Best Restaurants In Soho

Boasting an innovative dining concept as its centrepiece, where an interactive ordering system is beamed directly onto the table via digital projections, Inamo is a popular dinner spot that offers a super fun and quirky experience. There's even the option to play battleships while you wait for your food in this animated, futuristic setting among wooden dividers dotted with luminescent marble squares. The menu features classic sushi rolls filled with tempura shrimp and mayonnaise, and Japanese small plates such as sweet and sour popcorn pork and sweet potato bao buns, washed down with creative cocktails like a lychee mojito and a watermelon cooler.

An elegant restaurant and bar decked out in 1920s-inspired decor (think The Orient Express and then some), Bob Bob Ricard is as impressive as it is delicious. It features the iconic 'press for Champagne' buzzers, a fusion of Russian and British cuisine, and a renowned wine list, and can be found perched on Upper James Street.

Prepare to devour dishes like steak tartare, Siberian sturgeon caviar, and chicken and Champagne pie washed down with platinum vodka shots and you'll soon see why this place is something to write home about.

This intimate basement location serves up some droolworthy Italian food that you won't be able to get enough of. Grab your friends and book your table at the best Italian restaurant Soho has to offer, Mele E Pere. Enjoy low-hanging orbs of light and checkered flooring paired with monochrome art and prepare to inhale a menu packed with flavour. Think 48-hour proved pizzas, homemade pasta dishes like fettuccine featuring squid ink, king prawns and courgette, and juicy steaks alongside chips, with an extensive list of vermouth cocktails to boot. 

Mele e Pere is celebrating 15 years on Brewer Street this year too, kicking things off with the Sicilian supper club (£29.50 per person), a limited-time menu celebrating the bold, sun-soaked flavours of Sicily. It features regional specialities such as fresh lobster salad, handmade ricotta ravioli, and homemade cassata gelato. At the bar, a brand-new spritz hour runs from 3pm to 6pm, Sunday to Friday, featuring the signature Procida spritz, and due to popular demand, the restaurant is also bringing back its Vermouth classes, offering a deep dive into Italy's most storied aperitif through expert-led tastings and insights. 

In the heart of Soho, you'll find this stunning Israeli restaurant whipping up the laid-back food of Tel Aviv and blending it with a hedonistic approach to dining. Among crystal chandeliers, dangling foliage and pastel furnishings you'll be able to slide into a leather booth and devour delights cooked up by head chef Eran Tibi, who was trained at the famous Le Cordon Bleu culinary school. Inhale plates of whole canoed sea bream with burnt sage and baby plum tomatoes, plus 'smokin' mussels in fermented harrisa. To drink, it boasts an innovative cocktail menu as well as its house beverage, the Naughty Gazoz, made with small-batch syrups, coming in flavours of lemon and rose, or strawberry and balsamic. 

Sticks'n'Sushi's Soho outpost can be found on Beak Street, promising everything you'd expect from this popular Danish-Japanese restaurant group. Their sleek Scandinavian interiors feature modern light fittings, dark furniture and sultry, low lighting that screams date night, using natural materials where possible.

Their extensive Japanese menu has got something for everyone, including plenty of vegan and gluten-free options. Think chicken karaage, sake-marinated mackerel, avocado maki and so much more - washed down with cocktails.

Located on Berwick Street in the very heart of Soho, Ember Yard boasts an idyllic dining experience. Perch upon high-top tables underneath dangling light fixtures and browse a menu featuring locally sourced ingredients, inspired by the wood-fired cuisine of Spain and Italy. From a kitchen overseen by head chef Mumin Ramadan Ali, try pan-fried prawns with black garlic, Cornish monkfish tempura with a pickled onion salad and churros dusted in cinnamon sugar to finish.

When you need a fresh Italian bite to eat, look no further than Obicà Mozzarella Bar. This authentic, bright and airy destination is named after its signature dish, although it also serves a range of small plates, like escarole and anchovy croquettes, and mains like prawns and baby squid mixed with ribbons of pasta. There's even a tempting pizza menu that features dough made with Molino Paolo Mariani type 1 flour and has been risen for at least 48 hours. Toppings include yellow and red datterini tomatoes, Mediterranean tonnetto fillets and more. 

