The best restaurants in Soho

Sael in St James's is Jason Atherton's sleek but easy-going take on modern British dining, just a short stroll from Soho. The marble-and-brass interior feels elegant yet relaxed, and the buzz from the central bar, which serves cold pints and sharp cocktails, keeps things exciting. Chef Sam Mills (ex-Pollen Street Social) works over a wood fire, serving perfectly cooked British steaks, Cornish lobster, and seasonal dishes that change throughout the year. It's close enough to Soho for dinner before a night out, but calm enough to actually hear your conversation. 

Violet sits in Soho and serves Georgian dishes that are rooted in tradition, with khachapuri, khinkali and rich stews at the centre of the menu. The bar keeps things familiar with classic cocktails and a simple menu of wine and spirits. The room features moody lighting, vintage touches, and a laid-back atmosphere, ideal for dining. It is a solid addition to Soho's restaurant scene and a good option if you want something a little different in the area.

40 Dean Street has been home to this welcoming Italian restaurant in Soho for nearly 20 years, and its reputation has never waned. Furnished in a vintage style with soothing blue walls and antique decor, it's always a lively spot – doubly so in the summer months, when the tables spill out onto the pavement and you can soak up the sun over a nice plate of pasta, risotto, or one of the many other classic Italian dishes expertly executed by the kitchen team.

Tattu is designed around a Chinese courtyard house with three "residences" and an inner courtyard, where guests dine beneath a pretty cherry blossom tree. Located on the rooftop of the Now Building, the venue offers an outdoor terrace with epic views over the city. The decor is lavish and over-the-top in the best possible way, which is also reflected in the kitsch cocktails, served in things like smoking skulls. The menu comprises dishes that combine traditional Chinese ingredients with contemporary cooking techniques. 

64 Old Compton Street is a family-run Italian restaurant in Soho, part of the same group as 40 Dean Street. Its Studio 54–inspired interior, dressed in dark blue and antiques, provides the backdrop for a menu full of Italian classics, from pizzas and risottos to fresh salads and indulgent desserts. Whether for a quick lunch, a relaxed dinner with friends, or a late-night bite after the theatre, it's the kind of spot that quickly feels like regular hangout.

Chotto Matte, founded by Kurt Zdesar, is a Japanese-Peruvian fusion restaurant offering a fine dining experience in the heart of Soho. The vibrant avant-garde decor complements the tasty menu that features dishes like Nikkei gyoza, sushi, sashimi, wagyu beef, and Robata-grilled meats and vegetables. Cocktails are also a highlight, with standouts including the Lychee Picante and Nikkei Negroni. DJs and live performers also add to the atmosphere.

Another 40 Dean Street spin-off, 27 Old Compton Street is inspired by the Italian tavola calda concept – good, quality food served quickly. It's all about the pasta here, made fresh every day and served in rich sauces like amatriciana, cacio e pepe, or octopus ragu. The dimly-lit restaurant is decorated with vintage posters and provides an intimate, romantic backdrop to your meal, while its late opening hours mean you'll never wrap up the day hungry.

Step right into a 1930s Parisian brasserie at this French restaurant on Dean Street. The grand Art Deco interior is further complemented by a live swing band, both of which make for an atmospheric dining experience, and that's before even looking at the Bib Gourmand-awarded menu. Food includes French bistro favourites.

Mele e Pere is an independently-run Italian trattoria and vermouth bar in the heart of Soho. Here, you can sample authentic Italian dishes prepared with the freshest British ingredients. Previous versions of the simple menu have included classic pasta like carbonara and spaghetti alle vongole, all the better when washed down with vermouth – you'll find the largest selection in the city here.

This Soho spot is basically a shrine to all things pasta. Enjoy hand-made pasta dishes with the sound of hip-hop as your background music. The place is vibey and has been decked out with murals by London artist Supermundane.

Chef Angelo Sato's (of Trinity, Story, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay and many other fine establishments) tried-and-true solo venture in Soho rebooted with a multiple-course tasting menu. The Japanese dishes with European influences range from one-bite delights such as miso-cured foie gras tart, to heftier fare such as grilled slow-cooked short rib with lettuce. Designed to provide patrons with a kitchen theatre experience, Humble Chicken also serves a concise range of drinks.

Ember Yard's menu is inspired by the incredible wood-fired grills of Spain and Italy and each dish is designed for sharing. Ambient and romantic, the Soho restaurant features dim lighting, moody decor, and copper touches. Downstairs you'll find the Ember Bar, an intimate bar with a carefully crafted cocktail menu for pre or post-dinner tipples. 

