Why ROKA Mayfair Is The CF Team's Favourite Lunchtime Spot

Just a three-minute walk from the CF office, ROKA Mayfair has become one of the team’s favourite lunchtime haunts. And who can blame us when the menu consists of delicious Japanese dishes including robatayaki, sushi and sashimi.

We’ve visited so many times, in fact, that we each have our order down to an art. For some it’s the black cod with a yuzu miso that hits the spot each time, for others its the chilli-coated dumplings, the Korean-spiced lamb, the lemon, miso and garlic baby chicken, or the sesame-dressed spinach.

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In even better news: right now, ROKA are offering a few special menus: make mum happy by booking a Mother’s Day surprise filled with items off their Tasting or Premium menus (sashimi plates, dumplings, baby chicken and dessert included, available 15 March 2026). Or if, like us, you’re looking for a quick-but-tasty lunch in between meetings, it’s the Donburi Express Lunch Menu filled with robata favourites that hits the spot. See you there?

Sheena Bhattessa, Founder

@sheenabhattessa

“ROKA Mayfair is undeniably one of my favourite restaurants in London, its a frequent date night, and now our office neighbourhood joint. The food there just hits every time and it’s become the spot I always recommend to friends visiting the city. The vibe is lively, the lighting is perfect and it has just the right level of noise… but it’s the flavours that keep me coming back. I’m obsessed with the yellowtail sashimi with yuzu-truffle dressing, it’s impossibly fresh and silky, and that citrusy truffle touch just lifts it to another level. I always order the spinach leaves with sesame dressing too, you’ll be spooning up every last leaf. And the rock shrimp tempura? It’s perfectly crisp with a punchy chilli-mayo dip that makes it disappear way too fast. These are the dishes that sum up exactly why ROKA is my go-to in London”.

Roka Rock Shrimp Tempura

Katie Silcox, Managing Editor

@katiesilcox

“I’ve always been a big fan of robata-style food, and even more so since my last trip to Japan where I sat, fireside, watching the chefs grill meat, fish and vegetables before serving it straight to my plate. ROKA Mayfair’s robata selection is great across the board, but I particularly love the tiger prawn with a spicy miso butter, as well as the salmon fillet teriyaki with sansho salt. Better still, the latter is on their new Donburi Express Lunch Menu, served Monday to Friday from midday until 3pm. As ROKA Mayfair is just a few minutes’ walk from the CF office, this menu is set to be my new go-to.”

Roka’s Donburi Express Lunch Menu featuring the salmon fillet teriyaki with sansho salt. Image credit: Rusne-Draz

Becki Murray, Beauty & Wellness Director

@beckimurray

“What I’m most impressed by at ROKA is how amazingly attentive the whole team are to my dietary requirements. They explain the menu thoroughly, inform me of any of the sharing dishes I can’t eat (before suggesting my own special alternative), and genuinely make the whole experience worry-free as well as gluten-free. If I had to pick one stand-out dish, I’ll admit that I’m always dreaming about the black cod marinated in yuzu miso. From the ‘melt-in-your-mouth’ texture to the slightly tangy glaze, I can easily have at least two helpings!”

Roka Black Cod

Rachel Story, Style & Commerce Director

@rachelastory

“Japanese cuisine is always one of my favourites, and I love nothing more than a table filled with sharing plates so everyone can enjoy a myriad of flavours and explore as much of the menu as possible. At ROKA, there really are no dud dishes, but the sashimi plates truly stand out – like Sheena, I am obsessed with their yellowtail sashimi with yuzu-truffle dressing, which is an absolute must-order and a go-to of mine every time I dine at ROKA. The tiger prawn tempura is epic; they really know how to achieve that perfectly light yet crisp batter. And a new favourite of mine is the beef and ginger dumplings with a sticky dark soy dipping sauce. Unreal.”

Roka Sashimi Platter

Ella Alexander, Fashion Features Director

@ella_alexander1

“It always feels so special at ROKA, the food is always beautifully presented and the atmosphere is always great – lively but not in a way that negates conversation with your fellow diners. It’s hard to choose a favourite dish but the lamb cutlets with Korean spices is always such a highlight. I also love the crab, black cod and prawn dumplings coated in a roasted chilli dressing – it’s light, but so full of flavour.”

Roka lamb cutlets with Korean spices

Bibiana Obahor, Head Of Graphic Design

@bibs.s

“I love a ROKA lunch. The Mayfair spot feels like the perfect little neighbourhood nook in the middle of Mayfair where you can properly catch up with friends without ever feeling rushed. There’s a warmth to the hospitality and an all-embracing energy in the room that makes every visit feel like an occasion, even on a weekday. I’m completely obsessed with the baby chicken – it’s tender and very flavourful. With Mother’s Day around the corner, it’s also such a lovely spot to treat the special women in your life with a thoughtfully curated tasting menu for the occasion.”