Soho unveils 12 outstanding restaurants to visit right now

MICHELIN Bib Gourmand recommends trying Kricket in Soho for some of the best Indian food in town. Credit: Kricket Soho
The bar area of Kricket, one of the best Indian restaurants in Soho, with exposed brick walls.

Bijou, buzzing and bohemian – the three Bs of Soho London. This charming district is renowned for being the top place to go when you want to enjoy yourself in the capital. The best restaurants in Soho serve everything from street food and small plates to fine dining tasting menus and MICHELIN-star meals, so whatever type of night out you’re planning, there’s something in Soho for you.

Some of the best restaurants in London are located within this vibrant district. There’s an all-vegan hotspot with a MICHELIN star just waiting to help you discover the delights of plant-based cuisine. You can try the first gourmet Wagyu Japanese yakiniku experience in the whole of London, or top-quality Syrian cuisine designed for sharing family-style. Kick your weekend off with a bottomless brunch with a difference, or take your four-legged friends out for dinner at an affordable yet great-tasting pet-friendly Italian joint. The world is quite literally your oyster (or your steak, curry or any other type of food) when you choose to eat out in Soho London.

Book your seat at one of the best restaurants in Soho on OpenTable and start planning your next night out.

From unmissable classics to new, hip kids on the block – the best restaurants in Soho have a table for you

For the first gourmet Wagyu yakiniku experience in London – book your seat at Kanpai Classic Soho

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Only the highest Grade 5 Japanese Wagyu beef makes the cut at Kanpai Classic Soho. Credit: Kanpai Classic Soho
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The food at Kanpai Classic Soho is always expertly cooked beautifully presented and packed with flavour. Credit: Kanpai Classic Soho
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Take in the exquisite Japanese-inspired decor as you dine at Kanpai Classic Soho. Credit: Kanpai Classic Soho
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While the food is exquisite, the drinks menu is equally impressive at Kanpai Classic Soho. Credit: Kanpai Classic Soho

Yakiniku, which translates from the Japanese as “grilled meat”, is what Kanpai Classic Soho does best. Specialising in serving only the highest Grade 5 Wagyu beef in a theatrical, gourmet experience, Kanpai is a unique destination that rightfully claims its place as one of the best restaurants in Soho. Executive chef Masatada Ogata has prepared a meticulous menu and a team of expert grillers, serving wagyu grilled over open flames served alongside London IWC Gold Awarded Japanese Ginjo Masuizumi sake and Kamameshi rice. Standout dishes include the Wagyu tartare served with celeriac puree and Vostok Royal Baerii caviar, and the exotic medley of flavours found on the Wagyu nigiri sushi menu. You can also discover other Japanese dishes, ranging from ramen and curries to light bites and small plates. Add your choice of sake from the comprehensive drink menu for the full Japanese dining experience.

For the best restaurant in Soho for a romantic date night – discover Dear Jackie

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Intimate, elegant and ultimately romantic, try Dear Jackie for your next date night. Credit: Dear Jackie
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Nestled on the ground floor of the Broadwick Soho Hotel, Dear Jackie is the ideal intimate venue for a cosy evening out. Credit: Dear Jackie

The flagship restaurant of the Broadwick Soho Hotel, Dear Jackie is opulent, glamorous and refined. The intimate and luxurious interior creates the perfect atmosphere for date night or just an intimate get-together with friends and family. Self-described as “part dolce vita elegance, part disco fabulous”, the interior forms an integral part of the restaurant’s love letter to the romance of Italian cuisine and culture. Think plush booths lined with red silk, Murano lighting and seductive upholstery, with an extensive list of carefully chosen wines to complete your experience. Menu highlights include hand-dived scallops, seared and served with champagne and trout roe, veal and pork Genovese agnolotti, and Hereford beef with courgette flowers and black garlic. The pre-theatre menu brings you two or three courses designed to get you to the show on time.

