South Kensington is the perfect destination if you want to explore some of London’s most famous museums with your kids. Little ones will be enchanted by the Natural History Museum, while older children may enjoy the Science Museum or the Victoria & Albert Museum.
After a day of discovery, you’ll likely be looking for a great place to eat, and my family and I have a favourite: Tombo, just a short walk from South Kensington tube station.
Today, DOYOUSPEAKLONDON invites you to join us as we step inside this charming Japanese café and discover what makes it so special!
Tombo Japanese Cafe: tiny, inviting space
Tombo is a compact, casual Japanese café and matcha bar with a relaxed, minimalist atmosphere right near South Kensington tube station. Perfect as a lunch stop after visiting the nearby museums.
The café has a small footprint and limited seating, so it can get busy during peak hours and you might have to wait for a table, especially at lunchtime and early evening.
Despite its size, it is cosy and authentic, with a friendly vibe and a focus on quality everyday Japanese food and tea rather than a formal dining experience.
An authentic Japanese food
For those who, like me and my kids, enjoy Japanese food, Tombo’s menu has something for everyone.
You’ll find fresh sushi and donburi rice bowls, comforting udon and ramen noodles, crispy katsu curry, hearty bento boxes, and colourful poké‑style sushi bowls, all made with quality ingredients and bold yet balanced flavours.
Alongside these savoury choices, there’s a lovely selection of sides and desserts to complete your meal.
Tombo’s Matcha bar
Tombo’s motto is to provide everyone with “Healthy eating accompanied by delicious & uplifting teas”.
So far, I’ve only sampled Tombo’s green teas, but I’m already planning to return to explore their full range of Matcha drinks. And it’s not just the teas that feature this vibrant ingredient, Tombo also offers a tempting selection of homemade desserts infused with matcha powder, each one utterly irresistible!
I hope you’ve enjoyed this post and found inspiration here. If you’re planning to visit Tombo, share your experience and opinion on DOYOUSPEAKLONDON!
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To go further:
Tombo Restaurant South Kensington: 29 Thurloe Place, SW7 2HQ
Website: http://tombocafe.com
