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Since opening on Berkeley Street in 2011, Novikov has established itself as one of London’s best-known dining destinations, bringing together two distinct restaurants and an elegant lounge bar under one roof. More than a decade later, guests can still choose between contemporary Asian cuisine centred around exceptional seafood and sushi, or refined Italian cooking inspired by seasonal ingredients and classic techniques, before extending the evening over cocktails in the adjoining bar.
Rather than feeling like two separate restaurants under one roof, the different spaces complement one another, allowing each visit to feel slightly different from the last.
Two Distinct Restaurants, One Destination
Each dining room has been designed with its own distinct character. The Asian restaurant combines rich timber, dramatic lighting, and an open kitchen where chefs prepare dishes in full view of the dining room. A dramatic seafood display of oysters, shellfish, and whole fish immediately draws the eye before the produce reaches the kitchen.
Across the venue, the Italian restaurant adopts a softer atmosphere. Comfortable seating, warm finishes and a wood-fired oven encourage longer, more leisurely meals, whether for lunch, dinner, or a special occasion.
Between the two sits the Lounge Bar, where coffee and lighter refreshments gradually give way to signature cocktails, premium spirits, and DJs later in the evening. Private dining rooms complete the experience, offering a refined setting for celebrations, business dinners, and larger gatherings.
Exploring the Asian Restaurant
The Asian restaurant draws inspiration from Japanese, Chinese and wider East Asian cuisines, with a menu centred around seafood, sushi, robata dishes, and carefully prepared sharing plates.
Sushi, Sashimi, and Raw Specialities
The seafood counter sets the tone for what’s to come, with oysters, Novikov’s own Royal, Hybrid and Gold caviars, and impeccably prepared raw dishes taking centre stage.
Highlights include Tuna Jalapeño Dressing, Yellowtail Coriander, Scallop & Black Truffle, Tuna Tataki, Hamachi Carpaccio, Langoustine Tartare and Langoustine Carpaccio, each allowing the quality of the seafood to remain the focus.
The premium sushi selection includes Seared O-Toro Nigiri, Quail Egg & Truffle Gunkan, Wagyu & Foie Gras Nigiri, Lobster Gunkan, Caviar Gunkan, Japanese Wagyu Sliders, and the signature Novikov Wagyu Sando.
Sushi rolls range from familiar favourites to more elaborate creations, including Hamachi Yuzu Truffle, Crunchy Tuna, Scallops & Jalapeño, Langoustine Chu-Toro and Rainbow Roll. Richer options, such as the Wagyu Maki Roll and the California Roll topped with Royal caviar, reflect the restaurant’s more indulgent side.
Dim Sum and Small Plates
Dim sum is another highlight, with Lobster Yuzu dumplings, King Crab dumplings, Chicken & Morel Siu Mai, Shrimp & Coriander Dumplings and Black Cod Dumplings leading the steamed selection. Beef Gyoza, Spiced Curry Chicken Buns, Prawn Toast, Black Cod Rolls and Duck Spring Rolls provide equally satisfying alternatives.
The weekday Hikari lunch menu offers an excellent introduction to the restaurant, combining dishes such as Yellowtail Coriander, Tuna Jalapeño Dressing or Baby Squid with sushi rolls including Hamachi Yuzu Truffle and Crispy Salmon Cheese before moving on to mains such as Miso Baby Chicken, Salmon Teriyaki or Steamed Seabass Fillet. Optional sides and desserts complete the experience.
Sharing plates broaden the selection further. Wagyu Tacos, Chicken Tacos, Popcorn Fish, Salt & Pepper Baby Squid, Rock Shrimp Tempura, Lobster Tempura, Scampi Tails with truffle mayonnaise and the Classic Novikov Burrata provide plenty of variety for the table.
Robata, Seafood and House Specialities
The menu extends well beyond sushi with several long-standing house favourites. Novikov Black Cod, Salmon Teriyaki, Miso Baby Chicken, Honey & Mustard Baby Chicken and robata-grilled Lamb Cutlets remain among the restaurant’s best-known dishes.
Peking Duck served with pancakes continues to be a popular centrepiece for larger tables and is also available with caviar, while Duck & Foie Gras offers another indulgent option. Seafood remains a constant presence through King Crab Rice, Linguine with Native Lobster and king crab prepared with wasabi cream, garlic butter or Thai pepper sauce. Wagyu specialities, wok-fried noodles, fried rice dishes and a broad selection of seasonal vegetables ensure there is plenty to explore beyond the signature dishes.
Finishing on a Sweet Note
Desserts balance richer creations with lighter finishes. The Matcha Green Tea Crème Brûlée pairs Japanese matcha with guava sorbet, while the Coconut Pannacotta combines poached pineapple and chia seeds for something more refreshing.
Those looking for something more indulgent can opt for the Valrhona Milk Chocolate Fondant, Banana Crumble with salted caramel ice cream or the playful Oops! Side Down soft serve. The chilled Mango & Lime Soup and Japanese Mochi Ice Cream provide lighter alternatives to round off the meal.
