Posted by The social heart of London’s West End, it’s rather easy to get swept up in the excitement and frivolity of Soho, where the turn of every corner reveals a new discovery, whether that be boutique fashion, a creative culinary experience, or a nightlife scene that’s never mundane.
During the day a busy shopping hub, Soho comes alive with a different excitability at nightfall, when the bars and restaurants fill to the brim and the streets and laneways become a parade of well dressed Londoners seeking gratification in one form or another. This stylish enclave boasts some very well known venues, but there is an equally robust collection of small, understated places to relax and imbibe, including rustic wine bars, old-style corner pubs and ethnic eateries dishing up some terrific off-the-radar cuisines.
Soho is also home to some of London’s better known gay venues, though the gay scene which is centred around Old Compton Street is smaller these days, it’s still an energetic part of this fascinating neighbourhood.
When you have done all there is to do in Soho (if that’s even possible), make tracks to East London’s equally as vibrant district of Shoreditch.
This guide to Soho was updated in September 2024.
Just Coffee…
Flat White | 17 Berwick St
In the heart of Soho, this Antipodean inspired café claims to have brought the Flat White to London back in 2005! Showing Londoners what good coffee is all about, it’s busy, noisy and cramped, but caffeine fiends flock here for good conversation, perfect coffee and a simple snack menu that includes pastries and cookies, including a near perfect Anzac Biscuit. Flat White
Hideaway Coffee | 7 Farrier’s Passage
Hideaway by name, hideaway by nature seems to be the theme here – this cute café is tucked away in a lovely courtyard, the interior is quite petite with just a central kitchen table plus a few stools, but there’s a handful of outdoor tables for when the weather is behaving. The coffee is very good and lovingly made, there’s also simple breakfast snacks, croissants and yoghurt available. Hideaway Coffee
Soho Grind | 19 Beak St
A member of a fast-growing chain of espresso bars in inner London, you can’t miss Soho Grind with its punchy signage, racy pink interior and upbeat music. The coffee is quite good, but if you need something harder, slip down the stairs to the snug basement and order yourself a cheeky cocktail… or two! Soho Grind
Department of Coffee and Social Affairs | 3 Lowndes Court
You’ll find this charismatic café on a cobblestone laneway in the Carnaby district, serving excellent coffee made from beans sourced from single estates across Africa and Latin America. Department of Coffee and Social Affairs
Breakfast & Brunch…
Scarlett Green | 4 Noel St
Scarlett Green is a member of the Green family of Australian themed cafes and restaurants across London. This spacious Soho outlet is more upmarket than your average café, with timber floors, white walls adorned with Aussie costal images and colourful splashes of décor. It’s an all-day dining venue, though brunch is a great time to stop by, with the menu divided into sweet and savoury sections – with the savoury options featuring a hit parade of international brunch favourites. Scarlett Green
Milk Beach | James Court, 14 Greek St
Milk Beach adjoins a serene courtyard tucked away off Greek St, where it delivers a breezy Australian breakfast experience. Opening at 9 am, its stylish beach-inspired decor and light, airy ambiance make it a charming morning escape. The compact menu shines with standout dishes like creamy avocado toast, fluffy ricotta hotcakes, and acai or granola bowls. Fresh juices add a refreshing touch. While the wave soundtrack playing in the toilets might be a touch too quirky, it doesn’t overshadow the overall relaxed and delightful vibe. Milk Beach
Ham Yard Bar & Restaurant | 1 Ham Yard
The Ham Yard is a Firmdale Hotels gem – a company that always delivers with decadent style, on-point service and the wow factor. There’s a choice of sitting areas, from the more formal dining room to the grand bar with large sofas and armchairs, or the pretty courtyard flanked by oak trees. Breakfast here is quite the affair, with an eclectic cast of well-dressed characters dining on an upscale menu that highlights British classics like salt beef (with poached duck eggs no less) through to a simple granola, yoghurt and berries. Ham Yard Bar & Restaurant
The Soho Social | 9 Berwick St
Social Social offers a robust breakfast menu perfect for any craving. From hearty eggs on toast to sweet pancakes and a wholesome granola bowl, there’s something for everyone, including vegetarians. The cosy, rustic setting features exposed brick walls and relaxed low lighting, creating an inviting vibe. Open all day and into the evening, it’s a charming spot to linger and enjoy. The Soho Social
Bar Italia | 22 Frith St
