There's no doubt about it, Shaftesbury Avenue is one of London's most popular streets. Stretching through the West End, it runs from Piccadilly Circus to New Oxford Street, with iconic areas like Soho and Covent Garden within walking distance. Whether you're sightseeing, taking a break from shopping or looking for pre-theatre dinner, these are the best restaurants Shaftesbury Avenue has to offer.
Four minutes from Shaftesbury Avenue, Neil Rankin's temper Covent Garden is a prime location for meat, meat and more meat. With an open grill at its centre, the menu includes goat carnitas, soft shell crab tacos and rib-eye on the bone, with an extensive wine menu to pair.
Tucked away on Charlotte Street, Mowgli is as well known for its dreamy decor as it is its delicious dishes. In its rustic ambience, you can tuck into Indian street food favourites like treacle tamarind fries or Himalayan cheese toast.
There's plenty of larger plates to fill you up too - think temple dhal, lamb bunny chow and Goan fish curry. The signatures serves continue over on the drinks list with cocktails like the masala espresso martini and chilli mango margarita.
Located just seven minutes from Shaftesbury Avenue, Inamo is a Soho restaurant and bar with a cool technological twist. Order your meal, choose a tablecloth and view the chefs at work from your interactive tabletop, before tucking into mouthwatering pan-Asian plates and refreshing drinks.
Located just off Shaftesbury Avenue, Bloomsbury Street Kitchen is a pretty restaurant serving Japanese and Mediterranean small plates. What makes this place so impressive? The swoon-worthy indoor garden that'll brighten up your Instagram feed as you drink and dine in luxury.
Located slap bang in the heart of Shaftesbury Avenue, BrewDog is a haven for craft beer and burgers in the West End. Overlooking the iconic Palace Theatre, the bustling venue serves beer from around the world, 20 taps serving signature brews and a menu of American classics.
Boasting cute wooden furnishings, stacked piles of logs and twinkling lights, Albert's Schloss Soho's interior is reminiscent of a modern Alpine lodge. Hosting live performances every day of the week, it's the one-stop shop for all things fun. You can expect a well-stocked bar serving Bavarian biers imported from the likes of Germany, Belgium and beyond, as well as tasty grub in the form of gooey fondue, bratwurst and delicious schnitzels.
Tucked away down a side street, Monmouth Kitchen is a luxurious Covent Garden restaurant for Peruvian and Italian dishes. Speciality plates include ceviche, anticuchos and robata meat, mouthwatering pizza and fresh pasta, all of which can be enjoyed with a long list of cocktails.
Old Compton Brasserie is a Shaftesbury Avenue restaurant that champions itself on being a Soho staple. Against a backdrop of art-covered walls, visitors can indulge in classic brasserie dishes with top-quality cocktails and impressive weekend boozy brunches with live drag performances.
Located a short walk away from Shaftesbury Avenue, Dalloway Terrace is a dreamy outdoor space with Insta-worthy floral decor inspired by British summertime. Naturally, this place gets packed out during the warmer months for its alfresco drinking opportunities and prime Central London location.
Perfectly poised for pre-theatre suppers, The Palomar is a Piccadilly Circus restaurant bar serving modern Jerusalem cuisine, inspired by the vibrant flavours of Southern Spain, North Africa and Levant. Located a short walk from Shaftesbury Avenue, it's a must for theatreland revellers.
As the name would suggest, Balans is a Soho mainstay offering its guests a dash of indulgence when it comes to dinner. The restaurant not only prides itself on creating impressive burgers, but also knocks up a mean boozy brunch, perfect if you're seeking refreshment after hitting the shops.
