Chef Santiago Lastra’s London-based restaurant KOL has climbed 50 places to No 23 in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2023 – the first time KOL has entered the top 50 and this marks the highest position on the international list of any UK restaurant.
Originally from Mexico, Chef Santiago has created strong, bold menus that celebrate his homeland’s rich cultural tastes, aromas, and textures with meticulously sourced seasonal produce from the British Isles. KOL embodies contemporary gastronomy and the belief that ‘the simplest ingredients can be made extraordinary if you believe in them.’Chef Santiago Lastra says, ‘It is an honour for the team to be recognised on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list; we are so grateful for all the support. The source of our inspiration is and remains the beauty found in Mexico’s people and rich culture. It influences how we create food every day. I would also like to thank our wonderful British farmers, foragers, producers and the wider community. You have helped make KOL our home.’
London restaurant Ikoyi has been voted number 35 – a climb of 14 places – in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list at the annual ceremony which this year took place in Valencia, Spain.
Ikoyi is the brainchild of childhood friends Chef Jeremy Chan and Business Partner Iré Hassan-Odukale. Since opening in 2017, Ikoyi has distinguished itself as a pioneering restaurant for its bold use of flavour, creating new and original ingredient combinations with an indefinable style that has forged a new culinary narrative.Chef Jeremy Chan says: “It’s a huge honour for the entire team to be recognised on the list with this new position. I’d like to thank everyone for their continued support and voting for us.”
The annual World’s 50 Best Restaurant list is globally recognised as a gastronomic reference point created from opinions and experiences of 1,080 international industry experts, to showcase trends and great restaurants across the globe.