If you're looking to hit up a Japanese restaurant, Soho has plenty to choose from but Aqua Kyoto has to be one of the most sought-after. Located on Regent Street, this stunning eatery is a must for any occasion, with slinky interiors (think luminous shards that make up wall panellings and dark, velvet booths) and a stunning, candle-lit rooftop terrace perfect for a tipple or two. It boasts expertise in omakase sushi and sashimi, alongside modern signature dishes including tempura and specials like Japanese aubergine and shishito yaki with goma miso from the robata grill. To cover all bases, opt for the experience menu where you can delight in multiple courses with a sake and wine pairing for £150 per person.

For a relaxed tapas restaurant, Dehesa provides a simple menu of charcuterie, bar snacks and delectable dishes, perfect for pairing with one of their refreshing cocktails like a summer negroni made with raspberry puree. If you're after Spanish-Italian cuisine in the heart of town then this is the place to book, with head chef Marcin Ciesielski celebrating seasonality and Carnaby Street only a stone's throw away. It's perfect for date night thanks to its low-lighting and shabby chic brick walls, and group dining with £50 and £75 set menus to choose from. Wolf down the likes of crispy whitebait served with aioli, or a chargrilled chorizo picante, then finish by munching on a chestnut cheesecake.

Bringing a contemporary spin on traditional dim sum, Opium is a stunner. Located behind a secret door on Gerrard Street, the ruby red, award-winning parlour is a prime date spot spread over multiple floors. The Apothecary, Peony and Attic & Academy Bar each have something unique to offer, like intimate drinks or steaming spreads of fluffy buns. Order a seafood platter showcasing prawn, seabass and scallop dumplings, or tuck into Cantonese BBQ pork buns. There's also a selection of snacks like chilli lemon toasted corn, spicy rice crackers or wasabi peas to tempt your tastebuds too.

40 Dean Street offers an intimate Italian dining experience in the heart of Soho. This cosy restaurant, known for its traditional Italian cuisine and elegant ambience, is the perfect place for those who appreciate fresh, high-quality food.

With a menu that boasts rich pasta, flavorful mains like sea bass with prawns and clams, and decadent desserts, it delivers a classic dining experience in one of London's most vibrant neighbourhoods.

Situated on Argyll Street, Amalfi Ristorante is a stunning restaurant inspired by Italian cuisine. The venue is decked out in lush foliage and pretty lights, from the main dining space and private rooms to the beautiful botanical gardens upstairs.

Their menu ranges from hand-stretched wild mushroom and truffle sourdough pizza to lobster spaghetti and homemade veal ravioli. Plus, they offer bottomless brunches for £39.50 per person.

At 64 Old Compton Street, Soho's eclectic charm meets modern dining. This inviting venue offers a fantastic menu filled with creative twists on classic dishes, ideal for those who enjoy fresh, delicious food in a stylish setting.

Whether you're craving hearty comfort food or a lighter bite, the restaurant guarantees a memorable meal in a vibrant part of London. Check out its 'nduja-topped pizzas, tiger prawn linguinesa and pistachio tiramisus. 

With warm wood interiors and an open, street food style kitchen, Wingmans stakes a claim as one of Soho's classiest casual restaurants. Its menu is ripe for praise too.

Packed with succulent, signature sauce drenched wings and jumbo strips, sandwiches and belly-busting sides, it's perfect for a quick lunch or long and lively feast. Get down here on a Wednesday and it gets even better - all wings are buy one, get one 50% off.

temper on Broadwick Street is an internationally inspired grill restaurant serving delicious meats hot off of an open fire pit. It sources its rare, grass-fed meat from one single farmer, Charles Ashbridge in North Yorkshire, and butchers it in-house. Watch chefs in action at the counter or slide into a sleek, leather booth to tuck into flame-grilled beauties such as aged beef skewers or cheeseburger tacos in a unique, intimate setting with a touch of luxury thanks to its gold and green colour pairing. Its Sunday roasts and bottomless brunches are the stuff of legend too, ideal if you're looking to dine in Central London as part of a large group. 

In the northern streets of Soho, you'll find Arros QD, the swish Spanish fine dining restaurant whipping up Valencian fare using fire cooking techniques. It comes from one of the world's 50 best chefs and holder of seven Michelin stars, Quique Dacosta, and is inspired by his lifelong passion for paella and tapas. Among black-tiled walls, dine on dishes from a six-metre wood fire stove like yellowfin tuna tartare or a wild forest mushroom ragout to start, followed by a lamb pastela encased in honey-glazed filo pastry and scattered with pistachio crumbs.

