Best restaurants in Soho: our editors’ top picks

Looking for the best Soho restaurants? Read our recommendations for eating and drinking in Soho from Brewer Street to St Anne's Court, from Old Compton Street to Chinatown.

For more London restaurant guides, check out our reviews of the best restaurants in Fitzrovia, best restaurants in Covent Garden, best restaurants in Marylebone and best restaurants in London Bridge.

Our expert's personal recommendations

"Soho is my go-to meeting point for a quick dinner. Kiln's crab glass noodles at the counter are worth the wait, and Koya's udon bowls still remain one of my favourite quick bites in London – the narrow space is like a slice of Japan. If I have time to stick around, Bar Termini is my longstanding favourite for teeny negronis (I even have the glasses at home)." Alex Crossley

Best places to eat and drink in Soho

Impala, Dean Street — for an eclectic blend of cuisines and bold flavours

Impala serves a menu that defies easy categorisation yet feels entirely coherent. Chef Meedu Saad’s inspirations from Egypt, the eastern Mediterranean and Japan result in thrilling, unfamiliar dishes best explored with guidance from the knowledgeable team.

Highlights include the white crab and sun-dried wheat kibbeh wrapped in shiso leaf, and pillowy aish baladi flatbreads perfect for tearing and dipping in olive oil and harissa. The menu moves confidently from Cypriot-style Tamworth pork sheftalia, grilled in caul fat, to melting short rib with peppercorns and rosemary oil, and a standout molokhia of braised jute leaf and aged beef in a deeply savoury, seaweed-like sauce. Cull yaw chops on sheep fat potatoes are divisive, but the potatoes themselves are exceptional.

Dessert is a single, outstanding date and pistachio tart: salted date paste, thick custard and a pistachio-studded crisp case, generously sized and not to be missed.impalasoho.com

The Palomar, Rupert Street — for vibrant sharing plates

This small but mighty restaurant has carved its reputation as a Soho institution thanks to ten years of warm hospitality and top-notch cooking. Perch at the counter to get close to the lively action or take a seat at one of a handful of cosy tables in the back for a quieter evening.

Head chef Dan Murray takes influence from Southern Spain, North Africa and the Levant to create a succinct menu of dishes packed with texture and flavour. Think silky lamb croquette cubes topped with pickled walnut HP sauce, smacked baby cucumbers with pickled slices, green tahini, candied almond clusters and crispy chilli oil, and charcoal chicken slathered in chilli butter with yogurt and charred onion.

Bookend with saffron-infused negronis alongside swirly Yemeni kubaneh bread and mezcal old fashioneds paired with bitesize cubes of pistachio baklava ice cream sandwich. thepalomar.co.uk

Sucre, Great Marlborough Street – for open-fire cooking

Sucre brings South American flair to Soho, with chef patron Jack Godik’s open-fire cooking taking centre stage in the dramatic former London College of Music building.

The menu is bold and vibrant from the start: chewy chipá cheese breads and earthy beetroot with cashew cream set the tone, followed by crisp-edged, soft-centred potato skewers with garlic cream and guindilla chillies. The bolognese arepa, topped with wild garlic butter, is a rich, comforting highlight.

From the grill, the Argentine sirloin is the main event – thick, buttery, and bursting with beefy flavour – while the iberico pork matambre arrives in blushing, marbled slices that deliver pure melt-in-the-mouth satisfaction. Sides like broccolini with aji amarillo provide a punchy contrast.

For dessert, the dulce de leche fondant with its molten caramel centre and mascarpone ice cream is a fittingly indulgent finish. sucrerestaurant.com

Padella, Kingly Street – for fresh pasta

Padella’s Soho outpost brings the same cult pasta magic as its Borough Market original, now with a smart 60s-inspired interior and a lively Soho buzz.

The menu is packed with beloved classics – think pici cacio e pepe, fresh spaghetti puttanesca, and the rich Dexter beef shin ragu – alongside seasonal specials. Every plate is made to order, delivering exceptional flavour and value.

Don’t miss the tiramisu: boozy, coffee-soaked and surprisingly light, it’s the perfect finish after a pasta feast. With its bright setting and private dining room, Padella Soho is ideal for both spontaneous suppers and celebratory gatherings. padella.co

Tamila, Poland Street – for South Indian curries

A sunny weekday evening in Soho is a particular kind of experience. Pavements spill over with after-work drinkers and every corner seems to boast a viral food spot. Tamila feels well placed to step into this market, building on the success of its sister restaurants in Clapham and King’s Cross with a new site just off Oxford Street.

The menu is concise and a table of four could easily order the lot. We started with stuffed dosas, served with chutneys: the outer layer crisp, the potato filling soft and comforting. After checking our spice tolerance, our server recommended the Thanjavur chicken curry, its gentle coconut sweetness a nod to founder and exec chef Prince Durairaj’s South Indian heritage. From the grill, the lamb chops were deeply spiced, soft and yielding – impossible not to pick up and gnaw at. Rotis and peshwari naans, generously filled with coconut, were ideal for scooping up a rich, butter paneer curry.

