Nobu Weekend Brunch; a Complete Review and Guide
Japanese minimalism fused with industrial-chic, fresh and delicious sushi, creative black miso cod, refreshing unique cocktails, live DJs, attentive and friendly service and a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Here’s everything you need to know about the Nobu Weekend Brunch in one of the top Japanese restaurants in Shoreditch.
About Nobu
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Nobu is a world-famous luxury hotel and restaurant chain founded by renowned Chef Nobu Matsuhisa, Robert de Niro and film producer and businessman Meir Teper.
Nobu Matsuhisa began his career in Japan before moving to Peru at 24. This was where he developed his signature style of fusing Japanese techniques with Peruvian ingredients. He is also well-known for his creativity with fish, which is likely a contributing factor to Nobu’s famous signature dish of black cod with miso (more on that later).
In 1987, Nobu Matsuhisa moved to Los Angeles and opened the eponymous restaurant ‘Matsuhisa’. Robert de Niro became a regular customer, getting to know Nobu Matsuhisa very well. In 1994 they opened the first Nobu restaurant in New York alongside restaurateur Drew Nieporent and investor Meir Teper.
In 1997, the first Nobu restaurant outside of the United States opened in London and in 2013, the first Nobu Hotel opened in Las Vegas. Today, there are 56 restaurants and 36 hotels around the world.
Each Nobu property is a unique curated experience and draws inspiration from its destination. For example, the Nobu Hotel London Shoreditch creates an East London ambiance blending Japanese minimalism with industrial-chic aesthetics. Nobu Hotels offer fantastic levels of luxury and service that instantly make you feel at home.
There are two Nobu Hotels in London offering great bases to explore the city:
- Nobu Hotel London Portland Square: located in the heart of chic Marylebone with world-class dining options
- Nobu Hotel London Shoreditch: where signature Japanese simplicity fuses with industrial-chic aesthetics
In this guide, we’re sharing our complete review of the Nobu Shoreditch bottomless brunch in one of the best Japanese restaurants in London so read on for everything you need to know.
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Review of Nobu Weekend Brunch
The Nobu Weekend Brunch includes a couple of sharing starters for the table, an unlimited cold buffet, a main dish and an unlimited dessert buffet.
Our top tip: at least one person should order the black cod with miso; Nobu’s signature dish.
Overall, our experience was amazing! The food was delicious – fresh, high-quality, light and full of flavour. The service was attentive and super friendly. And the ambience was warm, welcoming and peaceful. We would 100% go back.
Now, let’s get into the specifics and our experience of one of the top restaurants in Shoreditch from start to finish.
You enter the restaurant from the hotel which is beautifully decorated in Japanese minimalism. Head down the stairs and you see the first view of the bar and restaurant which is ultra-chic and continues the beautiful minimalist style.
You’re greeted with a friendly smile and as you’re shown to your table, all of the servers shout their friendly greeting ‘irasshaimase’ to welcome you. Even the chefs in the open kitchen shout this as you walk through.
There’s a live DJ who creates a fun and vibrant atmosphere and makes the whole experience feel much more exclusive.
Once your party are sat down, you’re asked if you’ve been to a Nobu Weekend Brunch before so the server knows if they need to explain how it works.
We ordered cocktails which are creative and refreshing. I had the snow piercer which is Whitley Neill Gin, basil syrup citrus and salted coconut foam – super fresh and summery; perfect for a sunny day.
While we waited for our main course, we headed up to the cold buffet. There are two buffets, one on the bar and one in front of the kitchen. The dishes are exactly the same, however, definitely visit the buffet by the kitchen at least once to see the chefs working their magic and creating their delicious masterpieces.
By the time we’d returned to the table with our first plate, our sharing starters had arrived; salted edamame, Padron peppers mint miso and miso soup if you wanted it.
The buffet platters aren’t huge and are constantly replaced so the food is incredibly fresh. There’s nothing worse than a buffet where the food is left out and tastes stodgy or stale. No need to worry about that when dining at one of the top Japanese restaurants in Shoreditch!
The buffet consists of a variety of items; sushi, sashimi, salads, ceviche, make-your-own fish tacos, poke bowls and more. There’s a great range of veggie alternatives on the buffet such as avocado sushi, bell pepper nigiri and vegetable tacos.
Make sure you don’t fill up too much from the buffet before your mains arrive. Fortunately, the food is light and your plates are small so you can’t overdo it too soon.
For mains, Andy and his mum got the black cod with miso which fully lived up to the hype. Full of flavour and a rich buttery interior with a delicious caramelised crust; the perfect blend of sweet and savoury.
Andy’s brother got the rock shrimp tempura which was delicate and creamy and I got the chicken yakimono with teriyaki sauce; a beautiful blend of sweet and tangy that melts in your mouth.
Once you’ve had your fill of mains, make sure you leave a bit of room for the dessert buffet offering a great selection of sweet treats and fresh fruit to finish the brunch perfectly.
I had the matcha profiteroles which were absolutely delicious, light and fluffy so I had to go back for a second. I also had a miso chocolate brownie which was yummy and very rich and a yuzo tart which was refreshing and sweet. I finished with a few slices of watermelon and pineapple before I was well and truly in a food coma.
That rounds off our review of the Nobu Weekend Brunch; continue reading for everything else you need to know for brunch in one of the top restaurants in Shoreditch.
Everything Else to Know About Nobu Shoreditch Bottomless Brunch
When is the Nobu Weekend Brunch available?
The Nobu Weekend Brunch is available Saturdays and Sundays 12pm – 3pm.
How much is it and is it worth it?
The standard brunch costs £90 per person. You can upgrade to bottomless prosecco, Asahi or lychee elderflower cooler for £130 per person.
In our opinion, the price is a bit steep. However, you’re paying for the entire experience which was impeccable from start to finish. We don’t eat out like this often and for a special occasion it was perfect.
How to get to the Nobu Hotel London Shoreditch
The Nobu Hotel London Shoreditch is located at 10-50 Willow Street, London, EC2A 4BH.
Tube: Within 10-15 minutes walk from Nobu Hotel London Shoreditch: Shoreditch High Street, Liverpool Street, Moorgate, Hoxton and Old Street.
Bus: within 10-15 minutes walk: 8, 21, 35, 43, 47, 55, 76, 78, 131, 135, 149, 205, 243, 242, 388.
To help you plan your journey, use the TFL Journey Planner or Citymapper.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our review and guide to the Nobu Weekend Brunch. This truly is one of the best Japanese restaurants in London and the top restaurants in Shoreditch. If you have any questions, please leave a comment below and make sure you’re following us on Instagram to stay up to date with us in real time 🙂
