The best restaurants in Soho
The narrow streets of Soho in central London, where native Londoners and tourists alike flock nightly for food and entertainment, are packed with restaurants. Competition between them is fierce, with new venues constantly emerging among the old favourites. There's every cuisine you can imagine at every possible price point, but with all the noise, it can be very hard to ascertain which restaurants are worth it, and which are worth avoiding. Fret not, we have pooled our resources, dug out our forks and put together a definitive list of the best restaurants in Soho, from absolute classics like the unmissable Quo Vadis to the newer, hipper kids on the block.
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c Paul Winch-Furness - Photographer1/25Bébé Bob
Best restaurant in Soho for an opulent meal in stylish surroundings
Bébé Bob is the more relaxed, but equally stylish version of its sister restaurant - Soho stalwart Bob Bob Ricard, which is just around the corner. The interiors are a vibrantly coloured homage to Art Deco; stepping in, it feels a bit like a stylised, technicolour 1930s Parisian speakeasy. Food-wise, there is a focus on chicken and caviar - it's fair to say that this is not the best place to come if you're vegetarian. Otherwise, the simple menu, which is generally European but with a French angle, is full of both elegant and hearty crowd-pleasers, cooked and presented to an excellent standard.
After beginning the evening with a crisp and potent martini, we ordered the blini served with trout roe and sour cream, and the delicate, melt-in the mouth beef carpaccio starter. For mains, we tried the roasted rare breed Vendée chicken - cooked to succulent perfection, and the schnitzel - light, thin and crispy with a great hulking curl of garlic butter on top. If ordering the French fries, it's an absolute must to add the ridiculously indulgent caviar and sour cream dip. Suitably stuffed, we finished off with the Instagram-worthy crème caramel, where a waiter theatrically pours over the salted caramel and vanilla sauce, which cascades down the dessert. Head here for classic glamour in the heart of Soho. - Tilly Wheeler
37 Golden Square, W1F 9LB
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2/25Carousel
Best restaurant in Soho for wine, cocktails and seasonal small plates to share
Just on the edge of where Soho meets Fitzrovia, a hop and a skip over Oxford Street and on to Charlotte Street, is Carousel. Close to other destinations such as Charlotte Street Hotel and Vagabond Wines, it is an ideal place to head to for a casual dinner followed by drinks, in a slightly more low-key, less touristy area than deepest Soho. The interior is similarly understated, with industrial, whitewashed brick walls and exposed pipework, terrazzo tile floor and an open kitchen where the small team can be seen preparing a selection of seasonal small plates. We ate in the wine bar, where the regular menu is served, but Carousel is also known for their guest chef residencies, where each week, a chef from around the world heads to Charlotte Street to serve a set menu.
On the standard menu for our visit was hash brown with n’duja, pickled mussel and anchovy, as well as fried chicken with pickled cucumber and scotch bonnet honey (a sweet and spicy highlight). Sea bass crudo accompanied with crispy leeks was light and fresh, followed by another favourite, the crispy tempura pumpkin with sesame yoghurt and szechuan chilli glaze. Generously topped with fragrant coriander, it is a perfectly balanced dish in terms of both flavour and texture. Come here with a friend or date for a few light bites paired with a couple of cocktails or a glass of wine, or bring a group and order everything on the menu to share. - Tilly Wheeler
19-23 Charlotte Street, Fitzrovia, W1T 1RL
https://carousel-london.com/winebar/
3/25Rita's
Best restaurant in Soho for date night
Founded in 2012 and led by chef-owner Gabriel Pryce and beverage director Missy Flynn, Rita's moved into their permanent home Soho in the heart of Soho (from Hackney) in 2021.
Rita's is the perfect combination of classic and newfangled. Yes, they have an extensive wine list with various natural wines, and yes, their menu is an eclectic array of small plates, but they also do a fantastic martini and one of the best steaks in London.
Describing itself as ‘modern American dining meets British and European produce,' Rita's is always bustling, with steamed up windows and an rotating menu of seasonal and delicious things. It's a spot that would feel more at home in the heart of Manhattan than London, which is what makes it so special.
