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Aqua Kyoto

Japanese·
££££
·
Bronze Award
·

SquareMeal Review of Aqua Kyoto

Bronze Award

As far removed from the Zen minimalist school as it gets, Aqua Kyoto does high-end Japanese with a bit of razzmatazz. Feel the vibe as you circumnavigate the central bar, past gorgeous kimono silk-padded booths, to reach the dramatic dining room with its showpiece sunken sushi bar crowned by an oversize red lantern. The clubby mood conjures up shades of Tokyo’s swanky Ginza district, likewise the menu’s luxurious bent. Go for broke by ordering king crab tempura with crab miso, Wagyu maki rolls and agedashi aubergine with roasted foie gras, or discover original creations ranging from chilli yuzu lamb teriyaki with Japanese artichokes to rabbit with green peach, pumpkin tofu and mustard ankake sauce. By contrast, lunchtime bento boxes and sashimi selections are gentler on the wallet. The terrace is perfect for a sundowner.

Good to know

Average Price
££££ - £50 - £79
Cuisines
Japanese
Ambience
Cool, Dark and moody, Fun, Glamorous, Lively, Luxury, Unique
Food Occasions
Bottomless brunch, Brunch, Dinner, Late night dining, Lunch
Alfresco And Views
Great views, Outside seating, Rooftop, Terrace
Special Features
Vegetarian options
Perfect for
Birthdays, Celeb spotting, Celebrations, Child friendly, Dates, Group dining [8+], Romantic, Special occasions
Food Hygiene Rating

About

A mere stone's throw from Oxford Circus, Aqua Kyoto towers over the hustle and bustle of London's busiest high street. Set in a dramatic space on the top floor of the former Dickins & Jones department store, this contemporary Japanese restaurant and bar is focused around the cuisine of Tokyo's Ginza district.

Aqua Kyoto offers an experience that encompasses unique styles of sushi and sashimi together with a selection of innovative and contemporary dishes from the robata grill and hot kitchen. The menu boasts seasonal, high quality ingredients with traditional Japanese flavours. Guests can choose from a selection of maki rolls from Scottish salmon, Orkney scallop, tobiko, smoked daikon and beetroot caviar to lobster tempura, jalapeno, cucumber and lobster miso. Fine sushi, premium cuts of sashimi and showstopping signature platters are also on offer, alongside sumibayaki dishes such as fillet of black cod with cucumber, tonburi and yuzu curd.

At weekends, Aqua Kyoto offers a free-flowing brunch menu, featuring seven starter dishes to share followed by a choice between ginger miso sea bass with pickled vegetables and yuzu curd or robata grilled sirloin with Japanese wasabi salsa and tsuma salad. Guests can choose between three free-flow options: unlimited red or white wine and beer, cocktails and bubbles or Pommery Brut Royal Champagne and cocktails. Choose your pairing and party into the weekend to the beat of a house DJ and live entertainment.

And then perhaps, the main attraction. Aqua Kyoto’s terrace boasts astounding views over the rooftops of Central London. The terrace is covered and heated so you can hang out in comfort all year round and enjoy a cocktail, or lunch, with one of the best views in London.


FAQs

Can I book Aqua Kyoto?

Yes, we highly recommend booking Aqua Kyoto. However, walk in customers are welcomed.

Helpful? 0

When is brunch at Aqua Kyoto?

Free-flowing weekend brunch is available on Saturday and Sunday between 12.00pm and 2.45pm.

Helpful? 0

Does Aqua Kyoto offer vegetarian options?

Yes, Aqua Kyoto offers a variety of vegetarian dishes on the menu.

Helpful? 0

Aqua Kyoto is featured in

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Location

240 Regent Street (entrance 30 Argyll Street), Oxford Circus, London, W1B 3BR

020 7478 0540 020 7478 0540

Website

Opening Times

Brunch
Mon Closed
Tue Closed
Wed Closed
Thu Closed
Fri Closed
Sat 12:00-14:45
Sun 12:00-14:45
Lunch
Mon 12:00-14:30
Tue 12:00-14:30
Wed 12:00-14:30
Thu 12:00-14:30
Fri 12:00-14:30
Sat Closed
Sun Closed
Dinner
Mon 17:00-22:00
Tue 17:00-22:00
Wed 17:00-22:00
Thu 17:00-22:00
Fri 17:00-22:15
Sat 17:00-22:15
Sun 17:00-22:00
Bar
Mon 12:00-00:00
Tue 12:00-00:00
Wed 12:00-00:00
Thu 12:00-00:00
Fri 12:00-00:30
Sat 12:00-00:30
Sun 12:00-00:00

Reviews

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44 Reviews 
Food/Drink
Service
Atmosphere
Value

