Hotaru, located on Wandsworth High Street, is a contemporary Japanese restaurant that has quickly garnered a loyal following. Diners rave about the exceptional quality and value of the food, making it a must-visit spot for both newcomers and seasoned Japanese cuisine enthusiasts. One standout is the Volcano Roll, praised for its vibrant flavors alongside equally delightful dishes like the Karaage and the Grilled Chicken Teriyaki.
What sets Hotaru apart is not just the food, but the warm, inviting atmosphere created by its attentive staff. Customers appreciate the cozy setting and the friendly service, often stating they felt more welcomed here than in higher-end establishments. The variety on the menu—from comforting classics such as Katsu curry and Udon noodles to visually stunning Sashimi and unique Chirashi—offers something for everyone.
Max Mustermann captured the essence of Hotaru perfectly by noting its ability to blend traditional Japanese flavors with pan-Asian elements, catering to a Western palate. For those seeking a memorable dining experience without breaking the bank, Hotaru’s generous portions, delightful dishes, and friendly service make it a standout destination in London. It's no wonder patrons already plan their return visits.
Amenities and More
Accessibility
No wheelchair-accessible car park
Service options
Offers delivery
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
Highlights
Has great tea selection
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves coffee
Serves healthy options
Quick bite
Serves small plates
Serves spirits
Serves wine
Dining options
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Serves dessert
Amenities
Has toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Crowd
Good for groups
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Photos
Reviews For Hotaru
San Paolo
Jun 21,2025
Food is really good and worth the price! Will definitely eat here again and recommend to friends! Ordered - Volcano Roll - Karaage - Grilled Chicken Teriyaki - Pork Belly Udon Soup - Banoffee
Gemma B
May 21,2025
Had such a great experience here with such a sweet attentive waitress, generous yummy food amounts and will definitely be going back.
Max Mustermann
May 19,2025
Hotaru is a casual, contemporary Japanese restaurant that offers excellent value for money. It serves a wide range of comforting Japanese dishes, from Gyoza and seafood balls to Sushi, Sashimi, and a variety of rolls. Classic mains like Katsu curry and Udon noodles are also available. While the starters were decent and reasonably priced, the Chirashi (sashimi with kimchee dressing on sushi rice) and grilled Unagi (eel) were particularly impressive. The warm and genuinely friendly service, combined with affordable prices, makes Hotaru a great dining option in Wandsworth. We’ll definitely be back.
Lorenzo Chiaraluce
May 7,2025
Cozy atmosphere, super welcoming staff and outstanding food. All the people we interacted with were absolutely lovely and very friendly, the food arrived quickly and tasted delicious, much better than many fancy and high-end restaurants in town. 10/10 recommended.
Michael Kelley
May 5,2025
I’m a hard core Japanese aficionado so when I came upon Hotaru, I wasn’t expecting anything better than mediocre. Needless to say, I was really surprised at the menu offering, the quality, freshness and flavors I experienced! Hotaru is excellent. It’s not traditional Japanese however it does manage to do what most Japanese restaurants in London don’t do well; it marries pan-Asian flavors with Japanese, all while satisfying a Western palate. Very casual setting with a lovely staff.
Soraya Lopez
Mar 28,2025
The place is clean and neat and it feels so peaceful and relaxing! The perfect place to have something nice to eat between friends or with your couple The waitress were helpful and attentive. They fulfilled our expectations in all ways: food, service and environment. Food was yummy, well prepared and fresh. The flavours combined perfectly well. Me and my friends had a really good time and enjoyed their food a lot. We will repeat for sure and I hope that if you go you love it and repeat too!!!!
P M
Mar 19,2025
Very cozy place. Staff are lovely. It was very busy on Saturday night so it was just as well we made a reservation. My wife and I shared a starter of chicken gyozas. They were delicious. For mains we chose slow cooked miso pork and the udon noodles. Both were delightful. The pork was melt in mouth for sure. For desert my wife had the banoffe which she really enjoyed. You can certainly tell the food is all made from scratch, very authentic and clean tasting. For drinks I can recommend the Tokyo ice tea. Yummy all round.
Home Sweethomes
Mar 9,2025
Fantastic staff, menu and food was awesome Sushi was really good portions were generous. Such great value and they were so accommodating to my daughter and 10 x teenage friends. Highly recommend and can’t wait to go back
Reviews For Hotaru