Guide to outdoor restaurants in Soho

Slick and stylish Aqua Kyoto specialises in high-end Japanese cuisine in an ultra-modern setting. As well as the luxury interior there's an outdoor terrace with fab views. A broad range of menus are available featuring elevated dishes like sushi and sashimi, wagyu beef, and tempura. Cocktails and wine are served and you can visit just for drinks.

With interiors by acclaimed British designer Kit Kemp, Ham Yard Restaurant & Bar is a great pick for design fans. As well as the eclectic interiors there's a spacious heated courtyard for eating outside. Food is all about fresh seasonal ingredients and British produce. Dishes are served all day, including breakfast and afternoon tea. A full range of drinks, including cocktails, are served.

Some of London's most in-demand Indian cooking comes from Dishoom. There are numerous locations around the capital but the Carnaby branch has a sleek interior as well as some outdoor tables. You'll typically see a queue for tables but once you're in you'll be rewarded with Indian classics, including breakfast dishes.

Vibrant restaurant Ugly Dumpling specialises in dumplings but not with the kind of fillings you might expect. This creative spot cooks up dumplings with fillings like cheeseburger, Thai green curry, or taco fillings. There's a bright colour scheme both inside and out and the pavement tables are great for watching the world go by.

Sample Spanish small plates at Tapas Brindisa. The Soho restaurant has a clean and contemporary look as well as covered tables for outdoor dining. You'll find a wide variety of classic tapas dishes on the menu from small bites like Padron peppers or marinated anchovies to meat and cheese platters. Pre-theatre dining is available here too.

Ember Yard specialises in grilling over flames, with Spanish and Italian influences on the menu. The interior is moody, modern, and romantic, and there are also some outdoor tables under the restaurant's canopy. A curated selection of small and large plates to share, like croquettes and grilled octopus, are on the menu . Set menus are available for bigger groups.

Pastaio strives to give diners the best plate of pasta they've ever had. The interior is modern with bold colours and there are also outdoor tables on the bustling street. Start your meal with fresh focaccia or antipasti like burrata before moving on to a generous plate of pasta with sauces like carbonara or artichoke and lemon. Prosecco slushies are served here too.

Enjoy an al fresco Spanish meal at Aqua Nueva. Sit outside on one of the roof terraces and you'll get fab views of the skyline too. This modern destination is relaxed and style-conscious. Various menus are available, including brunch and pre-theatre meals. Expect tempting small plates and croquettes designed for sharing.

Head to The Ivy Brasserie for casual all-day dining with a contemporary menu packed with global influences. The interior is bold and stylish but there's also relaxed seating on the outdoor terrace. Menu options include shepherd's pie, monkfish and prawn curry, and linguine. There's also a lavish private dining space here.

Charming French restaurant Prix Fixe Brasserie has a focus on set menus, although à la carte dishes are available too. It's a particularly popular spot for pre-theatre dining. The candlelit interior with live piano music is cosy and pavement tables are also available outside. Expect classic French dishes paired with an international wine list.

Discover the cuisine of Sri Lanka at Kolamba. This bustling restaurant serves authentic food in a relaxed setting with exposed bricks, low lighting, and lots of plant life. There's a pavement terrace for outdoor dining too. Brunch is served at weekends and the menu features dishes like aromatic curries, battered cuttlefish, and traditional dhal.

Bistro1 serves eclectic Mediterranean dishes. The cosy interior is decorated with colourful traditional lanterns but there are also outdoor tables on the pavement. Set menus are offered for lunch and dinner as well as burgers and meat from the grill. This place is particularly popular for lunch and pre-theatre dining with choices like pasta and moussaka.

Head to vibrant restaurant Mother Mash when you're craving comfort food. The restaurant's exterior is bright green and there's a classic interior as well as pavement tables for al fresco meals. It's all about pie or sausages and mash here. Take your pick from nine types of mash, a variety of pies and sausages, and hot gravy to drench it all in.

Former Le Cordon Bleu and Ottolenghi chef Eran Tibi brings a “dirty Tel Aviv fantasy” to Soho with Kapara. The all-day and all-night restaurant features an al fresco terrace, subterranean private dining and a debaucherous soundtrack. Showcasing the chef's skills through a seductive menu of Israeli dishes and drinks, Kapara promises a vibrant space for indulgent dining and drinking.

Dehesa serves cuisine inspired by Spain and Italy. Not only is the food here ideal for sunny days, but the restaurant's pavement tables are great for al fresco dining. There's a sleek contemporary interior as well. Enjoy seasonal small plates made for sharing, all prepared with artisan ingredients. Wines and signature cocktails are on offer too.

Govinda's opened in 1979, making it one of London's oldest vegetarian eateries. This bustling restaurant has links to the Hare Krishna movement and focuses on nutritious and delicious food that's free from cruelty. It's a popular place that often gets busy but there are indoor and outdoor tables to accommodate the crowds. Meat-free Indian and European dishes are served.

Once a private members' club eatery, Yasmin is now a public dining destination under the esteemed chef Tom Cenci, inspired by his time in Istanbul. Patrons can enjoy a variety of Middle Eastern-inspired snacks and sharing dishes, including sesame smoked duck with black za'atar and grilled corn salad, and lamb rump skewers with coal-roasted aubergine, yogurt, and smoked oil, all complemented by signature cocktails. The rooftop location boasts ample outdoor seating and an inviting indoor dining space.