Laying a strong claim to being the heart of London, Soho has a little something for everyone – and that goes double for the food. The restaurants found here are inventive, award-winning, and endlessly pleasing, and we can’t get enough of them here at Secret London!
How we handpick the best restaurants in Soho
Each restaurant on this list has been carefully chosen by a member of our team. Our editors and the Secret London team rely on personal experiences, recommendations, editorial reviews, customer feedback, and thorough research to bring you the finest dining spots in the city. We are constantly on the lookout for new places with delicious food and excellent service. This list is regularly updated as we discover new openings and revisit established favourites.
Here’s a roundup of 45 of the very best Soho restaurants – a bevy of lip-smackingly good spots if we say so ourselves:
1. Hoppers
Inspired by Sri Lankan and Tamil cuisine, Hoppers are famed for their bold flavours and lip-smacking rotis and dosas, so snag a table at their Soho branch to see what all the fuss is about. Failing that, try their branches at St Christopher’s Place in Marylebone or Pancras Square in Kings Cross for a chance to enjoy a pretty unforgettable dinner.
📍 49 Frith Street, W1D 4SG.
🚇 Nearest station is Leicester Square.
2. Rasa Sayang
Luscious laksa and nasi lemak are the heroes of the menu at Rasa Sayang, a Malaysian spot just off London’s Chinatown. We’d suggest you start with their flaky roti canai and make your merry way on from there, through to mee goreng and melt-in-the-mouth sambal fish fillets.
📍 15 Frith Street, W1D 4RE.
🚇 Nearest station is Tottenham Court Road.
3. Tonkotsu
Forever and ever, ramen. Tonkotsu’s ramen empire now stretches from Ealing in the west to Hackney in the east, and their Soho joint remains one of the best places for ramen in town. How can you not treat yourself to a slurpable bowl of warming goodness, whilst seasoned ramen veterans can try the Geki Kara for a proper heatwave.
📍 63 Dean Street, W1D 4QG.
🚇 Nearest station is Leicester Square.
4. Lina Stores
A brilliant Italian deli who branched out into the fresh pasta game recently, Lina Stores are as famous for their mint-green aesthetics as they are for winning plates of pasta. Dishes such as 30-egg yolk tagliolini with black truffle and Parmigiano Reggiano, or rigatoni with braised lamb, rosemary, pecorino, and gremolata are best mopped up with copious amounts of their freshly-baked focaccia.
They’ve also got another Soho branch on nearby Brewer Street, and they’ve recently opened a third restaurant in London’s Cannon Street.
📍 51 Greek Street, W1D 4EH.
🚇 Nearest station is Tottenham Court Road.
5. Robata
‘Robata’ is Japanese for fireside, so it’s no surprise to find charcoal cooking holding sway over this Soho restaurant. Mimicking the famous izakayas of Japan, Robata supplements a wide range of grilled skewers and small plates with a tempting array of sake and cocktails.
📍 56 Old Compton Street, W1D 4UE.
🚇 Nearest station is Leicester Square.
6. Quo Vadis
Chef Jeremy Lee has made Quo Vadis a true powerhouse, a Soho restaurant beloved by both critics and punters – a far cry from its past life as a brothel, and then as the home of Karl Marx (one presumes the courtesans had moved out by this stage). Seasonal British fare is on the a la carte menu, which is designed to not break the bank. The smoked eel sandwich is one of the capital’s truly iconic dishes.
📍 26-29 Dean Street, W1D 3LL.
🚇 Nearest station is Tottenham Court Road.
7. Barrafina
Terrific tapas from one of four London locations, but with buzz of Soho revellers surrounding this one, it’s perhaps the closest of the Barrafina quartet to evoking the experience of tucking into croquetas and jambon in Madrid and Barcelona. Round off your meal with a Santiago tart and café con leche and you’re set. Did we mention it’s also Michelin-starred?
📍 26-27 Dean Street, W1D 3LL.
🚇 Nearest station is Tottenham Court Road.
