Inspired by the casual eateries of Tokyo, CLAP KA-FE has landed in Knightsbridge, bringing Japan’s unique flavours and sophisticated vibe to London’s buzz. The latest venture from the team behind CLAP restaurant – the Knightsbridge fine dining spot where sashimi, nigiri and fresh marinated fish take centre stage – the brand new, all-day café is the place to go to start your day with a caffeine and carb hit, nab your afternoon pick-me up pastry, or sample some savoury slices of Japan for lunch.

With minimalist interiors creating a cool, calm ambience that temporarily takes you out of the city’s chaos and allows you to slow down and reset, take a seat among the elegant surroundings and tuck into a wonderful selection of high-quality dishes. Have somewhere to be? CLAP KA-FE also offers a grab-and-go option so you can indulge in its delicious menu on the move (it’s also available via Deliveroo and Slerp for at-home/in-office delivery right to your front door). 

On to the menu. Drinks-wise, expect expertly brewed coffee, premium matcha (the trendiest drink in town), herbal Sencha, smoothies and fresh juices with a kick. Breakfast includes delicate French-style pastries with a Japanese flair, think teriyaki-glazed pain aux raisin, yuzu filled tart au sucre, or a seriously good pain aux trois chocolats for the sweet toothed. Then there’s the cafe’s signature granola, or for something crisp and light, a seasonal fruit sashimi.

Come 11am, lunchtime commences. Swapping out the early morning baked goods for savoury delights served deli-style, feast on a tasty menu of limited-edition nigiri sets, sushi bento boxes and Kyoto-style chirashi, plus chunky handcrafted sandos and super green salads promising nourishing and filling bites. It goes without saying, of course, that you should save room for a sweet treat to end. 

Beautiful pastries and cakes are available all day, with the likes of raspberry black sesame tart, crepe matcha cheesecake, and KA-FE’s Charlotte sponge drenched in espresso offering quite the difficult choice. As is customary for every CLAP outpost, KA-FE’s signature dish is the shitake salted caramel St-Honoré pastry – a light and delightful choux pastry jam-packed with vanilla chantilly and shitake cremeux, and lovingly smothered in hazelnut salted caramel. 

For a quintessentially Japanese experience packed with authentic flavours, stop by CLAP KA-FE to reenergise in the best way for mind, body and soul.

CLAP KA-FE, 12-14 Basil Street, London, SW3 1AJ. Visit claprestaurant.com.