Exploring the Italian Restaurant
The Italian restaurant offers a distinctly different experience, built around seasonal produce, traditional techniques and carefully sourced ingredients. While the atmosphere is more relaxed than its neighbouring dining room, the same attention to detail runs throughout the menu.
Starters, Salads and Carpaccio
Baked Aubergine Parmigiana, Vitello Tonnato with Black Truffle and Classic Burrata with Datterino Tomatoes lead the starters, joined by Buffalo Mozzarella Caprese, the Greek Style Tomato Salad with Feta and the Brent Eleigh Garden Salad for lighter choices.
Seafood also features throughout the opening courses, from King Crab, Avocado & Sicilian Datterino Tomatoes and Lobster Catalana to Warm Octopus with Potato & French Beans, Seafood Salad and Sea Bass Carpaccio. Scottish Salmon Tartare, Bluefin Tuna Tartare, Beef Carpaccio with Parmesan and Rocket, and Bluefin Tuna Tartare served with Gold Oscietra caviar add further variety.
Those dining together may prefer the Selection of Charcuterie & Cheese, while Spanish Bellota Ham “5J” with Tomato Bruschetta, Wagyu Bresaola with Rocket and Parmesan, and Burrata Bruschetta finished with gold powder continue the emphasis on generous sharing plates.
Pasta, Pizza and Italian Classics
Fresh pasta is a clear focus, with Tonnarelli finished in a Parmesan wheel providing one of the dining room’s most theatrical dishes. Linguine with Native Lobster, Spaghetti with Clams, Bottarga, Garlic & Chilli, Tagliolini with Crab Meat & Courgette and Tagliatelle Wagyu Bolognese sit alongside Ricotta & Spinach Ravioli with Butter and Sage, Saffron Risotto with sliced Spanish Bellota Ham and the classic Minestrone.
The wood-fired pizzas include a rich Soft Cheeses & Black Truffle pizza alongside a Charcoal Dough Pizza topped with seafood.
The weekday set lunch offers a concise introduction through dishes such as Casarecce Nerano Style, Candele Pasta with White Fish Ragù, Parma Ham & Ricotta Ravioli, Grilled Sea Bream Fillet and Beef Meatballs with Tomato and Basil Sauce.
From the Josper and Wood-Fired Oven
Seafood remains central to the menu through Dover Sole served meunière or grilled, Grilled Sea Bass Fillet with Salmoriglio, Sea Bass Fillet Cartoccio with Kalamata olives and datterino tomatoes, Monkfish Tail with grilled courgettes, Grilled Scottish Salmon and the generous Grilled Mixed Seafood platter for sharing. Whole roasted sea bass and grilled native lobster provide memorable centrepieces for larger tables.
Meat dishes include Beef Fillet Tagliata with Rocket and Parmesan, Grass-Fed Rib-Eye, Wagyu Sirloin, Lamb Cutlets with Chimichurri and Veal Cutlet Milanese. The wood-fired oven produces Corn-Fed Baby Chicken with Honey & Mustard, Segovian Suckling Pig with Apple and Baby Lamb Shoulder cooked in clay with rosemary, while daily dry-aged wagyu and rib-eye cuts offer further choice.
Desserts include Classic Italian Tiramisu, Apple Tarte Tatin, Pistachio Cheesecake, Novikov Meringue Cake, Chocolate Layer Cake and Grilled & Roasted Peach with custard sauce. Valrhona Milk Chocolate Fondant, Coconut Pannacotta, homemade soft serve and the dessert platter for sharing complete the selection.
The Lounge Bar After Dark
The Lounge Bar has become a destination in its own right, offering signature cocktails alongside an extensive Champagne, wine and spirits collection that ranges from Japanese whisky and premium gin to rare cognacs, aged rums, tequila and mezcal.
The accompanying menu includes oysters, caviar, sushi, dim sum, Wagyu burgers and lighter bites, making it equally suited to an informal lunch or late-evening drinks.
As the evening progresses, resident DJs introduce a livelier atmosphere that distinguishes the Lounge Bar from the neighbouring restaurants, making it a natural place to continue the evening after dinner.
Service and the Overall Experience
Service remains polished, knowledgeable and well-paced, whether recommending wines, guiding guests through the sushi counter or helping larger groups navigate the menus.
Few Mayfair restaurants offer the same flexibility. Lunch can centre on handmade pasta or the Italian set menu, while dinner lends itself to sushi, grilled seafood, wood-fired specialities and cocktails in the Lounge Bar afterwards. That ability to deliver distinctly different experiences within one destination continues to define Novikov.
A Mayfair Favourite That Continues To Deliver
More than a decade after opening, Novikov remains one of Mayfair’s defining restaurant destinations. Housing two fully realised restaurants alongside a lively lounge bar could easily have diluted the experience, yet each retains its own identity. That combination of versatility, consistently polished hospitality and two genuinely accomplished kitchens continues to set Novikov apart.
Location: 50A Berkeley St, London W1J 8HA