8. SOLA
Californian fine dining here courtesy of culinary maestro Victor Garvey, who more than works his magic in the kitchen. SOLA gets its name from the combination of Soho and LA, a partnership that yields dishes such as kindai bluefin tuna with kinako, leek, avocado and wasabi and mignardises, rum baba, marshmallow and passion fruit. Intriguing stuff we say – no wonder it has bagged itself a Michelin-star…
📍 64 Dean Street, W1D 4QQ.
🚇 Nearest station is Leicester Square.
9. Burger & Lobster
One of those handily-named restaurants that does exactly what it says on the tin, Burger & Lobster Soho is one part of a global chain. I’ll level with you, you might struggle here if you like neither burgers nor lobsters, but then you presumably wouldn’t have picked this place if you didn’t…
📍 36-38 Dean Street, W1D 4PS.
🚇 Nearest station is Leicester Square.
10. Zima
Promising the ‘best-priced caviar in London’, Zima is a celebration of Russian cuisine, with dishes appearing from across the nation. An on-site bakery churns out bread and pastry, whilst the restaurant will satisfy cravings for beef stroganoff and pelmeni (Russian dumplings).
📍 45 Frith Street, W1D 4SD.
🚇 Nearest station is Leicester Square.
11. Maître Choux
If half the draw of Maître Choux is down to founder and all-round pastry hunk Joakim Prat, the other half is a lineup of truly mouthwatering eclairs. Flavours include Spanish raspberry, Iranian pistachio, and blueberry cheesecake – this is one of those rare places where you simply can’t order badly. A given then that we had to feature this spot on this list of the best Soho restaurants.
📍 60 Dean Street, W1D 6AW.
🚇 Nearest station is Leicester Square.
12. Koya
Koya’s thick, pleasingly chewy udon noodles have acquired something of a cult following during their years in London, and now is the perfect time to try them if they’ve passed you by thus far. Hot atsu-atsu is warming in the winter, cold hiyashi will cool you down in summer, and Japanese beers and sake aren’t far away either.
📍 50 Frith Street, W1D 4SQ.
🚇 Nearest station is Leicester Square.
13. Suvlaki
With a central spot in Soho, Suvlaki is the place to go in Soho if you’re looking for mouthwatering Greek food. Winning small plates are the order of the day here, with the courgette fritters not to be missed. The pork suvlaki wraps with tzatziki, red onion and tomato are also a real winner.
📍 21 Bateman Street, W1D 3AL.
🚇 Nearest station is Tottenham Court Road.
14. BAO
Stuff your face with all the buns at this Soho branch of beloved London chain BAO. In normal times, they don’t accept reservations, but times have changed and you can now reserve your place on their website – neatly sidestepping the Padella-esque queues it used to garner. Dine on fluffy buns filled with confit pork or fried chicken – and for the sweet-toothed, there’s even a fried Horlicks ice cream variety.
📍 53 Lexington Street, W1F 9AS.
🚇 Nearest station is Oxford Circus.
15. Yauatcha
This modern Chinese restaurant on Broadwick Street is slickly-designed and eagerly staffed. It’s a really great option for all-day dim sum – the venison puffs are to die for – and there are plenty of veggie and vegan options on offer too. Top tip: try Yautcha’s golden fortune prawns – they’re bloody delicious and a reason why this sleek spot features on this list of the best restaurants in Soho.
📍 15-17 Broadwick Street, W1F 0DL.
🚇 Nearest station is Oxford Circus.
16. Berenjak
Modelled on the hole-in-the-wall eateries of Tehran, Berenjak has a ravishing range of kababs, khoresht, and more Persian dishes on offer. If you can snag a seat, you’ll find a cosy, comfy space hidden behind a curtain, which really is the perfect hideaway to try everything on the menu.
A limitless kabab menu appears after 9:30pm from Monday to Saturday, with bottomless skewers available for £25 per person and unlimited drinks – pils lager or gin and lemon – added for another £15. Erm, yes please!
📍 27 Romilly Street, W1D 5AL.
