Soho Restaurants: The Ultimate Guide
By Rachel McleanSoho, an area of about half a square kilometre in the West End, has long been an anomaly in central London. At the turn of the 20th century it was home to a significant population of French, German, Polish and Italian settlers, who brought a distinct ethos to the neighbourhood. Full of elegant Georgian houses and dark side streets, it resisted gentrification in the 1970s, gaining a reputation for being a red-light district. Having undergone massive change in recent decades, Soho today is well-known for its night life and dining scene, claiming its position as the bustling hub of the West End. Critical to the area’s development has been its thriving restaurants. Countless eateries call the area home, from Michelin star restaurants to homey cafes. Something Curated has composed a definitive guide of Soho’s best food offerings, taking a closer look at the proprietors responsible for the area’s flourishing culinary reputation.
Soho Institutions
HIX Soho || Mark Hix
As a chef, food writer and restaurateur, Mark Hix is well known for his original take on British cuisine. Since the success of Hix’s first restaurant, HIX Oyster & Chop House in Farringdon, he has opened eight more venues including HIX Soho. HIX Soho has a bright and open dining area decorated with the work of celebrated British artists, including unique mobiles and striking neons. The weekly changing menu offers seasonal options made from British produced and supplied ingredients. The basement of HIX Soho is home to the original Mark’s Bar where guests can drop in and try new or classic cocktails.
66-70 Brewer St, London W1F 9UP
Yauatcha || Alan Yau
Opened in 2004, Yauatcha in Soho is one of the two Yauatcha restaurants located in the UK opened by Alan Yau. Upon entering the basement dining room of Yauatcha Soho, guests are greeted by a dimly lit space accented with blue glass and teal seating, complete with a slim fish tank that stretches the length of the bar. The ceiling is speckled with small lights reminiscent of a starry sky, providing an intimate dining experience. The menu offers an extensive list of desserts from the Yauatcha patisserie.
15-17 Broadwick St, London W1F 0DL
Princi || Alan Yau
Princi came to London in 2008 and introduced its pick-and-choose style of dining as an alternative for people looking for a fast-paced meal. Though somewhat packed with rows of long, reflective tables, the sandstone-lined and glass front venue has an open feel. Customers design their own meals by selecting from the rows of Milano pastries, sandwiches, pizza and more visible through the countertop cases that they can either eat in or take away.
135 Wardour St, London W1F 0UT
Dean Street Townhouse || Nick Jones
Dean Street Townhouse is part of the Soho House group founded by Nick Jones, whose personal philosophy is, “Eat, drink, nap” – and you can do all of that at Dean Street Townhouse. Though opened in 2009, the building in which the clubhouse is located has a long history of hosting all varieties of social gatherings dating back to the mid-16th century. Now, the venue is equipped with a cosy dining area complete with velvet chairs and plush booths, a private dining space and casual seating at the bar. On most walls, guests can view artwork by British artists including Paul Noble, Tracey Emin and more.
69-70 Dean St, London W1D 3SE
Hoppers London || Karam, Jyotin & Sunaina Sethi
Though relatively new, having launched in 2015, Hoppers has made a resounding impression since its inception. Hoppers is a warm space decorated with terracotta tile, exposed brick, wooden panelling and Sri Lankan poster art. Guests feel welcome sitting down at tables not unlike their own kitchen tables to eat Sri Lankan and south-east Indian dishes, such as the restaurant’s namesake, hoppers. If diners are not familiar with Hoppers’ terminology, the menu includes a glossary with definitions for some of the dishes. Siblings Karam, Jyotin and Sunaina Sethi, behind many of London’s top eateries, continue to keep the business of good food in the family.
49 Frith St, London W1D 4SG
Ceviche Soho || Martin Morales
Peruvian chef, restaurateur and cookbook author Martin Morales has four unique dining spaces throughout London, the first of which was Ceviche Soho. Morales began in music management but found his true calling in the kitchen, which led him to leave the music industry and put everything he had into opening Ceviche Soho and creating a name for himself in the business of food. With its wood panelling, mismatched chairs and wall of framed photos, Ceviche Soho has a more homey feel. The front of house is home to the Ceviche Bar where guests can watch as their food and drink are made in front of them after they choose from the extensive list of Peruvian dishes on the menu.