A Soho institution for nearly 80 years, Bar Italia is a throw-back to times past, with Italian memorabilia plastered over the walls and an old-style cash register still in operation. Open from 7am to 4am, it’s your go-to place for decent (though not great) coffee, a simple panini, classic lasagna and Italian desserts – there’s nothing fancy about the food, but it’s certainly fulfilling. The wine choice is easy to make – either prosecco, bianco or rosso. The service is authentic Italian and so are many of the customers, so if you need a little slice of Italy in the heart of London, this is it. Bar Italia
Lunch & Dinner…
Kiln | 58 Brewer St
They really pack eager diners into this narrow space which is dominated by a long bar offering front row views of the open kitchen, but its popularity means that no one seems bothered by how ‘cosy’ it is. The Northern Thai food is fabulous, with a short ever-changing menu, the highlight dishes are those barbequed in the kiln. Expect a significant wait for a seat at the bar (or in the small basement dining room), but the service is both friendly and efficient so they will squeeze you into the waiting area where you can drink and snack before the really serious indulging begins. Kiln
Mountain | 16-18 Beak St
Mountain offers a lively dining experience across two levels: a slinky basement and a spacious ground floor with bar seating, dining tables, and an expansive open kitchen. The Northern Spanish-inspired menu is long and intriguing, divided into five sections with creative dishes that surprise and delight. Highlights include sustainably caught seafood and deceptively simple creations like a cucumber, mountain mint, and green strawberry salad. The diverse Mediterranean wine list complements the beautifully balanced flavors of the food. With a lively atmosphere, it’s perfect for culinary exploration as you work through the many tempting dishes on offer. Mountain
Blanchette | 9 D’Arblay St
This cutesy Parisian-style wine bar and bistro established by two French brothers has been delighting Londoners for over ten years now. With distressed vintage décor, intricately tiled walls and windows that open onto the Soho streetscape, there’s bar seating at the front, a cosier dining area at the rear, plus more dining space in the cellar. The food is classic rustic-French, share plates style, with an inventive twist or two. Start with some tasty snacks or a lovely cheese and honey pairing, then move onto charcuterie, before the main event featuring heartier fish or meat options. The wine list leans heavily French, however other countries are also featured. Blanchette
DUCKSOUP | 41 Dean St
DUCKSOUP offers simple, seasonal European cuisine that’s truly sensational, served in shared plate sizes perfect for tasting and sharing. Complemented by an impressive selection of natural wines, the dining experience is both refined and unpretentious. The narrow, minimalist space features mostly bar seating, creating a cozy, bustling atmosphere. While it’s cramped, the lively vibe and exceptional food make it well worth the elbow-rubbing with fellow diners. DUCKSOUP
Polpo | 41 Beak St
An enduringly popular Venetian wine bar and restaurant, the Soho branch (there’s also a Chelsea outlet) is large but still feels cosy enough; housed in a long thin room with low ceilings and exposed brick walls. The food is old-school rustic Italian prepared simply but well, the portions are generous and the quality consistently good. Their meatballs are a speciality, but there’s many other favourites on the menu like very morish stuffed fried olives. Dessert offers up the classics like Affogato, Tiramisu and a Flourless Lemon Cake. The wine offering covers most of the Italian wine regions and comes by the glass or in varying sizes of carafes. Polpo
Kolamba | 21 Kingly Court
This modern Sri Lankan restaurant has a simple yet chic fit-out, with large windows that open onto Kingly Court when the weather is good. The menu helpfully suggests how many of each course to order for two diners, starting with traditional short eats, before moving onto more substantial meat, fish and vegetable dishes, with Sambol and hoppers on the side. The food is slow cooked with immense care, with fragrant spices evident in most dishes and a chicken curry that will leave you wanting more. There’s a short international wine list and a handful of cocktails to keep thirst at bay. Kolamba
The Duck and Rice | 90 Berwick St
A British pub serving rather good Cantonese food? Yes, this is the premise behind The Duck and Rice and surprisingly it works better than you’d imagine. The ground level of this funky spot has a loud and busy bar like vibe, whilst the upper level is a more refined dining room. The menu reads like a hit parade of classic Cantonese fare; dim sum, chop suey, noodles & rice plus hero dishes including roast duck (with or without pancakes). The food is well prepared and presented, nothing on the menu is a let-down, and the service is quite lovely too. The Duck and Rice
Tamarind Kitchen | 167-169 Wardour St
Tamarind’s sister restaurant in Mayfair was the first Indian restaurant in London to take out a Michelin Star, so you know the food is going to be very good, though they are also serious about their cocktails and the service is flawless too. The menu highlights Indian street fare, though presented (in polished brass pots) much fancier than I imagine you’ll get on the streets of Delhi. Start with some morish Naan Bread, then indulge in their absolutely fabulous curries, most dishes are in small portions so ideal for sharing. A large and boisterous dining room (with more seating in the basement), it’s warm and welcoming with just a touch of ‘bling’ in the decor. Tamarind Kitchen