🚇 Nearest station is Leicester Square.
17. Kiln
A Thai-inspired barbecue joint with a reputation as one of the very best restaurants in Soho, Kiln certainly lives up to the hype. Wood-fired seafood, small plates, and claypot dishes have made it a critical darling, and the northern Thai influences help it stand out from many of London’s other Thai restaurants. Go for the slow-grilled red mullet or sour curry of mussels with winter squash.
📍 56 Brewer Street, W1F 9TL.
🚇 Nearest station is Piccadilly Circus.
18. Blanchette
Happily satisfying two demands – being among the best of London’s French restaurants and best Soho restaurants – Blanchette’s Soho spot heads straight down the Parisian route. Think charcuterie, moules marinière, and cheese and honey pairings at this lovely eatery.
📍 9 D’Arblay Street, W1F 8DR.
🚇 Nearest station is Oxford Circus.
19. Dishoom
With five restaurants across London, plus branches in Edinburgh, Manchester, and Birmingham, Dishoom is one of the most talked about restaurants in the city.
Frequently beset with queues, it’s hard to say whether Dishoom is better renowned for their epic bacon naan breakfast rolls, or a black daal that has stolen the hearts of many a Londoner. It is, quite simply, one of London’s absolute must-try restaurants.
Neighbouring Kingly Court, meanwhile, is another winsome spot for dinner, with three floors of restaurants to try.
📍 22 Kingly Street, W1B 5QP.
🚇 Nearest station is Oxford Circus.
20. Blacklock
This one comes highly recommended by certain members of the Secret London team and it’s easy to see why. The Soho branch is their OG, and Blacklock still pride themselves on delivering bangin’ meat for affordable prices.
Opt for the ‘All In’ for a meaty experience like no other, or pop down on a weekend for a traditional Sunday roast with all the trimmings. And did we mention it’s only £22 per person with a selection of £5 cocktails on offer too?
📍 24 Great Windmill Street, W1D 7LG.
🚇 Nearest station is Piccadilly Circus.
21. Social Eating House
Jason Atherton is quite frankly showing off with his plethora of Michelin stars, and whilst all of his London restaurants are worth trying if you can, Social Eating House has an ace up its sleeve. You know, beyond the high-quality British ingredients transformed into award-winning plates of food. No, the ace is the restaurant’s cocktail bar The Blind Pig, which boasts an endlessly inventive cocktail list to rival any bar in the capital.
📍 58 Poland Street, W1F 7NR.
🚇 Nearest station is Oxford Circus.
22. Pastaio
Stevie Parle’s pasta restaurant was an instant hit upon opening just off Carnaby Street in 2017, and given that Pastaio translates as ‘the pasta maker’, it’s no surprise really. Apart from an eye-popping mural designed by Supermundane, this Italian entry onto this list of Soho restaurants keeps things nice and simple: sharing tables, cheap yet brilliant cocktails, and a range of excellent, affordable pasta dishes.
The malloreddus with slow cooked sausage ragu and pheasant, pancetta and veal tortellini both leap off the menu, but don’t sleep on weekly specials of stuffed pasta, or the dangerously good prosecco slushies.
📍 19 Ganton Street, W1F 9BN.
🚇 Nearest station is Oxford Circus.
23. Mildred’s
Having graced Soho for almost thirty years, Mildred’s is one of the best-loved vegan restaurants in town. Here, your plant-based food comes in the guise of Sri Lankan curries, halloumi burgers, and even a sticky toffee carrot cake. Whoever said eating clean was boring clearly never ate here…
📍 45 Lexington Street, W1F 9AN.
🚇 Nearest station is Piccadilly Circus.
24. Brasserie Zedel
An absolute gem this one. Marble pillars, gilded ceilings and Art Deco paintings make up the surroundings inside Brasserie Zedel, which might not be something you’d expect in a place where a two-course meal can only set you back just over a tenner.
Situated just a stone’s throw from Piccadilly Circus, this traditional brasserie might look unassuming from the outside, but on the inside, they spare no expense when it comes to decor – and the food is dreamy too! They also have a great range of events and gigs on in the evenings.