Anon

15 November 2024  
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5
I LOST MY JOB

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Madeleine

24 April 2023   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 4
Service 3.5
Atmosphere 3.5
Value 3.5

Tim W

27 December 2022  
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5

Excellent service - great food

Monika S

15 October 2022   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 3
Service 5
Atmosphere 3
Value 2
Mediocre

The food was nothing special, the usual Asian dishes you can find anywhere much cheaper, Rick shrimp tempura so so, black cod burnt skin and nothing special . The only thing I thought had a wow factor was the black sesame fondant.

way too overpriced

Luc C

11 July 2022   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5

Good food and even better service

Leon K

26 May 2021  
Tourist trap

Really disappointing experience. My company have used this place for Christmas parties so I took my wife along. I will advise my company not use this place again. Expected to pay for a lovely night for my wife after all her hard work looking after our children and not being able to go out for a few years on our anniversary. Was insulted by the Italian waiters, threatened to be kicked out, asked to move to the bar. Food was severely overrated. The steak was smothered in sweet sauce and we were expected to pay when we didn't even eat it because it was inedible! I was even accused of eating my steak when I only took a few bites! Aggressive arrogant staff, fake welcoming atmosphere and bad customer service. While my wife was in the female toilets, there was a creepy guy lurking there who she asked to kindly leave and he refused. My wife has already made a review and we were contacted by the restaurant, we requested a full refund but they never got back to us. I could suggest that they have monetary flow problems hence why they couldn't afford to refund us. ROGUE RESTAURANT! TOURIST TRAP! NOT MICHELIN APPROVED BUT THEY DO HAVE MICHELIN PRICES! DO NOT GO!! All our reviews have gone to the relevant critics and review websites.

Anon

12 May 2021  
Food & Drink 0.5
Service 0.5
Atmosphere 1
Value 0.5
Disaster anniversary

Really heartbroken. It was mine and my husbands anniversary yesterday and we managed to book a nanny for our two babies after not being able to go out on a date for 3 years. The bill cost us around 400 pounds and I spent a further 300 on my outfit for this night. In the end we felt insulted and let down. So much for having a tiny break from looking after the children.  I have been in tears all night and have been very upsept on my wedding anniversary. This is the last thing that I had hoped for to happen. When we received the main dish (2 miyazaki sirloin) the beef flavour and tenderness was lost in a smothering of sweet teriyaki sauce. Me and my husband requested that we had the beef returned without the sauce because we couldn't accept the overpowering sauce flavour covering such a tender steak. This is not we expected from such a misleading menu that stated the beef was "served with.." not "covered in." The suited waiter with hair refused to give us two steaks without sauce but instead give us one plate as he accused my husband of eating his steak which was untrue, my husband ate only 2 more pieces to see if he could handle the flavour, he couldnt. My husband was irritated at this accusation and this waiter was also getting very feisty and wanted to throw us out. That was the enjoyment of the evening completely over. So we were expected to pay for 2 portions when we only received one decent dish to share amongst each other. Then I decided to put my foot down and I refused to pay for 2. Another manager came over and also tried to make out the menu described what we ordered which again was untrue. He then said we could pay for one steak , but did not offer any other meal to substitute, instead asked us to leave our table for the bar because they needed our table for other people (which we reserved for ourselves and we were only there for an hour) Insult after insult for just going to their restaurant and expecting to be looked after, given their prices. Any other half decent restaurant would have returned the steaks, cooked both of them without the sauce. I honestly just want a full refund for the whole bill after such an upsetting evening. I will be wanting to send this review to Michelin and other restaurant critics for insulting me and my husband. We did not pay to get insulted, we paid to enjoy ourselves.

Tonique C

24 February 2018  
Food & Drink 4
Service 4
Atmosphere 4
Value 4
Cocktails are better on a rooftop!
It is 5pm on Sunday, and summer is officially here and I’m not going to miss one ray of sunshine by sitting indoors. So when its more than 16 degrees outside, what do you do? Go to a rooftop terrace and enjoy life! – I chose Aqua Kyoto! (its probably going to rain tomorrow) I have eaten in Aqua but it was a while back, and this time, we decided to get some cocktails. I wish I spent more time taking pictures of the views, as they were beautiful and you can literally see the whole of London from where I was standing. The crowd is a little young; 20’s –mid 30’s and I would suggest going between Thursday’s- Sunday’s as these days seem to have a vibrant and buzzing crowd. My choice of drink was a pornstar martini made by an amazing Italian bartender, whose name I cannot pronounce but he did well. Very strong but yet so sweet! Next time I will definitely be going back to try their Sunday infinity brunch ?

Emma C

10 May 2017  
Amazing food, tentative service whilst not being too OTT and their bottomless brunch is great value.

Laura L

04 May 2017  
The Aqua Kyoto has a outstanding decor and the bar delivers high quality cocktails. The Food Menu is quite difficult to understand. Therefore, I had to ask the waitress to advise me. The service is quite good.
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