London · Teppanyaki · a la carte
Defune
Traditional JapaneseTeppanyakiSushi barSashimiSet lunch
London's oldest Japanese restaurant, a Marylebone landmark for 35+ years offering sushi, sashimi and tableside teppanyaki.
- Price
- ¥¥¥¥
- Area
- Marylebone
Plate № 1320
About
Defune has held its position on Marylebone's George Street for over three decades, making it London's longest-running Japanese restaurant. Split across two floors, the restaurant offers three distinct dining experiences: a sushi bar where itamae chefs prepare nigiri and sashimi to order, an à la carte dining room serving everything from miso-glazed black cod to tonkatsu, and teppanyaki tables where chefs cook at your side. Japanese senior managers from the City have historically recommended it as the most authentic Japanese restaurant in London. The fish quality — while occasionally uneven in recent years — remains the focus, and the lunch set menus represent good value relative to the dinner à la carte.
Neighborhood & visiting
Defune sits in Marylebone, one of London's neighborhoods where authentic Japanese kitchens have taken root. The house does not publish an online booking link; call ahead to secure a seat, especially on weekends. Check the posted hours before you go — traditional teppanyaki restaurants often close between service periods.
Why it's on Washoku Guide
- London's oldest Japanese restaurant, carrying over 35 years of institutional knowledge and a sushi counter tradition that predates most of the city's current Japanese dining scene.
- The teppanyaki tables offer a lively, interactive cooking experience that remains a rare format in central London.
- Japanese expat community has consistently pointed to Defune as the most authentically Japanese dining experience in the city.
- The affordable set lunch menus offer sashimi, tempura, teriyaki and rice in a serene Marylebone room — excellent value for the location.
Reservations recommended; closed Sunday
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Frequently asked
About Defune
- Is Defune an authentic traditional japanese restaurant in London?
- Yes — Defune is featured in Washoku Guide because it meets our authenticity standard for traditional japanese in London: a kitchen grounded in Japanese technique, ingredients and preparation consistent with Japanese practice, and a focused teppanyaki format.
- Where is Defune located?
- Defune is located at 34 George Street, London W1U 7DP, London, United Kingdom in the Marylebone neighborhood.
- Do I need a reservation at Defune?
- Defune does not publish an online reservation link. Walk-ins may be possible, but for popular teppanyaki restaurants in London we recommend calling ahead.
- What is the price range at Defune?
- Defune sits in the ¥¥¥¥ price range — typical for traditional japanese of this format in London.
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