When I visited: Several times from December 2018

Location: London, Surbiton

Rating in the Michelin Guide: Not in the Guide

Dining Owl Hoot rating: 4/5

What to wear: Could go casual

Ambience: Cosy, casual

Course of the meal: Soft shell crab roll

If I could change one thing: More atmosphere

Review:

Boat is an independent Japanese restaurant in Surbiton; its bland exterior and location belie the quality of the food, which is great. Having visited a few times and sampled a good variety of things on the menu – miso soup, edamame beans, rainbow rolls, soft shell crab rolls, sashimi including the wonderful toro (fatty tuna), chicken and prawn gyoza and white and red Japanese wine and sake – I would strongly recommend visiting if you like Japanese food.

There is a takeaway menu and I think Boat is probably doing better with takeaway orders than with diners eating in, as it is often quiet inside, but on a Friday or Saturday night the atmosphere is more lively.