The best restaurants for lunch in Soho

If you fancy pizza for lunch try Cecconi’s Pizza Bar. This relaxed and stylish restaurant specialises in wood-fired pizza and fresh pasta dishes. There’s a set menu that makes a convenient lunch option or you can choose from the all-day menu of affordable dishes. Cocktails on tap are served as well.

Grab a traditional Vietnamese banh mi sandwich at Banh Mi Keu Deli, to enjoy in the restaurant or whilst you’re on-the-go in Soho. This slick and modern eatery gives Londoners a taste of authentic Asian flavours with a menu of sandwiches, noodles, rice dishes, and snacks, and a huge choice of sandwich fillings.

If you fancy some Lebanese street food for your lunch, Yalla Yalla is the place to go, with two different branches in Soho. Expect generous authentic recipes served in a vibrant and colourful setting with a lively atmosphere. Takeaways are available too. The menu includes mezze, grilled meat, and Lebanese-style burgers.

A sandwich is always a popular choice for lunch and you can get a generously-stuffed deli sarnie at Tongue & Brisket. This casual spot is especially known for its salt beef but you can choose a sandwich or bagel with other classic fillings like chopped liver or smoked salmon and cream cheese.

Get a taste for Vietnamese cooking at Pho. It's a slick yet casual restaurant where you can try out flavoursome street food and classic recipes. If you fancy noodles for lunch, choose from pho, wok-fried noodles, or vermicelli, or otherwise you can go for salads or curry. There's a children's menu too.

Misato has a cute yellow and orange facade and is a popular place for casual Japanese dining. For lunch, try a sushi platter or order individual rolls to make your ideal meal. Bento boxes are served too, or try hot dishes like katsu curry or noodles in this warm and welcoming eatery.

Get some of the most sought-after falafel in the city from Wowshee Egyptian Falafel Bar, a market stall in Berwick Street. In fact, the patties here won the 2019 International Falafel Award! Enjoy yours served in either a salad box or a pitta bread alongside loads of other tasty ingredients.

Starting out in New York, The Kati Roll Company has now expanded to London with its small and cosy restaurant in Soho. Specialising in hot wraps, their portable nature makes them ideal for lunches. Get an Indian paratha stuffed with fillings like chicken tikka or potato and vegetable patties.

Try tapas in a laid-back and sociable setting at Copita. These small dishes are ideal for lunch and here you can sample a seasonal menu with classic options like patatas bravas as well as original dishes with a Moorish influence. Spanish wines, beers, and sherries are available if it’s a boozy lunch.

La Porchetta Pollo Bar dishes up huge portions of classic Italian dishes. The restaurant is cosy and informal, with a wide variety of pizza and pasta dishes to try. Vegan-friendly pizzas are available, as is gluten-free pasta. You can also choose antipasti like bruschetta, Italian breads, and deep-fried mozzarella.

Stylish all-day venue Café Boheme serves classic French cooking. There’s a three-course set menu that’s a great lunch option, or you can choose à la carte dishes like sandwiches, omelettes, or moules frites. There’s a cheerful atmosphere and live jazz music is on every afternoon to make lunch even more special.

Treat yourself to a luxurious French lunch at L’Escargot. The dining room is refined, with plush seating and an enviable art collection. This is the capital’s oldest French restaurant, still serving classic dishes like French onion soup and foie gras pâté. The two or three course set menu is great for lunch.

When you fancy a kebab at lunchtime, treat yourself to an elevated version from Le Bab. This buzzy modern spot reinvents that late-night favourite into something sophisticated you can enjoy at any time. Opt for the classic pork shawarma or try something different like a paneer kebab or loaded shawarma fries.

Get a simple and hearty lunch from Quo Vadis. This refined restaurant and members club is based in the former home of Karl Marx and has a bright and calm feel with elegant stained glass windows. Made with British produce, the menu includes pies, cullen skink, and the famous smoked eel sandwich.

Nopi is a restaurant from top Israeli chef Yotam Ottolenghi, bringing his notable Middle Eastern flavours into an airy setting in Soho. Seasonal all-day menus are on offer at this bright and modern establishment, including plenty of small plates that are well-suited to lunch as well as larger dishes.

Starting out as a pop-up, Indian eatery Kricket now has several London branches, including one in Soho. It’s a modern industrial space that combines British ingredients with authentic Indian flavours. Menus are seasonal, including small and large plates like pakoras or beef keema, along with plenty of drinks options.

Temper is a meat lover’s paradise and the small dishes on the menu make an ideal lunch. Meat comes from small farms and is butchered in-house. Dine in whilst viewing the basement fire pit, which is one of the largest in London, at the Soho location. Barbecue is an art form here.

When you’re craving proper British cooking for lunch, head to Golden Union. It’s a colourful modern restaurant that’s all about fish and chips, with every meal cooked to order. The fish is sustainably-sourced and there’s plenty of choice. Pies and vegetarian and vegan dishes like battered halloumi and chips are also available.

For a budget-friendly lunch break, grab some authentic food from The Real Greek. The restaurant is rustic and well-lit with both indoor and outdoor seating. There’s a lunch menu with tantalising set options like dolmades, falafel, and spicy feta dip, or go for a souvlaki wrap with your choice of side dish.

There are loads of places to get classic dim sum, but what if you want versions that are a little more out there? Ugly Dumpling has you covered with its innovative fusion options like a Ukrainian-inspired dumpling or one with a cheeseburger or coronation jackfruit filling. These little morsels are ideal for lunches.

The dramatic exterior of Suvlaki will immediately attract your attention. Once inside, you'll find a stylish and modern eatery specialising in authentic Greek recipes. Souvlaki skewers and wraps are the menu's focus, with a variety of fillings on offer. Greek wine and beers from microbreweries in Greece are served too.

Head to Bistro1 to enjoy a Mediterranean set lunch menu. It's a popular place for lunch and pre-theatre meals. This bright restaurant is decorated with colourful lanterns and serves food with a broad range of Mediterranean influences. Salads, kebabs, moussaka, and pasta dishes are amongst the options on the menu.