This will always be top of my list when I'm looking for an intimate date night or celebratory dinner, but they're now also open for lunch. The lunch menu highlights were undoubtedly the sesame-spiked devilled eggs and the fillet steak ‘miso poivre’ (like a super salty, buttery peppercorn sauce, what more could you want?) - Evie Delaney
What to order: The mini martini with accompanying ‘gilda’ (anchovy, chilli and olive on a cute stick) is famous for good reason. At lunch, don't miss the grilled shrimp with fermented chilli and garlic.
49 Lexington Street, Soho, London W1F 9AP
https://www.ritasdining.com/
4/25July
Best restaurant in Soho for excellent wine and Alsatian delights
The French region of Alsace is often overlooked, and it should get more attention for its excellent wines and French-German hybrid cooking. It's right on the border of Germany and has been fought over historically by the two countries, a history which has leant it a rich food culture. Luckily for those of us who already celebrate Alsace's delights, Solynka Dumas is bringing the region to the fore at her delightful London spot, July. It opened earlier this year and has the feeling of being round a good friend's house, albeit with a far more sophisticated selection of (exciting for those who love wine) wines and delicious plates of Alsatian cooking.
The menu is short and sweet, changing weekly to reflect the seasons and the chef's choice but always with Alsace front of mind; expect things like sauerkraut, spatzle and excellent sausages, alongside a brilliantly curated edit of wines. The team can guide you to the right bottle or glass to complement your dishes and before you know it, you'll have whiled away hours in excellent company at this lovely little spot.
10 Charlotte St, London W1T 2LT
july.london
5/25Nopi
Best restaurant in Soho for small plates
Yotam Ottolenghi needs little introduction; his name and eponymous delis precede him but some people are yet to discover his other restaurants, including Soho's Nopi. This lovely little spot is no secret – in fact, on my lunchtime visit it was absolutely packed with people waiting at the bar to nab the next available table. The interiors are airy and cool with sculptural light fittings, wooden accents and a mirrored loo that is utterly disorientating and predates the trend for restaurants having destination loos. In fact, Nopi predates a lot of what is trendy on the London restaurant scene and has quietly – and successful – been doing it since they opened.
Take the small plates; you can't move in London now for restaurants advertising their groundbreaking new thing: small sharing plates. But actually, it was the likes of Ottolenghi at Nopi who brought them to our attention. Here, they are no fad but rather a cultural tradition that Yotam has brought to his own restaurant. The menu is largely vegetarian – again drawing on his own background and cuisine – and heavily spiced, full of flavour after flavour that dances across the palette. There's a lot to choose from and it all sound delicious, so you may just need to book in more than once to trial it all. That is, before the menu changes again…
21-22 Warwick St, London W1F 9LD
ottolenghi.co.uk/restaurants#nopi
6/25Dear Jackie
Best restaurant in Soho for interiors lovers
Make your way down to the basement restaurant of the neighbourhood's newest hotel, Broadwick Soho, and you're in for a feast for both eyes and tastebuds. Star designer Martin Brudnizki has created a romantic and enveloping world, with sumptuous red fabric lining the walls, charming Bloomsbury-style plates peering down at you, and colourful Murano glass lighting to cast a soft glow over the whole. The entire hotel is beautiful, of course, so any visitors should take the time to explore a little: the 7th floor bar with views over London is another must-see space.
Dear Jackie has plenty more to offer beyond its interiors, however. The concise Italian menu is full of delightful things, from the addictively good crispbread they serve with drinks to stand-out mains such as lamb with puntarelle and monkfish with nduja. Other highlights include a mouthwatering dish of orecchiette with puttanesca sauce, and rich, melt-in-the-mouth scallops. This is a luxurious restaurant, but it's far from stiff and formal. The service is friendly and easy-going, and you're sure to spend an evening feeling right at home in such comfortable surroundings.