If you're on the hunt for a dining experience you won't forget, then you'll want to book a table at INCA, the high-end eatery that first opened its doors in 2021 and has since provided fabulous entertainment with gastronomical delights. This Soho hotspot takes inspiration from South America, boasting bold, colourful interiors with exposed brick walls and cosy leather sofas. It's a dazzling cabaret restaurant spread across three rooms, with a mouthwatering fusion menu, consisting of tea-smoked lamb chops, king crab California rolls, and bluefin tuna with spicy miso tacos.

Treat your tastebuds to a load of tantalising treats over at Red Dog Saloon Soho. This American-style restaurant is full of character as its interior is reminiscent of a stateside joint, sprinkled with red and yellow condiment bottles, sepia-framed photographs and wooden flooring. It uses an award-winning smoker to slow-roast its meats, so get ready for beautifully tender ribs and melt-in-the-mouth brisket, accompanied by mac 'n' cheese and tequila.

Between Soho and Trafalgar Square, you'll find Machiya waiting to feed you plenty of stellar Japanese grub in a bright and airy setting reminiscent of traditional eateries. Named after the townhouses that defined Kyoto, it serves everything from wagyu katsu to donburi, miso-glazed aubergine and indulgent £6 desserts - where you can choose between matcha or yuzu flavours. For a truly authentic dining experience, this restaurant has to be on your list of big hitters.

With a team that was also behind the likes of Flat Iron and Guinea Grill, The Devonshire is one of the most sought-after restaurants in Soho. Found on Denman Street and spread across two floors, this popular gastro pub is equal parts a gorgeous eatery and British boozer. Think UK produce and in-house butchery helping to create the best versions of all your favourites to be enjoyed in a rustic setting (ox-blood walls, exposed brickwork and soft, pendant lighting). The a la carte includes raved-about plates like scallops, bacon and malt vinegar, Iberico pork ribs and duck fat chips, and the Sunday lunch is not to be missed either, featuring hearty desserts like bread and butter pudding or sticky toffee - the sort you know will make your eyes roll into the back of your head.

After opening in Mayfair in 2014, Bocconcino's sister venue is one of the best for fresh plates of silky pasta and plenty of bubbles. It spans two floors of gorgeous decor: think marble countertops backlit with warm golden lighting, leather seats and sleek panelling (making it a swoon-worthy date destination). Taking inspiration from traditional trattorias, it's dishing up prawn-stuffed ravioli, and wood-fired pizzas using Roman dough and tomahawk steak, followed by tiramisu or torta della nonna.

Old Compton Brasserie is where Soho's vibrant energy meets upscale dining. A chic, industrial-inspired space, this restaurant is as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the taste buds. Serving up a menu of modern British cuisine with creative flair, it reimagines comfort food classics. Think indulgent ham, egg and chips, succulent roast chicken, and a standout club sandwich. 

With striking artwork adorning the walls and an open-plan kitchen showcasing the chefs at work, it's a space that buzzes with atmosphere, whether you're indulging in a leisurely weekend brunch or a memorable dinner.

Fancy an evening of winter fun? Then check out The Fire Garden at Ham Yard Hotel, located in Soho. They're hosting this seasonal pop-up on their rooftop terrace, decked out in warm lighting, cosy blankets and comfy sofas.

They've partnered up with Sapling Spirits to bring you some fantastic themed cocktails, including the Spirited Mocha and a Smoked BBQ Vesper. Your ticket also includes DIY s'mores, and there are scrumptious wood-fired dishes available to buy - from mushroom flatbreads to pig in blankets.

Located on D'Arblay Street, The Breakfast Club is a brunch spot that has everything you need to start your day with a bang. The iconic chain began back in 2005 when two childhood friends took over an old cafe, painted it a soon-to-be-iconic egg yolk yellow and served up classic plates of comfort food. Today they've outposts across the country and the original Soho haunt is still going strong. Their blueberry pancakes are to die for, served with crispy bacon and topped with a sticky drizzle of maple syrup, and the breakfast sandwiches filled with sausage patties, American cheese and fried eggs aren't too shabby either. Plus, they've got plenty of beers, cocktails and wines available to keep you fuelled for the day ahead.

