Guide to the best restaurants around Oxford Street

Beginning as a pop-up, Tendril now has a permanent home and has become a big name in plant-based eating in London. Virtually everything served here is vegan but dishes are designed to appeal to everyone. Dishes are seasonal and change frequently - diners can take their pick from the à la carte menu or enjoy a fresh and creative tasting menu here.

You'll find The Great Thai Restaurant  tucked away on a corner just behind Oxford Street. This Thai gem is all about quick, friendly service and generous portions of authentic favourites – think spicy papaya salad, rich massaman curry, and steaming bowls of tom yum soup. It's the perfect spot for a mid-shop lunch break or a casual dinner that satisfies your Thai food cravings.

If you've ever tried finding a proper meal around Oxford Street, you'll know it's mostly grab-and-go chains, but this café changes that. This family-run spot just off the main stretch serves crêpes, pancakes, waffles, and loads more, all day long. You can go sweet with Nutella and strawberries or savoury with ham, cheese, and smoked salmon. Drinks range from pistachio crème brûlée coffees to matcha blends and golden milk. It's laid-back, friendly, and way better than anything you'll find inside a department store.

Dishoom is one of those restaurants you have to visit at least once in your lifetime, and when you've been once, it'll definitely have you heading back for more. It's inspired by the Irani cafés found in Bombay; think Art Deco screens, posters of mid-20th century Bombay advertisements, and carefully chosen music to evoke this period. The food is all excellent and has gained a cult following since it opened. The black daal and chicken ruby are must-orders.

Mildred's is one of the city's top spots to enjoy vegan food in the capital, boasting a menu of international-themed plant-based delights. It was established In 1988 and focuses on a changing menu of British classics and fusion dishes, like bbq pulled pok, Nashville, hot 'chicken' and white chocolate tiramisu. It's a chilled spot, trendily decorated with wooden chairs and tables and ambient lighting.

Lina Stores has cemented itself as one of the city’s top destinations for homemade pasta. The Soho branch is located on Greek Street, a stone’s throw away from Oxford Circus, and specialises in small portions of pasta, perfect for a smaller lunch or getting two different kinds to try. It’s casual and inexpensive, with highlights like agnolotti with truffle and ricotta.

Temper is a barbecue restaurant in Soho that focuses on cooking the whole animal to utilise as much of the meat as possible. The Soho branch houses one of the largest fire pits in London and an open kitchen ensures the cooking is just as entertaining as it is tasty. Sip on mezcal-based cocktails while you wait for your food to come out. Expect dishes like goat's cheese tacos, lamb and kimchi carnitas and burnt pepper with caramelised spicy corn.

The French House is a classic pub with a British twist, which, yes, we know, sounds like a contradiction, but trust us, it works. Dishes include things like gruyere toast and foie gras alongside an extensive choice of champagnes and wines. There's a strict policy of no music, phones and TV, making it the perfect spot for catching up with zero distractions.

The Soho branch of Bao is the chain’s original restaurant and has held Michlin Bib Gourmand awards for many years. It’s stripped back and minimal, with simple, neutral colours and wood, giving it a Scandi feel. The menu features, you guessed it, fluffy bao buns alongside other Asian-based options like trotter nuggets and Taiwanese fried chicken.

Polomar’s menu is inspired by the bustling markets of Jerusalem, including dishes like harissa chicken and cumin broccoli with za’atar yoghurt. The decor is trendy, with mosaic flooring and wooden surroundings. It has a lively, bustling atmosphere, particularly in the evenings, and makes for an excellent weekend dining spot.

Hoppers is the ultimate spot for fragrant Sri Lankan fare. People flock from far and wide to get a taste of their famous bone marrow, two halved bone logs filled with coconut-infused bone marrow and served alongside warm flaky roti. The egg hoppers are one of Sri Lanka’s most famous dishes and are a must-try. The restaurant is vibey with lots of different little nooks and crannies.

Enjoy high-quality, won’t-break-the-bank sushi at Sushi Atelier on Great Portland Street. Watch as the sushi chefs work their magic at the brightly-lit counter, where they craft a creative menu of seafood-based dishes, like razor clam ceviche that comes in a smoke-filled dome. The food may come with fancy toppings, but the restaurant is laid-back and casual.

Meraki is a trendy upmarket restaurant in Fitzrovia where the menu is crafted using top-quality ingredients sourced from Greece. It's stylish with a sun-drenched terrace, floor-to-ceiling windows and a counter where you can dine and watch as the chefs prepare your food. The menu includes many staples commonly found on Greek menus, like fluffy pita with creamy tzatziki and harissa-glazed seafood.

This minimalistic Japanese noodle bar specialises in udon and dashi alongside a weekly blackboard menu of specials. The Soho branch is their original udon noodle bar, which opened in 2010, and serves dishes like English Breakfast udon noodles, including egg, bacon and shiitake and kedgeree porridge with smoked haddock, poached egg and curry.

This Sri Lankan restaurant can be found in Soho’s Kingly Court, where the setting is zen-like and laid-back; think hanging plants and ambient lighting. The menu is chock full of flavoursome, fragrant dishes, like Ceylon chicken curry cooked on the bone and black pepper prawn fry.

Enjoy elevated Italian dishes in an over-the-top setting at Circle Popolare. This restaurant by the Big Mama group has gained a cult following over the years, not just because of its dreamy carbonara served in a wheel of pecorino cheese but also because it goes all out on the authentic Italian glitz and glamour to provide an all-round immersive dining experience.

Mele e Pere is an independent upmarket Italian trattoria and vermouth bar focusing on homemade pasta, pizza and other Italian staples. They serve a fairly simple menu, including pasta dishes like carbonara and spaghetti alle vongole, and behind the bar you'll find London's longest selection of vermouth.

Gymkhana is inspired by colonial India's elite members' clubs, offering several intimate dining spaces, all elegantly decorated for a memorable, upmarket meal. They're open for lunch and dinner, offering decadent tasting menus with dishes like tandoori kebabs and a range of curries, biriyanis and other fragrant Indian dishes. There's also an international wine list with bottles sourced from around the world, champagne and sake.

This Sicilian-inspired restaurant perfectly encapsulates old-school Italian hospitality and cuisine. It’s a contemporary restaurant where Chef Ben Tish is at the centre, crafting a menu of Sicilian-Moorish fare that changes based on the seasons, including dishes like gnocchi with cavalo nero pesto and walnuts and saffron arancini.

Darjeeling Express is one of the restaurants featured in the acclaimed Netflix series Chefs Table. It's run by celebrity chef Asthma Khan, who runs an all-female kitchen and serves a menu of traditional home-style Indian food designed for sharing. Dinner is a set menu that includes flavour-packed dishes like paneer korma, beetroot raita and methi chicken.

Open since the 1960s, Ponti's Italian Kitchen is a well-established Italian eatery just moments from Oxford Circus. The interior is sleek and spacious and there are pavement tables as well. Classic Italian dishes including pizza and pasta are served here, plus cocktails and wine. The restaurant also runs its own pizza school.

Bébé Bob is from the team behind London's infamous 'Press For Champagne' button, and it's as over-the-top as you'd expect, from sleek banquettes to the premium caviar selection. The menu is modern European, but the real fun lies in the playful twists on the kids' menu. Rotisserie chicken and chips are a must, and, of course, don't be shy with the champagne.