Reviews Ginza St. James's

Excellent food and outstanding warm service.

Very good.

My visit to Ginza St. James’s Japanese Restaurant was nothing short of exceptional. The warm welcome, cozy bar area, and the opportunity to explore the private rooms all contributed to creating a memorable experience. However, it was truly the gastronomic journey that stole the show. The exquisite food, paired with impeccable service, made this visit the highlight of my time in London. I wholeheartedly recommend Ginza Japanese Restaurant to anyone seeking an unforgettable dining adventure.

I previously had afternoon tea at many British establishments, but today I went to Ginza St James, which has been recognized by Michelin as one of London's best Japanese restaurants (Michelin official website: The Best Japanese Restaurants in London) to enjoy Japanese-style afternoon tea. 🍵 They offer a variety of tea options that differ from other afternoon teas, such as genmaicha. 🎏 Unlike the typical British tiered afternoon tea, Ginza serves theirs on a three-tiered round stand, reminiscent of a pagoda, exuding a strong oriental ambiance. 🥪 Let's start with the savory section. 🥑 Top tier: Salmon avocado sushi rolls & Japanese fried chicken. 🍣 The sushi rolls are quite substantial, filled with generous amounts of salmon and creamy avocado, providing a satisfying bite. 🍗 The Japanese fried chicken is paired with fresh thyme leaves, crispy on the outside and tender inside, with a crunchy skin and juicy meat. 🔥🐟 Middle tier: Seared beef slices & black cod croquettes. 🥩 Seared "たたき" (Tataki) is a common Japanese cooking technique where only the outer layer is seared while the inside remains tender and rare. The beef slices are accompanied by yuzu vinegar (Ponzu), offering a refreshing and delicious taste. 🇫🇷 Croquettes (French: croquette, Japanese: クロケット) were first recorded in a handwritten cookbook from 1661 by the French king Louis XIV's chef. They have since become a beloved food, with a crispy exterior and a filling of mashed potatoes and black cod fish, complemented by a zesty yuzu hollandaise sauce. 🎐 Bottom tier: Mini Okonomiyaki. A crispy and tender griddle-cooked Okonomiyaki, with a crunchy exterior and a soft and flavorful interior, paired with okonomiyaki sauce and tonkatsu sauce, it's simply irresistible. 🍔 Additionally, there are mini Wagyu burgers. These petite Wagyu burgers are bursting with flavor, with the Wagyu beef patty exuding a rich meaty aroma, all encased in a golden and delicious brioche bun – truly satisfying! 🍰 Moving on to the sweet treats. Tiny mochi ice cream, melt-in-your-mouth coconut tofu pudding, and matcha-flavored Nagasaki cake – each one delicate and perfectly balanced, with just the right amount of sweetness. 🍵 Finally, there's matcha. A lady performs a matcha tea ceremony with graceful and fluid movements, a sight to behold, which left everyone quite impressed. ✨ In summary, Ginza offers excellent food, ambiance, and service. The cherry blossom tree at the entrance is a beautiful touch, making it perfect for a romantic date or a gathering with friends for afternoon tea.

Spent a lovely weekend here with BEST afternoon tea experience! Delicious savoury bites and sweet treats, and purely Japanese tea🍵I enjoyed it very much, best place for gathering on weekends!

The experience at Ginza never disappoints. The quality of the food is always excellent, the service is on point and the environment is suitable for any occasion. If you want to eat the best sushi in town this restaurant is a must.

What a fantastic venue. Great welcoming and service with the team very engaging and with a great attention to details. Delicious food cooked in front of you at the teppanyaki counter! A must do experience. Definitely recommended and will surely go back