Nessa is Tom Cenci's stylish all-day bistro set in a beautiful Edwardian corner of Soho, with a chic members' club upstairs, serving playful, seasonal British dishes made with top local produce, fresh fish and plenty of herbs. Nessa's Bar is a modern British cocktail hangout, perfect for laid-back catch-ups and lively nights in Soho. It champions local makers with British drinks, such as the Cuppa G&T. Settle into a velvet banquette, pull up a seat at the sweeping horseshoe bar, or soak up the Soho buzz at one of the outdoor tables.

Mountain opened in 2023 and has received much acclaim ever since, even being awarded its first Michelin star early in 2024. Spanish-inspired cuisine is on the menu at this Soho restaurant, with wood grilling being a speciality. Wines curated by Noble Rot are also served here. There's a large wooden counter for bar dining, plus an open kitchen in the basement.

Enjoy bistro-style dining combined with Modern American cuisine at Rita's restaurant in Soho, where it's all about fresh British seasonal produce and low-intervention wine. Here, they have created a menu of contemporary dishes inspired by cuisines from around the world, using the finest, freshest seasonal ingredients.

This Japanese-inspired eatery is the place to come for a casual weeknight meal or even a solo dinner date. The menu features a selection of udon noodles (arguably among the best in London), as well as small plates, rice dishes and sake, beer and Umeshu, a sweet and sour Japanese liquor.

Handmade pasta, cured meats and high-quality cheeses are just a handful of the things you can expect to enjoy at Lina Stores in Soho. This Greek Street hotspot serves a variety of pasta dishes right in the centre of the buzzy Soho district. Dine at the 12-seater bar, or sit downstairs for a cosier dining experience.

This sleek Soho restaurant brings a contemporary taste of Sri Lanka to the heart of London. A must-try is the egg hopper, a classic Sri Lankan dish that's perfect for scooping up rich curries and mopping up sauces. With its lively atmosphere and bold flavours, it's no surprise that securing a table can take some patience, but rest assured, the food is worth the wait.

Bocca di Lupo has been an Italian icon on the Soho culinary scene for over a decade. The vibe is lively, and the open kitchen adds an air of spaciousness to the place. The menus change daily as they do their best to keep up with changing seasons. You can expect dishes like tagliatelle with fresh porcini mushrooms and a generous amount of garlic, as well as courgette flowers stuffed with mozzarella and anchovy, but who knows what tomorrow will bring?

Ducksoup is an intimate natural wine bar and restaurant moments away from the Soho Theatre. It's cosy and has a real personal touch to it, which is hard to find in a place as central as Soho. It would be ideal for a date night or as a place to catch up with a friend, and the menu changes regularly based on what's in season.

Dehesa is Ember Yard's big sister, located down the road in Carnaby Street. This charcuterie and tapas bar is inspired by the wine and dining scene in Spain and Italy. The menu changes seasonally, with highlights including tasty morsels such as the signature deep-fried cheese-stuffed courgette flowers. With a sizeable outdoor terrace, this Soho restaurant is ideal for nibbles and sips while watching the crowds go by.

This modern Indian spot started out as a pop-up but it proved highly popular and has since branched out across multiple London venues. The menu pairs the aromatic flavours of India with high-quality British ingredients. Previous menus have featured standout dishes like samphire pakoras and Keralan chicken.

Noble Rot's second location on the famous Greek Street takes the place of Hussar, a former celebrated Hungarian restaurant. Now, they serve a modern European menu with a nod to its former Hungarian life, alongside a complex wine list. The menu is packed with fragrant dishes like braised lemon sole with lentils and pot-roast partridge with muscat grapes and liver toast, but it does change from time to time. Their set lunch menu is excellent value.

It would be easy to accidentally walk right past this little restaurant on Rupert Street, but that would be a big mistake. The menu is an ode to contemporary Sri Lankan fare made using the finest British ingredients, and it packs a punch when it comes to flavour; think lamb fat-infused paratha with smoked sambal butter, but it's worth noting that the menu does change.

If food inspired by the bustling markets of Jerusalem sounds like your cup of tea, then The Palomar should definitely be on your dining bucket list. It's not only got an admirable menu, but the vibe is atmospheric and lively, making it a great spot for weekend dining. Past iterations of the Israeli-influenced menu include dishes like harissa chicken, glazed octopus, and cumin broccoli with za'atar yoghurt.

The French house in Soho is one of those classic London pubs that you can’t walk past without popping in for a pint or two. Pair that with the exquisite food served in the dimly-lit dining room up a flight of creaky stairs, and you have yourself a recipe for an all-round excellent wine and dine date. It also provides a break from the constant buzz of every day life with a strict policy of no music, no phones and no TV.