Burger lovers of Central London can rejoice with Honest Burgers near Dean Street, slinging out some seriously cheap eats without scrimping on quality. The chain whips up hearty patties using British meat and market veg (giving them that homemade taste) and promises juicy bites and those famous rosemary fries we all know and love. Make a pit stop on your shopping trip, slip into a booth and let the sauce run down your fingers with their Meard Street special made with The Gay Farmer pesto.

Napoli-born and London-raised, Pizza Pilgrims Soho brings the heat with mouthwatering pizzas, icy brews, and more. All their dough is crafted fresh every day and given a 48-hour proof for the ultimate joy. Topped with primo ingredients such as portobello mushroom and truffle or Margherita and nduja, these pies come with sides of smoky tomatoes with buffalo mozzarella or zesty marinated artichoke hearts with prosciutto.

The Antipodean eatery, Scarlett Green, is a cute and casual place to bring your friends for lunch. Founded by Prue Freeman and part of the Daisy Green group that also owns Liverpool Street's Paradise Green and canal boat restaurant Peggy Jean, it offers you a scrumptious range of Australian food to enjoy in a quirky setting, featuring colourful art, textured walls and Bondi beach vibes.

The menu can carry you from brunch straight through to dinner with the likes of shakshuka, miso-roasted aubergine or BBQ tandoori salmon, washed down by a great array of cocktails, like mimosas and peach bellinis.

Staking its claim as 'London's original rock and roll hotel', Karma Sanctum Soho Hotel on Warwick Street promises an evening of top-quality drinks and food at its Wild Heart Bar & Shokudo by three-time Michelin star chef Garry Hollihead. The interiors in the Georgian townhouse eatery are grand with dazzling chandeliers, cherry blossom trees, and snake-skin leather booths. Their menu consists of creative and delicious Japanese-style dishes, responsibly sourced from the finest producers. Feast on chicken or vegetable gyozas, salmon teriyaki and chargrilled sirloin with panko oyster mushrooms and buttered wasabi ponzu.

Dine on Michelin Guide-featured Thai cuisine in the heart of Soho, with a theatrical twist. At Backstage Soho, dinner is more than a meal; it's a show.

Featuring dishes from renowned Thai restaurant Long Chim, from crispy whole sea bream to spicy pork in betel leaves, this venue serves modern Bangkok cuisine in a luxurious lounge setting. Add stunning cocktails and West End-calibre entertainment, and you've got one of Soho's most unique dining experiences.

If you're after the best affordable restaurants in Soho, then be sure to check out Pizza Pilgrims located on the fourth floor of Selfridges or in Carnaby. The chain was founded in 2012 by Thom and James who quit their jobs and flew to Italy to learn all they could about the brilliant dough-based dish. Now it has outposts up and down the country and the centre of London is lucky enough to house a healthy handful. Head to this popular joint to get your hands on some top-quality Neapolitan-style pizza with a bubbly crust, perfect for dipping in pesto sauce. Feast on toppings such as double pepperoni and hot honey, plus add on a side of their smoked mozzarella bites for the ultimate cheese-fest.

A Soho staple known for its chic bohemian diners and lack of tech distractions, The French House is the place to be for those who want to kick back and relax without any fuss. Boasting 30 Champagnes and wines, this celeb hotspot serves lunch throughout the week and nibbles like a charcuterie board to share on Tuesdays through Thursdays until 7pm. The menu changes frequently, but past dishes have seen confit garlic and goats curd on toast, foie gras terrine alongside chutney, plus Madagascan chocolate and rum mousse. 

A popular spot that has evolved from a food van to a permanent restaurant over the years, Bread Stall is a bakery-style eatery that's all about the art of great pizza, without the frills. There's a big focus on transparency, with daily updates on dough, flour and water temperatures written on the wall.

Created by Honest Burgers co-founder Dorian Waite and baker Sebastian Vince, this place has a homely, family-style feel to it. Expect light, crispy biga dough, topped with precision and served either whole, half or by the quarter.

