The most fun restaurants in Soho

Inca London combines Latin American cuisine with entertaining theatrical performances. The menu includes American-inspired zesty dishes like ceviche, sushi, and grilled wagyu beef, prepared using fresh, carefully sourced ingredients. Guests enjoy their meal in a sultry setting illuminated by red lighting while live performances featuring singers, dancers, and acrobats take centre stage.

The iconic "Press for Champagne" button at Bob Bob Ricard in Soho means you can enjoy free-flowing bubbly on demand. Inspired by vintage train travel, the glamorous interiors set the scene for enjoying the menu of combined British, French, and Russian classics. Menu highlights include things like caviar, steak tartare, and vodka shots.

If you don't like garlic, then you might want to skip this suggestion. Garlic & Shots is a gothic-themed bar and restaurant that lives up to its name. It serves 101 varieties of shots and a menu brimming with garlic-packed dishes. Feast on tacos, pasta, or steak, with the option to add more garlic—but don't even think about asking for less.

Circolo Popolare is an Italian restaurant in a stunning Sicilian-inspired setting decorated with 20,000 bottles and lush plants. The menu features rotating Italian classics like pizza, pasta, and risotto alongside an extensive wine list. Guests can also enjoy the lovely plant-filled outdoor terrace which is perfect for alfresco dining.

La Bodega Negra is a beloved Mexican restaurant hidden behind the guise of a sex shop, serving a street food menu with an upscale touch. The menu includes classics like truffle, black mole quesadillas, sea bass ceviche, and expertly crafted cocktails made with a range of Mexican spirits. The atmosphere is lively, especially during the weekly bottomless brunch.

This award-winning spot provides an interactive dining experience with touch-sensitive tables for ordering dishes like sushi and other pan-Asian favourites. There's also the option to play games, watch live kitchen feeds, or book private dining rooms with giant gaming screens.

Temper is dedicated to in-house butchery and puts its craft on full display with open kitchens and dramatic fire pits that make barbecue as much a performance as it is culinary art. The basement fire pit here is one of London's largest, and guests can enjoy meaty dishes from cosy booths while sipping mezcal cocktails.

The Palomar is a must-visit if you're drawn to the vibrant flavours and allure of North Africa, Spain, and the Levant. It's known for its lively atmosphere and weekend buzz and serves a menu packed with dishes like harissa chicken, glazed octopus, and cumin broccoli with za'atar yoghurt.

Hovarda is all about Aegean-inspired cuisine but with a buzzy nightlife come evening. This trendy spot attracts a fashionable crowd with its lively entertainment and Mediterranean menu, featuring dishes like kofte, lamb shank, and octopus stew. Drinks include traditional spirits, fine wines, and cocktails. There are often DJs spinning tunes well into the night.

CDMX Tacos is all about authentic Mexican tacos in the heart of Soho. The menu focuses on a few classic options, which you can customise with various condiments and sauces on the side. It was founded by a former global luxury tequila expert from Diageo, so this taqueria guarantees top-notch tacos and an outstanding drinks selection. Years spent living in Mexico inspired the owner to share his love for the country's iconic street food.

Speedboat Bar is a retro-style Thai restaurant and bar located moments from Soho. It's styled after Bangkok's vibrant Chinatown shophouses and channels the energy of Thailand with bold wok cookery and lively vibes. The upstairs bar is decorated with portraits of canal speedboat racers and lots of wacky colours. The menu is crafted by chef Luke Farrell and the JKS group and includes a range of dishes like drunken noodles, stir-fries, and  cocktails, all in a buzzy setting. It's also known for its use of spice here.

Since its mid-2024 opening, Noodle Inn has fast become a crowd favourite, thanks to Alex Xu, the genius behind Kung-Fu Noodle in Chinatown. But it's not just noodles here – the menu also features mouthwatering tongguan roujamo sandwiches, a must-try Shaanxi Province speciality. Take a front-row kitchen seat to see the noodles being stretched in front of you.

The Devonshire is always busy and buzzing no matter what time you go. It's the first collaboration between pub industry veterans Oisin Rogers (formerly of The Guinea Grill) and Charlie Carroll (founder of Flat Iron). The ground-floor pub serves drinks and homemade bar snacks, while the upstairs restaurant features creative wood ember grilling with premium ingredients like dry-aged Scottish beef, Oban langoustines, and day-boat fish. There's even an in-house butcher and bakery.