20 Broadwick St, London W1F 9NE
broadwicksoho.com/dear-jackie
ALEX MAGUIRE7/25Café Kitty
Best restaurant in Soho for pre-theatre dining
Café Kitty might be a newcomer to the streets of Soho, but it comes with a good backing; it's the latest restaurant from the team behind Kitty Fisher's and Cora Pearl, two popular restaurants in London. This is their casual, but very stylish little sister as it were, offering a succinct menu of sharing plates alongside some particularly tempting cocktails and a refined wine list. The steak tartare is up there with the best of them, judiciously spiced and topped with a crispy, salty pile of shoestring fries and pecorino to up the umami. The buffalo chicken builds in heat and peaks at just the right moment and the hispi cabbage with harissa is a must-order.
Café Kitty sits within the new Underbelly Boulevard, the first permanent venue from the Underbelly enterprise and a home for cabaret, music and all sorts of live performances. As such, it's the perfect pre-theatre bite, as well as being a delightful hideaway for any occasion.
Underbelly Boulevard Soho, 6 Walker’s Court, W1F 0BT
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8/25Koya
Best restaurant in Soho for Japanese food
There are two rules for visiting Koya: go hungry and be prepared to queue. This diminutive noodle spot has a cult status amongst those in the know, who queue for bowls of hot and cold udon noodles, the best kara-age in London and a sense of real comfort. It looks and feels like a traditional noodle bar in Japan and the authenticity runs through the menu; choose from hot udon with hot broth, cold udon with hot broth or cold udon with cold broth to either dip or pour and then slurp your way deliciously through the many many wonderful things on offer. You'll want to try a lot so either go with good company and share, or go very hungry.
50 Frith Street, W1D 4SQ
koya.co.uk/restaurant/soho
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Simon Brown9/25Nessa
Best restaurant in Soho for modern classics
Nessa is the latest venture from chef Tom Cenci, previously of Loyal Tavern and Duck and Waffle, who has a reputation for producing simple dishes packed with inventive flavour. Sat on the corner of Warwick and Brewer Street, the space’s design, courtesy of London and Los Angeles-based Fettle Design, is elegant and inviting with a hint of glamour: think marble surfaces, brass hardware and the ever-popular velvet banquette. The menu is divided into five sections: bread and snacks, vegetables, small plates, large plates and sides and each dish is filled with umami and interest. No matter how full you are, you'll order a lot.
86 Brewer St, London W1F 9UB
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10/25Evelyn's Table
Best restaurant in Soho for Michelin-starred food
One of the most intimate restaurants in London, Evelyn's Table has just 12 seats at a marble-topped counter overlooking the chefs at work. Head chef James Goodyear's CV reads like a who's who of Michelin-starred restaurants, having cut his teeth at the likes of Mugaritz and Maemmo, before taking on this elegant spot in Soho. The food combines British produce with French, Scandinavian and Japanese techniques and has rightly been awarded a Michelin star. The wine pairings have been masterminded by Honey Spencer and are, naturally, impeccable.
28 Rupert St, London W1D 6DJ
theblueposts.co.uk/evelyns-table 
11/25Quo Vadis
Best restaurant in Soho for seasonal British cuisine
Some might call Quo Vadis the Grande Dame of Soho, and it certainly has the clout and elegance to deserve of such a title. But it's so much more than that, imbued with the effervescent joy and energy of chef patron Jeremy Lee. His menu brings together the hearty food of his Scottish upbringing with the delicate skill of French technique. If you haven't tried his meringue tumbles or the smoked eel sandwich before, then you are missing out.
26-29 Dean St, London W1D 3LL
quovadissoho.co.uk
12/25Paradise
Best restaurant in Soho for Sri Lankan cuisine
With pared-back cement interiors by Dan Preston, who had a hand in two of the other best restaurants in London, Brat and Kiln, the atmosphere at Paradise is informal and lively, helped by bar seating and a constant stream of hungry diners. The vibrant sharing menu reflects the variety of influences on Sri Lankan cuisine; hints of Malay, Portuguese and Dutch flavours can all be found here in the delicately spiced and intensely flavourful dishes, which use local ingredients wherever possible alongside specialty items sourced directly from Sri Lanka.
