Kibou Oxford brings a fresh take on Japanese dining with bold flavours, beautiful presentation, and a lively atmosphere.

Known for its sushi, ramen, and izakaya-style small plates, it’s a go-to spot for Japanese cuisine lovers. But what happens when you take the traditional British afternoon tea and give it a Kibou twist? You get sushi instead of finger sandwiches, mochi in place of scones, and a visually stunning three-tiered feast.

A few weeks ago, I had the chance to try it out…

The tiered stand sticks to classic afternoon tea aesthetics, but the contents are anything but traditional. Delicate sushi rolls and sashimi replaced the usual dainty sandwiches, offering fresh, high-quality bites packed with flavour. The sushi was fresh and well-balanced.

For the sweet selection, we indulged in fluffy Japanese pancakes and delicate mochi.

The mochi was soft, chewy, and delicious, but a word of advice: eat it quickly before it starts to melt and gets too soft! The pancakes, light and airy, were a delightful treat and a welcome departure from the heavier scones you’d find in a standard afternoon tea.

We couldn’t resist ordering an extra dish, the Wagyu bites (dressed Wagyu with aburi sauce and enoki mushrooms on a nori crisp), and wow. Crispy, crunchy, and bursting with umami. Honestly, I could have eaten 40 more.

While the experience was enjoyable and the food beautifully presented, the portion sizes weren’t quite up to scratch in my opinion.

Priced between £29 and £38 (depending on whether you opt for tea, cocktails, champagne, or sake), with the vegetarian version being slightly cheaper, we didn’t feel particularly full by the end and think a slight tweak in portioning—perhaps more sushi per person—would have made a big difference.

Final verdict?

A nice take on afternoon tea that’s perfect for those who love Japanese flavours and want to try something different. But if you’re looking for a filling feast, you might want to add a few extra dishes on the side which will rack up the bill.

Kibou Oxford
11-12 Little Clarendon St, Oxford OX1 2HP

Bitten were invited as guests, all views are our own