For bottomless brunch Japanese style – start your weekend at Shack-Fuyu

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The menu at Shack-Fuyu is designed for sharing – which you’ll want to do so you can try everything. Credit: Shack-Fuyu
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Fluffy, filled bao buns are a house specialty at Shack-Fuyu. Credit: Shack-Fuyu
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Be sure to save some room for dessert when you dine at Shack-Fuyu. Credit: Shack-Fuyu
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With bottomless brunch at Shack-Fuyu, you can get your weekend off to the best start. Credit: Shack-Fuyu

From the team behind both Flesh & Buns and Bone Daddies comes Shack-Fuyu. Located in the heart of Soho, this restaurant brings you fusion food inspired by Yoshoku cuisine, which is Japanese influenced by Western techniques. Choose from a tasting menu at the intimate booth seating or grab a seat at the communal table for socialisation and sharing. Alternatively, grab a spot outside outdoor seating or book the private dining room for group events for up to 18 people. Sundays are always a highlight at Shack-Fuyu, with a bottomless brunch menu including a Bloody Mary or bellini on arrival, followed by unlimited prosecco or wine for two hours. All this alongside a selection of small and large plates such as salmon tacos, chasu pork buns, katsu curry and Iberico pork pluma. Be sure to finish with the famous Kinako French toast and ice cream.

For one of the best dog-friendly restaurants in Soho – try Forty Dean Street

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Soak up the elegant Italian ambience at Forty Dean Street and dine out without breaking the bank. Credit: Forty Dean Street
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Forty Dean Street, where affordable doesn’t mean compromising on quality. Credit: Forty Dean Street
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Handmade pasta is the star of the show at Forty Dean Street. Credit: Forty Dean Street
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With pet-friendly tables, you can bring the whole family to dine at Forty Dean Street. Credit: Forty Dean Street

If you’re looking for cheap eats that don’t compromise on quality or flavour, then Forty Dean Street is the venue for you. Classic Italian combined with innovative specials, all at affordable prices and served with love. Family-run just like sister venue 64 Old Compton Street and with that warm, convivial hospitality the Italians are famous for, Forty Dean Street is a great choice for a family meal. And even better, both venues are pet-friendly, so you really can bring the entire family. Sip on a refreshing Aperol Spritz and peruse the menu comprised of fresh, seasonal ingredients to find your next favourite dish. Perhaps it will be the fresh mussel starter with white wine and fregola, or the crunchy fried squid with zucchini and aioli. Or maybe you’ll love the lobster ravioli in a shellfish sauce, or the juicy slow-roast pork belly with black cabbage and apple puree.

For MICHELIN Bib Gourmand recommended dining with a theatre kitchen – experience Kricket Soho

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The seasonal sharing menu at Kricket Soho means you get to try all the fantastic flavours. Credit: Kricket Soho
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Creamy curries crafted from seasonal ingredients and served from a theatre kitchen at Kricket Soho. Credit: Kricket Soho
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Kricket Soho is the perfect hotspot for group dining or socialising with your neighbours. Credit: Kricket Soho
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Pull up a stool at the bar and enjoy a quick snack at Kricket Soho in London Soho. Credit: Kricket Soho

Just a one-minute walk from Piccadilly lies the urban oasis that is Kricket Soho – perfect for group nights out, with a theatre kitchen plus sharing tables and counter seating. Serving some of the best Indian food in Soho as recommended by the Bib Gourmand section of the MICHELIN Guide, Kricket is a real gem. Creative takes on classic Indian recipes form the heart of the menu, while the cocktails are equally inspired by the subcontinent. Sip on a mixture of sparkling apple, gin and coriander, or a vodka, oxymel and cardamom concoction while perusing the seasonal menu. Highlights include Keralan fried chicken with pickled mooli, the Pandhi pork neck curry with tamarind and fried ginger, and the mushroom keema with grilled cauliflower mushroom. Alternatively, try the tasting menu for four or more, or pop in for an express lunch for one set price.

