The Top Japanese Restaurants in Belfast You’ll Want to Bookmark
Image suggestion: A vibrant overhead shot of assorted Japanese dishes—ramen, sushi rolls, tempura, and bento boxes all together
Japanese food is very flexible. It can be comforting, like a steaming bowl of ramen that feels like central heating for your insides.
It can be celebratory, like sushi platters that look too pretty to eat (but you eat them anyway). Or it can be a quick fix, like grabbing onigiri when you need both speed and satisfaction.
Belfast has steadily grown its Japanese dining scene over the last decade. What used to be a handful of spots has become a mix of sleek sushi bars, casual ramen joints, and restaurants where the chef’s knife skills are practically performance art.
We’ve rounded up some of the best Japanese restaurants in Belfast for you to try.
1. Zen
Address: Enterprise House, Adelaide St, Belfast BT2 8FE, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 28 9023 2244
Business Hours: Open daily. 12-2 PM and 5-10:30 PM (Monday to Thursday), 12-2 PM and 5-11 PM (Friday), 5-11:30 PM (Saturday), 2-10 PM (Sunday)
Zen is one of Belfast’s longest-standing Japanese restaurants, and it shows in the way it balances consistency with atmosphere. From the outside, it doesn’t look like much, but step in and you’re surrounded by moody lighting, bold décor, and a vibe that feels part Tokyo nightclub, part stylish dining room.
The sushi here is solid–fresh, neatly rolled, and varied enough to please both purists and those who like their rolls a little more creative. The hot dishes are equally reliable, from katsu curries to tempura that manages to stay light and crisp. Service is generally attentive, though the restaurant can get hectic on weekends.
If there’s a catch, it’s that Zen is more “stylish Japanese dining” than traditional. You won’t find the same precision or depth of flavor as you might in high-end sushi bars abroad. But for Belfast, it’s a well-loved staple that rarely disappoints.
Food and drinks are incredible.
The food and drinks are incredible, I am in love with waiters and staff – you are really cool! Zen Signature main course was delicious as well as duck and irish steak in teriyaki. Sashimi was super fresh and presentation 100/100. Even Thursday night is busy so make sure you have reserved your table before come in. Highly recommend!
– Asya Alyssia, Google Review
The prawn toast was excellent!
We had the set menu B. The starter was a boat of sushi, sushimi and maki, the wasabi was very good. The 2nd course was a variety of chicken skewers, duck samosa, prawn toast and spring roll. The prawn toast was excellent! I had lobster tail and beef for main. The beef was so tender and the lobster tail was half a lobster cooked to perfection!
– Eleanor Law, Google Review
2. Kamakura Sushi & Ramen
Address: 69 Donegall Pass, Belfast BT7 1DR, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 28 9543 0970
Business Hours: Open daily. 12-9 PM (Sunday to Thursday), 12-10 PM (Friday to Saturday)
Kamakura is often one of the first names you’ll hear when people in Belfast talk sushi. The chefs here take their craft seriously–the sushi rice is seasoned properly, and the fish is cut with precision. The ramen is a solid option too, with rich broths and a choice of toppings that make it more than an afterthought.
The atmosphere is stripped-back and unfussy, more about the food than the décor, which suits regulars just fine. It’s a dependable spot whether you’re craving nigiri, maki, or a steaming noodle bowl.
That said, Kamakura isn’t exactly cheap. Quality fish costs money, and the bill can climb quickly if you go wild with the sushi menu. And while the ramen is good, it may not hit the depth you’d find in dedicated ramen shops abroad. But it’s worth trying it for the sushi menu alone.
Such good value for money.
This is my second time here, absolutely love the food, the decor, the staff, everything! Such good value for money, I could eat here everyday if I could. Super easy to find free street parking also which was fantastic.
– Zoe Mitchell, Google Review
The staff were also lovely and attentive!
Managed to find me a table on a busy Friday night despite the fact I hadn’t booked and was on my own – a lot of other places wouldn’t do that! I’m so happy they did, the food came out fast and was just lovely, plus it was fairly priced. The staff were also lovely and attentive! Highly recommend.
– Emily Faulkner, Google Review
3. Sakura Japanese Restaurant
Address: 82 Botanic Ave, Belfast BT7 1JR, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 28 9043 9590
Business Hours: Open daily. 12:30-9 PM (Sunday to Thursday), 12-10 PM (Friday to Saturday)
Sakura is Belfast’s conveyer-belt sushi experience, and that novelty alone makes it popular–especially with students and groups of friends. You can sit by the belt and pluck off plates as they pass, or order larger dishes from the menu if you’re not into the roulette-style dining. The sushi selection is broad, ranging from simple salmon rolls to more playful creations.