The Gunpowder marg was a delicately spiced way to kick things off and while the wine list is brief, just one white and one red by the glass, it’s well chosen. A lightly chilled, very drinkable beaujolais worked well alongside the spice. tamila.uk

Ria's, Foubert's Place – for deep-dish Detroit pizza

Head to this cosy spot for fantastic deep-dish Detroit-style pizza and natural wines. It's perfect for intimate dates and candle-lit catch-ups, full of charm and character. The latest Soho site is snug yet stylishly furnished, building on everything that made the Notting Hill original a hit, with exciting new slices and a low-lit wine cave.

Ria’s ferments its dough for up to 72 hours, which gives it a deeper flavour and a deliciously chewy crust. Deep-dish pizza is filling but the pies never feel too much. Our favourite flavours were the House Pie and the Soho Chilli Crisp. The first had a red sauce base and a devilishly delicious combination of ricotta, basil and lemon drizzle. The latter was laden with ’nduja, Lao Gan Ma crispy chilli oil, pickled shallots, spring onions and aged parmesan – tongue-tingling and tangy.

There is a great range of natural wine to sip alongside your slice: we enjoyed a glass of Orange de Rias for its tropical brightness. There's also a small but sharp cocktail list and bottled beer.

To finish, treat yourself to a deep-fried Mars bar with soft serve vanilla ice cream. Sprinkled with sea salt, it really is the ultimate treat. rias.world/soho

Mamapen, Great Pulteney Street – London’s only Cambodian pops up in Soho

This lively pop-up is currently the only place to eat Cambodian in London. Chef Kaneda Pen’s classic and contemporary cooking is inspired by his mother, his love of BBQ and his Scottish partner.

So sour pineapple curry with roasted sweet potato and pickled mango; and Khmer BBQ chicken with shaoxing teriyaki glaze with tuk trey koh kong dipping sauce, sit alongside braised beef tattie mince noodles with cucumber, spring onion and chilli. Lunchtime specials for takeout keep local workers happy. sunand13cantons.co.uk/cambodian-food-london

Marjorie's – for Parisian-style wine bar vibes

Though slap bang in the middle of Soho, this Parisian-inspired wine bar is tucked away, its happy punters spilling out onto the pavement giving neighbourhood feels. Upstairs is dominated by a large counter table where you can perch beside owner Michael and team as they pour wines.

A wooden dresser showcases the 100% French wine line-up, covering a diverse mixture of regions and styles. New bottles are opened each day to keep the ‘by the glass’ list interesting. There’s always a sparkling, reds, whites and skin-contacts on rotation – that might be a pétillant, oak-aged chenin blanc from the Loire, a chilled beaujolais or a robust Crozes-Hermitage.

Downstairs, in full view of group tables in whitewashed alcoves, is where the open kitchen action happens. After the obligatory baguette with French butter, up your amuse-bouche game with a savoury twist on the Ferrero Rocher – a Morello cherry rolled in chicken liver parfait and hazelnuts.

My highlight was the ever so comforting poached chicken and nutty rice bathing in a rich, frothy brown butter emulsion. Order radicchio and leaves doused in floral orange blossom dressing to pair.

For dessert, a cocoa nib and hazelnut-flecked warm chocolate mousse was greedily spooned up like custard. marjorieslondon.co.uk

Khao-Sō-i, Market Place – for northern Thai cuisine

London doesn’t lack for Thai restaurants but at Khao-Sō-i – named after the curry noodle dish of Chiang Mai – chef Win Srinavakool has created a menu shaped by the flavours of northern Thailand, with smoke from a wood-fired grill and bold spice.

We began with moo ping: wafer-thin Norfolk pork belly skewers grilled over wood with a sticky, caramelised edge and a deep, savoury warmth. Tum khanun – young jackfruit salad tossed with northern herbs – whacks your tastebuds with refreshing and tingling heat and zest.

The main event is the namesake khao soi. We tried it two ways: gai (chicken) and bai pye (torched beef chuck eye). The pleasure is in shaping it. Each bowl arrives with coconut cream, chilli flakes, herbs and crisp noodles on the side, so you build your own version: richer, hotter, crunchier, or all of the above, before you pull the noodles from the creamy spiced broth and slurp like no one’s watching.

There’s an extensive drinks list but ice-cold Neckstamper pale ale is the way to go to douse the fire and cleanse your palate before diving into luxurious cha thai cheesecake or bai toey ice cream with cloud-like cubes of brioche. khaosoilondon.com

Fonda, Heddon Street – for contemporary Mexican

Tucked just off Regent Street on Heddon Street, Fonda feels like a secret. Co-owned by Santiago Lastra of Kol, Fonda is a more relaxed cousin – casual yet quietly refined.

