A Swansea restaurant serving sushi, Japanese grill dishes and Korean BBQ is marking two years in the city — and says local support has given it the confidence to expand across the UK.
Joyato, based in Salubrious Court next to the Vue Cinema, opened in 2024 and has built a following among diners in Swansea and the wider area.
The restaurant sits just off Wind Street — a corner of the city centre that has seen a wave of new food openings, with a run of major fried chicken chains arriving in the past 18 months. Joyato has carved out a quieter niche as an independent.
It offers both à la carte and an all-you-can-eat format that differs from a traditional buffet, with dishes cooked fresh to order rather than sitting under heat lamps.
Diners can order up to five dishes every 15 minutes, working through different parts of the menu over a meal — a format the restaurant says has proved popular with groups and families.
Sushi has been one of its strongest areas, drawing both seasoned Japanese-food fans and first-timers.
In May last year, Joyato added Korean BBQ, letting customers grill their own food at the table — a move it says has become a key part of the experience for groups. The restaurant has also joined Deliveroo for selected dishes.
Director Alice Yi said reaching two years in Swansea was “a very proud moment” for the team.
“Opening any restaurant takes a lot of work, but opening something a little different and building trust with local customers takes time,” she said.
She said the restaurant had been grateful for the support shown by people in Swansea and the surrounding areas.
“We have regular customers who have been with us from the beginning, and we also see people travelling in from outside the area because they have heard about the restaurant,” she said. “That is something we never take for granted.”
On the food, Ms Yi said the team had worked to build confidence with sushi lovers who care about freshness and presentation, while keeping the menu approachable for those new to Japanese food.
“The menu gives people room to explore without feeling unsure, and that has helped us reach a wide audience,” she said.
The Swansea restaurant’s success has led to a sister site in Colchester, which celebrates its first year this July. The company says it is now considering further UK locations.
“Swansea gave us the confidence to look at the next stage of the business,” Ms Yi said. “We would like to open more Joyato restaurants across the UK, but we want to do that carefully and make sure each restaurant feels connected to its local area.”
Joyato is open in Salubrious Court in Swansea city centre, with more information on its website.