61 Rupert St, London W1D 7PW
paradisesoho.com
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Sergey Melnikov13/25Firebird
Best restaurant in Soho for open fire cooking
Sharing plates, open fire cooking and natural wines are the name of the game at Firebird, a relative newcomer in terms of the best restaurants in Soho. It would be fair to say that these are not new concepts in dining, but the team at Firebird get them spot on and really pack in the flavour. The menu is broadly influenced by the Mediterranean countries, jumping from French influences such as a chicken liver pâté-stuffed choux bun, to Grecian plates of halloumi, honey and truffle and Italian peaches, ricotta, hazelnut and prosciutto. If you're going to order one thing, make it the tiger prawns in n'duja butter, with a side of bread to mop up every last drop of the delicious juices.
29 Poland St, London W1F 8QR
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14/25Bocca di Lupo
Best Italian restaurant in Soho
For over a decade, Bocca di Lupo has been a go-to in London for the type of Italian plates you might not cook yourself; think salt-baked bream and an array of delicious fried goods, all the better washed down with an Americano or two. The atmosphere is buzzy with an open kitchen and seats at the bar, as well as tables at the back and downstairs. It has become a staple of the Soho restaurant scene but still manages to delight and surprise on each visit. The convivial atmosphere makes it the type of restaurant that works for both formal and informal occasioins. Put simply, it has staying power for a very good reason – just ask Bill Nighy, he's a big fan.
12 Archer St, London W1D 7BB
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15/25Andrew Edmunds
Best restaurant in Soho for a date
Andrew Edmunds is based in an eighteenth-century townhouse on Soho's Lexington Street and the interiors are fittingly classic, with dark walls, wooden chairs, white linen and candlelit tables. It's something of a hidden gem in London, given that it's so inconspicuous from the street. Nonetheless, loyal fans (including more than a few famous faces) flock to its tables to dine on the daily changing menu of European classics, such as burrata with puntarelle, hazelnuts and blood orange, braised rabbit with aioli and whole baked dover sole.
46 Lexington St, London W1F 0LP
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JAMIE_LAU16/25Imad's Syrian Kitchen
Best restaurant in Soho for Middle Eastern cuisine
Imad's Syrian Kitchen is a success story on the London restaurant scene that goes from strength to strength. Imad Alarnab fled his native war-torn Syria – where he was a successful restaurateur – with just £12 to his name, washing cars to make ends meet until he could find a way to cook for people again. Find it he did, opening an incredibly popular pop-up serving his inimitable falafel wraps to an ever-growing queue of hungry office workers. In 2021, he opened a permanent site in Kingly Court and has barely had a table free since. Now, Imad's Syrian Kitchen has been forced to move to bigger premises in Kingly Court to keep up with demand. If you're wondering how he's been so successful, you simply need to try his food and you'll know. The man himself is one of the jolliest people you could hope to meet, and his passion and love flows into the food.
2.14 Top Floor, Kingly Court, Carnaby St, London W1B 5PW
imadssyriankitchen.co.uk
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17/25Bao
Best restaurant in Soho for casual dining
In 2015, Bao opened its Soho site on Lexington Street and it's been a clamour to get a seat ever since. The popularity of their fluffy buns and unctuous fillings hasn't waned in the slightest and in fact, Erchen Chang – the owner – has gone on to open many more restaurants to keep up with demand. There is something to be said for the Soho original however, with its sleek interiors and counter-style seating. The menu is particularly pleasing, as you have to fill it in (as you would at traditional dim sum restaurants). It's all so tempting that it can be hard to stop adding numbers to boxes.
53 Lexington St, Carnaby, London W1F 9AS
baolondon.com/restaurant/bao-soho 
18/25Barrafina
Best restaurant in Soho for tapas
For those who like a bit of buzz, noise and business about their restaurants, Barrafina is a must-visit. It's also unmissable for any dedicated fans of tapas, or simply of excellent cooking, which is easy to come by at Barrafina's marble-clad bar. There's a no-booking policy, so be prepared that you might have to wait for a space, but it's worth it for the best tortilla and griddled prawns this side of Spain.