Start with the frozen margarita or a salt-rimmed, non-alcoholic paloma – refreshing, sharp, all edge and sparkle. The ceviche leans into fresh and floral: soft tuna, basil and tomato meet fresh cherry in a combination that’s quietly brilliant. The Baja taco is everything a fish taco should be – lacy crisp batter, tender cod you can actually taste and a pistachio mole that brings it all together. Octopus tacos layered with Ratte potatoes and bruléed bone marrow are deeply rich (ask for the pickled vegetables to cut through).

Finish with the mezcal rice pudding - silken, smoky and punctuated with cherries that burst and bloom. It’s a place to settle in, let the plates keep coming and forget the busy city just round the corner. fondalondon.com

ALTA, Kingly Court – for sophisticated northern Spanish cuisine

Northern Spanish cuisine is the focus at this sophisticated addition to Soho’s dining arcade. The two-floor space combines industrial warehouse features (large windows, exposed ceilings) with earthy touches – rough stone walls, textured wood and soft lighting. At the helm is Rob Roy Cameron, a chef well versed in the region thanks to years as Albert Adria’s right-hand man.

A set of rich, smoked Txistorra pork sausages charred on the grill and doused in aged PX vinegar are the snack highlight, closely followed by a striking sardine and wine-soaked raisin empanada encased in puff pastry, the fish head and tail peeking out for show.

Sharing mains (35-day aged sirloin and ribeye, pork chops and Basque classic turbot) are cooked on the wood-fired open grill, providing a theatrical focal point. Must-order salt-baked Charlotte potatoes are topped with a disc of mojo verde butter that slowly melts into the hot, crispy flesh.

Finish with dark chocolate ganache lifted with olive oil and salt, topped with sourdough ice cream and charred Italian meringue.

The drinks menu is strong – Basque 75 is a pétillant combination of txakoli, oak-aged vodka, verjus, orange blossom and oloroso sherry, while a considerable selection of vermouths and sherry are a welcome feature alongside natural wines. alta-restaurant.com

KILN, Brewer Street – for Thai food

Ben Chapman’s latest outpost has all the ingredients for yet another frustratingly brilliant Soho restaurant – small, no-reservation policy, sterling reviews. But, it’s worth any queue. Grab a spot at the pass, where the flames of the charcoal fires will keep you as warm as the spices from the confidently succinct, regional Thai menu.

As well as delivering on atmosphere, Kiln actually offers the lesser-known and ever rarer phenomenon of good value in London. Aged lamb skewers, delicately fragrant with cumin and Szechuan pepper and cranked-up in flavour with the lick of those flames, are £2.90 for two.

A delicious main of clay-pot baked glass noodles with Tamworth pork belly and brown crabmeat, which comes with an intense, zingy herb dip on the side, is a highlight. We’re warned about the heat of the roasted long pepper and Tamworth pork shoulder curry but its tingle was just the right side of numbing, mellow and spicy sweet.

Wild mushroom salad seasoned with soy and lime, inspired by the region of Isaan, in the northeast of Thailand, was precisely the sort of plate that the term umami was coined for. kilnsoho.com

Platapian, Greek Street – for stylish Thai dining

Find this sleek space from the people behind Patara on one of London’s busiest streets. We started with crispy chicken skin with a squeeze of lime – think gourmet pork scratchings. Stuffed snub nose chilli stuffed with minced chicken and prawn is big enough to share, plump and aromatic, and, despite its name, only mildly hot.

Of the many surprising dishes at Platapian, one especially stood out: cabbage roasted until soft yet still with bite, the wedges dressed with fish sauce and whole chillies to deliver a sweet-salty heat that works beautifully with the vegetable’s faint sourness.

Mains kept the balance between comfort and freshness. Short rib beef in five-spice ‘paloh’ with grated salted egg yolk is the stand-out. Flake-apart meat in a rich gravy was positively swoon-worthy. While southern-style yellow curry with crab, mellow and light, saucy with coconut, was a hug in a bowl. Together they showed how Platapian’s menu celebrates the whole of Thai cuisine.

From the drinks list, Tom Yum-tini and a whisky sour are smart, punchy and in simpatico with the elegance of the restaurant, while desserts use Thai ingredients to twist familiar Western dishes, such as a smooth pandan crème brûlée. pataralondon.com

Imad’s Syrian Kitchen, Kingly Court — for Syrian sharing plates

Imad Alarnab’s story is a remarkable one. After spending years as a successful restaurateur in Damascus, his businesses were destroyed by the war, and he was forced to flee the country for safety. Shortly after arriving in London in 2015, he began cooking Syrian food at supper clubs and pop-ups (at which he raised thousands of pounds for refugee charity, Choose Love), before crowdfunding for his own permanent restaurant.

Located on the top floor of Soho’s Kingly Court, the restaurant has the feel of a family-run taverna, with white walls accented by bright blue windows and tiles, dotted with heart-warming photographs from Imad’s past. As for Imad’s food, its every bit as uplifting as his story. Every dish we tried from his sharing-style menu of Syrian dishes was a hit, from the super-crisp, perfectly seasoned falafel with lightly pickled, sumac-dusted red onions, to the pool of chickpea-topped hummus with hot, fluffy pittas for dunking.

