7 delicious cherry blossom-themed menus to celebrate sakura season in style
Cherry blossom season is upon us, and there are plenty of sakura-themed menus on offer to help you enjoy it. From traditional Japanese small plates to inventive cocktails, this is where you should be booking.
Look around you. Have you noticed the streets seem a little brighter and filled with colour? That’s because cherry blossom season – aka sakura season – is well and truly upon us. And while the trees here aren’t quite as pink and lush as they are in Japan, where thousands of people visit at this time of year for hanami (flower-viewing) festivals, there are still plenty of ways we can mark the arrival of spring in the UK.
Our favourite? By eating and drinking our way through the sakura-themed menus on offer at spots like Koyn Mayfair and The Four Seasons at Tower Bridge. Whether you like the sound of a sour sakura cocktail or a full-themed sushi menu, read on for our pick of the best places to book now.
Aqua Kyoto
Cocktail lovers will enjoy the accompanying bespoke drinks menu, curated with renowned Japanese spirits from The House of Suntory. If you like your drinks sweet, the Hiragana pairs Roku gin with pomegranate pandan leaf, lemon and grapefruit soda for a citrusy, herbal taste, while the Katana features midori, lychee, matcha tea, lemon and foamera.
However, the real showstopper is the sakura tree dessert: cherry panna cotta, rich chocolate brownie, matcha crumble and is topped with a tart raspberry sorbet and tuft of candyfloss.
Available until 1 May 2025
Address: 30 Argyll St, London W1F 7EB
Koyn
Foodies will love Koyn’s Hanami Hako menu, designed by executive chef Rhys Cattermoul, which is served in a crafted oak chest and includes tuna sashimi with miso ceviche, a fresh green bean, avocado and cherry tomato salad in goma miso dressing, alongside Koyn’s signature nigiri selection. Other menu highlights include delicate steamed seabass in ume sake soy, crisp scallop kataifi and sakura ponzu, and an umami-rich beef tenderloin paired with spicy karashi miso.
Finish off with the pink blossom kiss cheesecake, a fitting tribute to spring made with champagne gel, crispy meringue and peach and matcha ice cream.
Available until 13 April 2025
Address: 38 Grosvenor St, London W1K 4QA
Clap London
Take the seventh-floor sensory dining experience at Clap London a step further by enjoying a sakura-themed cocktail or two. We recommend the Pink Kyoto, which mixes Roku gin with Chambord, Mancino Sakura Vermouth and is topped with raspberry and yuzu foam.
Address: 6–7th Floor, 12-14 Basil St, London SW3 1AJ
Mei Ume
Available until 14 June 2025
Address: 10 Trinity Square, City of London, London EC3N 4AJ
Sticks’n’Sushi
For a lighter bite, head to Sticks’n’Sushi to enjoy the sakura house sushi roll, complete with lobster, avocado, sakura rice, miso aioli and lumpfish roe. If you have a sweet tooth, don’t leave without trying the perfectly pink sakura cherī fondant, with a gooey amarena cherry and white chocolate core, served with vanilla ice cream and cherry biscuit crumble.
Available until 27 April 2025
Address: Various locations
Roka
Address: 37 Charlotte St., London W1T 1RR
The Ivy Asia
Available until 4 May 2025
Address: 8-10 N Audley St, London W1K 6ZD
Images: courtesy of restaurants