17 Frith St, London W1D 4RG
Quick Eats
BAO || Shing Tat Chung, Erchen Chang & Wai Ting Chung
After studying design, Shing Tat Chung, Erchen Chang & Wai Ting Chung all spent a summer traveling Taiwan inspiring BAO, which got its beginnings as a market stall in 2013. In 2015, BAO’s first permanent location opened in Soho after the trio partnered with the Sethi Family. The restaurant, specialising in handmade steam buns, is a small, neutral space where diners enjoy their food surrounded by light wood panelling or looking out onto the street. Open for lunch and dinner, with a break in between, the restaurant can accommodate up to 32 visitors, but steam buns and the xiao chi, or small eats, options are all easy meals that don’t require long visits.
53 Lexington St, London W1F 9AS
Koya Bar || John Devitt, Junya Yamasaki & Shuko Oda
Koya Bar is a Japanese restaurant that specialises in Udon but serves food all day, including traditional Japanese breakfasts with a British twist. The venue has an industrial feel with uncovered air ducts and a view right into the kitchen from seats along the wooden noodle bar. Opened by John Devitt, Junya Yamasaki and Shuko Oda but maintained by Shuko following Junya’s return to Japan, visitors can expect traditional Japanese dishes made with fresh British produce and the experience of a classic Japanese eatery.
50 Frith St, London W1D 4SQ
Le Bab || Stephen Tozer & Ed Brunet
A small space run by university pals Stephen Tozer and Ed Brunet, Le Bab provides a relaxed atmosphere with soft coloured wood and cool tones. Notably, the boldest aspects of the venue are blue and white patterned tiles and gold trim that frame the room and, of course, the flavours of the food. Free range meats and seasonal British vegetables make up the bulk of Le Bab’s ingredients for their open faced kebab roll ups and Middle Eastern dishes.
Kingly Court, Carnaby St, London W1B 5PW
The Kati Roll Company || Payal Saha
With a tin roof, bare bulbs and retro, faded Bollywood posters covering the walls, the environment of The Kati Roll Company feels as authentic as the Indian street food they serve there. Payal Saha opened the first Kati Roll Company in 2002 in New York with two employees, a cleaning lady and herself, and now she has grown the company to include four locations in New York and one in London.
24 Poland St, London W1F 8QL
Japan Centre Food Hall || Tak Tokumine
The Japan Centre Food Hall is an immersive space that surrounds visitors in Japanese culture. Set up like a supermarket with a hot food and sushi bar and bookshop, the Centre offers everything from Europe’s largest selection of sake to freshly ground matcha. Established in 1976, the Centre has always included traditional Japanese products, but it has grown to be a cultural hub of food, books and home supplies. Founder, Tak Tokumine, is keen that the Centre remains a family business with his daughter and niece both in management positions, so no matter how large the Centre grows it will maintain the same quality and personal touch.
19 Shaftesbury Ave, London W1D 7ED
Ducksoup || Clare Lattin & Tom Hill
Ducksoup’s homey atmosphere provides a cosy and intimate to venue for the weekly changing menu of dishes made from locally sourced food. The space is even complete with a record player and an array of vinyl for guests to browse and listen to. The concept of the restaurant comes from when the founders, Clare Lattin and Tom Hill, first shared a meal together in Tom’s home. He cooked a simple dish that was artfully assembled and made them both realise their shared love of cooking.
41 Dean St, London W1D 4PY
Blacklock || Gordon Ker
When guests descend into Blacklock, they enter a warehouse-like space with wooden and marble top tables, whitewashed brick walls and steel beams turned chalk boards breaking up the space. Blacklock’s modern take on the traditional British chophouse is meant to remind diners of home cooked meals, especially their Sunday roasts served family style. Founder Gordon Ker, previously with Hawksmoor, even serves as a waiter on some occasions and helps serve up their heaps of right-out-of-the-pan cheesecake.
24 Great Windmill St, London W1D 7LG
Old Soho
Andrew Edmunds || Andrew Edmunds
Andrew Edmunds, established in 1986, is located in an 18th century town house and is adjoined by a print shop of the same name. The intimate dining space is complete with white table cloths, candle sticks and hand-picked flowers at every table. The hand-written menu is regularly updated to include seasonal ingredients and provide a unique dining experience. The personal touches made at every table and on every menu are modelled after the individual experience Andrew Edmunds himself aimed for. Even though he is no longer managing the space, he still pops in for a meal every once in awhile.
46 Lexington St, London W1F 0LP
Mildreds || Diane Thomas & Jane Muir
Based in an 18th century townhouse, Mildreds offers a casual and lively atmosphere. Guests may sit in wicker chairs opposite booths and admire the colourful art, enjoy a cocktail from the bar or even grab a quicker eat from the takeaway lunch bar. Mildreds provides a wide variety of vegan and vegetarian dishes that break out of the standard meatless food confines. Founders Diane Thomas and Jane Muir wanted to move away from the 60’s style of “brown food” for veggie eaters in the 1980’s and challenge the sceptics by making international and fresh vegetarian cuisine.