Other highlights include the fattet macdous – a dish of silky soft baby aubergines filled with cumin-spiced minced lamb, served with tahini, crispy pittas, pine nuts, herbs, and juicy pops of pomegranate – and the shish tawook, which combines beautifully tender, charred chicken with homemade paprika crisps, tomato mayo and pitta. imadssyriankitchen.co.uk

Bubala, Poland Street – for Middle Eastern small plates

The second spot from Marc Summers (Berber & Q) and Helen Graham (Palomar) is decked out in the same earthy-chic style as the original Spitalfields restaurant. Gather round the table at the back to get a slice of action from the open kitchen and peruse jars of ferments and infusions that make their way into dishes and cocktails. Blood orange syrup is shaken up with tequila in a rose petal and Persian salt-rimmed margarita, and citrus syrups are topped up with sparkling water and fresh herbs in the non-alcoholic gazoz options.

To start, order fresh laffa flatbread to dip into silky baba ganoush, followed by charcoaled leek swirl skewers and corn ribs, slathered in a punchy chipotle, Aleppo chilli, black garlic and cumin sauce.

Lip-smacking mains include buttery hispi cabbage coated in a dried orange, nori and sesame crumb, and deep-fried, brined cauliflower served with caramelised spinach bkeila. Potato latkes are given a modern twist, pressed with garlic butter into stacks and fried to order, and fresh vesuvio tomatoes and mango are soaked in a sweet and tangy tamarind and date syrup dressing.

Finish with coconut and tahini fudge, subtly laced with blood orange and coated in crackly sesame seeds. bubala.co.uk/soho

Bao, Lexington Street – for Taiwanese buns

Bao began life as a tiny bar in Hackney, selling pillowy soft ‘baos’ (steamed milk buns) stuffed with various fillings. Following its success, the team opened a restaurant in Soho. Husband and wife team, Shing Tat Chung and Erchen Chang, alongside Shing’s sister Wai Ting Chung are behind the venture, and it was the trio’s travels across Asia that inspired the menu.

Their signature bao take centre stage – try classic braised pork and panko-crumbed daikon radish bao – but there’s also xiao chi (small eats) on offer.

As for drinks, expect hot oolong and cold foam tea, plus cider, sake and whisky. It’s a cosy space with shelves lined with homemade pickles – including golden kimchi. baolondon.com

Crunch, Dean Street – for smash-hit sandwiches

Landing on the buzzy corner of Dean Street and Old Compton Street, Crunch brings its cult-followed Spitalfields sandwiches to a permanent Soho address – and the result is part elevated sandwich shop, part stainless steel lined sandwich theatre. The vibe is sleek but casual, with polished metal counters, high stools and a front-row view of the sandwich station, where flat iron steaks hit the grill and brioche buns get that signature toast.

The menu is concise but clever – the main event is the Soho-exclusive steak sandwich, a decadent, juicy, grass-fed beef patty in golden, crisp-edged brioche. Don’t skip sides: the thousand-layer crispy potatoes with bloody mary ketchup are addictive, and the lasagne bites are punchy, deep-fried delights. For something sweet, the deep-fried french toast made from brioche offcuts, custard-soaked and topped with apple, chocolate chunks and dulce de leche, is reason enough to linger.

The service is fast and friendly, perfect for solo diners perched at the bar or a quick lunch with a friend. A breakfast menu is on the way, too – worth keeping an eye on for early morning indulgence. sandwichuprising.com

123V Bakery, Stephen Street — for vibrant vegan fare

Chef Alexis Gauthier – vegan pioneer at his eponymous Soho restaurant – recently opened a nearby diffusion venue, housing a “fun, unbuttoned” restaurant, Studio Gauthier, and bakery-café 123V. The latter serves vibrant vegan sushi, brunch dishes and plant-based burgers. 123vegan.co.uk

Bar Termini, Old Compton Street – for negronis and espresso

Chic, fifties-style Italian café-bar Bar Termini is known for its dinky pre-bottled negronis served straight in bespoke coupe glasses (I love the delicately fragrant rosato as well as the classic option). Pop in during the day to sip an espresso at the marble-topped counter or recline on a green-leather banquette with a bicerin espresso, stirred up with thick chocolate and foamed milk. bar-termini-soho.com

Kati Roll Company, Poland Street – for Bengali kati rolls

For many years, this unassuming eatery – located just off Oxford Street – was a secret spot for diasporic Indians in London who were in the know. It’s decked out in a fiesta of bright orange paint and faded Bollywood posters, with rustic wooden benches and a silver serving counter at the very end.