📍 20 Sherwood Street, W1F 7ED.
🚇 Nearest station is Piccadilly Circus.
25. Hovarda
Much like the Aegean Sea, Greek and Turkish influences meet at Hovarda. The restaurant itself dazzles, with golden lights that back rows upon rows of glass bottles in cabinets, and mirrors opening up the space. One seating area is decorated in tiles, reminiscent of those of a seaside abode. As with Mediterranean cuisine, seafood dominates, as does colourful, fresh and flavoursome side salads, and light, but indulgent, desserts – you must try the banana dessert if you visit.
As Hovarda sits a stone’s throw from the West End’s theatres, the restaurant offers a pre-theatre menu, as well as a weekly ‘Kebap Tuesday’: a sharing platter comprising skewers, koftes, shish, or chops, alongside a variety of sides.
📍 36-40 Rupert St, London W1D 6DW.
🚇 Nearest station is Piccadilly Circus.
26. Chotto Matte
If you’re looking for some top-notch sushi and beautifully-presented plates, then this Japanese-Peruvian fusion joint will hit the spot. Offering a variety of set menus and an extensive menu designed for you to pick multiple sharing dishes, Chotto Matte is ideal for a well-deserved meal after a long day hitting the shops. The sashimi and king oyster mushroom tostadas are both well worth a try.
📍 11-13 Frith Street, W1D 4RB.
🚇 Nearest station is Leicester Square.
27. Bancone
A top-tier London restaurant in our eyes! Bancone’s brilliant pasta dishes put this spot right up there with the very best fresh pasta places in town, a reputation powered in part by their photogenic (and utterly delicious) ‘silk handkerchiefs’ – giant sheets of pasta draped with walnut butter and a confit egg yolk. Truly outstanding stuff. There’s also a branch in Covent Garden, so you can take your pick of either.
📍 8-10 Lower James Street, London, W1F 9EL.
🚇 Nearest station is Piccadilly Circus.
28. St Moritz Restaurant
Not to be confused with the actual St Moritz village in Switzerland, this cosy restaurant – London’s oldest Swiss restaurant – is all about those alpine flavours. Expect to be transported to a Swiss lodge as you stuff your face with all the melted cheese, fondue and crusty bread your heart desires.
Go to St Moritz Restaurant with an empty belly and leave in a very ‘Gouda’ mood. And remember, cheese is supposed to protect us from all causes of death – so eating here is necessary for your health!
📍 161 Wardour Street, W1F 8WJ.
🚇 Nearest station is Tottenham Court Road.
29. Bob Bob Ricard
If you haven’t been to this glitzy, glamorous restaurant with the ‘Press For Champagne’ button, you simply haven’t lived, dahhhhhling. Serving up luxury English and Russian fare, you can expect to dine on caviar, truffle pies and a fine selection of meaty mains. Best get your glad rags on and get yourself down to Bob Bob Ricard, we reckon.
📍 1 Upper James Street, W1F 9DF.
🚇 Nearest station is Piccadilly Circus.
30. La Bodega Negra
Peep show, anyone? A sheep in wolf’s clothing, La Bodega Negra, on the south-east corner of Soho, has been attracting and confusing customers since 2011.
Part sex shop, part restaurant, this quirky pad offers a wide array of different menu options that have been overseen by new Head Chef Gustavo Giallonardo. His take on modern Mexican cuisine has resulted in dishes such as taco al pastor, with pineapple pico de gallo and salsa verde, or scallop tiradito with serrano, aguachile and kolrhabi.
📍 16 Moor Street, London, W1D 5AP.
🚇 Nearest station is Tottenham Court Road.
31. Jinjuu
Another fine contender on this list of the best Soho restaurants, Jinjuu intertwines Korean sharing platters and fine cocktails. Wash down Korean fried cauliflower with elderflower coolers, and compliment sea bass tempura with a K-Pop pornstar martini. Ease into the day with a ‘spiced kimchi mary’ alongside tofu sliders. They also do a bottomless brunch too – there are endless options out there at Jinjuu!
