Sakura Finest limited — Restaurant in Weston-super-Mare

Best Japanese food I've had in the UK.

After 10 years in Japan I picked up a taste for the food, when I came back to the UK Japanese restaurants just make me sad due to lack of authenticity and high prices.

Sakura Finest although still quite expensive changes that. Delicious karage (almost too carefully prepared for a regular izakaya) and gyoza starter was shared between 4 but we could have had 1 each, not because they were small bit because they were so good.

Pork katsu don came with miso soup including wakame and tofu just as it should, served on a lacquer tray and in nice bowls added to the experience. The pork again was probably to UK style in that it was quite thick but was very tasty and crisp. The whole meal was very filling. Others ate hoso-maki cucumber/avocado/salmon sushi rolls. They enjoyed them and we ordered extras.

The Kirin ichiban beer tasted right despite being brewed in Wolverhampton. The Asahi beer on draft is much the same as any big brand beer much as in Japan.

It was my sons birthday and the friendly staff brought him a matcha cheesecake and sang happy birthday. They were friendly all night and forgave me when my brain forgot and I strayed into my pidgin Japanese.

Any negatives, perhaps the sight menu changes due to local tastes/expectations but can't really blame the chef for adapting to survive in UK market. The lack of a boisterous Iirashaimasse when you enter, but we think that would freak people out who aren't expecting it. Honestly nothing to complain about

2 starters, 7 portions sushi, 2 katsu don, 2 beers and 3 soft drinks came to just under £80 which felt about right. Often fully booked so don't leave it to chance.

Definitely intend to return for another...

Been going here for years, birthdays, special occasions you name it we go to Sakura for it. The food is great. However I called up at 6:30pm on Wednesday to book a table for 7pm the next day and the lady I spoke to said they were booked but that they had availability at the sushi bar for that time which I could book, which I agreed to and confirmed 7pm tomorrow at the sushi bar which she said yes to. Having just got back from attempting to attend this booking I was told that there was no such booking and that I must not have tried booking, I then showed the member of staff the phone call log showing the time that I rang at (which she was adamant that I show to prove I wasn’t lying) she then turned around and said phone call was only 55 seconds long and that wasn’t long enough to be able to make a booking. So after being called a liar twice, and after many good visits, I will not be attending here again, don’t think it’s acceptable to treat any customer like this let alone one that visits every other month or so. Shame but after the way it was put so rudely to me that I couldn’t have booked and I must be making it up, I...

Sakura in Weston-super-Mare is, without question, the most authentic Japanese restaurant I’ve found in the UK. Everything about this place feels carefully crafted, from the freshness of the ingredients to the way each dish is beautifully presented. The flavors are balanced, clean, and deeply satisfying, just like what you would hope to find in Japan itself.

The katsudon is perfectly cooked with crisp, golden breading and tender meat inside, while the sashimi is fresh, delicate, and cut with skill. Each bite shows real respect for Japanese cuisine. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming without feeling rushed, and the service is polite and attentive in a way that makes the whole experience feel special.

If you’ve been disappointed by other “Japanese” spots that feel more like fast food or fusion, Sakura will change your mind. It’s the kind of restaurant you walk out of feeling happy, full, and genuinely impressed. Highly recommended for anyone who loves authentic Japanese food or wants to try...