They specialise in kati rolls – the iconic Bengali street food from Kolkata – which consists of vibrantly spiced fillings, wrapped up in your choice of either buttery fried paratha or iron-griddled roti. Their ‘Achaari Panner Roll’ marinated in spicy pickle is especially tasty. Order extra chutney on the side if you like it especially saucy. tkrc.co.uk

Kapara – for fun Middle Eastern feasts

Channelling Tel Aviv, this vivacious Soho complex mixes music, food and cocktails. Chef Eran Tibi’s creative food revels in theatrical presentation and playful dish names. Dessert ‘gramp’s cigar’ very much looks like it, while deep-fried paprika marinated chicken thighs, with orange harissa kimchi and wild garlic mayo, are subtitled ‘crispy crunchy bums’. kapara.co.uk

Bocca di Lupo – for regional Italian dishes

Bocca Di Lupo (along with its ice cream shop Gelupo that sits opposite) has been a Soho institution for regional Italian cooking and wine since its 2008 opening. Friendly and knowledgeable Italian staff will help you navigate the impressive seven sections (from fritti to grill) of the menu – a tour of Italian regions and specialities, the daily changing offering adapts with the seasons, too.

Sit at the bar to watch the kitchen in action, or the smart dining room at the back. Puffy sage and anchovy fritti make the perfect snack to kick off your meal with drinks – cocktails are also divided by region, with plenty of wines by the glass.

Sea bream carpaccio doused in rosemary salt and blood orange is a highlight, along with mini fried flatbreads stuffed with fennel-studded finocchiona and soft squacquerone cheese. The chefs make strong use of seasonal ingredients – tender rabbit orzo and trofie with wild garlic pesto on our spring visit elevated familiar dishes.

Don’t miss the ice creams in house for dessert – the prettiest pale pink rhubarb sorbet is almost vegetal in its intense flavour and not too sweet, while blood orange granita is a refreshing end to a decadent tour of Italy. boccadilupo.com

Yasmin, Warwick Street – for rooftop dining with Middle Eastern flavour

Come for the sunny terrace and jewel box interiors, stay for the sharing plates at chef Tom Cenci’s latest venture at Piccadilly Circus.

Inspired by a stint in Istanbul, the menu majors on superior dips, flatbreads and zingy salads and grills. Sesame seed hummus gets a lift with raisins and peanut dressing; whipped sheep’s cheese features hot honey and isot biber (dried chilli pepper). The sumac smoked duck salad with grilled corn is a must order. Pair salmon and olive skewers with smashed cucumber and batata harra potatoes.

Signature desserts are the pistachio ice cream sandwich and turkish delight cheesecake. Delicately spiced cocktails work throughout dinner – try Shapash, which blends tequila with chili, watermelon, strawberry and citrus. yasminsoho.com

Singapulah, Shaftesbury Avenue – for Singaporean comfort food

Londoners and tourists queue for up to 40 minutes at key times to bag a seat at restaurateur Ellen Chew’s celebration of Singaporean food, with beloved suppliers namechecked on the menu (such as fishball supremo DoDo, and Udders ice cream – its durian flavour has a Marmite response).

Head here for comforting bowl of noodles, nasi goreng and beef rendang. Singapore laksa is served over mee tai bak – short noodles which make it easy to eat with a spoon (less of a slurpfest!). Snacks and small bites include fried chilli crab bao and kueh pie tee savoury pastries topped with prawns and peanuts, best shared with three or more.

The utilitarian space is softened with a pastel colour scheme, colourful ads as artwork with shelves lined with ceramics and products.

Signature cocktails and mocktails feature ingredients such as Yeo’s chrysanthemum tea. singapulah.co.uk

Nessa, Brewer Street – for a modern, seasonal menu

Nessa is a sophisticated restaurant situated right in the bustle of London’s Soho. Enter the striking horseshoe bar and you’ll see a range of UK producers on display, including no- or low-alcohol options – as well as the option to order snacks and small plates. The space has been fully renovated with the style of the neo-baroque building in mind – it’s stylish with lots of marble, oak and brass fixtures, and fittings on the art-lined walls. In the dining room, you’ll find booths and an open kitchen, where Executive Chef Tom Cenci (formerly of Loyal Tavern and Duck & Waffle) has devised a menu of British influences with global flavours, focusing on seasonality.

Signature dishes include celeriac carbonara with pancetta and truffle, Sirloin grass-fed Irish beef and roast rump of West Country lamb, courgette cassoulet with white beans and lemon herb crumb, and poached Cornish cod with parsley root purée and hazelnut crumb. For sides, try the spice bag or charred broccoli with caesar dressing.

Nessa offers a relaxed yet stylish dining experience, perfect for anything from a quick snack to a full meal, all served in a space that’s as inspiring as the food. nessasoho.com

Kricket, Denman Street – for Indian small plates

Contemporary and cool, Kricket specialises in Indian small plates using local vegetables along with fish and meat sourced within the British Isles. Expect to queue at these no-reservations restaurants but dishes like samphire pakoras and Keralan fried chicken are more than worth the wait. We have the recipe for Kricket's kichri. Kedgeree as we know it was an adaptation of the original recipe for kichri, which consists of rice and lentils. You can use poached eggs rather than raw egg yolks, if you like. kricket.co.uk

NOPI – for Ottolenghi's vibrant small plates

When Yotam Ottolenghi opened NOPI in 2011, it was quite a departure from the more casual cafés he was known for, and reviews commented as much on the glamorous mirrored loos, marble floors and burnished light fittings as the quality of its Med-meets-Middle-Eastern menu. Since 2024, NOPI’s newly appointed head chef Elaine Goad has embraced a fresh perspective on the restaurant’s iconic menu.

