Sakura Season: 4 Cherry Blossom-Filled Restaurants For Spring

The weather might not feel like it, but spring is on its way – which means soon, the city will be blooming in cherry blossom. These pretty petals (known as sakura in Japan) begin to pop up around April time, though sometimes as early as March, transforming our parks and green spaces into pink horticultural havens. But it’s not all about the outdoors: many London restaurants also get in on the sakura fun by transforming their interiors with cherry blossom and launching special menus. Japanese eateries in particular tend to go big, as sakura season is especially important in Japan: the meteorological office has a service dedicated to forecasting the first blooms, and festivals are held across the country. There’s even a name for the act of enjoying them: hanami, which translates to ‘flower viewing’.

Sakura Season: 4 Cherry Blossom-Filled Restaurants For Spring

KOYN

Samyukta Nair’s Mayfair eatery is beautiful year-round, but it’s looking particularly Instagrammable at the moment. The famed KOYN Car that sits outside the restaurant has been decorated in origami blossoms, while the front windows are showcasing a photographic exhibition, ‘Hanami’ by Rohan Shrestha, casting shades of cherry blossom throughout the restaurant. Diners can also enjoy a choice of three special cocktails created in collaboration with The Botanist Gin, including The Sakura Sunset Spritz. These can be enjoyed alongside chef Rhys Cattermoul’s ‘Hanami Hako’: a chest filled with six dishes such as sea bream, shrimp tartar and rhubarb ponzu. 

6 – 31 March 2024, 38 Grosvenor St, London W1K 4QA. koynrestaurants.com

Mei Ume

Four Seasons Hotel London at Ten Trinity Square’s Chinese and Japanese restaurant Mei Ume is getting involved with sakura season by hosting a number of events. From 25 March until 12 April, guests can enjoy a special Bento Box lunch, featuring dishes like wakame salad, salmon ceviche, and spicy chicken noodle soup. Alternatively, visit on 13 April to try the cherry blossom tasting menu, which will include dishes like grilled hamachi and matcha cheesecake stracciatella – which you can enjoy alongside a Miko dance performance and a glass of sake.

10 Trinity Square, London EC3N 4AJ. fourseasons.com

Ginza St. James

Guests arriving at Japanese restaurant Ginza St. James this month will be greeted by a pretty canopy of pink, blue and green cherry blossoms. Inside will be equally aesthetic, adorned in Ikebana florals in shades of plum and pink. It’s not all about the look though: head chef Alex Furusawa Cadoni has crafted a themed menu featuring dishes like Ikura chawanmushi, followed by sashimi, lobster tempura and miso black cod. Afterwards, head upstairs to the Hiroo bar for a sakura-themed cocktail made with Roku gin, St Germain, lychee liqueur and Lillet rose. 

15 Bury St, St. James’s, London SW1Y 6AL, ginza-stjames.com

ROKA Charlotte Street

Year-round, you can find a cherry blossom haven hidden beneath Japanese restaurant ROKA on Charlotte Street. The Shochu Lounge serves innovative cocktails alongside the full ROKA dining menu, set beneath a canopy of cherry blossom with pink art lining the walls. Enjoy tipples like the Awa Martini (made with Haku vodka, bergamot liqueur and shiso oil) alongside sushi, sashimi and robata grills.

37 Charlotte St., London W1T 1RR. rokarestaurant.com