Kol
No.49 World's 50 Best 2025 — elite chef
Veronica's Take
Kol, the Santiago Lastra-helmed restaurant that just cracked the World's 50 Best list at No.49 for 2025, is redefining Mexican cuisine in the UK with a bold, umami-rich twist. Since its 2020 launch, Lastra has been on a mission to source predominantly local ingredients while keeping his signature langoustine taco—a pre-assembled masterpiece with a separate crustacea head for squeezing—a constant on his ever-evolving tasting menu. This dish alone is worth the pilgrimage to London, where diners are treated to an unapologetic burst of Mexican flavors anchored in British terroir.
kol.restaurant Santiago Lastra launched Kol in late 2020 with a vision to produce authentic Mexican food using predominantly UK ingredients. On the ever-evolving tasting menu, Lastra’s signature langoustine taco has been the only mainstay since launch. The taco arrives pre-assembled, with the crustacea head served separately, designed to be squeezed for added umami depth.
Key Facts
The people behind Kol
Santiago Lastra
profileChef
Launched Kol in London in late 2020 (No.49, World's 50 Best Restaurants 2025), cooking authentic Mexican food from predominantly UK ingredients. His langoustine taco is the menu's only mainstay since launch.
Links
Browse by discipline
More masters worth your time
Quintonil
Where Mexico City eats when it wants to remember what Mexico tastes like
Tora
Madrid's best Japanese meal, with no passport required
Atelier Crenn
The first US restaurant led by a female chef to earn three Michelin stars
Le Bernardin
Le Bernardin by Eric Ripert | Home
Want discoveries like this in your inbox every morning?
One master of craft. Every morning. Chosen by someone with actual standards and zero patience for the mediocre. Free forever, unsubscribe whenever.