The small plates tick all of the Ottolenghi boxes; fresh, vibrant, veg-rich dishes, including roasted aubergine with cashew tahini and tomato sambal, and crispy mushrooms with wild garlic aioli and Thai basil. Cod is elevated with a smoky miso glaze served on an artichoke purée and peas. Finish with the coffee financier, a delicate sponge with crunchy pecan running through it, served with a soft maple cream.

There’s a more casual arrangement downstairs, where diners share a large farmhouse-style table that offers a front row seat to the open kitchen so you can watch the talented team at work. ottolenghi.co.uk

Three Sheets – for sleek cocktails

Max and Noel Venning need no introduction in the cocktail world. The original Three Sheets in Dalston is a bartenders’ institution, thanks to its stripped-back interiors, late-night vibes and innovative. The brothers were pre-batching cocktails before it became a trend, setting standards high with their floral sparkling French 75 served in a champagne bottle. This iconic cocktail is still on the menu at the new spot in the heart of Soho, joined by many new stand-out contenders.

An elegant version of a dirty martini has a delicate floral finish thanks to Ethiopian Koseret tea-infused Belvedere and a silkiness courtesy of an olive oil fat wash. Mezcal Sunrise is a juicy, long drink with smoky depth and floral bergamot notes from earl grey-infused mezcal, bright and citrussy freshly squeezed mandarin juice and a touch of marigold powder for subtle earthiness. Sazzaquack makes a short, smooth whisky number with notes of black treacle and a subtle spice finish thanks to homemade five spice tincture.

The vibe is a little sleeker than the original, with marble tables, teal blue booths and black and white photographs of Soho's characters reminding punters that they are in the hearty of London's drinking district. threesheets-bar.com

Humble Chicken, Frith Street — for nose-to-tail yakitori and modern cocktails

Humble Chicken’ name gets straight to the point. This intimate Soho restaurant from chef Angelo Sato is all about grilling every part of the bird (from gizzard to thighs) over binchotan charcoal (a high-quality charcoal used in Japanese cooking).

Start with a selection of refined snacks, including a delicate, umami miso foie gras tart and creamy freshly made tofu with tangy kimchi, before diving into the yakitori menu with gusto. Skewers — smoky, juicy, delicious — arrive speedily from the open kitchen, with highlights including meatball with salty tare sauce and egg yolk for dipping, rib with spicy miso and chives, and (our favourite) absurdly tender chicken oysters with smoked garlic and ponzu.

Larger plates include crispy chicken leg with rice, and save room for dainty desserts such as deconstructed strawberry cheesecake, and purin, a Japanese dessert akin to a creme caramel, and just as delicious.

There’s Asahi on draft and a small selection of sakes, wines and Japanese whiskies, but it’s the cocktails that deserve most attention on the drinks list, including a tangily fruity lychee martini; a silky Nikka whisky, coconut milk and oolong highball, and a sultry miso and coffee old fashioned. humblechickenuk.com

Speedboat Bar, Chinatown – for fiery Thai cuisine

Despite London having possibly the best nightlife in the UK, it feels rare to get a spot like Speedboat Bar. Open until late on the weekend (you can get your fill of fiery cuisine and party vibes until 1am), this Thai canteen in Chinatown, brought to you by Plaza Khao Gaeng’s Luke Farrell, has décor almost as bombastic as the flavours.

Once you’re done looking at the framed pics of the Thai royal family or playing a game of pool, get your tongue tingling with a menu that would satisfy any chilli fanatic. And don’t forget to cool down after with a creamy cocktail or a tower of beer. speedboatbar.co.uk

Maresco, Berwick Street – for fish-focussed, modern tapas

Following successful openings in Crouch End and Stoke Newington, the team behind local favourites Bar Esteban and Escocesa has ventured into central London with this intimate 48-cover space in the heart of Soho. Billed as a modern tapas bar (with a more formal dining room on the basement floor), expect a seafood-focussed menu at Maresco, featuring top-quality Scottish produce served with Spanish flair and (a lot) of Spanish wine. maresco.co.uk

Chung’dam, Greek Street – for modern Korean cooking

Named after the bustling Cheongdam-dong district in Seoul, Chung’dam is a contemporary Korean restaurant combining modern Korean cooking with traditional cooking techniques, paired with the finest ingredients in a sleek and refined space that’s designed to facilitate an interactive dining experience taking you on a journey through all your senses. With an impressive cocktail list that features rice wine and soju alongside a global wine list, Chung’dam attempts to live up to the vibrant reputation of its namesake. chungdam.co.uk

The Seafood Bar, Dean Street – for quality, sustainably sourced seafood

Already a raging success in the Netherlands because of its commitment to serving quality, sustainably sourced seafood at a reasonable price, this is the first international branch to open in London. The restaurant occupies the ground floor of a Georgian townhouse, and the grand dimensions, white interior and high ceilings give the space a luxurious but airy feel.

