Now serving izakaya which is a kind of Japanese tapas. Much more accessible and affordable than when it was a sushi restaurant and you can now turn up without booking which is a bonus. A good selection of very tasty Japanese dishes. Would definitely recommend.
We visited on Thursday evening and had the best time. We got a selection of many items to share, and every dish was exceptional. I would say my personal favourite was the pickled cucumber. It looked so delicate and simple, but the taste really packed a punch. The monk fish was also to die for. You must try their selection of sakes, and I'm still dreaming about the yuzu wine.
The service was really personable, special compliments to the chef.
Thanks for an amazing experience
Updated my review as I've now been back since it converted to its current izakaya offering. The food was really nice, flavourful but delicate, and it's still a great spot with a nice vibe. Not quite what I was expecting from 'izakaya' - feels and costs more like a taster menu restaurant than a casual bar. Really good though.
We really enjoyed our time here! The attention to detail, the amazing service and of course delicious food! We were introduced to many types of new seafood, ways of cooking, tastes and textures! We love the seasonal menu and will definitely be coming again for a special occasion 🤍🍽
The best Japanese sushi experience I have had. I had been wanting to go to Hana Matsuri for so long and finally went and it delivered beyond expectation. The Omakase menu was sublime, all ingredients were put together perfectly and the quality was absolutely on point. It's expensive of course, but worth it if you enjoy incredible food and a great experience. The chef was happy to explain dishes to use and any other questions.
Visited 9th March 2024 for my birthday. Everything about this experience was incredible, from the food and drink to the amazing service provided by FOH who did a brilliant job of looking after us, keeping us entertained and educating us on all aspects of the menu.
A couple of important things to note: a lot of reviews say this is a sushi restaurant but it's now an izakaya with a menu focussing on small eats with delicious onigiri being the star of the show. If you want sushi, this is available in the city centre through the sister restaurant Sushi Nakamura.
Favourite dishes here were the chicken wings, monkfish karaage and the pumpkin croquettes. Tuna onigiri was delicious too!
Definitely try this place.
Sushi Bar HanaMatsuri is an unassuming, intimate, gem of an establishment. Today I experienced the Omakase menu. It is worth noting to anyone unfamiliar with the concept, that Omakase means “I’ll leave it to you”. In other words, the chef will prepare a series of dishes over the course of a meal combining the chef’s experience, knowledge and what product is in season. From my experience today I can say that it is clear that chef prioritises sourcing only fresh, seasonal, high quality ingredients. Having visited many Japanese restaurants and sushi bars across the UK I can say without a doubt, you should come to Sushi Bar HanaMatsuri if you want to experience high quality, authentic, Japanese sushi. Thankyou for your hospitality and for the delicious food. It was an absolute pleasure. Until next time!
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I'm lucky enough to have visited Japan and this place is an absolute gem of an authentic Japanese sushi restaurant, tucked away in Meanwood. From the outside its modest looks and closed blinds give nothing away and certainly don't tempt you in. However, inside lies an experience that will transport you to Japan for an hour or two. You must pre-order your food because the priority here is freshest sashimi you can possibly find. Your ingredients are bought in especially for you. The chef/ owner specialises only in sushi (there is no ramen or tempura available) and that's what makes it amazing. We had a sashimi tasting menu which was mind blowing. The care and dedication lavished on each dish was obvious. The food is prepared directly in front of you (the theatre of watching is magical) and served seconds after it is finished. The Japanese government publishes a list of officially approved Japanese restaurants in Europe. This is one of only 10 outside London in the UK. Book now while you have the chance.
Went back again this month (July 2020) and were the first "post lockdown" diners! Updated menu, still amazing. We think this restaurant deserves a Michelin star it's that good. It has already achieved an entry in the Michelin guide so don't wait around!
Great real Japanese food made by Japanese chef. Only place that I can go for A5 beef. Im going back there soon. Recommend for the Sushi and A5Beef lover.
A truly excellent experience, authentic flavours, perfectly balanced, alongside excellent sake and superlative service. Go now if you haven’t!
The best sushi I've ever eaten. This place is incredible. Finish your meal with a plumb wine and float out of the door in a state of bliss, absolute heaven.
Delightful and authentic Japanese dining experience. Highly recommend!
Utterly amazing. This is a special place.
Food amazing. The care and precision is superb. Only us 2 in the restaurant at 5:30pm. So like a private dining.
Will be back.
Really nice people, excellent food and a lovely atmosphere.
Some of the best sushi I've eaten outside of Japan (and inside too)
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I took my partner here as he is a big foodie. Although I was initially hesitant due to the price I can honestly say it was worth it by a mile. My partner loved it of course but even I, who generally doesn't like fish, thoroughly enjoyed every single bite. I don't know if this is the case every time but we were given 21 different things to eat. I can see on some past reviews that not everyone is happy with only having the choice of the one set menu however I believe the chef/owner has definitely made the right decision here as it allows them to give the customer the best ingredients that they can get their hands on every time. Aside from the incredible food the atmosphere was wonderful also. With the place only having a handful of seats it was an intimate experience and I enjoyed watching the chef expertly prepare our next dishes right in front of me. All of the staff were very friendly and have done an amazing job at creating a gem of a restaurant. I dont have one bad thing to say about my experience and I can easily say it is the best Japanese food experience I have ever had.
We came here for an early dinner and had sushi set number 2 and the home made pickles with warm sake. It was lovely to be served by the chef and to see him making the food so skilfully. Everything we had was fresh and delicious, and there was definitely lots of food. I would highly recommend the experience of dining here. It was a truly memorable evening.
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