45 Lexington St, London W1F 9AN
Gay Hussar || Victor Sassie
Opened in 1953, the Gay Hussar was a popular dining place for high profile customers involved in politics, journalism, art and more. There are multiple stories of how founder, Victor Sassie, came to open the restaurant, so no one knows the real one, but he was known to come around to his regulars and order them an entirely new dish if he didn’t approve of their choice of meal. Maintaining the same high standard today, the Gay Hussar greets customers with a plush dining room and the original menu set by Sassie. The dining room was upgraded in 2004 with the addition of a gallery of 60 caricatures drawn by Martin Rowson, but other than that, the Gay Hussar provides the same experience it has since its inception.
2 Greek St, London W1D 4NB
Randall and Aubin || Jamie Poulton & Ed Baines
Upon entering Randall and Aubin the first thing diners see is the discoball in the centre of the space. Then they are able to take in the 18th century chandelier over the service station, followed by the tall, marble-topped shared tables and white tiled walls reminiscent of the venue’s history as a butcher shop. The menu is centred around classic French and British dishes with a specialisation in seafood. The founders, Jamie Poulton and Ed Baines, have a shared passion for honest ingredients and sustainability, which means all of their dishes are made with the freshest, responsibly grown produce.
14-16 Brewer St, London W1F 0SG
Modern Dining
Balls and Company || Bonny Porter
The naturally lit and open upstairs of Balls and Company is a simple, neutral space decorated with small triangle accents along the wall. The downstairs bar is small and intimate with darker tones than the main dining room but maintaining a similar feel. The refreshing ambiance of the venue mimics the fresh style of the food. Balls and Company founder, Bonny Porter, makes sure there is an option for all, including salmon and quinoa balls for the non-meat eaters with a selection of homemade sauces to mix and match.
58 Greek St, London W1D 3DY
10 Greek Street || Cameron Emirali & Luke Wilson
10 Greek Street is an intimate, simple, traditional British diner complete with a chalkboard listing the specials. The plain interior allows more attention to be paid to the seasonal dishes and thought-provoking flavour combinations, including things like squid with chickpeas and guindillas for dinner and lavender panna cotta with pear and pomegranate for pudding. The founding duo, Cameron Emirali and Luke Wilson, have a background in art and fine wines that set 10 Greek Street up for success.
10 Greek St, London W1D 4DH
Nopi || Yotam Ottolenghi
The marble floors, ceramic tiled walls and gold embellishments inside Nopi, founded by Yotam Ottolenghi, give the restaurant an elegant identity. The cloth napkins even come with a golden “O,” like the one in “Nopi,” as the napkin ring. When customers sit down to eat, the Middle Eastern and Asian fusion food accompanies the dynamic decor for an extravagant experience, evocative of most of Ottolenghi’s popular projects.
21-22 Warwick St, London W1B 5NE
Social Eating House and The Blind Pig || Jason Atherton
Both born from the mind of Jason Atherton, Michelin starred chef and restaurateur, Social Eating House and The Blind Pig are unique, nostalgic dining experiences. Social Eating House, located on the ground floor, has exposed brick walls, white-washed copper ceilings and well worn leather seating and is complete with restored furniture and decor. Similarly, The Blind Pig, upstairs, has antique mirrored ceilings, a copper top bar and an entrance marked with a doorknocker of a blindfolded pig all giving it a speakeasy atmosphere. The menus include comfort food dishes and inspired, experimental cocktails.
58 Poland St, London W1F 7NS
Decadent
Bob Bob Ricard || Leonid Shutov & Richard Howarth
Bob Bob Ricard is a decadent space designed for an elegant experience. Each table even comes with its own “Press for Champagne” button. With bespoke terrazzo flooring and only booths available for seating, guests can’t help but get lost in the glamour. Dress is elegant and children under 12 are not allowed maintaining the upscale environment even more. Mains are split into meat, fish and vegetarian, but the main attraction is the extensive list of wine and champagne that is sure to be flowing. Founded by Leonid (nicknamed Bob) Shutov and Richard Howarth, the restaurant is named Bob Bob Ricard because “Bob” paid for two thirds of the restaurant.
