itsu - Fleet Street — Restaurant in London

I walked into Itsu expecting a quick lunch and left feeling as though I’d just experienced something closer to a well-crafted dining ritual. From the moment you step inside, there’s a quiet, deliberate atmosphere that sets it apart from the frantic pace of most fast-casual spots. The space is calm and thoughtfully designed, with pale wood seating, soft lighting, and clean, uncluttered lines that create an almost spa-like mood. It’s the kind of environment that makes you want to slow down and savour your food, even if you only have half an hour to spare. The ordering process is seamless: displays of neatly arranged sushi, salads, and hot bowls greet you, each one looking fresh and vibrant rather than mass-produced. The staff strike a perfect balance between efficiency and warmth; they don’t hover, but they’re ready with thoughtful recommendations when you need them, like explaining the difference between the teriyaki chicken rice bowl and the sushi salad without making it feel like a sales pitch. Everything moves quickly, yet it never feels rushed. Once my food was in front of me, the real magic of Itsu began to reveal itself. I opted for a salmon sushi set and a hot miso soup, and both were a masterclass in freshness and balance. The sushi rice was light and perfectly seasoned, the salmon rich but not heavy, and the vegetables crisp and colourful. The miso soup was deeply comforting — warm, savoury, and brimming with umami — but without the cloying saltiness that so many places fall into. It felt restorative, the kind of dish you could happily eat every day without tiring of it. What impressed me most was the attention to nutritional balance. Each dish is carefully portioned so you leave satisfied but never overfull, and the flavours are clean and distinct, letting each ingredient shine. Even small touches, like the perfectly ripe avocado in the sushi rolls or the delicate seaweed garnish, speak to a kitchen that values detail. Itsu’s menu also caters well to different dietary needs, with clear labelling for vegan, vegetarian, and low-calorie options, which makes it incredibly accessible without compromising taste. The value for money is striking. In a city where a healthy, filling meal can easily stretch the budget, Itsu manages to feel both premium and fair. You’re paying for quality — sustainably sourced fish, fresh produce, carefully measured seasoning — but without the inflated price tag you might expect from somewhere with this level of polish. It’s also worth mentioning how well they manage takeaway and dine-in experiences simultaneously. Many fast-casual spots feel chaotic when trying to juggle both, but here there’s a sense of calm continuity. Orders for takeaway are neatly packaged, ready in moments, yet dine-in guests are never overlooked. During my visit, I noticed customers from all walks of life — busy professionals grabbing a quick bite, friends meeting over sushi, solo diners reading while enjoying a hot rice bowl — and everyone seemed equally at ease. That versatility is one of Itsu’s quiet strengths: it’s a place that adapts to your pace, whether you have ten minutes or an hour. Beyond the food and service, there’s a brand ethos at play that resonates. Itsu doesn’t just market itself as “healthy”; it delivers on that promise through transparency, clear nutritional information, and a genuine commitment to freshness. You can taste the difference between something made to tick a dietary box and something designed to actually nourish you, and Itsu firmly falls into the latter category. Even the drinks selection reflects this — from unsweetened iced teas to fresh juices — everything feels intentional rather than filler. My experience was also shaped by how consistent the quality felt from start to finish. There was no moment where I thought “this part is just fine”; every element, from the temperature of the miso soup to the texture of the rice, felt considered....

I’m not much of a takeaway person but since I tried Itsu, I have become a regular.

I usually go every Thursday to get a Vitality bowl and staff are always super welcoming and kind. Gloria is extremely nice and always welcomes me with a warm smile. As soon as she sees me coming in, she starts prepping my order so the waiting time is virtually zero. His colleague John is also very kind and professional and similarly welcomes me in a very kind and attentive way.

The food is yummy but staff makes it 5-star for me… or at least for the Fleet Street crew.

Keep up the hard work and...

Possibly the worst preparation of Chicken Teriyaki I've ever had. Walk-in, get a barely warm (supposed-to-be Hot Rice Bowl) Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowl, and all you can taste is Ginger. Loads and Loads of Ginger. So much ginger that it took me 500 ml. of Water to get rid of the taste of Ginger. Honestly, my colleague had to throw his bowl half-eaten, and the over-enthusiastic counter staff couldn't be bothered from screaming across the floor to patrons if they could help (in taking orders). I hear and read a lot of praise for itsu, but today, I stand deeply...