Restaurant near Wigmore Hall: pre-concert Japanese dining and cocktails at Aki
You have booked a night at Wigmore Hall, one of London's most treasured music rooms. The programme is set, the...
You have booked a night at Wigmore Hall, one of London’s most treasured music rooms. The programme is set, the calendar is blocked, and the anticipation is real. But there is one variable left to solve: where to eat before the concert.
A night at Wigmore Hall deserves more than a meal chosen for convenience alone. You want a restaurant that understands timing, atmosphere, and the quiet difference between eating nearby and dining well.
At Aki, located just a short walk away in Cavendish Square, we offer Japanese dining that feels equal to the occasion — whether you want a paced pre‑concert dinner, a full signature menu, or cocktails after the applause has faded.
Wigmore Hall
London’s temple of chamber music
One of the world’s great recital halls, celebrated for its intimacy and acoustic perfection. A typical evening concert begins at 7.30pm, with occasional matinees.
- Address: 36 Wigmore Street, London W1U 2BP
- Box office: wigmore-hall.org.uk
- Nearest stations: Bond Street (4 min), Oxford Circus (6 min)
Your Pre‑Concert Restaurant
Aki: four minutes from Wigmore Hall to Cavendish Square
Step out of Wigmore Hall, walk west along Wigmore Street towards Cavendish Square, and Aki is there within four minutes. Set inside a Grade II listed former banking hall with soaring ceilings, marble surfaces, and original contemporary art, the room carries the same sense of occasion as the concert hall itself — just in a different key. Dinner service begins at 5.30pm daily, giving you a comfortable, paced meal before a 7.30pm curtain. After the applause, Kiyori, our underground cocktail lounge in the original bank vaults, is open Thursday to Saturday until late for a nightcap that keeps the evening alive.
- Distance from Wigmore Hall: a four‑minute walk — step out, walk west, and you are there
- Pre‑concert timing: dinner service from 5.30pm daily, paced to have you in your seat before the overture
- Dining style: refined Japanese cuisine — Edomae sushi, sashimi with 30-year-aged soya, binchotan‑fired robata dishes, and certified Kobe beef
- Flexibility: keep it light with nigiri and a glass of sake, or make the meal the main event with the nine-course Signature Menu (£95, or £75 on Thursdays)
- Post‑concert: Kiyori cocktail lounge in the original bank vaults — Japanese whisky, yuzu‑led cocktails, and matcha‑infused nightcaps, open Thursday to Saturday until late
- Address: 1 Cavendish Square, Marylebone, London W1G 0LA
Why choose Aki before a Wigmore Hall concert
Location
A short walk
Step out of Wigmore Hall, walk west along Wigmore Street towards Cavendish Square, and Aki is there within minutes. Dinner fits naturally into the evening.
Timing
Service with pace
For pre‑concert reservations, we understand that timing matters. The experience should feel composed and unhurried, while still ensuring you reach your seat.
Flexibility
Flexible dining
Keep it light with nigiri and a hot dish, or make the meal the main event with our signature menu. The evening can be as simple or as expansive as you want.
After Hours
Cocktails after the show
When the concert ends, Kiyori waits below — our underground lounge for a final cocktail, dessert, and a softer landing to the night.
Atmosphere
A room that resonates
The former banking hall’s soaring ceilings, marble, and curated art create a sense of occasion that mirrors the grandeur of Wigmore Hall itself. The prelude begins here.
Cuisine
Lightness & clarity
Japanese cooking — clean, precise, never heavy — is the ideal companion to an evening of music. Every dish is designed to energise, not overwhelm.
A better pre‑concert dining experience
There is always a temptation to choose the nearest possible table and call the job done. But Aki gives you more flexibility than the usual pre‑concert default. Instead of a standard pre‑theatre set menu, you get a Japanese kitchen that can move in different directions.
If you want something light, our sushi counter provides clean, precise sashimi and nigiri. If you want warmth and depth, the robata grill delivers wagyu gyoza and binchotan‑fired black cod. You choose the rhythm of the meal, and we ensure it is delivered with the discipline required before a performance.
Four ways to build your Wigmore Hall evening
Not every concert night asks for the same thing. Some call for a quick, elegant dinner. Some deserve a longer tasting menu. Some end with a desire for one more drink in a darker room. At Aki, all four are easily arranged.
Pre‑Concert Dinner
The quick pre‑concert supper
À la carte from £8
A polished meal before a 7.30pm curtain. Sample your evening:
- To start: Miso soup £5 | Spinach salad, Tokyo turnips £12
- Sushi & sashimi: Scottish salmon nigiri £9.50 | Hamachi sashimi £14.50
- Robata grill: Caramelised black cod £32 | Wagyu beef gyoza £18
- Small plates: Rock shrimp tempura £16 | Crispy skin salmon £19
Best for: When you want a composed, relaxed meal without missing a note.
Full Experience
The Aki Signature Menu
£75 – £95
£75 on Thursdays | £95 on other days
Nine courses that turn dinner into a performance of its own. A typical journey:
- Omakase sashimi, chef’s selection
- Edomae nigiri, warm akasu‑seasoned rice
- Koji den miso black cod, binchotan charcoal
- A4 Japanese Miyazaki sirloin
- Autumn miso soup, myoga, mitsuba
- Hokkaido millefeuille, soba cha, vanilla ganache
Best for: Nights when dinner deserves equal billing with the concert.
