Nobu Shoreditch Bar and Terrace

The high-ceilinged basement space of the Nobu Hotel Shoreditch has been re-modelled and Nami carved out of what was the bar. The idea is that the new concept is a ‘supper bar’ offering a more casual drinking and dining experience than the main Nobu dining room. It looks and feels pretty cool in a corporate way, with screens streaming Japanese Street art and a masked DJ spinning tranquil beats.

There’s a big focus on cocktails; we started with a bright pink Kiichigo Fizz, a sweet and easy-drinking concoction of vodka, raspberry, coconut, cranberry juice and lemonade which slipped down a treat with some salty edamame beans and bitesize nigiri.

Not everything is so small, though. A fresh and light yellowtail quinoa donburi would have fed one person nicely although, like all of the food, it’s designed for sharing. Tempura shrimp with tofu skins and creamy unagi sauce on a bed of rice was the best dish we ate. We’d also recommend the umami chicken wings, crisp and meaty; subtly miso-flavoured dashi fries; and the Wagyu burger with a fried quail egg in a fluffy tofu bun.

Some dishes are more of an acquired taste. Sakana chips consisted of a combination of cod and potato fried together into one block to give fish and chips in one bite. A dessert of choux buns filled with matcha and black sesame Chantilly cream, meanwhile, is one for green-tea fans only; fruit salad topped with a hard purple sugar disc and edible flowers is a more crowd-pleasing, pretty finish.

With dishes ranging from £7-£18, Nami will set you back considerably less than Nobu proper if you only plan on having a few small plates to accompany your drinks. But with so many winning dishes and a great atmosphere, you may find yourself ordering more than you originally intended.

Part of the luxurious Nobu Hotel in Shoreditch, Nami bar is undoubtedly one of the coolest cocktail bars in the capital. It’s just as stylish as the restaurant and hotel it shares an address, but a touch more relaxed and buzzy. Thanks to the double-height ceiling, there’s a spacious, airy feel making it perfect for catch-ups and celebrations alike. Those who come here to dine and drink can settle into intimate tables for two by the staircase or perch on stools at the bar itself to watch the magic happen.

This being a Nobu bar, you’ll be pleased to know the food offering matches the brand. While you drink, you can snack on the likes of miso Padron peppers, black cod harumaki with spicy ponzu dip and yellowtail with agave mango dressing. If instead, you would prefer something hot, you’ll be well-served by the likes of wagyu sliders, umami chicken wings and dashi fries. For something sweeter to end the night with, try the churros or miso caramel sando - you won’t regret it!

Cocktails here are helpfully organised by categories, making it straightforward to try the different styles on offer. For a longer drink, try the Ginza highball, which blends Suntory Toki whiskey with grape and apricot soda and bitters. Nobu signatures make an appearance too, like the yuzu and apple martini and root margarita. Alternatively, go old-school with a legacy cocktail like the Matsuhisa martini, which combines Haku vodka, Sadono sake, ginger and cucumber with spellbinding results.

However, cocktails aren’t the only thing on the menu. There’s an eclectic, global selection of wines by the glass or bottle, as well as plenty of Japanese beer and sake too. The Nobu junmai daiginjo and premium sake are house specials worth trying for seasoned sake drinkers. Finally, there’s an extensive range of spirits, as well as soft drinks, juices and mocktails for those not drinking alcohol.