Is Kissa Wa Café an authentic japanese café & home cooking restaurant in London?

Yes — Kissa Wa Café is featured in Washoku Guide because it meets our authenticity standard for japanese café & home cooking in London: a kitchen grounded in Japanese technique, ingredients and preparation consistent with Japanese practice, and a focused izakaya format.

Where is Kissa Wa Café located?

Kissa Wa Café is located at 15 Corsica Street, London N5 1JT, London, United Kingdom in the Highbury neighborhood.

Do I need a reservation at Kissa Wa Café?

Kissa Wa Café does not publish an online reservation link. Walk-ins may be possible, but for popular izakaya restaurants in London we recommend calling ahead.

What is the price range at Kissa Wa Café?

Kissa Wa Café sits in the ¥ price range — typical for japanese café & home cooking of this format in London.

Cities/London/Izakaya/Kissa Wa Café

London · Izakaya · casual

Kissa Wa Café

Name: Kissa Wa Café
Address: 15 Corsica Street, London N5 1JT, London, United Kingdom
Price range: ¥

Japanese Café & Home CookingOnigiriBalance bowlsMatchaHomemade cakesJapanese breakfast

Charming Japanese café in Highbury, owned by Japanese founder Chia, serving homemade Japanese food, onigiri, matcha and balanced bowls since 2013.

Price: ¥
Area: Highbury
Since: 2013
Owner: Chia

Kissa Wa Café — authentic japanese café & home cooking restaurant in London, Highbury — Editorial placeholder

About

Kissa Wa Café was founded by Chia, a Japanese Osaka-born designer who pivoted to food, opening one of north London's most quietly beloved Japanese cafés on a residential street in Highbury. The name combines the Japanese words for café (kissa) and harmony (wa), reflecting the philosophy of balance that shapes the menu — fresh onigiri, nutritious bowls, homemade cakes and carefully made matcha drinks. Everything is cooked from scratch, with the menu evolving naturally rather than following trends. The café has a devoted following who value its unhurried atmosphere and the genuine warmth of Japanese home-style cooking.

Why it's on Washoku Guide

Founded and run by a Japanese owner whose background in Osaka gives the food a sense of authentic home-cooking that goes well beyond the typical London café.
The 'life is all about balance' philosophy translates into a menu that is healthy, thoughtful and genuinely satisfying.
Homemade cakes and matcha drinks are produced with the same care as the savoury dishes — a rarity in London's café scene.
A calm, unhurried atmosphere on a quiet Highbury street — a restorative contrast to the city's more frenetic eateries.

Links

Map →Instagram →

More authentic izakaya in London

See all →

Other authentic cuisines in London

See all →

Browse by cuisine in London:Yakitori Sushi Kaiseki Ramen Donburi Teppanyaki

Authentic izakaya in other cities

See all →

Frequently asked

About Kissa Wa Café

Is Kissa Wa Café an authentic japanese café & home cooking restaurant in London?: Yes — Kissa Wa Café is featured in Washoku Guide because it meets our authenticity standard for japanese café & home cooking in London: a kitchen grounded in Japanese technique, ingredients and preparation consistent with Japanese practice, and a focused izakaya format.
Where is Kissa Wa Café located?: Kissa Wa Café is located at 15 Corsica Street, London N5 1JT, London, United Kingdom in the Highbury neighborhood.
Do I need a reservation at Kissa Wa Café?: Kissa Wa Café does not publish an online reservation link. Walk-ins may be possible, but for popular izakaya restaurants in London we recommend calling ahead.
What is the price range at Kissa Wa Café?: Kissa Wa Café sits in the ¥ price range — typical for japanese café & home cooking of this format in London.

Keep exploring

All Japanese restaurants in London →Izakaya in London →Authentic izakaya worldwide →All cities →