1 Upper James St, London W1F 9DF
Engawa || Akira Shimizu
Engawa is a small and sumptuous restaurant housed within the Ham Yard Hotel, offering traditional Japanese cuisine and hospitality. Operating under the direction of Executive Chef Akira Shimizu, the project launched in collaboration with the Salt Consortium, which runs more than 40 restaurants and bars in Japan. Distinctively, Engawa serves genuine Kobe beef, which was banned from import until recently. It’s produced under extraordinarily strict conditions, from cattle of pure and ancient Tajima-gyu lineage, born and raised in Hyogo Prefecture, fed only certain grains and grasses, attaining a specific fat marbling ratio.
2 Ham Yard, London W1D 7DT
Quo Vadis || Eddie & Sam Hart
Quo Vadis enchants visitors with its stained glass windows, homey floral arrangements and charming illustrations adorning the walls. Owned by brothers Eddie and Sam Hart, the daily changing menu also comes with a daily changing illustration as the focal point. Once guests finish taking in the art, they choose from thoughtful British dishes made from seasonal ingredients served up by chef Jeremy Lee.
26-29 Dean St, London W1D 3LL
The Wright Brothers || Ben Wright & Robin Hancock
Walking into The Wright Brothers in Soho is like stepping onto a ship. Details including the wooden barrels framing the front entrance, the white tiled interior and wooden beamed roof help guests imagine they’re shucking oysters by the sea. Even the semi-private dining room, “The Cage,” offers a nautical feeling, as it is meant to resemble an oyster cage. The menu offers a variety of seafood and shellfish with a hint of Asian influence. Eating at The Wright Brothers, it is hard to imagine that founders Ben Wright and Robin Hancock had to convince people to eat oysters when they launched their wholesale business in 2002.
Kingly Court, 13 Kingly St, London W1B 5PW
European Cuisine
Vinoteca || Brett Woonton, Charlie Young & Elena Ares
Brick walls and ceiling, darkly stained wood and green accents make Vinoteca in Soho a cosy space for a glass of wine and to enjoy some British cheeses. Vinoteca’s menu changes daily, but always features seasonal produce and a blend of British and European flavours. Brett Woonton, Charlie Young and Elena Ares, Vinoteca founders, have such a passion for wine that they even turned their wine list into a mini periodical that customers can take home with them.
53-55 Beak St, London W1F 9SH
Barrafina || Sam & Eddie Hart
Barrafina is a tapas bar by brothers Sam and Eddie Hart where diners sit at a bar and indulge in samplers of food and glasses of Spanish wine. After growing in popularity while on Frith Street, Barrafina is now moved to Dean Street and opened on November 16. You can trust the Hart brothers to do Tapas right.
26-27 Dean St, London W1D 3LL
Blanchette || Maxime, Malik & Yannis Alary
A traditional French bistro with a homey touch, Blanchette’s picture tiling, exposed brick, china hutches and candle sticks make guests feel at home. Founded by brothers Maxime, Malik and Yannis Alary and named after their mother, the restaurant is centred around sharing and serves small dishes similar to tapas.
9 D’Arblay St, London W1F 8DR
Bocca Di Lupo || Jacob Kenedy & Victor Hugo
Bocca Di Lupo opened in 2008 as a traditional Italian eatery. They make their own pasta, bread, gelato and more and source everything they can’t make from the different regions of Italy. Diners have the option to sit in the main room or have a seat on a stool at the bar where they can watch the chefs prepare their meal. Partners Jacob Kenedy and Victor Hugo founded Bocca Di Lupo as a simple trattoria and have humbly asserted it is still that at heart.
12 Archer St, London W1D 7BB
New & Notable
Kiln Soho || Ben Chapman
After the opening of Thai barbecue restaurant Smoking Goat, Ben Chapman has launched another eatery, this time on Brewer Street. The menu takes inspiration from Thailand’s border; the Burmese and Yunnanese dishes are a combination of grilled items and a daily noodle dish. The majority of the food is prepared in open kilns designed by Chapman himself. Designer Dan Preston is responsible for the long stainless steel counter and the open kitchen. Even though the menu is Asian-inspired, the products used by the kitchen are British, including aged lamb, reared by Cornwall Project farmer Dave Soper.
58 Brewer St, London, W1F 9TL
Temper || Neil Rankin
Celebrated barbeque specialist Neil Rankin’s South American inspired grill and wine bar, Temper, launched this autumn on Broadwick Street. From Pitt Cue Co in Soho to the Smokehouse in Islington, Neil has been a creative force on the London barbeque scene. Temper has been created in partnership with Sam Lee who brings a wealth of experience in both the restaurant and wine industries. The eatery offers delicious and expertly cooked cuts of meat from the whole animal, tempered for optimal flavour, and offset with a range of vegetable focused plates, with sustainability playing a crucial role in the process.
19-25 Broadwick St, London W1F 0DF
Curated by Rachel E McLean