HIMI

HIMI lit up the Carnaby dining scene when the husband-and-wife team behind the well-regarded Roji opened it on Newburgh Street in early 2025. Billed as a neo-izakaya, it takes the relaxed, drinks-and-small-plates spirit of a Japanese izakaya and gives it a sharper, more contemporary edge, with a kitchen that has already earned a place in the Michelin Guide.

As a Japanese izakaya in Soho, its strength is precise, produce-led cooking in an informal setting. Expect immaculate sushi and sashimi alongside hot and cold small plates designed to share, matched with sake and cocktails. The room is intimate and counter-focused, so it feels like a proper chef-led experience rather than a big, busy dining hall.

What to expect from this Japanese izakaya in Soho

Expect a menu built for grazing: sushi and sashimi cut to order, robata and other small plates, and a drinks list that leans into sake and Japanese-inflected cocktails. The Roji pedigree shows in the detail and the fish, and the counter seats put you close to the action. It suits a considered dinner or a long, sociable sit-down over several plates.

The chefs and the room

HIMI is the second act from the Roji team, and the Newburgh Street site gives their izakaya idea room to breathe just off Carnaby. It took over the former INO space and quickly became one of the area's standout Japanese kitchens. It sits near dumpling spot Ugly Dumpling, with more of the area's tables in our Soho restaurants listings.

How a visit works

HIMI opens for lunch and dinner Wednesday to Saturday, dinner only on Tuesday, and is closed on Monday and Sunday, so booking ahead is wise. Current menus and reservations are on its official site, and it has been reviewed by The Infatuation.