Chef Simon Rogan's Aulis is a twelve-seater Michelin star restaurant that offers a theatrical fine dining experience where every course is prepared and explained in front of you. It's a truly intimate destination that's perfect to reserve for date nights or when you want to try something a little bit special. Adopting a 'farm-to-fork' ethos and sourcing ingredients from Simon's Lake District farm, it whips up a £185 per head tasting menu. You can expect to indulge in the likes of braised belly with preserved beans, aerated black garlic and lamb fat crumb, steamed West Coast cod with buttermilk, and roasted juniper fudge tartlet with preserved perilla, all accompanied by wine from three optional pairings.

If you're in the mood for some Michelin star dining, then you can't go wrong with Humble Chicken. This intimate location was created by chef Angelo Sato, drawing on his Japanese heritage and European roots to create an 18-seater venue where you can watch the kitchen almost like a theatrical show. You can choose between a 16-course tasting menu for £165 or a 12-course omakase selection for £115, with the chance to add on a drinks pairing for £95 per person. Munch your way through the likes of beef tartare with spicy miso, chicken liver parfait and short rib topped with crispy egg, washed down with the finest sake around.

Kitchen Table, nestled on Charlotte Street, is a two MICHELIN-starred gem led by chef James Knappett and sommelier Sandia Chang. Diners are seated around a curved counter, offering an intimate view of the kitchen as the team crafts a refined tasting menu that evolves daily with the best of British seasonal produce, paired with expertly selected wines or Champagne.

With only one service each evening and reservations released three months ahead, it's a highly coveted experience for serious food lovers.

Kiln is a Soho classic serving Asian-inspired plates made with fresh ingredients from Cornwall. The restaurant centred around traditional grill dishes comes from Ben Chapman, the brains behind Shoreditch's favourite Smoking Goat; it's rustic, airy and earthy, complete with stainless steel counters as well as wood-fired ovens. Their braised beef shin curry with wild garlic and nettle or grilled bavette with a smoked chilli glaze is a must-try if you're a meat lover, and you can also expect to find plates like omm of mussels with aubergine and broad beans. Cocktail-wise, you can nab mixes made with mezcal, burnt citrus and lime, or vodka, rhubarb and Thai basil, fresh from the bar for under a tenner each.

There's nothing more comforting than a warm bowl of noodles and Koya can provide just that. Sandwiched on Frith Street in Soho and sporting a glowing red neon line drawing of a house on the side of its building that pulls you into its homely setting, the Japanese udon bar serves delicious recipes courtesy of head chef Shuko. Take a seat at the counter and watch dishes come to life in the kitchen, or settle into a little table with your mates and catch up over small plates of braised pork belly with cider or vegetable tempura. There's a wide selection of udon here, from cold with warm broths and vice versa, and ingredients such as chicken, curry soup and mushrooms with walnut miso. There's even a breakfast-style version of the dish that can be enjoyed with egg, bacon and shiitake.

You don't have to be a vegetarian to appreciate the spin Bubala puts on the humble vegetable with its vibrant Middle Eastern plates. With a name that directly translates as 'darling' in Yiddish, that's exactly what you'll be calling this place after you've got your chops around its halloumi drizzled in chamomile and fennel honey. The space itself is earthy and natural, with forest greens, textured walls and potted plants - a cute and casual dining destination to share dishes of smacked cucumbers tossed in tahini, grilled cauliflower with sunflower speeds and sambal, plus oyster mushroom skewers in tamari.

You'll find Evelyn's Table in the basement of The Blue Posts pub on Rupert Street, with just twelve seats in the sultry, dark venue. This Michelin-starred restaurant hosts two seating per evening, where you can enjoy five delicious courses whipped up by five different chefs. For £135 per person, you can enjoy the best of British ingredients, from Orkney scallops to Lake District beef. There are also a number of different drinks pairing s to choose from, starting from £60 each.

One of the hottest restaurants Soho has to offer has always been Quo Vadis, famed for its smoked eel sandwiches. It's a historic space that was once a brothel and former home to Karl Marx. The eclectic space features a menu thought up by restauranteur Jeremy Lee and his team, and the interiors scream chic dining room with red leather booths, crisp white tablecloths and framed monochrome graphic artwork hung on the wall. Alongside the signature sandwich, you can look forward to trying out jellied pork terrine, hake with crab broth, mussels, tomato, tarragon and rouille, plus oysters served with shallot vinegar for £4.50 each. 

