Ginza St. James's

Afternoon tea, Halal, Japanese, Pan Asian, Steak, Sushi, Vegan·
££££
·
Silver Award
·

SquareMeal Review of Ginza St. James's

Silver Award

The corner of the West End where Mayfair segues into St James’s has become the spiritual home of London’s slick, modern Japanese restaurants. And so, after 23 years on Bury Street, traditional teppanyaki outfit Matsuri closed for six months, emerging £2.5m later as Ginza St James's.

Out go the tabletop hot plates, replaced by contemporary trappings including a robata grill, marble sushi bar, pale woods, monochrome furnishings and high-spec private rooms. However, this is not the place to come for California rolls or blow-torched tuna; rather, the kitchen deals in exquisite updates on the Japanese hallmarks of delicacy and refinement, alongside ultra-respectful versions of classic sushi and tempura.

Our favourites included tuna tartare with spicy miso sauce and a crunch of roasted pine nuts, sticky chunks of yakitori made with Norfolk Black chicken skewered on cocktail sticks, and black cod with miso that actually tasted like fish, rather than just something very sweet. A wine cabinet groaning under the weight of Super Tuscans, sakes and Japanese single malts reveals Ginza's greatest asset: eye-opening food and drink matching. Just ask the enthusiastic staff to recommend their favourite dishes. A ‘Tsubaki’ set menu for £45 offers an affordable way in, while the £250 ‘Takumi’ indicates how much one could easily spend here.

Good to know

Average Price
££££ - £50 - £79
Cuisines
Afternoon tea, Halal, Japanese, Pan Asian, Steak, Sushi, Vegan
Ambience
Cool, Dark and moody, Fine dining, Glamorous, Luxury, Quiet conversation, Romantic, Unique
Food Occasions
Brunch, Dinner, Late night dining, Lunch
Special Features
Chef’s table, Counter dining, Gluten-free options, Vegan options, Vegetarian options
Perfect for
Birthdays, Celeb spotting, Celebrations, Dates, Group dining [8+], Romantic, Special occasions
Food Hygiene Rating

About

Ginza St James’s is a high-end and authentic Japanese restaurant, which is well suited to the chic neighbourhood of SW1.

The dining room here is monochromatic and minimalist, featuring a mixture of glossy marble surfaces and dark wood furnishings, alongside dining counters for those looking for a side of theatre with their dinner. The kitchen at Ginza St James’s celebrates the traditional cooking styles that have been used for centuries in Japan, with the extensive menu split between an a la carte and dedicated sushi and teppanyaki offerings.

Begin your meal with a selection of cold and warm starters, including the likes of seared Wagyu sashimi served in a ponzu citrus and miso sauce or deep fried crispy chicken served with a wedge of lemon. Next, move on to sushi rolls (varieties to choose from include salmon and avocado and spicy prawn) or take your pick from dishes that have been cooked on a robata grill, such as black cod slicked with miso or salmon teriyaki. You can also enjoy dishes from the teppanyaki counter, which range from the carnivorous likes of chicken teriyaki and kagoshima beef to fishy finds such as Canadian lobster or king prawns dressed with onion and garlic.

To round off your meal, tuck into a selection of Japanese-inspired desserts such as mochi ice cream or passionfruit curd with a lychee sorbet. To drink, there is sake and international wines, alongside a list of fun house cocktails.

For those looking to try something different, Ginza St James’s also offers a Japanese twist on a traditional afternoon tea. Guests begin with the likes of a mini Wagyu burger and black cod croquettes, before moving on to sweet treats such as a chocolate brownie and mango mochi. You can pair your tea with bubbles too, if you fancy.


FAQs

Can you book Ginza St James's?

Yes, booking in advance is highly recommended, but walk-ins are welcome when there is availability.

Helpful? 0

Does Ginza St James's serve afternoon tea?

Yes, afternoon tea is served daily from 12-3pm.

Helpful? 0

What is Ginza St James's dress code?

The restaurant has no official dress code, but most guests opt for a smart casual look.

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This venue also offers

Ginza St. James's
Private Group Dining

Ginza St. James's

Ginza St. James's
Christmas Parties

Ginza St. James's

Location

15 Bury Street, St. James's, London, SW1Y 6AL

0203 862 7700 0203 862 7700

Website

Opening Times

Lunch
Mon 12:00-15:00
Tue 12:00-15:00
Wed 12:00-15:00
Thu 12:00-15:00
Fri 12:00-15:00
Sat 12:00-15:00
Sun 12:00-16:00
Dinner
Mon 17:00-00:30
Tue 17:00-00:30
Wed 17:00-00:30
Thu 17:00-00:30
Fri 17:00-00:30
Sat 17:00-00:30
Sun 17:00-00:00

Reviews

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2 Reviews 
Food/Drink
Service
Atmosphere
Value

Elena S

12 October 2022   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5
Ginza

The staff was lovely, quiet atmosphere and absolutely delicious food

Pascal L

19 October 2019  
Food & Drink 4.5
Service 4.5
Atmosphere 4.5
Value 4.5
Ichigo's cream, and live music.

Today, Satuday 19/10/2019, My wife and I went to Ginza Onodera London, for another Afternoon Tea, we knew we were going to enjoy the food, but also, we went to taste some new cocktails, and we personally recommend, "Ichigo's cream" made of Roku Japanese Gin, Creme de Cassis, Strawberry, and topped with home made Champagne.  The combinaison is subtil, well balanced, the creme de cassis and strawberry give the sweetness, and the creme de champagne on the top is smooth and match very well. We've seen this cocktail on many tables, and it's like this October cocktail seduced some other customers.

Afterwards, we came back at 17.00p.m for live music show. It was a duo called Zashiki Warashi, playing Taiko ( Japanese drums ) and flute. We like, that they are young composers of their music. they play in restaurant to master their new compositions and study for graduation in music, before working as professional artists. They give us the impression that there is a good chemistry between them. the sound of the flute went well with the sound of the taiko. We believe, they will succeed after graduation. 

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