Harden's says
On the former site of TAKA Mayfair, and under the same ownership, this June 2021 newcomer is led by chef Taiji Maruyama, a former sushi chef at Nobu London and head chef at Surrey hotel Beaverbrook. Just 6 guests at a time are served (from behind a custom-made counter created by Chef Maruyama himself!) for a "20-course farm-to-table, daily changing tasting menu, presented omakase-style". MARU is the first Japanese restaurant in the UK to specialise in the Japanese culinary technique of dry ageing fish, which features prominently across the menu.
Harden's survey result
Summary
On the former Shepherd Market site of Taka Mayfair (whose closure was announced at the end of 2020, RIP), and under the same ownership: this ambitious newcomer opened in late Spring 2021, post-lockdown. Adding to London’s growing stable of ritzy Japanese countertop options, it offers a 20-course omakase tasting menu, priced at £160; the speciality dry-aged fish features prominently on the daily changing menu. It’s led by chef Taiji Maruyama, a former sushi chef at Nobu London and head chef at Surrey hotel Beaverbrook. (See also Taka Marylebone). Limited early feedback on which the rating is based, but all very enthusiastic: “the smallest restaurant I have been to and the absolutely best fish ever tried. All food is prepared in front of you, explained by the chefs and the combination of flavours is mind blowing”. Fay Maschler in Tatler also raved.
For 31 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).
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Restaurant details
Maru Restaurant Diner Reviews
"A minute restaurant but one which doesn't skimp on flavour - top class dishes centering around aged fish put this straight into the top tier of London's Japanese restaurants."
Prices
 Drinks |
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|---|---|
| Filter Coffee | £0.00 |
18 Shepherd Market, London, W1J 7QH
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | 5:30 pm‑11 pm |
| Wednesday | 5:30 pm‑11 pm |
| Thursday | 5:30 pm‑11 pm |
| Friday | 5:30 pm‑11 pm |
| Saturday | 5:30 pm‑11 pm |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