Barrafina is a popular spot for lunch and dinner located on buzzy Dean Street, moments from Chinatown. There's a variety of tapas dishes on offer here, as well as a sleek and contemporary interior. If you want to see the chefs hard at work preparing your food, then just ask to be seated at the counter.

The popular Blacklock restaurant in Soho is a tribute to the London chophouses that were established way back in the 17th century. The menu is jam-packed with high-quality meat at affordable prices – expect dishes like pork-belly buns wrapped in crispy crackling and barbecued halloumi for the non-meat eaters. Their Sunday roast has also earned them a spot on many 'best roasts in London' lists.

There's always a queue at every Dishoom branch in London, and for good reason. Its Indian-inspired interior makes for ambient dining, whilst its menu of Bombay street food-inspired classics keeps locals and out-of-towners coming back over and over again. The 24-hour slow-cooked black daal is their most popular dish, especially when it's mopped up with a side of freshly-made roti.

For open-kitchen cooking and exquisite Thai food, Kiln on Soho's Brewer Street is the place to go. The menu does change but has featured Thai favourites like stir-fried Cornish greens, slow-grilled red mullet, and lamb and cumin skewers, and everything is perfect for sharing.

Mildreds is a plant-based restaurant in Soho that boasts an intimate and cosy dining room with a bar and private dining options. This first restaurant from the brand, located near its original site, offers an all-day vegan menu where you can indulge in dishes like vegan kofte, burgers, and curry, along with breakfast, brunch, and a kids' menu.

Despite being a meat lovers' heaven, Temper in Soho takes a strong stance against industrial farming. With in-house butchering performed right in the centre of the restaurant, barbecuing becomes entertaining for customers to view in the open kitchen. The Soho location boasts one of London's largest fire pits in the basement, offering guests the chance to enjoy the performance from cosy booths while sipping on mezcal cocktails and waiting for their food.

Former Ottolenghi chef Eran Tibi is the mastermind behind this Soho establishment, inspired by the cuisine found in Tel Aviv. This Greek Street spot is located inside Ilona Rose House and offers a late-night eatery that provides guests with an outdoor terrace, subterranean private dining space, and an equally pleasing soundtrack to match. Enjoy a menu of unique Israeli dishes and drinks in a trendy, vibrant space.

Speedboat Bar in London is inspired by the Thai-Chinese shophouses in Bangkok's Chinatown. Upstairs, the bar is decorated with autographed portraits of Thailand's canal speedboat racers. As for the menu, Chef Luke Farrell and the JKS group have meticulously recreated the fragrant cuisine of Thailand. Enjoy dishes like drunken noodles, stir-fries, and signature cocktails in a lively and vibrant space that embodies the spirit of the bustling Thai scene.

Milk Beach, an Australian restaurant and bar, has two London locations: one in Queen's Park, West London, and the other in Soho, central London. Their menu is a fusion of cultures shaping modern Australian cuisine, complemented by speciality coffee sourced from traceable farms and roasted in-house. For wine enthusiasts, they offer a selection of organic, sustainable wines from independent winemakers.

Berenjak is an authentic Iranian hole-in-the-wall eatery in Soho inspired by the kebab shops of Tehran. They're particularly well-known for their mezze and kebabs, including dishes like coal-cooked aubergine and goat shoulder kebab. Opt for a seat at the counter if you want to watch the chefs skillfully prepare your dishes. They also have their own take on hummus, made with black chickpeas, best paired with freshly-baked flatbreads.

Nopi, a venture by iconic chef Yotam Ottolenghi, touches down in Soho with this lively all-day brasserie. Embracing his trademark Middle Eastern roots, the restaurant offers aromatic, seasonal dishes packed with flavour for lunch, dinner, and pre-theatre menus. Past menus include dishes such as roasted aubergine with whipped feta, sorrel, and Aleppo cashew and a mouthwatering Valdeón cheesecake. There is also a selection of house cocktails to accompany the food.

The original Bao in the heart of Soho has been racking up Michelin Bib Gourmand awards for years. After work crowds always flock here, all craving the Taiwanese-style small dishes, such as aubergine wontons and fried Horlicks ice cream. The classic bao is, of course, classic, but those in the know like to opt for the confit pork or lamb shoulder as well.

A new venture from the team behind Tapas Brindisa, this Soho restaurant again celebrates the beloved Spanish small plates, but this time focuses on one type in particular. It's all about croquettes here, crunchy morsels filled with tempting delights. The constantly changing croquette menu at this contemporary tapas joint is accompanied by an assortment of other Spanish small plates, as well as wine, sherries and cocktails.