Edo Izakaya to launch with debut site this December 

A debut site has been secured for Edo Izakaya, a Japanese sake concept founded by Sonny Huang, the owner of Robata, the popular West End sushi restaurant. Located at 154 Old Street, the new 1,894 sq ft restaurant is set to launch in December.

Named after the informal bars popular in Japan, Edo Izakaya will have capacity for 80 covers, including a chef’s table and lounge bar area, and provide an extensive sake menu. 

Traditional-style and new-style sushi rolls, hand rolls and nigiris will reportedly be at the forefront of the restaurant’s offering, along with snacks such as fried squid and chicken karaage. Japanese spirits and cocktails will also accompany the specialist menu. 

Designed by TurnerBates and inspired by the Edo period of Japanese history in which izakaya bars became prominent, the restaurant will feature a modern interior balanced with intricate woodwork and a focus on traditional Japanese values. 

Sonny Huang, founder of Edo Izakaya, said: “Following the success of Robata in Soho, we are excited to launch our next authentic concept in a new part of London, with Old Street serving a strong catchment of Islington borough residents and office workers. We are looking forward to delivering a distinctive and original Japanese restaurant in a prime city fringe location.”

Leading specialist UK leisure and property agency, Shelley Sandzer, acted on behalf of JP Morgan to secure the site. 

Tony Levine, director of Leasing at Shelley Sandzer, added: “Japanese cuisine has become a mainstay in the West End, but demand from operators and consumers is seeing new concepts, such as Edo Izakaya, emerging in other thriving parts of the capital.  

“At Shelley Sandzer, we love nothing better than working with restaurant owners like Sonny to help them grow, and we’re proud to have fully leased JP Morgan’s units on Old Street, emphasising our continued success in securing dynamic new sites for great concepts.”