If you're looking to take someone out for dinner or to catch up with friends over a couple of small plates, we can't recommend Rita's in Soho enough. Specialising in modern American eats made with British produce, it was founded in 2021 by chef-owner Gabriel Pryce and Missy Flynn who continue to oversee it. The Grade II-listed building can be found on the cusp of Carnaby, fronting rustic Mexican tiles with a secret garden out back and tables by larger windows, perfect for people watching over snacks. On the menu, you'll find the likes of yellowfin tuna crudo with sour chile salsa, grilled sea bass enfrijolada alongside roast tomatoes and crema, plus 40-day-aged rare breed rib eye served with a three-pepper-butter.

A Tamil-based, award-winning eatery inspired by Southern India and Sri Lanka's roadside shacks, Hoppers near Greek Street brings the heat and spice of its authentic cuisine to London. Founded and led by Karan Gokani, it earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand in its first year of opening and has continued to entice by specialising in scrumptious dosas (savoury pancakes) topped with chilli cheese or masala, or karis featuring aubergine, chicken or black pork. With drinks such as tequila and grapefruit soda to wash it down, Hoppers' Soho restaurant will definitely knock your socks off.

Ria's Soho, the stylish younger sibling of the cult-favourite Notting Hill spot, brings its signature Detroit-style pizza and natural wines to the heart of Carnaby. Spread over two floors, the design-led interior effortlessly blends cool and laid-back vibes: upstairs boasts an open kitchen with eclectic seating, while downstairs hides a cosy wine cave with aged oak, a marble sharing table, and racks of carefully curated bottles - perfect for intimate catch-ups or a cheeky pizza party.

Ria's is known for its thick, fluffy, crisp-edged pies topped with playful combinations, perfectly paired with a natural wine list that champions chillable reds, juicy oranges, and pét-nats from small independent producers. Founded by Ria and David Morgan-Ratcliffe, who swapped tech careers for dough and fermentation in 2023, every detail exudes their passion. 

Alan Yau, the mastermind behind Wagamama and Hakkasan, has transformed popular hotspot The Endurance into a two-storey eclectic Chinese gastropub called Duck and Rice in Soho. The menu is delicious and enormous, offering everything from snacks to dim sum plates and curries like black pepper spider crab with rice wine braised noodles, chicken chop suey and crabmeat foo young. Plus, they have plenty of beverages to wash everything down, ranging from premium lagers, ales and ciders to stouts on tap. 

In the heart of Soho's electric energy, Dear Jackie stands out as one of the area's most dazzling dining rooms. Descend into its crimson cocoon of silk, glass and velvet, where chef Harry Faddy (formerly of The River Café and Aquavit) delivers Italian cooking at its finest.

Expect standout dishes like tuna crudo with cured roe and agretti, agnolotti filled with porcini mushrooms and ricotta, and a perfectly cooked Launceston rump of lamb with roasted carrot and bagna cauda. With its Michelin Guide nod and interiors that ooze cinematic glamour, Dear Jackie proves that Soho's best restaurants can be as beautiful as they are delicious.

Found in a secluded basement Soho space (which was also formerly a brothel), Blacklock serves up the juiciest, most tender chops in a communal atmosphere. Ex-Hawksmoor chef Gordon Ker runs the show, serving mouthwatering racks of beef, pork, lamb and veal to the West End's gleeful carnivores. Go for the 'all-in' option, which consists of pre-feast bites, followed by a mix of skinny chops on top of charcoal-grilled flatbreads to share for £27 per person, with a choice of side each too. You won't regret it - and don't forget that you can get cocktails for under £10 here too, like a Lemon Drop Collins.

Tattu is all about modern Chinese cuisine and stunning decor, with their signature cherry blossom trees stealing the show. Whether you're meeting up with friends or catching a play in the West End, this swish haunt is the perfect place for a creative bite or a sip. On the menu, expect to find treats such as truffle shiitake bao buns, wagyu beef dumplings and shredded duck fried rice. For an introductory spread, opt for the Taste of Tattu set meal where you can tuck into two courses for £33.50 or three for only £5 more. Gobble down Asian pear sticky toffee pudding for dessert and pair it with an Oolong Old Fashioned.

London's renowned chef-restauranteur Stevie Parle joined hands with his pals to open Soho's premier Italian eatery, Pastaio. The aim is to bring top-notch dishes to hungry visitors at an affordable price in a cool, contemporary setting (think speckled stone countertops and abstract art lining the walls). This vibrant Carnaby Street venue has got quality pasta made from scratch every day, such as whole lobster linguine to share, antipasti like a 'nduja, honey and mozzarella fried sandwiches, plus classic Italian cocktails, for example, an Aperol spritz or a negroni. 

