would become instantly recognisable. Nearly three decades later, Nobu has three London locations: the original Old Park Lane restaurant, Nobu Hotel London Portman Square and Nobu Hotel London Shoreditch.
The signatures remain familiar, from Black Cod Miso to Yellowtail Sashimi with Jalapeño, but the experience now varies considerably between addresses. Old Park Lane carries the history, Portman Square offers the broadest range of dining experiences, and Shoreditch brings Nobu to a contemporary East London hotel setting.
A London Legacy That Still Matters
Chef Nobu Matsuhisa built his cooking around Japanese techniques shaped by his time in South America, particularly Peru. That combination produced dishes that have remained central to Nobu menus around the world, while establishing a culinary identity distinctive enough to endure well beyond the restaurant’s early celebrity following.
Old Park Lane remains an important part of that story. Its opening marked Nobu’s arrival in Europe, and the restaurant has retained its place on London’s luxury dining landscape even as the city’s Japanese restaurant scene has grown considerably more competitive.
The later arrival of Nobu hotels in Shoreditch and Portman Square expanded the London experience further, giving each address a clearer identity of its own.
Three Addresses, Three Distinct Experiences
Nobu London Old Park Lane
For the classic London Nobu experience, Old Park Lane remains the natural choice. Located within COMO Metropolitan London, close to Hyde Park and the heart of Mayfair, it has the heritage that the newer locations cannot replicate.
The restaurant works particularly well for business lunches, discreet dinners and occasions where the food takes precedence over a more elaborate hotel dining experience. Omakase is also part of the offering, alongside lunch options and the familiar à la carte signatures.
Its appeal ultimately rests on continuity. This is where Nobu established itself in London, and that history still gives Old Park Lane a particular significance within the wider brand.
Nobu Hotel London Portman Square
Portman Square offers the most expansive Nobu experience in London. Set in Marylebone, within easy reach of Mayfair, Oxford Street and Selfridges, the hotel has developed dining into a much broader proposition than the restaurant alone.
Nobu Restaurant remains the centrepiece, with the signature dishes joined by locally inspired plates and a sushi counter for a closer view of the preparation. Elsewhere in the hotel, Nobu Bar draws on the Japanese izakaya tradition, while The Lounge offers a more relaxed setting for all-day dining and afternoon tea. In warmer months, Nobu Terrace extends the restaurant outdoors.
The range makes Portman Square particularly suited to occasions that extend beyond dinner, whether that means drinks beforehand, a long Sunday brunch or an afternoon spent over tea in The Lounge.
Nobu Hotel London Shoreditch
Nobu Hotel London Shoreditch brings the brand into a distinctly different part of the capital. Its East London setting suits guests looking to combine a Nobu stay with Shoreditch’s galleries, nightlife and creative scene.
Nobu Restaurant anchors the hotel’s dining, supported by Nobu Bar and Nobu Café, while the terrace adds an outdoor option when conditions allow. The overall experience feels more closely integrated with a contemporary hotel stay than at Old Park Lane.
For those already spending time in East London, it provides the most convenient Nobu address without sacrificing the dishes that define the brand.
The Nobu Signatures
Certain dishes have become inseparable from Nobu, and they remain a sensible starting point for anyone unfamiliar with the menu.
Yellowtail Sashimi with Jalapeño captures much of the Nobu approach in a single plate, pairing cleanly sliced fish with jalapeño and yuzu-soy flavours. Black Cod Miso remains perhaps the restaurant’s best-known dish, its sweetness and depth coming from cod marinated in Nobu’s miso preparation.
Rock Shrimp Tempura offers something richer, coated in creamy spicy sauce, while Toro Tartare with Caviar moves towards the more indulgent end of the menu. Lobster Salad with Spicy Lemon Dressing is another longstanding favourite, combining shellfish with the sharper flavours that run through much of Nobu’s cooking.
Wagyu, seafood and seasonal dishes broaden the menu further, although preparations vary between locations and over time. This flexibility helps the restaurants avoid relying entirely on the classics.
Sushi, Sashimi and Omakase
Sushi and sashimi remain fundamental to the Nobu experience, with tuna, yellowtail, salmon, scallop and richer cuts such as toro appearing alongside seasonal selections. Nigiri and rolls provide familiar choices, while the sushi counters allow the quality of the seafood and precision of the preparation to take greater prominence.
Omakase is the stronger option for diners who would rather leave the progression of the meal to the kitchen. Portman Square’s Seasonal Omakase changes according to available produce and the chefs’ selections, drawing on Nobu signatures alongside seasonal preparations.
Old Park Lane also offers several omakase formats, including a London-focused option built around seasonal dishes. For a more comprehensive introduction to Nobu than ordering individual signatures, these tasting experiences make a compelling case.
More Than Dinner at Portman Square
Portman Square has developed several experiences that distinguish it from Nobu’s other London addresses.
Nobu Afternoon Tea at The Lounge applies Japanese flavours and familiar Nobu references to the British afternoon-tea format. The selection evolves seasonally, with dishes such as Crispy Rice and Black Cod Butter Lettuce appearing alongside more traditional sweet and savoury elements.
Sunday Brunch takes a more sociable approach, with sushi, sashimi and other cold dishes accompanied by an à la carte main and desserts. Nobu Bar provides a later-night alternative, with cocktails, an izakaya-inspired food offering and DJ sets on selected evenings.
During the warmer months, Nobu Terrace is another reason to choose Portman Square, serving the restaurant’s menu alongside lighter dishes and cocktails in an open-air setting.
Hospitality with Japanese Roots
Nobu describes its approach to hospitality through omotenashi, the Japanese principle of thoughtful, attentive service. It suits a restaurant where guests may arrive for anything from a business lunch to a lengthy omakase dinner.
The atmosphere naturally changes between locations. Old Park Lane carries the familiarity of an established Mayfair institution, Portman Square moves easily between hotel guests, destination diners and evening drinks, while Shoreditch feels closely connected to its East London surroundings.
Choosing the Right Nobu London
The three restaurants share the same culinary foundations, but choosing between them increasingly depends on the occasion.
Old Park Lane remains the strongest choice for Nobu heritage and a classic Mayfair dining experience. Its longevity, central location and established reputation give it a character distinct from the hotel restaurants.
Portman Square offers the broadest luxury experience. The combination of Nobu Restaurant, sushi counter, omakase, Nobu Bar, afternoon tea, Sunday brunch and seasonal terrace makes it particularly appealing when dining forms part of a longer afternoon or evening.
Shoreditch makes most sense for East London, particularly for guests staying at the hotel or spending an evening in the neighbourhood. Its restaurant, bar and café allow Nobu dining to form part of a wider hotel experience.
Nobu’s Place in London Today
London’s Japanese dining landscape has changed dramatically since Nobu first arrived on Old Park Lane, with an increasingly ambitious selection of omakase counters, Michelin-starred restaurants and contemporary Japanese dining rooms across the capital.
Nobu’s longevity remains part of its appeal. The three London addresses now serve different occasions and neighbourhoods, while dishes such as Black Cod Miso and Yellowtail Sashimi with Jalapeño continue to provide the thread connecting them. For diners deciding between the three, the choice is increasingly about which version of the Nobu experience suits the occasion.
Locations: Old Park Lane, Portman Square, and Shoreditch, London
