Celebrate International Whisky Day 2026 with Adventurous Drinking and Dining!
I recently had the pleasure of a unique dining experience in London, tied up with a flight of Japanese whisky. It reminded me that you don’t need to get on a plane for a cultural world whisky experience. Which is handy, seeing as International Whisky Day 2026 is upon us!
If you’re feeling flush and after a unique, high-end dining experience in London, followed by a menu of tantalising Japanese drams, Luna Omakase is a good place to visit.
Hidden inside a cocoon-like room within the mothership that is Los Mochi (an awe-inspiringly huge, bustling high-end Mexican/Japanese fusion restaurant), it’s a place of tranquillity, innovative food, and an impressive cart of Japanese whisky…
The chefs prepare sustainably sourced, seasonal ingredients
Omakase, Dreamies, and a Hibiki Highball
Omakase means “I leave it up to you“. You place your trust in the chef to curate each course, using fresh, seasonal ingredients to guide you on a culinary journey. It’s designed to be an intimate experience. Just 12 seats face inward towards the chefs who prepare the food in front of you, describing every ingredient and process, gently guiding you on how to eat it, and tastefully making use of a touch of dry ice and red-hot charcoal along the way.
It’s a demonstration of precision, skill, and performance, delivering hybrids of both traditional and modern sushi.
Put simply, you sit back and watch, and get gently and perfectly fuller, as a Japanese chef hands you delicious mouthfuls of food until you reach a state of serenity. I reckon it’s how my cat feels when I stroke his tummy and feed him Dreamies. After a Hibiki Highball on arrival, there was a choice between a Sake or a Japanese wine pairing menu, with expert sommelier guidance between courses.
Yes, that is a box of smouldering charcoal, used to sear the fatty fish.
Why let the sensation stop at dessert?
What can I say? It’s an incredible experience if you’re an adventurous diner and have the budget for the finer things. I don’t want to give away every detail, because if you do ever have the fortune of finding yourself there, it’s great to immerse yourself fully in the whole thing. Also, this is a drinks blog, not a restaurant review. Though, as a neat crossover, we were served a mezcal chocolate truffle as a prequel to dessert. And it was delightful. Where do I get more of those?
So how did I find myself nine floors up in the City of London eating some of the most unique and fancy food in my life? I was very kindly invited to take a look at the restaurant’s Japanese whisky cart! Why let the sensation stop at dessert? We were served a flight of three – Nikka’s Myagikyo single malt, Mars Komagatake Shinshu Ageing 2022 Edition, and Ichiro’s Malt Double Distilleries 2021. A splendid wrap-up, but if you’re feeling even more luxurious, the likes of Yamazaki 18, Hakushu 18, and Hibiki 21 are also on the menu.
While this is certainly a high-end experience, there are plenty of ways to explore world whisky around the city for all kinds of budgets. Dining inevitably adds to the cost, but when done well, it can make the experience all the more memorable.
They have all the features at Luna Omakase
International Whisky Day 2026 dream tour of London
Where else might feature on a dream world whisky tour of London (and beyond?), and where would you recommend, dear reader? Here are some ideas to get the ball rolling. Comment with yours below.
Coupette Bethnal Green. This award-winning cocktail bar offers an extensive range of Calvados, as well as a French whisky tasting flight!
Buffalo Trace London. Did you know the Kentucky legend has a location in Covent Garden, offering tasting courses for every budget, and a wild array of merch in the gift shop?
Sexy Fish. Nowhere does Japanese whisky quite like Sexy Fish. The bar claims to have the world’s biggest Japanese whisky collection, with classic and inventive cocktails to boot.
Salt Whisky Bar and Dining Room. An Indian restaurant and whisky bar? It’s like somebody broke into our brain…
The Sun Tavern. The people of Bethnal Green are spoiled with all these choices. This neighbourhood bar claims to offer the largest selection of Irish whiskey in London.
The Melody Whisky Bar. Over 600 whiskies from around the world, and a hotel above to sleep it all off afterwards.
FlipDog Old Street. Try something a little different! How about a flip-style cocktail, inspired by a cuppa Joe, warmed with a red-hot poker, and including toasted sesame Buffalo Trace bourbon?!
