I’ve always adored the charm of a traditional afternoon tea, but when I discovered the extraordinary experience at Ginza, where classic British elegance meets a delightful Japanese twist, I simply couldn’t resist.

I booked a table as a surprise for my husband, whose refined palate and love for Japanese flavours made this the perfect treat. The experience was truly unforgettable, leaving us eager to return for more exquisite discoveries!

Today, DOYOUSPEAKLONDON invites you to join us at Ginza St James’s, where Japanese-inspired afternoon tea transforms indulgence into an artful journey!

Japanese afternoon tea for two at Ginza St James’s

Ginza St. James’s is right in the heart of Mayfair, and I had planned for us to spend most of the day around there.

After wandering around Green Park and Piccadilly Avenue, we made our way into Ginza right at noon, just as planned. Since the restaurant had only just opened, we were greeted by a calm, empty space, perfect for a relaxing start to our afternoon.

It was the perfect moment to take in the vibe of the place and snap a few photos of the beautiful interior.

The restaurant has a sleek, modern look with a black-and-white color scheme, warmed up by touches of light wood.

It feels modern and stylish, yet cozy and welcoming at the same time. There’s a fascinating mix of Japanese simplicity and elegance, where the clean decor makes you focus even more on the amazing flavors on your plate.

Stunning afternoon tea with a Japanese twist

This time, we skipped the champagne and went for a Sharing Lychee mocktail instead, pairing it with some new tea flavors: the Supermuscatel, with its lovely muscatel notes from a fine 2nd flush Darjeeling, and the Kiraki Crystal Gyokuro, known for its rich, long umami finish.

The mocktail was a little underwhelming in flavor, but the teas were refreshingly unique. Umami isn’t usually my thing, but I really appreciated the tea’s bold, adventurous character!

After browsing the mouth-watering menu, we couldn’t wait for the beautifully presented dishes to arrive on a lovely circular stand.

Made with top-quality ingredients, the menu showcases authentic Japanese techniques, all crafted by a skilled team of chefs. The staff even took the time to walk us through each dish before we dove into our culinary adventure…

Located inside the main restaurant, the Teppanyaki counter gives you a front-row seat to watch the chef at work.

We kicked off our tasting with the savory dishes. Some, like the makis and raw meats, were familiar, but each one still delivered a unique and delicate flavor.

These mini Okonomiyaki (Teppan-grilled Japanese pancakes) were delicious, and the tonkatsu sauce with a touch of Kewpie added a burst of flavour.

These avocado and smoked mackerel rolls were fresh, light, and full of flavour.

The Chicken Karaage with shiso dressing was absolutely amazing. Even though I’m not usually a fan of fried food, I found these truly delicious!

The black cod croquettes with yuzu mayo were perfectly delicate and so tasty. A real burst of flavour in every bite!

The Beef Fillet Tataki was cooked to perfection: the texture and flavours of the meat were absolutely delightful.

Next up were the desserts, and they surely didn’t disappoint. They were full of delightful surprises!

I’m not much of a sweet tooth (I usually stick to savory dishes), but I do love desserts that are original and bursting with flavor. I’m pretty picky when it comes to sweets, so when I say these were delicious, you can trust they really were! 🙂

The Miso Financier Cake with pecans was amazing, tasting like a perfect mix between the French financiers and madeleines we all know. Absolutely stunning!

 

This truffle is an absolute must-try! You’d never guess it’s shiitake mushroom-infused white chocolate ganache coated in dark chocolate, but it’s incredible. So tasty!

This dessert didn’t have a name, but it reminded me of pâte de fruits from France. Honestly, it was the best I’ve ever had! So fruity and fresh, like a bite of pure dried strawberry. Absolutely amazing!

In the picture, you can see the last two desserts we tried: a matcha cake, which was a lovely surprise with its unexpectedly sweet and flavourful taste that I really enjoyed; and Coconut Silken Tofu with strawberry and blood orange yuzu compote. Reminiscent of panna cotta, it had a rich mix of flavours and a wonderfully smooth texture.

Ginza St James’s ceremony of the tea

Just when we thought it was over, the waitress surprised us with a little traditional tea ceremony to wrap up our afternoon tea.

We loved extending the experience and enjoyed this final moment, chatting with the staff about the venue and the inspirations behind this unique tea service.

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I hope you’ve enjoyed coming along on this Japanese afternoon tea experience at Ginza St James’s. If you get a chance to try it, I’d love to hear about your visit on DOYOUSPEAKLONDON!

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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

Check out my other Afternoon Tea recommendations in and around London here. 

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