Copita | 27 D’Arblay St
Celebrating the authentic tapas bar culture of Spain, you’ll sit shoulder to shoulder with your fellow diners in this cosy but charming space. Settle in for delicious share plates, a great wine list (all Spanish) served by the glass or carafe, and a choice of fifteen sherries. Copita
Bob Bob Ricard | 1 Upper James St
An opulent art deco space with private leather booths and refined service, this is the place for an indulgent night out. Push the champagne button in your booth to get things started with a glass of champagne (there are more than a few served by the glass), then indulge in some Russian inspired fare including oysters, salmon (the salmon tartare is incredible) and of course caviar. Bob Bob Ricard
Boca di Lupo | 12 Archer St
An elegant bar and dining room serving authentic Italian fare in small and large plates. The long bar with open kitchen behind it is bright and modern, whilst the compact dining room at the rear is snugger and more rustic. The daily changing menu is simple, classic but perfectly prepared – the pasta is out of this world. The wine list is mostly Italian too. It’s popular, so reservations are recommended. Bocca di Lupo
Drinks…
Antidote Wine Bar | 12a Newburgh St
An intimate wine bar with large windows and an inviting rustic interior, serving interesting French influenced share food, including charcuterie and cheeses. The menu changes often, and the menu descriptions are short and to the point, so what it says is what you get – on my last visit I had the most simple but fantastic snack of burrata, honeymoon melon and Thai basil! Their broad European wine selection focuses on small organic and biodynamic producers – the bottle list goes on for pages and pages and is helpfully divided into regions, though the ‘by the glass’ options are concise. Antidote Wine Bar
Bar Crispin | 19 Kingly St
Bar Crispin is a cosy haven for wine enthusiasts, with a “wine bible” featuring diverse European varietals, the selection evolves seasonally, offering four by-the-glass options. The snack menu is short but creative; start with thick bread with copious butter and rich indulgent bites, and don’t go past the standout prawn sando. There’s also Neal’s Yard cheeses on offer for turophiles. The intimate, simply decorated space is adorned with wine bottles. Crispin buzzes with chatter, making it an ideal spot for casual catchups. Bar Crispin
Bar Termini | 7 Old Compton St
Bar Termini gets my vote for most charming bar in Soho, with a lot of substance and style packed into this tiny venue (that seats just 24 pax) where the cheeky Italian staff bring an authentic taste of the continent to London. The drinks list offers classico cocktails plus Negroni variations, just three or so wines (but when Soave’s one of them, that’s all you need) and for beer drinkers it’s Peroni or nothing. The staff might pretend you need a reservation to get a seat, but just persist and they’ll let you in, and before you know it you might find your night happily ending here, as it’s a hard place to leave! Bar Termini
Disrepute | 4 Kingly Court
Descending the red-carpeted narrow stairs into this decadent basement you’ll be delighted to find an elegant haven, where flickering candle-light, velvet chairs, brass and ornate timber, plus soft jazz all come together in harmony. A place for ‘luxurious libations and late-night liaisons’, the cocktail menu is crafted around stories of Soho’s swinging past, on my last visit the list featured ten classics with a twist, across ten decades, inspired by ten exceptional women. There’s also a well-rounded wine list for lovers of the grape. Disrepute
Nightjar Carnaby | 49-51 Kingly St
Nightjar offers an intimate, basement-level retreat with a nostalgic supper-club vibe. After lining up to get in and stumping up a small cover charge, you’re greeted by cozy booths, small tables, and bar seating. The cocktail menu, divided into Pre-Prohibition, Prohibition, Post-War, and Nightjar Signature sections, features a glossary plus detailed descriptions with illustrated pictures of each drink – which come with nuanced flavors and served in specialty glassware. Live, easy-listening music adds ambiance without overpowering conversation. Nightjar Carnaby
Swift Soho | 12 Old Compton St
The ground level of Swift is a bar for everyone, it’s small but lively, relaxed, fun and an easy stop for a beverage or two. If you’re in the mood for some more serious imbibing though, make a reservation for the downstairs basement, which is fancier, darker, a little romantic, somewhat cramped and at times featuring live jazz music. The drinks list starts with aperitivos, house cocktails with a twist and a kick on the classics (though straight classics are available always), a short and sharp European wine selection and quite a few non-alcoholic options too. After the success of Soho, there’s also sibling Swift venues opened in Shoreditch and Borough. Swift Soho