For one of the best restaurants in Soho for fine dining – book a table at SOLA SOHO

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Experience Californian-style fine dining with a great aesthetic at SOLA SOHO. Credit: SOLA SOHO
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Elegant and verdant surroundings set the scene for a luxurious night out at SOLA SOHO. Credit: SOLA SOHO
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Presentation is a priority at SOLA SOHO – they do say the first bite is with the eyes. Credit: SOLA SOHO
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SOLA SOHO, where the decor is equally as impressive as the top-quality Californian cuisine. Credit: SOLA SOHO

Creative Californian cooking from chef Victor Garvey, so good it’s got a MICHELIN star – SOLA SOHO is a unique fine dining venue that seamlessly maintains a reputation as one of the best restaurants in Soho London. Intimate and elegant, with a dining area packed with lush greenery and sculptural lighting, SOLA represents all that is good about the Golden State. For group bookings, try the private dining room for an extra special touch. Choose from the classic menu for any occasion, the lunch / pre-theatre menu for an express experience, or the tasting menu to really make the most of things. Each menu comes with optional wine pairings and features dishes such as the sablefish with palm heart and makrut lime, langoustine hotpot with hibiki, and tender guinea fowl with oxidised chardonnay.

For the best restaurant in Soho for Syrian cuisine – pull up a chair at Imad’s Syrian Kitchen

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In Syrian cuisine, food is at the heart of every life experience – find out why at Imad’s Syrian Kitchen. Credit: Imad’s Syrian Kitchen
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 Just like great conversation, great food is designed for sharing – taste the flavours of Imad’s Syrian Kitchen. Credit: Imad’s Syrian Kitchen
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If you’ve never tried Syrian cuisine then you’re in for a real treat when you eat at Imad’s Syrian Kitchen. Credit: Imad’s Syrian Kitchen

Syrian culture revolves very much around food, and Imad’s Syrian Kitchen recreates that “food is life” experience in the heart of Soho. No matter what your plans for the day, your meals will form a key part of them. Here you can join Imad Alarnab and his team in celebrating the social and culinary aspects of the Syrian dining experience. Located on the top floor of Kingly Court in Carnaby Street, this is the ideal spot to pop into for breakfast, lunch or dinner while soaking up some of the hippest vibes in London. The tahini and lamb kofta is a must-try, served with roasted chili, red onion, cherry tomato and yoghurt. The menu is also extremely vegetarian friendly – perhaps try okra in a spiced tomato sauce with cumin-spiced rice, or a roasted aubergine and lentils with broad beans and mixed herbs.

For one of the best Asian restaurants in Soho – book a table at Singapulah

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iscover a plethora of flavours Singapore-style at Singapulah. Credit: Singapulah

Take a gastronomic journey to Singapore without leaving London when you visit Singapulah, one of the best restaurants in Soho serving innovative Asian cuisine. Dive into an immersive sensory experience and explore a specially curated menu showcasing ingredients and recipes that you won’t find anywhere else in the UK. The street food vibe in a bustling indoor location will transport you to the world of Singaporean hawker stalls, Partnering with 13 of the leading Singapore food manufacturers, Singapulah has something for everyone. From cereal killer prawns tossed with aromatic curry leaves, to kopi pork with a savoury-sweet coffee sauce, to Singapore chilli crab with deep-fried mantou buns – every dish is an adventure.

For one of the best vegan restaurants in London with a MICHELIN star – treat yourself at Gauthier Soho

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British ingredients, French cooking techniques, an all-vegan menu and a MICHELIN star make Gauthier Soho a must-visit culinary destination. Credit: Gauthier Soho

Gauthier Soho brings you a 100% plant-based dining experience that’s so tasty the MICHELIN Guide gave it a star within the first year after opening. Whether you’re a die-hard vegan or just someone who fancies trying something a little different, each dish has been carefully crafted to showcase the best of vegan cuisine. Try the Grand Diner menu with wine pairings and head off on a gastronomic journey. While dishes change with the seasons and the availability of local ingredients, samples include pink radish with braised fondant daikon and broad bean agnolotti with seasonal greens velouté. Enjoy all this and more in chic townhouse surroundings, while being waited on by a team that’s passionate about making your evening something to remember.

