Kanpai

8–10 Grindlay Street, Edinburgh, EH3 9AS

Telephone 0131 228 1602
Opening times Tue–Sun noon–2.30pm; 5–10.30pm. Closed Mon.
Food served Tue–Sun noon–2.30pm, 5–10.30pm. Closed Mon.
Average price £20 (lunch); £20 (evening meal)
Website www.kanpaisushi.co.uk

The 2013 edition of The List's Eating & Drinking Guide is out now – only £5.95 (+p&p).

This review is taken from the current (2013) edition.

Kanpai is grown-up, in every sense. The big sister of Sushiya, it is sleek and stylish with conspiratorial corners, soft lighting and elegant plates of all shapes and sizes, in contrast to the brightly lit bonhomie of Haymarket’s finest. Tables range from cosy couples to a private dining area for eight people, or you can sit at the sushi bar and watch your pretty-as-a-picture special combo sashimi being assembled (serves 2–3 or one very focussed enthusiast). The menu might seem as compact as the restaurant, but in addition to a wide-ranging sushi and sashimi selection (with unexpected warm offerings such as the crunchy salmon panko maki), perfect sharing fare in the form of Tokyo rolls and takoyaki (octopus balls) sit happily alongside classics such as soba noodles and gyoza. Bring someone you want to impress, whether for business or pleasure, for lunch or after the theatre crowd has gone, and talk them into sharing a bottle of sake. Cheers – or, as they say in Japan, kanpai!

High point: Excellent food in a stylish setting
Low point: Expensive wine

Number of wines sold by the glass: 2
Private dining: Up to 8 covers
Provides: Wheelchair access
Music on stereo: Background modern Japanese
Capacity: 45
Largest group: 20
Open since: 2011
House wine: £17 per bottle

Comments & ratings

4. Plastivore – 3 Dec 2012, 1:09pm Kanpai Report

Having had a nice experience in Sushiya, and Kampai being its sister restaurant, a couple friends, my wife and I decided to give it a try.

We have been very disappointed. The food was quite good, but not enough to justify such a price tag. And the service was appalling.

One plate was forgotten, and every time we asked, we were told that it is on its way. When we then saw, 45 minutes later, another table getting the same dish, we insisted, and finally got our order through (which naturally took another 10-15 minutes to come, since it is freshly made, which is a good thing, but did not help with our issue). To compensate, the cheapest plate we ordered was on the house, which is a further disappointment, since the late dish was twice that price! And the cherry on the top was a couple of mistakes in our bill...

So, OK, the mess up with the service might have been a one off, but considering the price you pay for this place, it does not make me want to go again, especially since the food is good, but not as much as to justify such price for an unprofessional experience.

3. Quill Amory – 27 Nov 2012, 2:39pm Kanpai Report

This place is great. You can order in proper Japanese style - no courses, just decide what you want to try first and go from there. Their green tea is particularly good - genmaicha, I think, which is green tea with brown rice in it, and free refills all evening!

My partner and I are vegetarian, but there's more than enough on the menu to keep us happy. The sweet miso aubergine was amazing, gooey, sticky and very moreish. The only low point was the tempura vegetables, which were a tad greasy and flavourless, although they did come with a lovely dip. Would recommend!

2. Sue malkay – 30 Jun 2012, 5:20pm Kanpai Report: Delicious!! My boyfriend has been moaning about lack of good sushi restaurants in Edinburgh for months. I heard a great recommendation for this place so thought I would take him along. He absolutely loved it and said it was the nicest he'd tasted by far! Mine was delicious too and the lovely decor and staff made it perfect! We'll def be going again! :)

1. CP – 6 Oct 2011, 6:08pm Kanpai Report

Went here last night as a friend was given a 10% discount voucher.
Excellent sushi - definitely the best I've had in Edinburgh.

Really tasty, fresh, beautifully presented and made to order.

We had the dragon roll, tuna sashimi, grilled salmon nigri and salmon & avocado maki. All really delicious, good sized portions.

A really lovely restaurant - nice decor and friendly waiters.

Will be back!

They even let us keep the voucher for our next visit and gave us some more, but would happily pay full price.

Average rating 4.5/5 from 4 reviews of Kanpai.

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