Cockspur Street, St James's
Gouqi is a fine dining Chinese restaurant at 25–34 Cockspur Street, London SW1Y 5BN, in St James's. It is a short walk from Trafalgar Square, on the stretch between the square and the West End theatres. The kitchen is led by Chef Tong, and the menu draws on techniques and ingredients from across China, served to share.
The kitchen behind the room
Chef Tong trained in Singapore under Chef Chin Hon Yin, a master of Cantonese cuisine. He moved to London in 2001 to become Head Chef at Hakkasan, which won a Michelin star in the 2003 guide, the first Chinese restaurant in the UK to do so. He left the Hakkasan Group in 2019 as Executive Head Chef; under his leadership, Hakkasan, Yauatcha and HKK won Michelin stars. Gouqi marks his return to the London restaurant scene.
The name is a play on the goji berry, a symbol of health and vitality. Gouqi Island, where goji berries grew, is the second largest island in Shengsi County, Zhoushan City, and home to one of the best-preserved fishing villages. Service in the dining room is personalised silver service.
The dining room
The interior is refined and understated, with low lighting and artwork from six award-winning artists. Flower arrangements are by Botanique Workshop. There is ample banquette seating, and the main restaurant looks onto the kitchen. Beyond the main room there are three tables in a semi-private area and two private dining rooms, Crimson and Ruby. The virtual tour on the website shows the layout before you book.
What to order
The à la carte is built for a shared table. The Legendary Peking Duck with Oscietra caviar is carved tableside and served three ways; it needs 24 hours' notice. The steamed royal dim sum platter has eight types, with a vegetarian option. For a set meal, the menus page lists:
- The eight-course tasting menu, for a minimum of two, with an optional wine pairing
- Dim sum afternoon tea, for a minimum of two, ordered 24 hours ahead
- The dim sum set lunch and the three-course special
- The theatre menu, for an evening in the West End
- The festive menu, £88 per person, from 10 November to 30 December 2026
The chicken and the Peking duck are halal, not including the sauce. Vegetarian and gluten-free dishes are available. Tell the restaurant about allergies and dietary requirements when you book.
Berri Bar and the wine cellar
Berri Bar serves Asian-inspired signature cocktails. It seats 18: ten at the counter and eight at high tables, where the mixologists make the drinks in front of you. Bar Manager Jamie Rowe's cocktail programme is inspired by the four Chinese mythological creatures: the Azure Dragon of the East, the Vermilion Bird of the South, the White Tiger of the West and the Black Tortoise of the North. The wine cellar, overseen by the Head Sommelier, includes Chinese wines and goji wines.
Lunch, dinner and the theatre
Gouqi opens for lunch from 12:00 and dinner from 16:30, every day. The kitchen closes at 22:00 from Monday to Thursday and on Sunday, and at 22:30 on Friday and Saturday. The location makes it an easy lunch near Trafalgar Square, and an early dinner before a show; the theatre menu is the one designed for that timing.
Groups and private rooms
Crimson seats 12 and Ruby seats 10. The rooms connect, so together they seat 22, or hold about 40 for a standing reception. They are used for birthdays, family celebrations and corporate dinners. Private dining is arranged through the enquiry on the private dining page, with a 50% deposit of the minimum spend.
How to book
Reserve a table by phone, by email, or through OpenTable on the reservation page. Mention the Peking duck or afternoon tea when you book, since both need a day's notice.
Reserve on the reservation page, call 0203 771 8886, or email reservations@gouqi-restaurants.co.uk.