Belgravia, Japanese Restaurant Guide

A Japanese accent to the pastries adds exoticism (and expense?) to a trip to this swish perch, in the beating bougie heart of Belgravia. It originally opened in the foyer of the stunning-looking Pantechnicon building next door, which – in summer 2024 – rebranded as ‘19 Motcomb Street’ – leading (we understand from the press) to a relocation of the café to the ‘Halkin Arcade’.

Occupying the rooftop space and interior that was once Eldr (RIP), the Pantechnicon building’s main food offering has, since late 2024, been Japanese in style, under the name of the former basement restaurant. No reports as yet on its high-end kappo-style cuisine at ‘jet-set’ prices, but if the past is any guide the prime draw will be the gorgeous, Monaco-comes-to-Motcomb-Street styling of the top-floor terrace.

2022 Review: On a strip of Sloane Street south of Harvey Nicks that has lacked its natural international passing trade in recent times, this outpost of the Moscow-based Sumosan empire serves a luxurious mix of Italian and Japanese dishes, often to the backing of live entertainment. Yet again, the level of expense is the main sticking point (and service can have its off days, too), but it has its fans for a glam night out.