Ginza St James's

Should You Book Ginza St James's?

Getting a table at Ginza St James's takes more planning than most people expect for a Michelin Plate restaurant. It fills quickly, particularly for counter seating; the teppanyaki and sushi bars are the most sought-after spots; so treat this as a booking-first, plan-around-it venue rather than a spontaneous dinner option. The effort is worth it: this is one of the more complete Japanese restaurants in London, with a breadth of menu and a setting that justifies the ££££ price point across multiple visit types.

The Space

The layout at Ginza St James's is structured in a way that genuinely changes how you experience the meal. You arrive into a large cocktail bar, polished and unhurried, which works as a natural pre-dinner anchor point or a destination in its own right after the kitchen stops taking orders. Beyond that, the restaurant opens into a full dining room with distinct seating options: teppanyaki counter, sushi counter, conventional tables. If you have visited once and sat at a standard table, the counter is the obvious next move. Both counters offer a more direct, engaged version of the meal, you watch the preparation, the pacing is different, the interaction with the kitchen changes the experience considerably. For a solo visit or a pair, either counter is a better use of the room than a table for two.

The St James's address sets the physical register before you walk in. Bury Street is quiet, the building is composed, the interior follows through, this is a formal-leaning room, though it stops short of stiff. The cocktail bar especially has enough atmosphere to work as a late-night option after dinner elsewhere in the neighbourhood. It is one of the few places in this part of London where you can arrive after 10pm and find the room still functioning properly.

What to Order

À la carte at Ginza St James's is wide enough to be genuinely difficult to navigate. Sashimi, tempura, teppanyaki dishes, rice-based courses all appear on the same menu without an obvious through-line. If you are returning after a first visit, the set menu options are the more efficient route, they are well-priced relative to à la carte and remove the paralysis of too many choices across unfamiliar categories. One dish the Michelin inspectors specifically called out: nasu dengaku, the grilled aubergine with miso glaze. It is not a centrepiece dish but it is worth ordering regardless of what else you are having. For Japanese dining at a comparable level in London, Umu focuses more tightly on kaiseki and Kyoto-style cuisine, while Humble Chicken in Soho operates with a looser, more casual format if the formality here does not suit the occasion.

Sake list is one of the more serious in London, this is not a list padded with approachable introductory bottles. If sake is part of why you are coming, it is worth giving the list proper attention. For context on what a fully dedicated sake programme looks like at a higher technical level, Myojaku and Azabu Kadowaki in Tokyo set the reference point, but within London, Ginza St James's is competitive.

Awards and Credibility

Ginza St James's holds a Michelin Plate for both 2024 and 2025. A Michelin Plate signals inspector-verified quality cooking without the full star designation, useful context when assessing whether the ££££ pricing is earned. It sits alongside other recognised Japanese restaurants in London including Chisou and Akira, though the scale and setting here are more ambitious than either.

Who It Works For

If you are returning for a second visit, the counter is the answer. First-timers should use the set menu as an anchor and add the nasu dengaku and something from the sake list. For groups, the restaurant accommodates multiple party sizes, but the counter seats are better suited to pairs, larger parties will land at tables, which is still a good experience, just a different one. Solo diners are well-served here; counter dining at a Japanese restaurant at this level is a natural format for eating alone without it feeling solitary. The cocktail bar also makes this a workable late-night option, if dinner has wrapped up elsewhere and you want a serious drink in a composed room in St James's, the bar at Ginza is one of the more reliable choices in the neighbourhood. For broader context on where this fits in London's dining picture, see our full London restaurants guide. If you are planning a wider trip around the area, our London hotels guide, bars guide, and experiences guide are worth checking. For those exploring further afield, the UK has strong alternatives at the leading end: Waterside Inn in Bray, L'Enclume in Cartmel, Moor Hall in Aughton, Gidleigh Park in Chagford, Hand and Flowers in Marlow, and Hide and Fox in Saltwood all represent strong options for dedicated trips outside London. London also has a credible newer Japanese offering worth tracking: Hannah approaches the cuisine from a different angle if you want contrast after visiting Ginza. For wine-focused evenings nearby, our London wineries guide covers the broader drinks picture.

Quick reference: Book in advance; counter seats fill first.

Ratings

• Food quality: Michelin Plate-verified across two consecutive years. Broad Japanese menu with clear high points.
• Value: ££££ with well-priced set options that bring the per-head cost into a reasonable range relative to the setting.
• Atmosphere: Formal but not rigid. Cocktail bar adds a late-night dimension most St James's restaurants lack.
• Booking difficulty: Hard. Counter seats especially, plan at least two to three weeks ahead.

Booking and Practical Details

Book as far in advance as possible, particularly if you want the teppanyaki or sushi counter. The restaurant is at 15 Bury Street, London SW1Y 6QB, within walking distance of Green Park tube station. No booking method, hours, or phone number are confirmed in our current data, check the restaurant directly for current availability. Dress expectation aligns with the St James's neighbourhood and a ££££ price point: smart dress is appropriate, avoid overly casual clothing. The cocktail bar is accessible for drinks without a dinner reservation, making it a practical option for late arrivals or neighbourhood drinks.