Mr Fogg’s Hat Tavern & Gin Club | 22 Great Chapel St
Set across two levels, Mr Fogg’s Hat Tavern resides on the ground floor, offering a spirited Victorian tavern where pints and cocktails are order of the day, and every surface of the walls and ceiling are covered with historical portraits and bric-a-brac. Venturing into the basement you’ll discover the Gin Club – a more exquisite yet equally convivial drinking den, where an extensive menu of fine gins are yours for the taking. There’s also a trunk of bespoke hats to try on whilst you taste your way through their gin collection. Mr Fogg’s Hat Tavern & Gin Club
Archer Street | 3-4 Archer St
Archer Street offers quite a ‘clubby’ feel without the pretension, the main lounge has a rustic farmhouse look with deep sofas, a low ceiling and very attentive staff who also happen to look the part. Their signature cocktails have theatrical themed names, which is apt considering its location near the theatre district, though there’s also all the classics on offer, as well as a short European wine list. Live music is often on the roster, so whilst sipping a cocktail, you may also be treated to what feels like an impromptu appearance from a West End performer or two. The later it gets here, the looser the well-heeled crowd gets. Archer Street
The Crown | 64 Brewer St
No visit to London is complete without a night out at a traditional British pub, so you’ll be happy to slip into the warm embrace of this convivial corner boozer, where spirited conversation goes hand in hand with a pint or two of craft or international beer. Legend even has it that a nine-year-old Mozart once gave a recital here! The Crown
Where to Stay…
Soho is dotted with a variety of small, upscale boutique hotels, with Firmdale Hotels and Soho House both offering a number of their plush bolt-holes to luxuriate in. Staying in the heart of Soho is indeed a special experience, and with that usually comes a price-tag to match, but this part of London is flush with more economical accommodation options if you are happy to venture a little further towards Russell Square or Covent Garden.
Ham Yard Hotel | 1 Ham Yard
Featuring Firmdale Hotels signature flair, the whimsical and decadent style of founder Kit Kemp is infused into every element of the decor at the Ham Yard, which is modelled on a modern urban village. The luxurious rooms are a wonderful base for any Soho sojourn, however even non-residents can soak in the atmosphere at the spirited Ham Yard Restaurant & Bar, where London’s social set is always happy to be seen. Ham Yard Hotel
Broadwick Soho | 20 Broadwick St
In a city where new hotels are constant news, the arrival of the 57-room Broadwick in 2023 made an almighty splash, with plaudits especially for the eclectic décor (in their own words; “Artfully infusing a range of inspirations, from Jazz Age opulence to travels around Italy, with a healthy dash of English eccentricity and a sprinkling of Disco fabulousness”). The design is somewhat of a sensory overload, but it’s all so welcoming with supremely comfortable rooms, four contrasting food & beverage venues (including Dear Jackie and Bar Jackie), sharp service and location in the very heart of this cosmopolitan district. Broadwick Soho
Numa London Bloomsbury | 11-13 Bayley St
Numa is a stylish gem in a prime location in Fitzrovia, just north of Soho. The compact yet well-designed rooms feature modern decor, some with high ceilings (those on the first floor), and fresh bathrooms. The large studios on the top floor with a shared terrace are your splash-out option. Digital check-in adds convenience, though staff are available 24/7 and housekeeping is on-demand. There’s a Gail’s downstairs for a convenient coffee or snack, and a multitude of restaurants within skipping distance. Numa London Bloomsbury
Hotel Indigo London – 1 Leicester Square | 1 Leicester Square
Not technically within Soho’s boundaries but just a short stroll away (and quite good value for the area), this quaint art deco styled hotel sits right on lively Leicester Square, with Chinatown and West End’s theatre district on its doorstep. The rooms are petite but fashionable and quite cocooning, there’s also a rooftop bar that whilst lacking the x-factor, has very pleasant views of the London skyline. Hotel Indigo London – 1 Leicester Square
Travis’ Wish List…
Because in a hedonist’s playground like Soho, there’s no end to the eating, drinking and celebrating, maintaining a wish list for your next visit is always a wise thing to do.
Our next visit to Soho shall definitely include dinner and wine at 10 Greek Street or Noble Rot, some fabulous Middle Eastern fare at chic Turkish restaurant Yeni or down-to-earth diner Imad’s Syrian Kitchen, and a decadent modern-European dinner at Soho stayer Andrew Edmunds.
After dinner, we’d soak up some more of the Soho nightlight with a premium whiskey at Dram followed by a fabulous cocktail (I mean, why not?) at Cahoots.
Featured Photo: ‘Press For Emergencies / Champagne’ – Bob Bob Ricard, Soho
Travis. 
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