"Please check Christmas & New Year opening hours on our website, www.sushibaratariya.co.uk" With its minimalist blond wood decor and prominent sushi counter, Atariya would sit just as comfortably in a Tokyo suburb as it does in Ealing. The selection, too, is authentic, and more diverse than other London sushi bars. Alongside the usual salmon and tuna, you’ll find natto (slimy and potent fermented soya beans) and less common ingredients such as razor clam, while hard-to-get-right toppings such as squid and scallop are perfect. For a central London lunch, try the Atariya takeaway near Bond Street station (20 James St, W1U 1EH). Headed up by two Nobu alumni, this cosy Marylebone restaurant unusually pulls off an East/West fusion. Seared wagyu beef nigiri with truffle salsa and ponzu (soy sauce and citrus) jelly is a regular crowd-pleaser, while lobster, turbot and caviar also feature in abundance. Your bank balance might take a hammering after a meal at Dinings, but for special occasions – and to try innovative dishes – it’s worth it.

Set lunches (£16.70-£25.50) also make a more affordable option. After leaving top-rated Mayfair restaurant Umu, chef Takashi Takagi set up Sushi of Shiori – one of our favourite spots – in Euston. Takagi closed his sushi bar in 2012, and returned to his Kyoto roots to open this kaiseki (Japanese haute cuisine) restaurant in Bayswater specialising in intricate, multi-course meals which all include a sushi course. If you’re not feeling flush (set meals start at £65), then go for lunch when the cheapest set featuring salmon sushi costs £28.50 for four courses. There’s plenty of space at this mid-priced Soho restaurant’s curved counter to watch the itamae (sushi chefs) crafting their rice-based bites. Though the chefs here mix Eastern and Western flavours, when it comes to sushi, it’s best to order the classics. Check out the specials blackboard for what’s freshest on the day, or go for the always-available, and decent, temaki and chirashi options. This Willesden Green restaurant has developed a loyal following over the last two decades.

The jovial chef-proprietor greets you from behind the sushi bar, before his wife escorts you to one of the tables in the small dining room. Sashimi and nigiri toppings are sliced thickly here, and the quality is always impeccable. Be sure to look for the lesser-spotted items on the menu: this is one of the few places where you’ll find options such as sweet and firm-fleshed surf-clam nigiri, or salmon skin hosomaki. Size isn’t everything when it comes to sushi restaurants: even the smallest venues can have big reputations. Since opening in July 2012, this seven-seat sushi bar in Clerkenwell has proved so popular that finding a perch is nigh-on impossible. Try your luck, though, as chef Toru Takahashi offers one of the most authentic Japanese sushi experiences in London. Opt for the omakase (chef’s choice) if your budget can stretch to it (£50 to £70 per head), then sit back and let the artfully crafted pieces keep on coming. Other sets start from £15.50, and there are also à la carte options.

It’s not often a restaurant experience blows you away, but the fashionable Yashin in Kensington isn’t your average sushi joint. sushi online groningenThe sushi here is not just excellent, it’s also innovative. yo sushi vouchers april 2013Behind the counter the industrious itamae (chefs) turn out perfectly compressed nigiri topped with precisely sliced fish. samurai sushi menu little rockSome are finished with the lick of a blowtorch, others a dab of truffle oil. food delivery tondo manilaThe chefs here ask you to eat your sushi un-dipped as they don’t want the soy sauce to overpower each morsel’s delicate flavour. how to buy eel for sushi

A second branch is due to open in South Kensington this summer. Like Atariya (above), Yoshino is a fish supply company as well as a restaurant, which means it has no trouble getting hold of lustrous fresh fish. sushi grade fish processThe bulk of this Mayfair restaurant’s seating is on the first floor, but the chefs are on the ground floor, so this isn’t the place to come for a ringside view. yo sushi home delivery londonThe menu has been expanded lately, but the chirashi is still one of our favourite options. Presented in a lacquered box, it’s scattered with shredded mangetout, glistening orbs of orange salmon roe and obligatory sashimi. 2 For 1 Half Day Cooking Class with The Smart School Of Cookery 4.5 out of 5 (based on 6 reviews) Write a review » Best price guarantee »

A half day cookery class of your choice, at a participating Smart School of Cookery locationAfter your course you will receive the day’s recipes via emailWelcome tea or coffee is provided Your voucher is valid for 10 months, for two peopleMinimum age is 18 yearsThis experience is available Monday-ThursdayApproximate starting times are 10am-1pm for morning sessions and 2pm-5pm for afternoon sessionsPlease advise the supplier on booking of any dietary requirements or medical conditionsThe supplier regrets that a nut free environment cannot be guaranteedSeafood classes are not suitable for those suffering from allergies to shellfish and seafoodAll courses, itineraries and locations are subject to availability and changeThis voucher cannot be extended You will be provided with all necessary equipment and ingredients requiredPlease note that complimentary water is available and that coffee and tea are available at a cost of £1 per cup Berkshire (South West) - Maidenhead Essex (South East) - Danbury