Entrepreneur Restaurants

Markus Thesleff has established himself as a visionary leader in the hospitality industry, redefining excellence in dining through innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability. As the Founder and CEO of the Thesleff Group, he has spearheaded the development of some of London’s most distinguished restaurants and bars, each with its own distinct identity yet united by a shared commitment to exceptional quality, service, and experience.

Under Markus’s leadership, the Thesleff Group employee numbers have grown 11,650% into a pioneering force in the industry growing from a team of 4 in 2021 to 470 within 3 years. The group’s portfolio includes the beloved original Los Mochis Notting Hill, as well as the largest investment in the City post-COVID, the flagship rooftop Los Mochis London City, the intimate JUNO Omakase — the smallest restaurant in the UK — the iconic 50-year old Sale e Pepe in Knightsbridge, the vibrant Viajante87 cocktail bar, and newly opened LUNA Omakase, an exclusive 12-seat omakase experience and the first omakase in the City.

Markus’s deep-rooted passion for authentic hospitality has driven him to create dining experiences that blend global culinary influences with London’s rich cultural landscape. His commitment to inclusivity is particularly evident in his decision to make several of his venues, including Los Mochis, JUNO Omakase, Viajante87, and LUNA Omakase completely gluten-free.

Inspired by his own dietary restrictions and those of his niece and nephew, he went a step further by ensuring these spaces are also nut-free, setting a new benchmark for allergy-conscious dining. His vision is simple: to create restaurants where no guest has to compromise on safety, quality, or experience.

Markus believes that hospitality today is about more than just great food and service. “I love creating memories and experiences. I think it’s more so now post-COVID, we compete for restaurants to be an entertaining experience. It’s a prerequisite nowadays. We’re not in hospitality; we’re in entertainment, and we compete for time because it’s the new luxury.”