Mano Mayfair: London’s ‘first real Brazilian Japanese fusion’ restaurant, and the trendiest new dining spot in the city

Are you looking for a new culinary experience that will blow you away with its rich combination of flavours and an inspired twist on international cuisine? If the answer’s yes, then book yourself a table at the trendy Mano Mayfair – the hottest new eatery in the capital.

Combining the vibrancy of Latin America, the unbridled glamour of late 1950s St Tropez and the hypnotic atmosphere of the world’s most iconic beach clubs, this exciting new dining spot is making waves amongst foodies in search of a mouth-watering menu with a difference. With tables getting booked up in advance, the moment you first glimpse the extraordinary Amazonian jungle exterior and al fresco dining terrace, it’s easy to see why.

Having opened its doors earlier this month in London’s most exclusive district, Mano is intent on disrupting the status quo, combining jaw-droppingly gorgeous interiors with some of London’s best DJs and a Brazilian-Japanese menu that brings the authentic tastes of São Paulo to your table.

Mano Mayfair interior — Mano is a very Mayfair kind of spot, channelling ‘the unbridled glamour of late 1960s St Tropez’ thanks to an ‘Amazonian jungle exterior’, a gold-plated ceiling and mirrored walls

Restaurants that promise the exceptional certainly aren’t rare in London, but Mano Mayfair is different. Balancing style with substance, it ticks all of the right boxes and then some – and founders Romain Fargette, who has owned restaurants, beach clubs and nightclubs on the French Riviera since he was 18, and entrepreneur Alexis Colletta, at the helm, have undoubtedly nailed this clever concept in order to bring something entirely unique to the city’s culinary scene.

Head chef Luciana Berry is, of course, a key piece in this impressive puzzle, taking the helm in the kitchen to dream up a creative and exciting menu that combines the finest flavours of both Brazil and Japan. Winner of Top Chef Brazil 2020 and a MasterChef: The Professionals semi-finalist, Luciana’s desire to import some Brazilian fieriness to Mayfair – but with a twist – aligns perfectly with Romain and Alexis’ vision, making them a match made in heaven and a force to be reckoned with on the city’s foodie circuit.

Starter at Mano Mayfair — Mano Mayfair has been dubbed ‘London’s first real Brazilian Japanese fusion restaurant’

Although Brazilian-Japanese fusion cuisine isn’t new to London, it has rarely been done with such a degree of authenticity, and it is precisely this that Mano Mayfair and its founders pride themselves on.

With São Paulo alone home to an estimated 1.9 million Nikkei (descendants of Japanese immigrants), the marriage of these two culinary powerhouses – think Latin American passion blended with Japanese practicality and efficiency – has been a long and fruitful one. Now, thanks to Luciana’s talents, the relationship is soaring to never-reached-before heights, and the results are really quite something.

At Mano Mayfair you won’t just find a menu of ‘tropical sushi’, but also a selection of dishes that could have come straight from Sao Paulo’s Liberdade district.

beef dish at Mano Mayfair — Smoked Picanha with Yakiniku sauce is Brazil’s national steak, hickory smoked with a traditional Japanese sauce

Designed by Luciana, and inspired by Romain’s experience, the menu consists of sharing plates spearheaded by the likes of Carne Seca Bun (dried beef in a home-made Brazilian bun); Smoked Picanha with Yakiniku Sauce (Brazil’s national steak, hickory smoked with a traditional Japanese sauce); Luciana’s signature Moqueca (Brazilian seafood stew with coconut milk and grilled sea bass) and Pudim (Brazilian crème caramel made with tapioca, salted miso caramel and Brazil nuts). The mouth-watering Atum Marinado – tuna tartare served with beer and squid ink tapioca cracker – is a highlight, and one of the most impressive dishes to try.

A carefully crafted cocktail selection using sake, cachaça, Brazilian mangos and other luscious tropical fruits makes for the perfect accompaniment to what is a vibrant and flavourful menu, and will instantly transport you to sunnier climes – even when it’s raining outside, as it often is in London.

But it’s not just the show-stopping menu and creative concept that sets Mano Mayfair apart from the crowd, the décor, too, is a sight to behold. It sets the scene for a memorable, all-round dining experience with its opulent golden ceiling, mirrored walls, luxurious hand-crafted furniture and dazzling bar resplendent with back-lit sake bottles.

pudding at Mano Mayfair — Although Brazilian-Japanese fusion cuisine isn’t new to London, it has rarely been done with such a degree of authenticity, and it is precisely this that Mano Mayfair and its founders pride themselves on

From Thursdays to Saturdays, deep house vibes and pulsating rhythms from the renowned DJs bring the restaurant to life. So much more than simply an eatery alone, Mano is a place to see and be seen, and a new and exclusive haunt you’ll want to get yourself down to this weekend and experience for yourself.

The first in a new collection of restaurants launching under the Madness Hospitality umbrella, which aims to put the fun back into fine dining, Mano Mayfair has certainly made an impact for all the right reasons.