The vibe is casual and fun, with the constant movement of the conveyer adding energy to the room. It’s not trying to be polished fine dining; it’s trying to be accessible and a bit different, which it succeeds at.
But of course, since it’s more casual than carefully curated, the quality can be inconsistent–some plates are fresher than others, depending on timing. And if you’re a sushi purist, you may find the conveyor gimmick distracting. Still, it’s a lively option for affordable, no-fuss Japanese food.
The staff are so friendly.
I had dinner here today and it was lovely, the food was simply amazing and the service is very quick. We were lucky to get a table as it was very busy. The staff are so friendly and are happy to give recommendations if requested, I will be coming back here.
– Ellie Martin, Google Review
Very affordable sushi option.
Sakura is one of my favourite places to eat in Belfast. It is a very affordable sushi option, which so much amazing and yummy options to choose from! The staff here are always so welcoming and attentive, it is one of the reasons I enjoy the dining experience here so much! The first time I ever visited they communicated how the service works in terms of the conveyer belt and ordering off the menu. It has been my go to sushi spot ever since!
– Sophie Louise, Google Review
4. Firestone
Address: 16-19 Shaftesbury Square, Belfast BT2 7DB, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 28 9024 4677
Business Hours: Open daily. 12-10 PM (Monday to Thursday), 12-10:30 PM (Friday to Saturday), 2-10 PM (Sunday)
FireStone brings something different to Belfast: Japanese teppanyaki. If you haven’t tried it before, it’s essentially dinner and a show.
There are chefs cooking right in front of you on a hot iron grill, tossing ingredients with flair and sometimes a bit of fire. It’s a group experience more than a solo dinner, with plenty of audience participation and theatrics.
The menu is a mix of grilled meats, seafood, and vegetables, often served with fried rice or noodles. It’s hearty and fun, though not always subtle–the focus here is on spectacle and flavor over traditional finesse.
And since it comes with a performance, it’s not cheap, especially if you go for the full teppanyaki set menus. And while it’s a great night out, it’s not the place for a quiet, intimate dinner.
Fantastic restaurant with beautiful food
Fantastic restaurant with beautiful food, the staff were amazing and very friendly. We went for my daughter’s birthday, and when we finished our meal, the waitress came over singing Happy Birthday and had cake for her. I will be back the next time I’m in Belfast 👍
– Odhran Mullan, Google Review
‘The service was really great…
I hardly make this type of comment, but WOW! Everything about this place was top notch and you can see they have really taken care to set this place up to operate with their Teppanyaki hot tables as well as a regular dining space.
The service was really great, staff were attentive and we had a chef who put on a show live before cooking our orders.
The steak and prawns were amazing!!! Struggled to finish everything, but honestly, well worth it for the quality of food, service and experience!
Great place and a gem of Belfast!
– Robert Wong, Google Review
5. Ginza Kitchen
Address: 245 Lisburn Rd, Belfast BT9 7EN, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 28 9013 1615
Business Hours: Open daily (Except Mondays). 5-10 PM (Tuesday to Thursday), 5-10:30 PM (Friday), 12-10:30 PM (Saturday), 12-10 PM (Sunday)
Ginza Kitchen markets itself as “where tradition meets innovation,” and it lives up to that with a menu that combines Japanese staples with modern presentation. Sushi is the highlight, with an emphasis on freshness and clean plating.
They also serve Japanese hot dishes–teriyaki, katsu, tempura–that broaden the appeal for those who aren’t hardcore sushi fans.
The restaurant itself is stylish and cozy, with a modern aesthetic that feels a step above the casual joints but still approachable. It’s a nice spot for date nights or catching up with friends over sake and sushi rolls.
If you’re after truly traditional Japanese cooking, the fusion leanings might not be your style, though. But if you’re open to exploring new heights while still having that Japanese feel, then Ginza Kitchen is a must-try.
The cocktail menu was quite interesting.
We gathered all the way from cookstown and lurgan to visit this place and it was amazing the rocket duck sushi rolls were delicious i had 2 tears of happiness come down from my face as i took a bite off them, and the duck ramen was amazing too. The cocktail menu was quite interesting as well with a large variety and very beautiful designs and garnishes. ☺️
– Debrinka Todorova, Google Review
The sushi was incredible fresh.
I recently visited Ginza Kitchen Sushi in Belfast with my girlfriend, and I have to say, it was an amazing experience. From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere was warm and inviting. The menu had a great selection of sushi and Japanese dishes, and everything we tried was absolutely delicious. The sushi was incredibly fresh, and each dish was perfectly prepared.The service was excellent, with friendly and attentive staff who made us feel right at home. Overall, it was a fantastic meal, and we’ll definitely be coming back for more. Highly recommend it!
– Ivan, Google Review