26-27 Dean St, London W1D 3LL
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Rebecca Hope19/25Blacklock
Best restaurant in Soho for meat
Meat is the name of the game of Blacklock, which is hidden beneath Great Windmill Street and only accessible to those in the know (or if you follow the smell of perfectly grilled chops wafting up the stairs). Go with a carnivore friend, order something strong as an aperitif and make sure to get the ‘All In’ option, where the best cuts of meat are cooked to juicy perfection. They're served on top of delicious flatbread that spends the time it takes you to devour everything soaking up all the juices. Heaven on a sharing platter.
24 Great Windmill St, London W1D 7LG
theblacklock.com/restaurants/blacklock-soho 
20/25Berenjak
Best restaurant in Soho for kebabs
There are kebab shops and then there's Berenjak, the Iranian kebab shop devised by the hospitality giants and geniuses of the JKS Group. Grab a seat at the bar if you like to watch the grill at work, or make your way to one of the few tables in the back to delve into the menu. It’s fancier than your average kebab house, both in atmosphere and interiors, and offers a well-curated menu of charcoal-cooked skewers of prawns, lamb and chicken, mezze dishes and punchy salads. Booking is advised as word has got out about these juicy, flavourful dishes.
27 Romilly St, London W1D 5AL
berenjaklondon.com
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21/25Plaza Khao Gaeng
Best restaurant in Soho for Thai food
Plaza Khao Gaeng aims to replicate the entire experience of eating at a Thai market stall, from the vinyl tablecloths and open kitchen to the decidedly fiery emphasis on southern Thai cooking. As our food editor Blanche Vaughan describes it, “The addictive flavour combination of spicy, sweet, sour and hot explodes in the tastes of these dishes, subdued only by pots of steamed new season jasmine rice and crisp salad leaves.” Anyone who is a fan of Thai cooking should add it to their list immediately.
103-105 New Oxford St, London WC1A 1DB
plazakhaogaeng.com 
22/25Bubala
Best restaurant in Soho for groups
Hailing originally from Shoreditch (well, the Middle East, really), Bubala has opened a Soho restaurant for lovers of pillowy flatbreads, tahini, pomegranate molasses, labneh, za'atar, falafel and all the best vegetarian ingredients and dishes that the region has to offer. Of course, it's best to order a ton of sharing plates for the table and enjoy a convivial meal over plates piled high with moreish delights, and that's precisely how the menu is designed. The flavours are bold and individual dishes are inexpensive so you can get the full impact without breaking the bank.
15 Poland St, London W1F 8QE
bubala.co.uk/soho
23/25The French House
Best restaurant in Soho for French food
The French House pub is an institution in Soho, its downstairs bar beloved by artists and bon vivants from Francis Bacon to Dylan Thomas. The diminutive and deceptively simple dining room upstairs is the place to be for a good supper though. Chef Neil Borthwick is behind the pass in the kitchen, making sure that every plate of his French menu (naturally) is spot on, from the melt-in-the-mouth aligot to steaks cooked rare and superlative stews. The menu changes daily, reflects the seasons and is always a masterclass in classic French cooking. It's a temple to greed in the best way.
49 Dean St, London W1D 5BG
frenchhousesoho.com
24/25Hoppers
Best restaurant in Soho for Sri Lankan and South Indian cuisine
Soho has a fairly high density of Sri Lankan restaurants for its size, but its outpost of mini-chain Hoppers (another invention of the JKS Group) has been there for some time, and it's still an excellent place to be. Named after the crispy Sri Lankan pancakes that you must order as a side to your curry, it serves up complex, well-spiced plates within an extremely inviting setting.
49 Frith St, London W1D 4SG
hopperslondon.com
25/25Daroco
Best for a theatrical, more-is-more experience
Velour seating, marble-effect tables, mirrored ceilings, and a pizza oven embossed in hundreds of blue butterflies… there's nothing minimalist about Soho's Daroco. The Parisian import serves Italian fare with all of the frills; think seasonal arancini, rabbit ragu mafaldini, pheasant ravioli and huge, poofed-up pizzas. Come here for a while and make your way to the cocktail bar downstairs, Wacky Wombat, or pop in for a reasonably-priced pre-theatre menu before making your way to a show.
Daroco, Manette Street, London, W1D 4AL
daroco.com
@daroco_group
