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

Chef Santiago Lastra and the London skyline.

iStock/Maureen Evans

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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.

BYSantiago Lastra ,

Chef

09 September, 2024

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

_{James Gillies}

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

Ikoyi

_{Irina Boersma}

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

The Clove Club

_{Anton Rodriguez}

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.

Endo at the Rotunda

_{Photo by Rebecca Dickson}

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!

The Ledbury

_{Justin De Souza}

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.

Mauro Colagreco at Raffles London at The OWO

A radish dish at Mauro Colagreco in London.

_{Justin De Souza}

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.

Kitchen Table

_{Marcus Cobden}

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.

Hélène Darroze at The Connaught

_{Justin De Souza}

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.

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.