The menu is comprehensive with different sections covering hot and cold starters, crustaceans, oysters, fruit de mer platters, mussels, mixed seafood grills, caviar and even fish and chips.

We almost go for the full bells-and-whistles fruit de mer platter that every table seems to be ordering, but our waiter after a hunger check-in advises a smaller platter, plus a couple of hot starters, which are both winners; sweet, juicy clams in a delicate wine and garlic sauce, and plump creamy, gratinated scallops in the shell.

Our fruit de mer platter is a shellfish-lover's dream with some more unusual offerings such as razor clams, periwinkles and whole brown shrimp alongside mussels, cockles, clams, prawns, crab, seaweed salad and oysters. Everything is served simply on ice with lemon and mayo allowing the freshness and quality of the seafood to shine through – a perfect pairing with a crisp glass of Grüner Veltliner. theseafoodbar.com

Yeni, Beak Street — for wood-fired modern Turkish food

With most dishes at Yeni given the funk of fermentation or seasoned with smoke, this is food that’s big on flavour but handled with enough respect to let the quality of the ingredients shine.

The open fire kitchen is centre stage in the tall-ceilinged room, start with a G and house-made T (tonic meets kombucha) then it’s all about choosing sharing plates for the table or letting the chef choose for you with a daily changing tasting menu. About half the menu is creatively vegetarian – beetroot is almost sticky from being slow braised in olive oil then punctuated with sour cherries, salty galomizithra cheese and a crunch of hazelnuts.

Choose a filling of either beef or dried aubergine for the Turkish manti dumplings which come in a broth made so complex and creamy from using double-fermented yogurt that you’ll be ordering more wood-fired puffy tava bread to mop the bowl clean with. yeni.london

Lina Stores restaurant, Greek Street – for pasta

Head chef Masha Rener has kept the menu simple and seemingly authentic at the Italian deli's original restaurant opening, with every ingredient hailing directly from Italy – from bright and buttery Cerignola olives right down to the sugar used in exemplary Italian desserts and cakes.

Fresh pasta, handmade an hour before service, is served as the main event rather than traditional pre-main primi. Bright yellow strands of pappardelle soak up light, gamey rabbit ragu, and a vibrant mint and courgette mixture is stuffed into little tortellini parcels. Pici alla norcina is the highlight, though – springy worms of pasta in a creamy, nutty sauce of porcini mushroom and Norcia sausage (often celebrated as the best in Italy).

The antipasti menu includes silky aubergine fritters in a golden shell, crisp radicchio salad with anchovy dressing, and bowls of almost-too-pretty-to-eat baby artichoke hearts. Creamy lemon sorbet refreshes after so many comforting carbs, the little half-lemon bowl a nostalgic nod to Italian holidays, served with a shot of limoncello to send you merrily on your way.

A few minutes down the road on Brewer Street, the original Lina Stores – the pretty Italian deli – has been a destination for local foodies since 1944. The mint-tiled corner store is packed with anything from metre-long pasta frills to pretty bottles of passata – perfect for stocking fillers and souvenirs. There’s also a fresh pasta bar and a counter piled high with ’nduja, finocchiona and gorgonzola. linastores.co.uk

Ducksoup, Dean Street – for date night

For a post-shopping drink or two, head to wine bar and restaurant Ducksoup. It’s pared-back but cosy, and super friendly. Its range of natural and biodynamic wines, served by the glass, changes weekly, as does the short menu of European dishes chalked up on a board. You can even browse the in-house vinyl collection and choose your own soundtrack. ducksoupsoho.co.uk

Blacklock, Great Windmill Street – for a chophouse

Go for the ‘all in’ option at cool and casual restaurant Blacklock and you’ll be faced with pre-chop bites (duck rillettes, kimchi, pickle) followed by huge sharing platters of skinny chops (including short rib beef, lamb cutlets and pork loin) plus chargrilled flatbreads to soak up the juices. The £5 cocktails are fab, too. theblacklock.com

Bar Swift, Old Compton Street – for cocktails

From the team behind Nightjar and Oriole, Swift is a classy spot that covers all your cocktail needs. Stand at the slick upstairs bar for a pre-theatre aperitivo (we love the refreshing lemon sorbet, prosecco and Italicus sgroppino) or sink into a sofa in the basement for your whisky of choice from an extensive list. barswift.com

Koya Soho, Frith Street – for noodles

Duck through the curtains at Koya Bar and you’re transported straight to Tokyo. A wooden counter spans the narrow space: punters huddle over bowls of springy udon noodles on one side, while chefs add eggs to breakfast bowls, and slip noodles, prawn tempura, tofu and miso pork into hot broth on the other. koyabar.co.uk

Berenjak, Romilly Street – for Iranian food

This is a buzzy casual restaurant and tables are a tight squeeze. Out front, the open kitchen spills out its sights, sounds and smells onto the counter diners – there’s a flaming tandoor (oven), mangal barbecue, and vertical rotisserie. The menu at Berenjak is broken down into mazeh that are designed to be mopped up with house-made flatbreads – either taftoon, seeded sourdough, baked in the clay tandoor, or whole wheat sangak cooked on hot pebbles – kababs and khoresht (stews), and sides, including various pickles, rice and beans.

