Tucked along the polished stretch of Draycott Avenue, Kino feels exactly like the kind of place Chelsea locals want to keep to themselves. Calm, elegant and quietly confident, it has the sort of understated glamour that makes a long lunch drift effortlessly into cocktails and dinner. But while it already has neighbourhood favourite written all over it, this is very much a restaurant worth crossing London for.
At the centre of it all is Chef Pavel Baranovs, whose cooking brings together Japanese precision with subtle European and Eastern European influences. Latvian-born and shaped by years of culinary exploration, Baranovs spent extensive time travelling through Japan before opening Kino, and that experience runs through the menu in a way that feels deeply personal rather than performative. His style is all about restraint, balance and clarity — bold flavours, but never overworked. Every dish arrives looking impossibly refined, yet nothing feels fussy.
Kino’s interiors mirror that same philosophy. Soft lighting, natural stone, timber and tactile textures create a space that feels serene without ever veering into cold minimalism. There’s warmth here, both in the room and on the plate. It is polished, yes, but also inviting — the sort of restaurant where a spontaneous midweek dinner can unexpectedly turn into a three-hour evening.
The menu has quickly developed a loyal following, particularly for dishes like the Imperial black cod glazed in sweet yuzu miso, which regulars rave about for its buttery texture and delicate citrus finish. The Wagyu udon soup has also become something of a signature: deeply comforting, rich with umami and layered with bamboo shoots, shiitake and spring onion. Then there’s the beautifully precise nigiri and sashimi selection, alongside more playful creations like the tapioca marshmallow with shio konbu and furikake.
Desserts deserve equal attention. The matcha tiramisu with Suntory whisky has already become one of those “you have to order it” dishes. Kino doesn’t shout for attention. It simply gets everything right.
Kino
96 Draycott Avenue
London SW3 3AD
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