At the humbly named 8 is an izakaya rooftop bar with unparalleled views of the city. Many might not even be aware of its existence as it sits at the top floor of boutique hotel.

Hidden away from the visitors of Leicester Square, The Londoner has a bright and fine foyer design where two lifts take you directly to the 8th floor

The lift doors open to reveal dark tones, a bit like a Japanese machiya house, with jute rope knots along one wall adding a marine flair.

There is an outdoor terrace overlooking London and a courtyard area adorned in leafy greens with a fireplace as a centrepiece. Although under closer inspection I realise the greens are not actually live plants. Many establishments choose the plastic option for easier maintenance I suppose. 

As for the bar itself, 8 at the Londoner offers a Japanese inspired menu with a Latin American touch.

I spot all the well-known ingredients of Northeast Asia, with kumquat, shochu, yuzu and matcha in the cocktails menu.

My guest goes for the bar’s most ordered and featured, it can be seen in quite a few pictures online – Rose Martini.

It’s both a visually and flavourfully pleasing cocktail. Delicate rose tinted with vodka infused lychee and kumquat, mixed with rose wine and more lychee from the Kwai Feh, its floral but not overpowering.

Served with a little pink flower branch of Baby’s Breath for an extra decadent touch.

As a matcha fan I can’t resist a cocktail of the same name. Like the tea it comes in a small tea cup with Haku vodka and shochu blend, matcha, Martini Ambrato, black and white chocolate wash.

It’s a great cocktail, although I was hesitant at first because of the white chocolate. As it’s a wash, there isn’t actually chocolate in it per se just traces and with beautiful lingering cocoa aroma.

Same goes for matcha, just a fresh green hint. Even in colour it’s a slightly translucent fresh green, very easy drinking and light.

8 at the Londoner also do food, bar nibbles and robata style grill. First it’s the raw dishes from the Signatures sea bass carpaccio with Fuji apple, citrus and black sea salt.

Beautifully presented like a flower it’s sadly lacking flavour.

But the recovery is quick with the second dish – the must have black cod. It’s a decent portion too, we anticipated a smaller portion for an establishment like this.

Served with almost a soup amount of the shiso salsa sauce and a spoon perhaps for serving, enjoying the sauce/ soup or basting the cod.

Not that you need to as it’s beautifully flaky and moist with surprise bits of spice from the cubed slices of red pepper.

We also indulge in beef gyoza tacos, also from the robata grill. They’re interesting looking with bubbling taco shells something that’s normally achieved when gyozas are deep fried.

Topped with seared beef and truffle chilli. The tacos come in three and can be ordered with wagyu beef or lobster filling.

To follow is another much needed carb – king prawns wrapped in crispy filo pastry. Crisp vermicelli-like wrapping makes the three prawns look gigantic and the wasabi mayonnaise complements them well.

The black cod and prawns are our favorite today for sure. Our second round of cocktails consist of the classical old fashioned for my guest served in an ornamental glass. I love the glass so it has to be mentioned.

Mine is a Margarita and it comes in a tall cocktail with Patrón Añejo tequila, darjeeling & jasmine, lime, Cointreau Noir, yuzu kosho & timur pepper syrup.

Like Matcha it’s easy drinking and light, the tequila flavour is almost absent, instead Darjeeling and jasmine are the dominating yet soft notes. It’s almost like drinking a quality loose tea with an alcohol kick.

You won’t get full up at the 8 at the Londoner but the views and masterly crafted cocktails are well worth a visit when in the area.

8 at the Londoner, 38 Leicester Square, London WC2H 7DX