It’s hard not to order everything but we’re reliably informed by our enthused German waitress that jigar (mangal-grilled calves liver) is a good place to start. She was right, as were all her recommendations. Served on soft and blistered lavash bread with mellow sliced red onion, a wedge of lemon to squeeze over, and shredded mint, the offal was burnished, buttery and blushing. berenjaklondon.com

Hoppers, Frith Street – for Sri Lankan dishes

Named after the lacy, bowl-shaped pancakes that are a staple of Sri Lanka, Hoppers has quickly established itself as one of London’s hippest hangouts. From the can-do-no-wrong team behind Michelin-starred Gymkhana, Hoppers references the food of southern India and Sri Lanka.

There’s a succinct menu starring traditional hoppers: light fermented rice and lentil pancake bowls, with a softly steamed egg and a selection of confidently spiced karis. Load up on the ‘short eats’, though. Mutton rolls are like crunchy cigars – with a golden crumb, shredded gamey meat and lightly spiced tomato chutney. Bone marrow is so seductively sauced that you would be forgiven for refusing to share. The best, perhaps, are buttered devilled shrimps: juicy and fiery. There a fab and refreshing cocktails also. hopperslondon.com

Try our egg hoppers recipe here…

Pastaio, Ganton Street – for pasta

Chef Stevie Parle’s Pastaio brings handmade pasta and affordable wines to Soho. The agnoli was a triumph of pared-back cooking; perfectly cooked and crafted pasta, a generous game filling and a seriously moreish sage-butter sauce. pastaio.co.uk

Korean Dinner Party, Kingly Court —for Korean flavours and sharing snacks

Head to the top of Kingly Court in Soho to discover this this lively opening inspired by Korean flavours and LA’s Mexican food scene, with menus designed by prolific chef duo Ana Gonçalves and Zijun Meng of Tata Eatery, and craft sake from London’ only sake brewery, Peckham’s Kanpai. Inside, expect stripped-back interiors with concrete walls, neon lighting and Korean wall art.

An eclectic menu covers everything from Korean corn dogs to tacos and kimchi pancakes. There are larger dishes on offer — go for the Korean tacos with 48-hour slow-cooked beef short rib, ssamjang, slae and homemade wrappers — but it’s the sharing snacks and cocktails that especially impress. Bacon mochi, fudgy chewy rice cakes wrapped in caramelised bacon with gochujang caramel are succulently umami, while ‘chikin’ turns out to be a mound of tender nuggets and rice sticks decadently blanketed in garlic cream and parmesan.

The drinks list features fresh twists on classic drinks, such as a plum Americano made with Korean plum wine and Kanpai umeshu. We tried the pleasingly fiery Michelada Boilermaker — spiced Korean beer served with a shot of sake alongside — and the sultry and silky burnt rice old fashioned to finish. koreandinnerparty.com

Bob Bob Ricard, Upper James Street – for an impressive dinner

Bob Bob Ricard is a Russian-inspired restaurant in Soho that exudes luxury, with ornate interiors loosely based on the Orient Express (train-carriage style booths, brass rails and coat racks), slick service and iconic ‘press for Champagne’ buttons. It’s all about excess, with hearty portions, theatrical presentation and copious amounts of fizz.

The menu focuses on English classics, with Russian influences highlighted in pink (think plenty of truffle, shots of -18 degree vodka and caviar). Highlights include traditional truffled potato dumplings served with crispy onions and shimeji mushrooms, puff-pastry-topped fish pie with chunky pieces of smoked haddock, sole and cod and the perfectly pink 28-day aged Scotch beef fillet wellington accompanied by silky truffled mash.

Chocolate Glory’ is a showstopping dessert or keep things lighter with a zesty trio of lime, lemon and pink grapefruit sorbets served with Platinum vodka. bobbobricard.com

L’escargot, Greek Street – for a Soho institution

L’escargot was big news in the 80s and is somewhat of a Soho institution but it’s sparkle faded over the years. Now, after a refurb and now with a brunch menu, it’s worth putting on your radar once again. The 280-year-old town house is also a member’s club, and it shows in this room: dark wood and comfortable, red velvet-covered chairs, it hasn’t lost the French bistro charm. lescargot.co.uk

Photography Credits: Leigh Griffiths (Long Chim)

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