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KINO RESTAURANT OPENS IN SOUTH KENSINGTON WITH A BOLD NEW VISION OF MODERN JAPANESE CUISINE

Kino, a modern new Japanese restaurant has officially opened on Draycott Avenue in South Kensington, bringing a refined and contemporary culinary approach to one of London’s most elegant neighbourhoods. Helmed by Chef Pavel Baranovs, the 70 seat restaurant presents a seasonally influenced menu that fuses traditional Japanese cooking with locally sourced ingredients and a subtle European sensibility.

Taking its name from the natural world derived from an ancient word for wood, Kino is built on the values of warmth, simplicity, and craftsmanship, defined by clarity and composure. Rooted in modern Japanese cuisine, Kino’s culinary identity is refined through global — particularly Western — influences and shaped by subtle Eastern European undertones. Shaped by Chef Pavel’s extended journey through Japan last year, Kino is the culmination of years of exploration, discipline and curiosity, manifesting a menu that’s thoughtful, understated and refined, with balanced flavours and elegant presentation.

Seasonality plays a central role in shaping the menu, with ingredients selected at their peak to deliver maximum flavour, aroma and colour. Provenance and ethical sourcing underpin every dish, alongside a strong focus on fermentation and head-to-tail cooking, reflecting both Japanese culinary tradition and a modern, responsible approach to cooking. Barley miso, kimchi, yuzu, spring onion and bluefin tuna are recurring building blocks, used with intention and respect for their origins.

Highlights include Wagyu Udon Soup with noodles, bamboo shoots, spring onion and shiitake; Tapioca Marshmallow with shio konbu, ocopa cream and furikake; an extensive selection of delicately prepared nigiri and sashimi; Imperial Black Cod glazed in sweet yuzu miso with a bright citrus finish; and Australian Wagyu Sirloin (BMS 8–9) served with caramelised onion purée. Desserts are generous and playful, featuring Matcha Tiramisu with Suntory whisky and matcha ladyfingers, Yuzu Cheesecake with yuzu curd and winter fruits, and a light, rotating selection of handcrafted mochi in seasonal flavours.

Chef Pavel Baranovs said: “Kino is about clarity and intention. I wanted to create a place where Japanese technique meets a broader, more personal point of view, where flavour is bold but controlled, and every ingredient is used with respect. It’s about stripping things back, focusing on seasonality, fermentation and provenance, and letting the food speak for itself.”

Designed by Studio APAA, Kino’s interior is conceived as a calm and immersive space defined by a subtle tactility. The aesthetic draws on a refined dialogue between Japanese minimalism and European warmth, using a palette of natural materials including timber, textured plaster, stone and dark metal accents. Soft architectural curves, low lighting and carefully proportioned seating create a sense of intimacy and flow, whilst custom joinery, antique furnishings and subtle detailing emphasise craftsmanship. The vision is one of understated elegance, offering a timeless dining room shaped by material honesty, spatial clarity and quiet confidence.

Kino is located at 96 Draycott Avenue, London, open Monday – Saturday from 12:00–15:00 / 18:00–23:00 and on Sunday from 12:00–16:00.

For more information, please visit @kino_london. To make a reservation, please visit: https://www.opentable.com/r/kino-london.