Soho is unlike any other place on the planet. The gritty, sleazy, wonderfully romantic heart of London’s West End is home to hundreds of excellent independent stores, cafés, bars, and, most crucially, restaurants. It was once the haunt of poets, pimps, and parvenus. Centuries of immigration and cultural cross-pollination have fuelled its culinary diversity. Here is Time Out’s list of our favourite Soho restaurants, ranging from rustic French meals to Mediterranean small plates and excellent tapas.
1. Pizza Pilgrims
Pizza Pilgrims, formerly a daring (and crowded) food van, has been serving Naples pizza in a busy part of Soho since 2013 — one of seven London sites.
2.Hoppers
Hoppers are known for their robust flavors and delicious rotis and dosas, inspired by Sri Lankan and Tamil cuisine, so book a table at their Soho location to experience all the hype. If that fails, visit their sites in Marylebone’s St Christopher’s Place or Kings Cross’s Pancras Square for a fantastic evening.
3. Rasa Sayang
Rasa Sayang, a Malaysian restaurant near London’s Chinatown, is known for its delectable laksa and nasi lemak. We recommend starting with their flaky roti canai and working your way up to mee Goreng and melt-in-your-mouth sambal fish fillets.
4. Tonkotsu
Ramen, forever and ever. Tonkotsu’s ramen empire now extends from Ealing in the west to Hackney in the east, and their Soho location is still one of the best in town. So after the past few years, how can you not indulge in a slurpable bowl of warming bliss while seasoned ramen veterans can try the Geki Kara for an actual heatwave?
5. Robata
‘Robata’ means ‘fireside’ in Japanese, so it’s no wonder that charcoal grilling reigns supreme at this Soho eatery. Robata serves grilled skewers and small meals alongside a tempting selection of sake and cocktails, much like the famous izakayas of Japan.
6. Barrafina
Fantastic tapas from one of four London sites, but with a buzz of Soho revelers surrounding it, it’s the closest Barrafina foursome to the pleasure of biting into croquetas and jambon in Madrid and Barcelona.
7. Sola
Culinary genius Victor Garvey, who more than works his magic in the kitchen, provides Californian fine dining. SOLA results from a collaboration between Soho and LA, resulting in dishes like kindai bluefin tuna with kinako, leek, avocado, and wasabi, as well as mignardises and rum baba, marshmallow, and passion fruit.
8. Burger & Lobster
Burger & Lobster Soho, one of those cleverly titled eateries that does exactly what it says on the tin, is part of a global network. You could struggle here if you don’t enjoy burgers or lobsters, but you probably wouldn’t have chosen this location if you didn’t.
9. Zima
Zima is a celebration of Russian cuisine, offering dishes from all over the country, and promises the ‘best affordable caviar in London.’ A bakery on-site makes bread and pastries, and the restaurant serves beef stroganoff.
10. Maître Choux
If the founder and all-around pastry hunk Joakim Prat is half the draw of Maître Choux, the other half is a lineup of genuinely delectable eclairs. Spanish raspberry, Iranian pistachio, and blueberry cheesecake are among the flavors available; this is one of those few places you can’t go wrong. As a result, we felt we had to put this eatery among the best in Soho.
11. Koya
Koya’s thick, satisfyingly chewy udon noodles have developed a cult following throughout their time in London. So now is the perfect moment to give them a try if you haven’t already. Hot atsu-atsu will warm you up in the winter, while icy hiyashi will chill you down in the summer, and Japanese beers and sake aren’t far behind.
12. Suvlaki
Suvlaki is the most fantastic place to go in Soho if you’re searching for delicious Greek food, with a central location. Here, winning small plates is the rule of the day, with the courgette fritters being a must-try.
13. Yauatcha
This slickly constructed modern Chinese restaurant on Broadwick Street is actively staffed. It’s a fantastic place to go for all-day dim sum — the venison puffs are to die for – and there are lots of vegetarian and vegan alternatives.
14. Klin
Kiln, a Thai-inspired BBQ place that has earned a reputation as one of Soho’s top restaurants, certainly lives up to the promise. It has become a critical favorite because of its wood-fired seafood, small plates, and clay pot dishes, and its northern Thai characteristics help it stand out among London’s other Thai restaurants.
15. Blanchette
Blanchette’s Soho establishment happily satisfies two requirements: being among the best of London’s French restaurants and being among the top Soho restaurants. This beautiful cafe serves charcuterie, moules marinière, and cheese and honey combinations.
16. Dishoom
Dishoom is one of the city’s most famous restaurants. It’s difficult to decide whether Dishoom is better known for its gigantic bacon naan breakfast buns or black daal that has captivated the hearts of many a Londoner, given the long lines. Nevertheless, it is unquestionably one of London’s must-see restaurants.
17. Blacklock
It’s simple to see why this one comes highly recommended by the Secret London crew members. The Soho location is the original, and Blacklock continues to serve delicious meat at reasonable pricing.
18. Mildred
Mildred’s has been a fixture in Soho for nearly three decades and is one of the city’s most popular vegan restaurants. Sri Lankan curries, burgers, and even a sticky toffee carrot cake are plant-based options. Whoever says eating healthy was boring has never eaten here.
19. Brasserie Zedel
This is an incredible gem. Inside Brasserie Zedel, you’ll find marble pillars, gilded ceilings, and Art Deco artworks, which isn’t what you’d expect from a restaurant where a two-course meal costs little over a tenner. This old brasserie, just a short walk from Piccadilly Circus, may appear unassuming from the outside, but the interior is lavishly decorated – and the food is fantastic!
20. Chotto Matte
This Japanese-Peruvian fusion restaurant will satisfy your craving for excellent sushi and elegantly prepared meals. Chotto Matte is great for a well-deserved supper after a long shopping day, with a selection of set meals and a broad menu from which to choose various sharing dishes.