Out of all the restaurants Soho has to offer, Speedboat Bar is the best for a cheeky late-night hang and top-quality Thai food. You'll find it on Rupert Street serving up the flavours of Bangkok's Chinatown and fronting eccentric decor in the form of traditional trinkets, mustard yellow walls and neon lighting. It comes from Luke Farrell, who trained at the Spanish-Italian restaurant group Salt Yard and specialises in whiskey sodas and towers of Singha beer, alongside aromatic curries. Take your mates or even a date here to try out the likes of minced beef, holy basil stir-fries and honey-baked Yaowarat chicken before having a crack at some pool.

The Yauatcha restaurant in Soho is where you can find some of the most delicious, melt-in-your-mouth dim sum in the area. Cantonese cuisine can be enjoyed in an impressive dining room that boasts a bar lined with an aquarium paired with blue lights, giving it a romantic feel. Tuck into scrumptious plates of lobster dumplings, blue swimmer crab Shanghai siew long bao and crispy duck rolls. As well as the a la carte menu, you can treat yourself to set spreads like Harmony (£115 per person), Prosper (£88) and Symphony (£50) which are ideal for groups or dinner dates. 

A super triple-threat of glamour, gastronomy, and entertainment, Brasserie Zedel is a restaurant and bar that boasts live music, as well as a cabaret venue called The Crazy Coqs. Exuding 1930s Art Deco vibes with marble pillars dotted throughout and golden finishings, this French bistro serves up affordable plates like onglet steak 'bordelaise' and twice-baked cheese soufflé. You can undoubtedly find a bargain here too with its prix-fixe menu featuring pea soup, curried 'butter dhal', and chocolate and caramel tart, from £16.95 for two courses and £19.75 for three.

POLPO restaurant in Soho is serving Venetian-style sharing plates in a cool setting - red leather sofas line exposed brick walls and crisp, white cloths hang over dangling lightbulbs to create a sleek bistro feel. You'll find original Campari advertisements from different eras fixed to the walls and a bar downstairs dedicated to it, should you fancy following your meal with a couple of tipples. Seasonal produce is combined with Italian cooking methods to create the likes of 'nduja arancini, pork, fennel and chilli meatballs in a tomato sauce, and beef shin rigatoni, plus pizzettes topped with artichoke, black olives and courgette.

With a Bib Gourmand to its name, Kricket started out as a pop-up in a twenty-seater shipping container before expanding with multiple outposts across the city. When it comes to an Indian restaurant, Soho has plenty but there aren't many like this haunt that comes with counter seating and an open kitchen. Cleverly designed with pastel pink leather high chairs, industrial-style ceilings and netted light shades, it's a contemporary place to dine on sharing plates that are equally as unique. The team is led by chef Will Bowlby who whips up the likes of bhel puri with raw mango, samphire pakoras alongside a deliciously rich and sweet tamarind chutney, and Mangalorean smoked pork belly.

MOI is where Japanese precision meets the warmth of live fire. British and Japanese ingredients are transformed over open flames, while the sushi counter serves up hand-crafted nigiri, maki, sashimi, and speedy one-hour Omakase lunches, Tuesday to Friday. Lunchtime also brings seasonal claypot bowls, and the full a la carte menu runs through lunch and dinner.

The drinks list is equally thoughtful: biodynamic and low-intervention wines from small producers sit alongside curated sake and shochu, while cocktails blend Japanese techniques with the best local ingredients. Signature dishes include tempura octopus with red daikon, bluefin toro taku temaki, seared A5 wagyu nigiri, and wood-roasted English leeks with sesame and alliums - plus a rotating selection of truffle and caviar enhancements for those feeling indulgent.

The Lina Stores Soho restaurant can be found on Greek Street boasting a twelve-seater bar upstairs and an intimate dining area downstairs. The group itself has been around since 1944 trading sandwiches from its deli and has now expanded with eateries across the capital, each sporting its signature pistachio-green colour palette and modern furnishings. There are pasta dishes here aplenty, whipped up fresh daily and encouraged to be shared (although it really doesn't hurt to order the 30-egg yolk tagliolini with black truffle all to yourself). Begin with fried artichokes served alongside aioli and salsa verde before making your way onto pappardelle with lamb sausage ragu or casarecce with prawns, tomato and chilli.