For the best steaks and Sunday roasts in Soho – celebrate the weekend at Blacklock Soho

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Blacklock Soho specialises in serving only the best cuts of meat in the country, cooked over a charcoal grill. Credit: Blacklock Soho
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Blacklock Soho has vintage charm, set in a former brothel and lap-dancing club and expertly redesigned for the modern age. Credit: Blacklock Soho
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Blacklock Soho: a carnivore’s paradise serving meat from an award-winning Cornish farmer and butcher. Credit: Blacklock Soho

Sunday roast is a UK staple and if you want one of the best, you need to head to Blacklock Soho. In partnership with award-winning Cornwall butcher and farmer Philip Warren, Blacklock specialises in providing only the highest quality meats. Each cut is cooked simply, yet to perfection, over an open charcoal grill for that smoky flavour that truly hits home. Choose from rump steak, lamb or pork for your roast, or try something different mid-week with a meat-free main of barbecued cauliflower chop. Add beef dripping chips, kale and parmesan, or a broccoli and walnut salad to finish things off. Take in the surroundings while you dine – Blacklock Soho is housed in a former brothel and the fun burlesque vibe has been retained in this characterful hotspot.

For one of the best restaurants in Soho for a Mexican night out – grab the gang and head to El Camion Soho

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Get your tequila on and party Mexican-style at El Camion Soho. Credit: El Camion Soho

For a fun night out with the gang, El Camion Soho offers not only great down-to-earth Mexican food and margaritas. You can also dance the night away at the Pink Chihuahua in the basement, which offers a smaller selection from the menu alongside Mexican-inspired cocktails. Find the largest menu of agave spirits in the whole of the UK and embrace the fiesta spirit in style. The cocktail menu begins with multiple variations on the classic margarita, with the option to add either mango or strawberry to each. Once you’ve got your drink on, choose from a host of classic Mexican dishes and a few innovative new additions. Try pork carnitas tacos, quesadillas, or a sharing platter of lamb quesabirria with melted cheese and consommé dip. Add a plate of nachos for the table and make things as cool or as spicy as you like.

For fine wines and beautiful bistro food – take a seat at Andrew Edmunds

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Pull up a seat at a pavement bistro table at Andrew Edmunds and watch the world go by with a glass of fine wine. Credit: Andrew Edmunds

Andrew Edmunds is a true London institution. Launched almost 40 years ago, it’s still one of the most popular and best restaurants in Soho. Situated in an elegant 18th-century townhouse, it has a relaxed, welcoming vibe and a carefully chosen yet surprisingly affordable wine list. The sheer number of regulars stands testament to the quality of the restaurant, which may well become your new local after just one visit. It’s a real hotspot for wines from around the world, curated to bring you a tasting experience like no other. Multiple options are available by the glass, including sparkling, or grab a bottle, half-bottle or magnum for the table. Complement your wine with a selection of seasonal daily specials – samples include toasted focaccia topped with whipped cod’s roe and pickled cabbage, Cromer dressed crab with lemon mayonnaise, and puff potato terrine with spinach and leeks in a gorgonzola sauce.

Soho in London is the capital’s go-to good-time district. Packed with compelling cafes, bars and restaurants offering the hottest nightlife and every type of cuisine you can imagine, a night out in Soho is a night out to remember. Serving up everything from small plates to MICHELIN-star cuisine and everything in between, check out one of the best restaurants in Soho for your next night on the town.

Book your spot at one of the best restaurants in Soho right now on OpenTable.

If you’re looking for the best restaurants in London outside of Soho, check out some of these guides to discover more:

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