I’ve always adored traditional afternoon tea, but when I discovered the unique offering at Ginza, blending British tradition with a Japanese twist, I couldn’t resist. I booked a table to surprise my husband, whose palate and interests are definitely Japanese-oriented. This was a truly memorable experience, and we can’t wait to return for more delightful discoveries!

Today, DOYOUSPEAKLONDON brings you to Ginza St James’s to indulge in a stunning Japanese afternoon tea!

Japanese afternoon tea for two at Ginza St James’s

Ginza St. James’s is situated in the heart of Mayfair, where I had planned for us to spend most of the day.

So, after wandering around Green Park and Piccadilly avenue, we quietly strolled into Ginza at noon as planned. As the restaurant had just opened, we found ourselves in a peaceful, empty space.

It was the perfect moment to soak up the restaurant’s vibe and snap some photos of the ambiance and interior design. 

The restaurant boasts a sleek and modern aesthetic with a palette of black and white, complemented by accents of light wood. 

It feels modern and stylish, yet cozy and inviting at the same time. I found in the atmosphere an intriguing blend of Japanese sobriety and richness, where the simplicity of the decor invites us to focus on the exquisite flavours discovered in our plates. 

Stunning afternoon tea with a Japanese twist

This time, we skipped the champagne option and instead opted for a Sharing Lychee mocktail along with new tea flavors: Supermuscatel featuring “desirable muscatel notes of a fine 2nd flush Darjeeling” and Kiraki Crystal Gyokuro known for its “very rich with long umami finish”.

While the mocktail was a bit disappointing in flavours, the teas offered a refreshing originality. Although umami isn’t typically my preference, I admired the tea’s bold and adventurous profile!

After checking out the mouth-watering menu, we eagerly awaited the beautifully presented dishes as they arrived on a lovely circular stand.

Made with the finest ingredients, the menu highlights authentic Japanese cooking styles expertly crafted by a talented team of chefs. The staff took the time to explain each dish thoroughly before we embarked on our culinary experience…

We began our tasting session with the savoury dishes. While some of them, such as makis and raw meats, were expected, each one offered a unique and delicate flavour experience.

These mini Okonomiyaki (Teppan grilled Japanese pancakes) were delicious and the tonkatsu sauce and kewpie added a burst of flavour.

These avocado and smoked mackerel rolls were delightfully fresh and flavourful.

These Chicken Kara Age with shiso dressing were absolutely stunning. Despite not being a big fan of fried food, I found these truly exquisite!

These black cod croquettes with yuzu mayo were perfectly delicate and yummy. It was a burst of tastes inside! 

This Beef Fillet Tataki was executed to perfection: the texture and flavors of the meat were truly delightful…

Next up were the desserts, which brought plenty of delightful surprises.

I wouldn’t call myself someone with a sweet tooth (I much prefer savoury dishes). I appreciate desserts that stand out with their originality or flavours. I’m quite particular about desserts, I admit 🙂 So when I say these delicacies were delicious, you can trust they truly were!

This Miso Financier Cake with pecans was amazing. It tasted like a mix between the financiers and madeleines we’re familiar with in France. Absolutely stunning!

This truffle is an absolute must-try! You would not guess it’s shiitake mushroom infused white chocolate ganache, coated in dark chocolate…but the result is awesome! So yummy!

This dessert wasn’t named, but it’s similar to what we call pâte de fruits in France. However, this was the best I’ve ever had! It was incredibly fruity and fresh – like enjoying a bite of pure dried strawberry. Absolutely amazing!

In the picture, you can see the last two desserts we had:
A matcha cake (a delightful surprise with its unexpectedly sweet and flavourful taste that I thoroughly enjoyed) and Coconut Silken Tofu with strawberry and blood orange yuzu compote (reminiscent of panna cotta, it offered a rich blend of flavours and a delightful texture).

Ginza St James’s ceremony of the tea

Just when we thought it was over, the waitress surprised us with a mention of the traditional tea ceremony to conclude our afternoon tea. We were delighted to extend our enjoyment and savoured this final moment, chatting with the staff about the venue and the inspirations behind this unique afternoon tea.

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I hope you’ve enjoyed exploring this wonderful Japanese afternoon tea experience at Ginza St James’s. If you plan to try it soon, I’d love to hear about your visit on DOYOUSPEAKLONDON!
You can also explore my Afternoon Tea selection on this blog, to discover the top venues in London!!

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To go further:
Ginza St James’s: 15 Bury Street St. James’s London SW1Y 6AL
Opening hours:
Monday to Friday: 12:00 – 15:00 & 17:00 – 22:30 (Last booking)
Saturday & Sunday: 12:00 – 16:00 & 17:00 – 22:30 (Last booking)
Ginza website

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