Sushi by MASA

Harrods is synonymous with luxury, from the products they sell, to the multitude of restaurants that take residence here. Sushi by MASA sits in the food hall, past endless displays of designer handbags and clothes that dominate a majority of the store (a warning to your wallet for the meal that follows). Inside you’ll find various gold top counters brimming with designer-clad diners, and not uncommonly, famous faces too.

Sushi by MASA can be found towards the back of the room, easily detected by the restaurant-goers ogling over the sushi prep - naturally we pull up a seat and follow suit. As expected, the menu here is extravagant, luxurious, and eye-wateringly expensive. There’s high end fish, oodles of caviar, and some dishes nearing the £200 mark, but all this aside it’s clear that the quality is second to none. There’s fish that’s so fresh we almost check for a pulse, sushi rice that’s miles apart from other alternatives, and for those who are team wasabi you’ll only find the real deal here.

Some dishes make more of an impact than others, including a tuna tartare that’s accompanied by a dollop of caviar and some toast on the side. But it’s the tuna carpaccio that’s the real knockout, bringing everything from great aesthetics to silky, fatty fish and a subtle kick of heat to add some depth to the dish. Whilst it comes in at £30 for one small plate, it’s actually one of the cheaper options available, and one we’d happily eat multiple of.

The drinks list is as expected; a carefully curated combination of fine wines and smooth sakes, that whilst on the pricier side, will guarantee you won't be disappointed.

It’s hard not to get swept up in the glamour of dining here, with live jazz singers and staff kitted out in black tie, and quite frankly we’d return in a heartbeat to try and blend in for just one more evening.

Harrods must be one of the most glamorous places to go for dinner in the city, and if you're a fan of Japanese cuisine and looking for somewhere special to enjoy a meal, this could very well be the place for you. Sushi by MASA is a luxury dining experience from the critically acclaimed chef Masayoshi (‘Masa’) Takayama, opened in Harrods Dining Hall. 

If you haven't visited Harrods Dining Hall before, it's a sprawling space with historic details like beautiful wall tiling and an ornate ceiling, while the whole space is filled with atmosphere thanks to low lighting and, often, live music. 

Takayama is known for his three Michelin-star restaurants in New York – MASA, Bar MASA, and Kappo Masa. Now, in his newest venture, Takayama is bringing omakase dining to Harrods, something he's been nicknamed the father of in the US. Omakase is a Japanese concept which is all about savouring multi-course meals, living in the moment and therefore, letting the chef decide - giving up your choice to embrace what comes to you. 

Across the menus, which include a la carte and omakase, you'll find a delectable range of sushi including Masa Toro caviar rolls and Ohmi beef tataki. While the seafood platter, Japanese A5 Wagyu steak, and the black cod with miso butter are all signature dishes which shouldn't be missed. 

While the menus are subject to change, the online sample gives a great overview of what you can expect. For example, the omakase starts with the seafood platter which includes Scottish langoustine, crab, oysters, before moving on to toro caviar, a roasted uni half shell and soup. This is followed by a procession of sushi including shiso with lotus root and plum paste, as well as yellowtail, fatty tuna and hen of the woods mushroom, finished with seasonal fruits and tea.