11 Best Places to Eat in Soho for Every Kind of Foodie
Soho is one of London’s best neighbourhoods for eating. Within a relatively small area, you’ll find everything from old-school British restaurants and Italian trattorias to Japanese kitchens, modern European dining rooms and some of the city’s most exciting casual food spots.
You’re planning a quick lunch, pre-theatre dinner, date night or late-night meal, Soho has plenty of options. Here are 11 of the best places to eat in Soho, with a mix of styles and budgets.
Best Places to Eat in Soho at a Glance | Quick Quide
| Restaurant | Cuisine | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Dishoom Carnaby | Indian | Brunch & groups |
| Flat Iron | Steak | Affordable steak |
| The Palomar | Jerusalem/Middle Eastern | Foodies |
| Barrafina | Spanish | Tapas & seafood |
| Noble Rot | European | Wine & dinner |
| BAO | Taiwanese-inspired | Small plates |
| Kiln | Thai | Spicy food |
| Bob Bob Ricard | British/Russian-inspired | Celebrations |
| Mildreds | Vegetarian | Plant-based dining |
| Hoppers | Sri Lankan | Sharing |
| Poppies | British | Fish & chips |
1. Dishoom Carnaby
📍 Address: 22 Kingly Street, London W1B 5QP
Dishoom is one of London’s best-known Indian restaurants, and its Carnaby location is particularly atmospheric. Inspired by the Irani cafés of Bombay, the restaurant combines vintage-style interiors with a menu packed with flavour.
Try the famous bacon naan roll at breakfast, or visit later for dishes such as biryani, black daal, house curries and grilled meats.
The restaurant is also a great choice for groups because there is plenty to share.
Best for: Indian food, brunch and groups.
2. Flat Iron
📍 Address: 17 Beak Street, London W1F 9RW
If you’re craving steak without the formality or price tag of a traditional steakhouse, Flat Iron is a strong choice.
The Soho restaurant keeps things simple, focusing on quality steak, chips and a small selection of sides and sauces. Its relaxed atmosphere makes it particularly suitable for casual dinners.
The menu is intentionally uncomplicated, allowing the steak to be the star.
Best for: Steak lovers, casual dinners and good value.
3. The Palomar
📍 Address: 34 Rupert Street, London W1D 6DN
The Palomar is one of Soho’s most distinctive restaurants, serving modern Jerusalem-inspired cuisine.
The open kitchen and counter seating create a lively atmosphere, while the menu combines Middle Eastern flavours with influences from North Africa, the Mediterranean and beyond.
It’s an especially good choice if you want a meal that feels different from the standard London restaurant experience.
Best for: Foodies, sharing dishes and lively dinners.
4. Barrafina Dean Street
📍 Address: 26–27 Dean Street, London W1D 3LL
Barrafina is a favourite among diners looking for high-quality Spanish food in a relaxed setting.
The restaurant is centred around a counter, allowing you to watch the chefs prepare dishes. Expect tortillas, grilled seafood, jamón, croquetas and seasonal Spanish ingredients.
Because seating is limited, it can be worth arriving early or being prepared to wait.
Best for: Spanish food, seafood and counter dining.
5. Noble Rot Soho
📍 Address: 51 Lamb’s Conduit Street, London WC1N 3NB
Noble Rot is best known for its wine credentials, but the food deserves equal attention.
The restaurant offers a sophisticated menu influenced by classic European cooking, with dishes changing according to the season.
It’s a particularly good option if you’re looking for somewhere that combines serious food, excellent wine and a relaxed atmosphere.
Best for: Wine lovers, date nights and long dinners.
6. Bao Soho
📍 Address: 53 Lexington Street, London W1F 9AS
BAO has become one of London’s best-known names for Taiwanese-inspired food.
The restaurant specialises in its signature fluffy bao buns, alongside small plates featuring bold flavours and creative combinations.
The Soho branch has a stylish, intimate atmosphere, making it a fun choice for a casual dinner or drinks with food.
Best for: Bao buns, small plates and casual dates.
7. Kiln
📍 Address: 58 Brewer Street, London W1F 9TL
Kiln offers a more intense and regional interpretation of Thai cuisine than many mainstream Thai restaurants.
The kitchen uses a wood-burning oven and grills, with dishes designed around strong flavours, fresh herbs, chilli and spices.
The compact restaurant has a lively atmosphere, and counter seats offer a close view of the cooking.
Best for: Authentic Thai flavours, adventurous eaters and spicy food.
8. Bob Bob Ricard
📍 Address: 1–3 Upper James Street, London W1F 9DF
Bob Bob Ricard is one of Soho’s most recognisable restaurants.
Its glamorous interiors are inspired by luxury railway dining and old-school Russian and British style. One of its most famous features is the “Press for Champagne” button available at the tables.
The menu combines Russian-influenced dishes with British and European favourites.
Best for: Celebrations, date nights and Instagram-worthy interiors.
9. Mildreds Soho
📍 Address: 45 Lexington Street, London W1F 9AN
Mildreds has been part of London’s vegetarian restaurant scene for decades and remains a reliable Soho option for plant-based dining.
The menu takes inspiration from cuisines around the world, with colourful dishes that are designed to be satisfying rather than simply being meat-free alternatives.
It’s a good restaurant for mixed groups because even diners who aren’t vegetarian have plenty to choose from.
Best for: Vegetarian food, vegan diners and groups.
10. Hoppers Soho
📍 Address: 49 Frith Street, London W1D 4SG
Hoppers brings the flavours of Sri Lanka and southern India to the heart of Soho.
The restaurant is particularly famous for hoppers, bowl-shaped fermented rice pancakes that can be paired with curries, sambols and other accompaniments.
The menu works especially well for sharing, allowing you to try several different flavours in one meal.
Best for: Sri Lankan food, sharing and adventurous eaters.
11. Poppies Soho
📍 Address: 55–59 Old Compton Street, London W1D 6HW
For something unmistakably British, Poppies is a fun addition to a Soho food tour.
The restaurant has a nostalgic 1950s-inspired interior and specialises in traditional fish and chips, with dishes such as mushy peas and other classic sides.
Its Old Compton Street location makes it particularly convenient for a casual meal while exploring Soho.
Best for: Fish and chips, tourists and traditional British food.
Which Soho Restaurant Should You Choose?
If you’re visiting Soho for the first time, Dishoom, Hoppers and The Palomar are great places to start because they showcase some of the neighbourhood’s international character.
For date night, try Bob Bob Ricard or Noble Rot. If you’re after something casual, Flat Iron and BAO are excellent choices.
Foodies should consider Barrafina or Kiln, while vegetarian diners will find plenty to enjoy at Mildreds.
And if you’re simply after a classic London meal, Poppies’ fish and chips are an easy choice.
Final Thoughts
The best thing about eating in Soho is the sheer variety. You can have Indian breakfast, Spanish tapas for lunch, Thai food in the afternoon and a glamorous European dinner without ever leaving the neighbourhood.
You’re searching for a special occasion restaurant or somewhere casual to grab a great meal, these 11 Soho restaurants offer a good starting point for exploring one of London’s most exciting food districts.
2 Comments