Kanpai Sushi Edinburgh

Best Japanese food in Edinburgh

Mark from Edinburgh

About me I'm Mark. Apart from my university days, I have lived in Edinburgh all my life. I chair Creative Edinburgh, the organisation that helps creative professionals network and grow their businesses. It promotes the city beyond its boundaries. I'm an ad man having worked in advertising since the mid 1980s but for a decade and more have done my own thing. I love art, travel, ...
""Kanpai Sushi" Edinburgh changed my whole concept of what Japanese food can be. It's not budget, but this restaurant serves the best Japanese food around."

Oh my!  This is so much more than a Sushi Bar, although the Sushi is terrific and you can sit by the kitchen to watch the chefs at work preparing it uber-fresh.

Kanpai is equally skilled at Teppan, Sashimi and Tempura.

I'll be honest with you, I'd never really gone big on Japanese food, assuming it was all a bit one dimensional, until I ate lunch at Kanpa that is. I mean, I like my food, but this is on another level.

First off, everything is ultra fresh (as you would hope); the fish simply glistens on the plate, but what really got to me was the incredible range of flavours and textures and at a reasonable price.

OK, it's not budget eating, I'll grant you that, but it is relatively affordable and you more than get what you pay for here.

A few quick suggestions of my favourites: grilled aubergine in sweet miso sauce (£5.90) is so delicious and succulent you just want more and more; the Tuna Nigiri (£4.20) is OMG delicious; the Fried Octopus Balls (£5 or so) are truly stunning too. And the Mixed Veg Tempura (so light so delicious) for around £8.

If you like soft shelled crab, this is the place for you

They keep the drinks simple and not too expensive (£4.50 for an Asahi Beer, house white wine £18)

The staff are charming and delightful and the ambience is relaxed and really quite cool. It feels very authentically Japanese.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

Buy one, Give one!

Share your 💚 this December

*on all products

Edinburgh Spotter Mark

About me I'm Mark. Apart from my university days, I have lived in Edinburgh all my life. I chair Creative Edinburgh, the organisation that helps creative professionals network and grow their businesses. It promotes the city beyond its boundaries. I'm an ad man having worked in advertising since the mid 1980s but for a decade and more have done my own thing. I love art, travel, theatre, music, cinema, food, wine, beer, cooking, cycling, walking – sometimes all in the same day. Some would call me bohemian I suppose. My wife, Jeana, and I have an Air B'n'B room in...

About this spot

8-10 Grindlay Street

Meal (no drink):

£

20

+44

1312281602

Dec 2, 2025

Our Edinburgh City Guide

Find your way with 138 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our Edinburgh guide.

Loved it? Join us!

Loved this Spot?Join your international community. Share your favs and become part of our international community!

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in Edinburgh

Craiglockhart Hill

The overlooked hill

Craiglockhart Hill is one of Edinburgh's 7 hills. In contrast to Calton Hill, Castle Hill and Arthur's Seat, even many locals can't name this one!

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Fiona

Diack

Dec 3, 2025

Corstorphine Hill

Not just the zoo

The zoo is one of Edinburgh's most popular tourist attractions. Next to it is "Corstorphine Hill" that's in my opinion much more interesting to explore!

002-building
Art & culture
017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Fiona

Diack

Dec 2, 2025

Antony Gormley Sculptures

River statues

The "Antony Gormley Sculptures" are six human-like statues across Edinburgh. Four of them are actually in the river! I love introducing visitors to them...

002-building
Art & culture
017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Sarah

Mackenzie

Dec 2, 2025

The Forgotten Railway Tunnel

Scotland Street

There's a forgotten railway tunnel on Scotland Street in Edinburgh. I like toake people down there to give them a lesser-told history lesson...

002-building
Art & culture

by

Sarah

Mackenzie

Dec 2, 2025

Little Free Library

Birdhouse book stops

"Little Free Library" in Edinburgh is a project for neighbourhood book exchanges. It has really caught on here -- look for the birdhouse mini libraries!

002-building
Art & culture

by

Sarah

Mackenzie

Dec 2, 2025

The ‘Heave Away’ Hoose

"I'm not dead yet"

"The ‘Heave Away’ Hoose" tells the story of a young boy who was the sole survivor of the collapse of a tall house in Edinburgh. So many such stories...

002-building
Art & culture

by

Sarah

Mackenzie

Dec 2, 2025

Grow Urban

Plant & coffee shop

"Grow Urban" in Edinburgh is an independent plant shop that also has its very own coffee shop! Entering feels like stepping inside a jungle...

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Sarah

Mackenzie

Dec 2, 2025

The Cactus House

Henderson Row

"The Cactus House" is one of my favourite little hidden gems (and photo stops). This impressive doorstep is adorned with flowers, cacti and so much more!

002-building
Art & culture

by

Sarah

Mackenzie

Dec 2, 2025

Wild West Town

Hidden cowboy street

"Wild West Town" is a mini town in Edinburgh that's just like... well, a town from the American Far West. The ghost town-style feel only adds to it!

002-building
Art & culture

by

Sarah

Mackenzie

Dec 2, 2025

Nor Loft

Rooftop champagne bar

"Nor Loft" in Edinburgh's Market Street Hotel's loft champagne bar has marvellous views and an unrivalled champagne selection. Lovely sunsets in summer!

028-beach-bar-1
Bars

by

Sarah

Mackenzie

Dec 2, 2025

David Bann

Vegetarian food for every diet

"David Bann" Edinburgh isn't just for vegetarians, it's for anyone who enjoys good food. It's my favourite restaurant in the city, even as a meat eater.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Fiona

Diack

Dec 2, 2025

Traverse Theatre

Plays in a subterranean setting

"Traverse Theatre" in Edinburgh has a reputation that extends far beyond its subterranean location. It's also not expensive, so it's a great choice...

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
019-lemonade-1
Theaters

by

Fiona

Diack

Dec 2, 2025

Heading to Edinburgh?

138 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

Edinburgh app Home
Edinburgh app Home
Edinburgh app Map
Edinburgh app Home

0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

138 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

City guides by those who know the city in and out!

Our Locals' Favorite Edinburgh

Our team loves Edinburgh

Get to know our other Spotters from Edinburgh

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
[paywall_activator]
false
0
false
53
Made with the 💚 of 498 Spotters.
Filters