Sorry, you need to enable JavaScript to visit this website.
Chef Santiago Lastra and the London skyline.

Photo: iStock and Maureen Evans

Santiago Lastra’s guide to London’s best tasting menus

The Kol chef shares his favourite restaurants for a tasting menu experience in the UK capital.

The tasting menu is an art form and a complicated business model. Only a few restaurants have opened in the last few years with exclusively tasting menu offerings. However, I believe this format is one that we should embrace and support. London is a melting pot of cultures, and you can find tasting menus featuring food from all around the world while focusing on highlighting the best local produce available.

Here are some of my favourite restaurants where I have spent my special occasions in the last few years.

A. Wong

Amazing representation of best-in-class Chinese fine dining, with the best dim sum I’ve ever tried.

A. Wong Chengdu street tofu, soy.

A. Wong. Photo by James Gillies

Ikoyi

This is a beautiful restaurant. Jeremy uses very creative flavour combinations that will always surprise and inspire you. The sake pairing is unbelievable.

Ikoyi dining room

Ikoyi. Photo by Irina Boersma

The Clove Club

One of the biggest references [for] British cuisine, located in the heart of Shoreditch. Chef Isaac from Scotland brings dishes inspired by his home to the table in a very fun and contemporary way. I’d suggest having the wine pairing.

The Clove Club Raw Orkney Scall

The Clove Club. Photo by Anton Rodriguez

Endo at the Rotunda

This beautiful restaurant has a gorgeous omakase bar at the top of the Television Centre. If you’re in London, you can’t miss this delicious and fun menu. Please try the sake!

Chef Endo Kazutoshi.

Chef Endo Kazutoshi. Photo by Rebecca Dickson

The Ledbury

Australian chef Brett [Graham] created an institution for fine-dining restaurants in London, particularly because of the precise way he works with game. He’s a reference for the ‘role of a chef outside the restaurant,’ focusing on farming and foraging.

Dining Room at The Ledbury in London.

The Ledbury. Photo by Justin De Souza

Mauro Colagreco at Raffles London at The OWO

Mauro Colagreco brings some of his incredible food straight from Mirazur to the city, seen through a British lens, focusing on the best seasonal ingredients.

A radish dish at Mauro Colagreco at Raffles.

Mauro Colagreco at Raffles. Photo by Justin De Souza

Kitchen Table

Chef James Knappett creates creative and surprising food, offering an immersive experience in a wonderful location. The restaurant focuses on the best seafood in the country.

A tomato dish at Kitchen Table in London.

Kitchen Table. Photo by Marcus Cobden

Hélène Darroze at The Connaught

Hélène Darroze creates a beautiful atmosphere in her restaurant, balancing luxury and warm hospitality. She makes you feel at home as soon as you go in. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate French and British cuisine than in her restaurant.

A lamb dish at Hélène Darroze at The Connaught.

Hélène Darroze at The Connaught. Photo by Justin De Souza

Lyle's

Chef James Lowe is one of the most talented British chefs and a leader in the new British cuisine movement. He creates some of the most elegant dishes by working with small farms around the UK.

Aulis

Very innovative food, being the test kitchen of Simon Rogan. I highly recommend this beautiful chef’s table counter restaurant.

Strawberries and cream at Aulis in London.

Courtesy of Aulis

More from this author

Join the community
Badge
Join us for unlimited access to the very best of Fine Dining Lovers