Visiting London

A serious Japanese izakaya, hidden in the City

Yakitori from a live binchotan grill. Edomae sushi cut to order. Four minutes from St Paul's, ten from the Tower of London, fifteen from Spitalfields. Reviewed by Jay Rayner in the Financial Times.

Book a table → Plan your visit
Hotori head chef brushing tare onto yakitori skewers over a binchotan charcoal grill
In the press

"As good as any yakitori restaurant I have tried in Tokyo, and better than many there."

Jay Rayner · Financial Times, 28 March 2025 · More press

Where you'll find us

A short walk from almost everything

St Paul's Cathedral dome at dusk, viewed from Fleet Street near Hotori
St Paul's, four minutes south on foot.

Hotori is at 1 New Fetter Lane, EC4A 1AN — between Holborn and the City. Equidistant from a surprising number of London's draws.

St Paul's Cathedral
4 min walk
Chancery Lane tube
3 min walk
Farringdon (Elizabeth line)
8 min walk
Tower of London
10 min cab / 25 min walk
Spitalfields Market
15 min walk
Covent Garden
15 min walk
Hotori restaurant exterior with calligraphy signage at 1 New Fetter Lane, London EC4
Look for the calligraphy signage on New Fetter Lane.
What to expect

Two counters, one room

Yakitori skewers — chicken, ginkgo nut, leek — caramelising over binchotan charcoal at Hotori
Yakitori · 焼き鳥 Beak-to-tail chicken on bamboo skewers, grilled over Japanese binchotan. Seventeen cuts, including parts most kitchens discard.
A spotlit table at Hotori with sashimi, salmon, and yakitori skewers in the evening
Edomae sushi · 江戸前寿司 Cut to order by Shunji Irokawa — three Michelin Plates earned at Kyoto Kitchen, Winchester. Aged fish, hand-formed rice, vinegar from Kyoto. Sashimi sets at lunch; counter omakase by evening.
Plan your visit

When we're open & what to order

Opening hours

Monday – Thursday
12:00 – 14:30  ·  18:00 – 22:00
Friday
12:00 – 14:30  ·  18:00 – 22:30
Saturday
18:00 – 22:30
Sunday
Closed

We close between sittings to reset the grill and the counter. Last orders 30 minutes before close.

Lunch — a sample

Grilled salmon teriyaki set lunch with miso soup, brown rice and tare at Hotori
Grilled salmon teriyaki set
Salmon sashimi set lunch with miso soup, salad and brown rice at Hotori
Salmon sashimi set

Lunch sets include miso soup and rice. Vegetarian and pescatarian options are always on. Larger evening tasting available — ask when you book.

Atmosphere

Quiet at noon. Alive by eight

Hotori interior at dusk — counter, pendant lights, and dining room set for service
A group of guests laughing over sparkling wine at a long table at Hotori

A counter for solo lunches and date nights. A long table for groups. Tables for one to eight; private hire on request.

We work in two distinct rhythms. Daytime: a quick, considered lunch — a single grilled main, miso, rice. Evening: omakase-style across the menu, with sake and a small natural wine list.

Reserve your table

Book a table

For private hire or larger parties, email info@hotori.co.uk.

Reserve now →