My Favourite Restaurants: Leonard Tanyag

One of the most influential restaurant groups in London, Leonard Tanyag has been leading the charge in Thesleff’s London kitchens since Lost Mochis Notting Hill opened in 2021. Since then, the brand has expanded to encompass Los Mochis London City and two premium omakase concepts, including LUNA Omakase, which seats just 12 diners for a 12-course experience that mimics the 12 full lunar cycles of the calendar year: birth, growth, change, and renewal.

On top of that, Tanyag has just opened a swanky new Mayfair spot MA/NA, inspired by longstanding Japanese technique and balance interpreted with modern London character. His guardianship is a key factor in the upward success of the group here in London. But while Tanyag doesn’t pick favourites (all Thesleff restaurants are his children), there’s one particular restaurant which takes up a special place in his heart: JUNO Omakase.

In our chat, Tanyag explains: ‘I always create dishes which are linked with my personality, linked with my memories. It reminds me of my childhood, of travel; it’s kind of like a history.’ JUNO is where Tanyag’s treasured visits to Oaxaca, and its cooking, ingredients, and dining culture, come into focus. Perhaps London’s smallest restaurant, seating just six guests at a time, and certainly its most intimate, JUNO delivers a 15-course menu combining Tanyag’s well-travelled Oaxacan education with years of experience in the top tier of Japanese hospitality.

Kicking off his career in Yamanashi, just west of Tokyo, Tanyag went on to work with award-winning global concepts - including Nobu, Okku and Zuma across Australia, Dubai and London - building a reputation for precision, exceptional Japanese-centred cooking, and leadership. The latter is evidenced during our chat, as LUNA's chefs appear at the doorway holding a massive tuna delivery, smiling and keen to show Tanyag the goods before carrying it on to its next destination.

You’ll find these themes across Tanyag’s favourite restaurants, from Marylebone spots rich in Oaxacan hospitality to time-honoured Japanese restaurants that know exactly what guests want.

Cavita, Marylebone

Leo Tanyag says: ‘Cavita is a restaurant I always enjoy returning to. It captures the warmth and generosity that great Mexican food is all about. Adriana Cavita has done an incredible job of creating a restaurant that feels authentic whilst still bringing something fresh to London's dining scene. Having spent so much of my career working with Mexican cuisine, I appreciate how difficult it is to honour tradition whilst creating something contemporary. One meal that stands out was sharing a selection of antojitos with friends and being reminded how food can bring people together so effortlessly. The food is vibrant, full of flavour and deeply rooted in tradition, but there's also a real sense of creativity throughout the menu. It's the kind of restaurant where you immediately relax, order more than you planned to and leave already thinking about what you'll have next time.’
Where: 60 Wigmore Street, W1U 2RZ
Book now: Cavita

KOL, Marylebone

Leo Tanyag says: ‘I love restaurants that challenge your expectations, and KOL does that brilliantly. Santiago Lastra has created something completely unique by combining Mexican techniques and flavours with the very best British ingredients. The first time I ate there, I was fascinated by how familiar and unfamiliar it felt at the same time. As a chef, I really admire that level of creativity and confidence. It reminded me of the best meals I've had whilst travelling in Mexico, where you're constantly discovering something new but still feel connected to the culture behind it. Every dish tells a story, but it never feels forced. That's incredibly difficult to achieve. It's one of those restaurants that leaves you inspired long after you've left the table and makes you think differently about what modern Mexican cuisine can be.’
Where: 9 Seymour Street, W1H 7BA
Book now: KOL

Mazi, Notting Hill

Leo Tanyag says: ‘Mazi is one of those restaurants that reminds you just how powerful genuine hospitality can be. It has all the ingredients of a great neighbourhood restaurant – a welcoming atmosphere, consistently excellent food and a team that makes you feel at home. What I love most is that it reminds me of the tavernas in Greece, where meals are never rushed and the focus is always on sharing food with family and friends. The sharing style of dining encourages conversation and connection, which is something I really value. Every time I visit, the room feels full of energy without being overwhelming. It's the sort of place you wish you had on your doorstep and the kind of restaurant that keeps people coming back year after year.’
Where: 12-14 Hillgate Street, W8 7SR
Book now: Mazi

SUMI, Notting Hill

Leo Tanyag says: ‘What I love about SUMI is its restraint. In hospitality and cooking there's often a temptation to do more, but SUMI is a great example of how powerful simplicity can be when it's executed perfectly. The quality of the ingredients is exceptional and every detail feels considered. It reminds me of many of the smaller restaurants I visited while travelling through Japan, where the focus is entirely on craftsmanship and consistency. I still remember sitting at the counter watching the chefs work with such precision and care. There is something incredibly calming about that experience. It's understated, elegant and confident enough not to rely on unnecessary theatre. Every visit reinforces the idea that great cooking is often about knowing what to leave out rather than what to add.’
Where: 157 Westbourne Grove, W11 2RS
Book now: SUMI

ROKA Charlotte Street, Fitzrovia

Leo Tanyag says: ‘ROKA is a restaurant I've admired for many years because it consistently delivers exactly what guests want. I remember some of my earliest visits to London restaurants that combined great food with genuine atmosphere and ROKA was one of them. The energy is always great, the robata grill creates an incredible focal point and there's a buzz in the room that never feels forced. One of the things I love most is sitting close enough to watch the grill team at work and seeing the precision and consistency that goes into every dish. The food is as good today as it was when I first visited, which is much harder to achieve than people realise. There are very few restaurants that manage to stay relevant for so long while maintaining such high standards. It's a masterclass in consistency and understanding your audience.’
Where: 37 Charlotte Street, W1T 1RR
Book now: ROKA Charlotte Street

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