The weather might not feel like it, but spring is on its way – which means soon, the city will be blooming in cherry blossom. These pretty petals (known as sakura in Japan) begin to pop up around April time, though sometimes as early as March, transforming our parks and green spaces into pink horticultural havens. But it’s not all about the outdoors: many London restaurants also get in on the sakura fun by transforming their interiors with cherry blossom and launching special menus. Japanese eateries in particular tend to go big, as sakura season is especially important in Japan: the meteorological office has a service dedicated to forecasting the first blooms, and festivals are held across the country. There’s even a name for the act of enjoying them: hanami, which translates to ‘flower viewing’.

Sakura Season: 4 Cherry Blossom-Filled Restaurants For Spring

KOYN

This Japanese restaurant has been a big hit since launching in Mayfair a few months ago, in part thanks to its beautiful interiors – which have just got even prettier. Founder Samyukta Nair has curated a window display of images from photographer Rohan Shrestha, which capture Kyoto during cherry blossom season. The light from these floods through the windows, casting a pink glow across the dining room. Alongside this, executive chef Rhys Cattermoul has created Hanami Hako: an oak chest filled with artisanal ceramic vessels, featuring six dishes such as Chilean sea bass with kuromame miso, and Japanese A5 wagyu with cherry nakitori.

38 Grosvenor St, London W1K 4QA, koynrestaurants.com

Tattu

Glitzy Manchester import Tattu is renowned for its Instagrammable aesthetic, so of course it’s getting involved with sakura season. From next week, the London outpost’s newly installed illuminated white cherry blossom trees will adorn the venue’s central courtyard and rooftop bar, and the following week (28 March) the restaurant will introduce a new spring/summer menu. This will herald the beginning of the new season with dishes like Tuna Sashimi Flower, a mix of nori, sesame and wasabi mayo, and Red Snapper Tom Yum, infused with lemongrass, kaffir and lime. There will also be a limited edition cocktail on offer: the Ruby Rose Fizz, made with cherry blossom Everleaf Mountain, yuzu and Laurent-Perrier Rosé.

The Now Building Rooftop, Outernet, Denmark St, London WC2H 0LA, tattu.co.uk

Aqua Kyoto

The Japanese outpost of the Aqua restaurant group, Aqua Kyoto, set on the fifth floor of the former Dickens & Jones building on Argyll Street, has launched a special sakura season menu. This includes a Sakura Roll starter: four pieces of maki featuring blue prawn, avocado and Morello cherry jelly, with a shiso leaf dressing, alongside a pan-fried duck breast main served in a sour cherry teriyaki sauce, and a cherry blossom vermouth cake for dessert. All this can be accompanied by a limited edition In Bloom cocktail: Kokoro Cherry Blossom Gin Liqueur mixed with Mancino Sakura Vermouth and prosecco. The cherry on the cake (pun intended)? Visitors will be presented with a guide teaching them how to create pale pink origami hearts as a memento.

5th Floor 240 Regent Street, (Entrance 30 Argyll St) W1F 7EB, London W1B 3BR, aquakyoto.co.uk

ROKA Charlotte Street

Year-round, you can find a cherry blossom haven hidden beneath Japanese restaurant ROKA on Charlotte Street. The Shochu Lounge serves innovative cocktails alongside the full ROKA dining menu, set beneath a canopy of cherry blossom with pink art lining the walls. Enjoy tipples like the Awa Martini (made with Haku vodka, bergamot liqueur and shiso oil) alongside sushi, sashimi and robata grills.

37 Charlotte St., London W1T 1RR, rokarestaurant.com