SUSHISAMBA Edinburgh & The W Deck

The W Edinburgh is the city’s latest luxury hotel to open in the capital (read our review here) and has been like a never-ending Christmas present – unwrapping layer upon layer of surprises since it opened. The hotel launch brought to us SUSHISAMBA Edinburgh the ultra-playful restaurant, with an incredibly delicious menu, inspired by the vibrant cultures of Japan, Brazil, and Peru and then this summer Edinburgh was introduced to the hotel’s W Deck, perched on the top of the hotel this outdoor space offers 360-degree views of the city with an open-air bar along with glass igloos for wet days and fire pits to enjoy drinks late into the autumn evening. The Luxury Editor recently experienced a visit to both experiences – read on to discover more.

SUSHISAMBA Edinburgh

Having opened its doors in 1999 in New York City, SUSHISAMBA was the brainchild of Shimon Bokovza who aimed to create a dining experience that was as exciting as it was diverse, combining Japanese, Peruvian and Brazilian culinary cultures into one seamlessly executed offering. It now has outlets across the world from the bright lights of Las Vegas to the skyscrapers of Dubai and Singapore, there are two in London with the Heron Tower SUSHISAMBA still a mainstay of celebrities and London city fliers since its opening in 2011.

Even before seeing the menu the journey from ground to table at SUSHISAMBA Edinburgh is a glamorous affair, as the central mirrored elevators of the W Edinburgh whisk you up to level ten accompanied by a show of lights and house music.

On arrival we start the evening with a cocktail at the circular lobby bar, you will notice the orange tree in the centre of the bar, this is a signature sculpture within each SUSHISAMBA location, which they say ‘reinforces the earth-to-sky motif”. And weather permitting make a detour out to the rooftop terrace that fully wraps around the restaurant where the cinematic views of Edinburgh can be enjoyed with a drink in hand.

From there you will be guided through to your seat; the best seats in the house are without doubt the ones directly next to the windows, but thanks to the floor-to-ceiling glass at every turn you’re guaranteed 360-degree views from wherever you’re sitting.

The staff are highly experienced in delivering VIP service (this goes for saying across the whole hotel), and will promptly get you settled, ensuring five-star treatment from start to finish.

Three culinary cultures intertwine and sharing is recommended with a suggestion of 2/3 plates per person. You will find Japanese tempera and sushi, Brazilian churrasco and moqueca and Peruvian anticuchos and ceviches plus SUSHISAMBA’s signature dishes.

As dishes are served from different parts of the kitchen expect them to be served at different times – which is also part of the fun not knowing what’s next. We started with some plantain crisps while we perused the menu and opted for two seviches to kick things off. These beautiful bowls of raw fish are zinging with flavour and if you like the interplay of sour and sweet the scallops seviche is a real show stopper. Served in tactile porcelain glazed bowls with wooden

Whilst we didn’t order them we were told that the Wagyu Gyoza and Crispy Taquitos were also really popular from the small plates section, but my eye did catch the Teriyaki Tofu and I’m glad it did, this little bowl of silken tofu is a wonderful accompaniment, silken tofu is glazed in teriyaki sauce and topped with chopped spring onions and dusted with sesame seeds.

Next, we couldn’t resist the sushi offering (however I was told that the Edinburgh speciality of robata grilled Highland Wagyu Ishiyaki is not to be missed). We opted for a selection of samba rolls and nigiri – we were told we couldn’t leave without trying their signature Samba Edinburgh roll which is a roll of lobster, mango-pineapple salsa, oshinko, avocado, yuzu miso, wasabi mayo. The El Topo was the next temptation, this is a mix of salmon, jalapeño, shiso, fresh melted mozzarella, crispy shallots, spicy mayo, eel sauce, which mixing spicy jalapeño with raw fish and mozzarella sounds like a step too far but it is a wonderful surprise of ingredients that shouldn’t work together, but they just do!

On most occasions when eating out I would opt for a dessert, but my waistline had beaten me on this occasion, but if I had chosen one desert it would have to have been the Sata Andagi, – who can’t resist dolce de leche (I spend my student years working as a waiter at the Gaucho where I was introduced to this classic rich condensed milk delicacy) this mixed with Japanese doughnuts and ice cream, sounds like a wonderful way to end to dinner.

W Deck

New this year, to the W Edinburgh is the W Deck on the 12th floor of the building and a floor above the W Lounge, this outdoor terrace boasts stunning 360° views of Edinburgh complete with an open-air bar, glass igloos for colder days (of which there are many in Scotland!) and firepits. Post dinner we made our way up to the W Deck and the space really offers the wow factor (close your eyes for a second and you could be in a sky bar in Bangkok)- so this really is an experience in the city that is unrivalled!

We were just shy of last orders so opted to head back to the shelter of the W Lounge on the floor below where we ordered a nightcap to end of what was a perfect evening.

Final Thoughts

SUSHISAMBA Edinburgh is open from lunchtime till late so whether you’re dropping in for lunch or pulling out all the stops at dinner, diners are in for a treat. This restaurant sits head and shoulders above everything else in Edinburgh and not only because of its panoramic views, its vivacious energy, unique menu, and attentive service – the whole concept is executed to exceptional standards. Combine this experience with a pre or post-dinner drink in the W Lounge or W Deck and you can really let the good times roll…. excuse the pun. 🙂

SUSHISAMBA Edinburgh is included in our guide to the best restaurants in Edinburgh and the W Edinburgh is included in our guide to the best hotels in Edinburgh.