The London restaurant uses traditional Mexican techniques but almost exclusively British seasonal ingredients. This leads to creative substitutes, such as using sea buckthorn instead of lime for acidity
Many people look for a nice restaurant to go to to treat themselves to a tasty meal on a weekend, and if you fancy something high-end, then you may want to listen up. KOL is an upscale Mexican restaurant in Marylebone, London that focuses on a “Mexican soul, British ingredients” philosophy. Led by Chef Patron Santiago Lastra, who previously managed the Noma Mexico pop-up, it is currently the only Mexican restaurant in the UK to hold a Michelin Star.
The kitchen uses traditional Mexican techniques but almost exclusively British seasonal ingredients. This leads to creative substitutes, such as using sea buckthorn instead of lime for acidity.
Dining is primarily through a multi-course tasting menu, with a choice of two sharing mains—often carnitas (confit pork cheek) or grilled octopus.
The langoustine taco is widely considered the standout dish, served with smoked chilli and sea buckthorn.
The restaurant also has a dedicated bar that specialises in agave spirits and serves Mexican street food-inspired snacks (antojitos).
One Instagram influencer, known as ‘Hand Luggage Only’, shared their experience of visiting the restaurant in a post which has since gone viral.
A reel saw them show the inside of the restaurant while enjoying the food as overlay text read, ‘This is the only Michelin star Mexican restaurant in the UK. It is ranked the 17th best restaurant in the world.’
They said they tried the 11-course tasting menu, which costs £145 per person. This started with a “comforting” chilpachole (traditional, thick seafood soup), which was built on chipotle and layered chillies.
Next was a “theatrical” beef short rib quesadilla, which was wrapped around the bone itself, which was enriched with truffles, cep puree, plum salsa and xnipec, where “richness met brightness in every bite”.
There was then a “beautifully balanced” ceviche of hand dived scallop and Beluga caviar, lifted with horseradish, rhubarb, lovage and sea lettuce that “felt sharp, clean, and quietly luxurious”.
Other courses includes tacos filled with Isle of Skye langoustine, Wagyu huarache, and a mushroom pozole.
Meanwhile, among the desserts were a squash-based paleta in place of mango and crisp buneuelos served with Tunworth ice cream.
People were loving the post, with it racking up more than 5,000 likes.
One exclaimed: “Oh my God, I’m going next week, I’m so excited!”
While another added: “This looks so delicious!”
A third person who had been to the restaurant also said it was “one of their favourites”.