📍 15 Kingly Street, London, W1B 5PS.
🚇 Nearest station is Oxford Circus.
32. Taro
Whipping up classic Japanese dishes, Taro is the spot to come in Soho if you’re looking for authentic bento boxes, sushi and noodle dishes. Created by Mr Taro himself, you’ll be able to tuck into tasty dishes such as salmon, chicken, tofu and beef teridon, tonkotsu ramen, chicken teriyaki soba and duck bento boxes. Yum, yum.
📍 61 Brewer Street, London, W1F 9UW.
🚇 Nearest station is Piccadilly Circus.
33. Japes
Firmly deserving their spot on this list of the best Soho restaurants, laid-back Japes is the place to come for Chicago-style, deep-dish pizza with cheesy crusts, which you can wash down with a whole host of amazing cocktails. They’re brand-new in town and are based on Dean Street, just a stone’s throw away from some of Soho’s best (and liveliest) bars – maybe the perfect spot to line your stomach?!
📍 22-25 Dean Street, London, W1D 3RY.
🚇 Nearest station is Tottenham Court Road.
34. Inamo
Inamo is the world’s first restaurant with interactive tables and is clearly lightyears ahead of its competitors. You can actually order your food directly from the table itself but that’s only where the fun begins. Interactive projections will enable you to unleash your inner artist and graffiti the tabletop, spy on the chefs in the kitchen and take part in a bunch of retro games!
Thai, Japanese, Korean and Chinese cuisines are all on the menu.
📍 134-136 Wardour Street, London, W1F 8ZP.
🚇 Nearest station is Tottenham Court Road.
35. Dean Street Townhouse
Situated slap-bang in the middle of Soho, this charming spot occupies two Georgian townhouses constructed in the first half of the 18th-century. In here you’ll find modern British artwork adorning the walls, vintage furniture, and a crackling fire in the parlour – what more could you ask for?
Food here is classic British fare – think Isle of Jersey rock oysters for starters, Yorkshire roast chicken and grilled Dover sole. Dean Street Townhouse – it ticks the box for us.
📍 69-71 Dean Street, London, W1D 3SE.
🚇 Nearest station is Tottenham Court Road.
36. Balans
Balans is the (almost) 24-hour restaurant set right in the heart of Soho, serving up brunch, steaks, burgers, curries, and even granola (yep, really) until the wee hours of the morning.
Fancy a full English at 3am after a night on the town? Then this is the place to head. They believe that the best plan is no plan, and they say that their restaurant is no place for “the jobsworth, the wet blanket [or] the killjoy”. So for those crawling out of Heaven at the crack of dawn, this one’s for you.
📍 60-62 Old Compton Street, London, W1D 4UG.
🚇 Nearest station is Tottenham Court Road.
37. Barshu
When the beloved Barshu opened fifteen years ago, it quickly gained popularity and became the place to go in central London if you were looking for fantastic (and fiery) Sichuan cuisine.
To celebrate its fifteen-year anniversary, they’ve had a complete rebrand and added a whole host of other mouthwatering dishes from other areas of China including Chengdu, Hunan, Shanghai and Canton. We can’t wait to try it ourselves!
📍 28 Frith Street, London, W1D 5LF.
🚇 Nearest station is Leicester Square.
38. Dirty Bones
The newest branch of London’s NYC-inspired burger joints is now open in Kingly Court and ready for business, and we for one couldn’t be happier.
Embodying the Dirty Bones spirit, the new, two-floor site offers classic comfort food with a twist such as the ‘MacDaddy’ – a double brisket and dry-aged steak burger with pulled-beef short ribs, mac and cheese and espresso-spike barbecue sauce – with a side of fries of course. You’ll also find melt-in-your-mouth cheeseburger dumplings and the ‘Reverse Truffle Cheeseburger’ – sounds pretty good to us.