Offering an unconventional take on Japanese cuisine and drawing inspiration from traditional izakayas is INKO NITO, an eatery founded by Rainer Becker (from Oblix and Roka), nestled on Broadwick Street. Its interiors are based on lively street markets and are designed by the LA-based Studio Mai - think natural stone countertops, reclaimed timber and cherry blossom trees. It's one of the top Soho restaurants for dinner if you're looking to try out some bold flavours such as potato croquettes with spicy miso and parmesan, roasted pork belly with soy kabosu, apple and cucumber salsa, and, for dessert, French toast topped with hazelnuts, vanilla ice cream and Japanese whiskey caramel.

Rudy's Soho is where rustic charm meets authentic Neapolitan pizza perfection. The space is cosy yet stylish, with exposed brick walls, glowing soft lighting, and large wooden tables encouraging a communal dining experience. The heart of Rudy's is its blazing wood-fired oven, heating up to 500°C to cook each pizza in a quick 60 seconds, ensuring a deliciously blistered crust with every bite.

The open kitchen allows diners to witness the craft firsthand as dough and toppings come together into iconic Italian dishes. The menu is a tribute to Naples, with standout pizzas like the Romagnola topped with rich San Marzano tomatoes, creamy fior di latte, Grana Padano, and cured prosciutto, and the must-try margherita loaded with fresh mozzarella and vibrant tomatoes.

Established in 1987 by Sally and Prady Balan and Charles Cotton, this humble cafe has been serving the people of the capital for decades. While the quirky Balans Soho No.60 is perfect for everything from brunch to dinner, seven days a week, there's another reason why it's so popular - it's something of an Old Compton Street legend thanks to the fact it's open 'til 6am. Venture from one of the city's bars or clubs to get your breakfast in early. On the menu? Eggs Benedict, steak and eggs and signature pancakes topped with warm maple butter and a choice of banana, bacon or fresh berries. 

Making a name for itself on the London food scene is Paradise in Soho, a restaurant founded by Dom Fernando serving up contemporary Sri Lankan fare while taking inspiration from a wealth of other international cuisines. Decked out in low-hanging lights and with concrete booths reflective of a modern Sri Lankan wallauwa as interpreted by architect Geoffrey Bawa, it has a set menu offering for £59 per person, with a choice between land and sea-based dishes or a vegetarian option. Think seaweed and burnt onion or mustard-coated Cornish pollock, with an optional wine pairing for £39 extra.

Grasso has taken social media by storm and stands out in the ever-expanding trend of Italian-American eateries. Offering everything from rich pasta dishes and 48-hour fermented pizza dough to comforting mains like chicken parm, this independently owned, family-run spot on Dean Street is a top choice.

Their menu includes beloved classics like 'Mom's spaghetti' (a time-honoured recipe from the owner's grandmother) and luxurious lobster linguine, with gluten-free pizza and pasta options available upon request.

If you're looking for the best pizza in the area, you'll find it inside L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele. Famed for its world-renowned Neapolitan pizza, this buzzing, intimate joint is nestled on Old Compton Street and slings out the best in the business. Recipes have been passed on here through five generations, with the original eatery in Naples gaining pop culture credit by featuring in the movie adaption of Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat Pray Love. Take a seat under the neon pink signage, marvel at the floral ceiling and tuck into a proper margherita alongside a signature cocktail or two. Other toppings include ciccioli (pressed pork), salami Napoli, Agerola fior di latte cheese and there are even white base editions with truffle cream. You'd also be correct in thinking you'd find a cracking carbonara here, as well as crispy arancino. 

Mountain comes from the same team that brought you the popular wood-fired restaurant Brat; it takes similar grill elements and pairs them with chef Tomas Parry's time spent travelling across Spain to create inspired European dishes. Spread over multiple floors with a bar made from English elm and soft, pendant lighting, the rustic space also happens to have a Michelin star to its name. Locally sourced ingredients are used here and paired with wines supplied by Nobble Rot's Keeling and Andrew - look forward to chomping on Dover sole, beef short rib, braised chickpeas with cod cheeks and chorizo, and raw scallops and monkfish.