Post‑Concert
The post‑concert nightcap
Cocktails from £14
When you’re not quite ready for the evening to end. Kiyori’s underground vault bar offers:
- Cocktails: Rising Sun (green tea ice cube, whisky, yuzu) £16 | Midori no Michi (matcha ice ball, shiso, vodka) £15 | Hana Fubuki (blossom shrub, elderflower soda, alcohol‑free) £12
- Japanese whisky: Nikka from the Barrel £14 | Suntory Toki £12
- Sake & umeshu: Junmai Daiginjo £15/glass | Umeshu on the rocks £9
A restaurant near Wigmore Hall should not only solve dinner. It should also know what to do with the rest of the night.
Best for: The afterglow of a concert, when one more drink is the only sensible decision.
Special Occasion
Private dining & bespoke events
Contact us for pricing
For a milestone concert, a birthday, or an anniversary, make the entire evening your own.
- Exclusive use of The Atrium or private dining room
- Bespoke menu designed with our head chef
- Pre‑ and post‑concert cocktails in Kiyori
- Wine and Champagne pairings from our cellar
- Dedicated events team — from enquiry to execution
Best for: When the occasion deserves as much attention as the music.
A Japanese restaurant worthy of the programme
Wigmore Hall gives you one of London’s most treasured musical settings. The restaurant around it should rise to the same standard. Aki offers the short walk, the right pace, and the kind of Japanese dining that makes the evening feel complete rather than conveniently assembled. From a quick pre‑concert supper to a nine‑course tasting menu, every option is tuned to the rhythm of a concert night.
Aki’s pre‑concert dining, just four minutes from Wigmore Hall, brings together refined Japanese cooking, a stunning former banking hall, and a hidden vault bar for post‑concert cocktails. It is the restaurant near Wigmore Hall that respects both the clock and the occasion. Aki at 1 Cavendish Square, Marylebone, welcomes concert‑goers throughout the season.
Aki is a contemporary Japanese restaurant at 1 Cavendish Square, Marylebone, London W1G 0LA, a four‑minute walk from Wigmore Hall. Open Thursday to Saturday from 12pm to 2am, and Sunday to Wednesday from 12pm to 11pm. Dinner is served daily from 5.30pm, with last orders at 10pm. Advance booking is recommended, particularly on concert nights — reserve your pre‑concert table at Aki online.
Reserve Your Table
Authentic Japanese dining, four minutes from Wigmore Hall
Warm Edomae rice, fresh wasabi, 30‑year soya, and omakase that respects the craft. Every piece prepared to order at 1 Cavendish Square, Marylebone.
Frequently asked questions about dining near Wigmore Hall
Everything you need to know before your concert night in Marylebone
How far is Aki from Wigmore Hall?
Aki is a four‑minute walk from Wigmore Hall. Step out onto Wigmore Street, walk west towards Cavendish Square, and you are there. The route is direct, well‑lit, and takes you through one of Marylebone’s most elegant stretches — no taxi, no tube, no rush.
What time should I book dinner before a 7.30pm concert?
We recommend booking between 5.30pm and 6.00pm for a comfortable, paced meal before a 7.30pm curtain. This gives you time for two or three courses without feeling rushed, and the four‑minute walk means you will be in your seat with time to spare. Let us know you are attending a concert when you book, and the team will ensure the pacing matches your schedule.
What is the best menu for a pre‑concert dinner?
For a lighter pre‑concert meal, the à la carte menu (from £8) allows you to build a quick, elegant dinner — miso soup, a few pieces of nigiri or sashimi, and one hot dish from the robata. For those who want to make the meal the main event, the Signature Menu (£95, or £75 on Thursdays) offers nine courses and works best with a 5.30pm start. Either way, the kitchen moves at your pace.
Is there a pre‑theatre set menu at Aki?
Aki does not offer a fixed pre‑theatre menu. Instead, the full à la carte menu is available, giving you more flexibility than the usual pre‑concert default. Choose exactly what you want — from a single plate of sashimi to a full robata dinner — and the kitchen will ensure it arrives with the discipline required before a performance.
Can I have a drink at Kiyori after the concert?
Yes. Kiyori, Aki’s subterranean cocktail lounge in the original bank vaults, is open Thursday to Saturday until late — ideal for a post‑concert nightcap. The cocktail menu spans yuzu‑led serves, Japanese whisky from Nikka and Suntory, sake, and umeshu. No separate reservation is needed; simply walk downstairs after the applause. Discover Kiyori.
What if I am attending a matinee at Wigmore Hall?
Aki is open from 12pm daily, making it equally suited to a pre‑matinee lunch or a post‑matinee dinner. For a 1pm matinee, book at 12pm for a relaxed single course. For a post‑matinee meal, arrive after the performance and take your time — the dining room remains open through the afternoon.
Does Aki accommodate dietary requirements?
Yes. Vegetarian, vegan, halal, and gluten‑free options are available across the menu. Please inform us of any dietary requirements when you book, and the kitchen will ensure your pre‑concert meal is seamless.
How do I book a table at Aki before a concert?
Tables can be reserved directly through our website. We recommend booking at least two to three weeks ahead for concert nights, particularly during Wigmore Hall’s busy seasons. Mention the concert in your booking notes so the team can ensure the pacing matches your schedule. Reserve your pre‑concert table online.