📍 8 Kingly Court, Carnaby, London, W1B 5PP.
🚇 Nearest station is Oxford Circus.
39. Yeni
Another worthy entry on this list of the best Soho restaurants is Yeni – a neighbourhood-style restaurant designed to offer the sharing plates found in modern-day Istanbul.
Favourites here include organic salt marsh lamb with cavolo nero, tamarind and wild mushrooms, and line-caught whole lemon sole with isot chilli and chard. They also do a full carte blanche tasting menu for £79 per person, and they’ve also got a pretty killer selection of cocktails too.
📍 55 Beak Street, Carnaby, London, W1F 9SH.
🚇 Nearest station is Oxford Circus.
40. 10 Greek Street
10 Greek Street is a lovely little spot which first opened its doors in 2012, and it has been charming winers and diners (and restaurant critics) ever since. It’s earmarked itself as being one of the best Soho restaurants in which to tuck into fresh, seasonal dishes which incorporate and celebrate premium British ingredients.
They’ve got two menus – one for lunch and one for dinner – and you can fill your boots with dishes including smoked chalk stream trout with a beetroot remoulade and reimagined roman-style pizzas.
📍 10 Greek Street, London, W1D 4DH.
🚇 Nearest station is Tottenham Court Road.
41. Scarlett Green
This lively spot located right in the heart of Soho is famous for its bottomless brunch, which features DJs, excellent Aussie dishes, bottomless prosecco, and even a Pornstar Martini Fountain. I mean what else right? Scarlett Green also rustles up some pretty mean sharing boards with a choice of slivers of barbecued meat or vegan bits and bobs.
📍 4 Noel Street, London W1F 8GB.
🚇 Nearest station is Tottenham Court Road.
42. Imad’s Syrian Kitchen
Next on our list of the best restaurants in Soho, Imad’s Syrian Kitchen is a Middle Eastern gem found right in the heart of Soho on the top floor of Kingly Court. Run by Imad Alarnab, a successful restaurateur from Damascus who tragically had to flee Syria during the war, his menu pays complete homage to his homeland.
Here you’ll be able to tuck into traditional dishes such as ‘Shish Tawook’ – grilled chicken strips with paprika garlic crisps and tomato mayo – and ‘Sharihat Ghanam’ – a succulent lamb fillet doused in sun-dried tomatoes which you can mop up with pitta bread.
📍 You’ll find Imad’s Syrian Kitchen at Kingly Court, Carnaby Street, London, W1B 5PW.
🚇 Nearest station is Oxford Street.
43. Berners Tavern
This Soho spot serves up delicious grub in a super cosy and welcoming environment. Head chef, Jason Atherton puts a creative twist on traditional British cuisine and the result is – quite simply – scrumptious. Diners can expect to tuck into the likes of 8-hour slow cooked beef short ribs, homemade sweet pea gnocci, or a sensational mac and cheese. Oh, and they serve up a pretty mean roast on Sundays, too.
You’ll find Berners Tavern at 10 Berners Street, W1T 3NP.
Nearest station is Oxford Circus.
44. Club Mexicana
Rounding off our list of the best restaurants in Soho is Club Mexicana. Inspired by the lively street food taquerias of Mexico City and LA, the Club Mexicana has been rustling up the tastiest tacos since they opened back in 2014. Their unbelievably delicious (and completely vegan) menu has made waves across the beloved capital – and it’s pretty easy to see why.
Tuck into their To-Fish & Chips tacos, their Cheezeburger burrito, or their ‘Chorizo’ & Cheeze empanadas – just to name a few. They’ve also got a whole host of beers, frozen cocktails, wine and tequila to wash it down with. We’ll drink to that!
You’ll find Club Mexicana Soho at Ground Floor, Kingly Court, W1B 5PW.
Nearest station is Oxford Circus.
So there you have it – the Secret London roundup of some truly terrific Soho restaurants that’ll tempt any Londoner. From Sri Lankan to Russian to Persian, all tastes are covered, so you’d better loosen that waistband. Happy eating!