15 Bury St, London, SW1Y 6AL
Harden's survey result
Summary
With its counters for teppanyaki and sushi, this sizable St James’s basement (with 70 covers) offers a high-quality, traditional Japanese dining experience. All reports on the food say it can be of an exceptional standard, but even ardent fans can also find it “overpriced”.
Summary
Some “outstanding fine Japanese cooking” is reported at this upmarket St James’s basement, which has been through a number of names and owners in recent times, and re-opened in its current guise in Autumn 2021. It comprises a ground-floor bar, plus 70-seat subterranean dining space, incorporating three six-seat counters for teppanyaki, a robata chef’s table, and a sushi counter. There is still the odd “disappointing” report, but the overall direction of travel here seems promising.
Summary
After two name changes and a refurb, this upmarket Japanese in a St James’s basement is now named after Tokyo’s poshest shopping district – and urgently needs to establish a new identity. One or two reporters are wowed, but others have found it “full of middle-aged tourists”, with “unexciting food” and “very little input from waiters, who seemed uninterested”. “Prefered it under the old name, Matsuri”.
Summary
Stately Japanese venue – from an international chain based in Tokyo’s upmarket Ginza – that’s “de luxe, although not OTT”; with “very good food and top-notch service”. It’s not so dissimilar to Matsuri (RIP), the previous occupant of this refurbished (“not for the better”) St James’s basement, below a department store.
For 33 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Ginza?
Owner's description
Ginza St. James’s offers an authentic Japanese dining experience right in the heart of London.
We use the finest ingredients to bring together a menu that celebrates traditional Japanese cooking styles prepared by our talented Chefs.
Relax within our elegant, stylish settings whilst we take you on a culinary journey through Japan.
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch | £32.00 |  |
|
|
Traditional European menu
| Starter | Main | Veggies |
|---|---|---|
| £15.00 | £30.00 | £8.00 |
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £65.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £5.50 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £0.00 |
| Service | 15.00% |
Restaurant details
15 Bury St, London, SW1Y 6AL
Opening hours
| Monday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑4 pm, 5 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑4 pm, 5 pm‑10:30 pm |
