From the classic Soho and Govinda's Soho Street, to lesser-known spots worth adding to your trip.
1Wander Soho, London's tangled hub of theatres, bars, and late-night energy. Stroll Old Compton Street's LGBTQ+ scene, browse Berwick Street's record stalls, and drift into Chinatown's edge on Gerrard Street after the West End curtains fall.
Reasons to go
Typical visit
1h15
Best time
early evening or evening
Walking intensity
Active — lots of walking
2★ 4.8 · 31,268 reviews
Discover Govinda's Soho Street, a Hare Krishna vegetarian canteen tucked just off Soho Square. Tuck into generous, affordable thali-style plates like paneer and dahi vada alongside a loyal crowd of regulars.
Reasons to go
Typical visit
1h15
Best time
early morning, morning, lunchtime, afternoon, early evening or evening
Walking intensity
Easy pace
3★ 4.5 · 3,080 reviews
Discover Barrafina Dean Street, a counter-only tapas bar in the heart of Soho. Perch at the open kitchen counter to watch dishes fired right in front of you, sample standouts like the shrimp, and get specials talked through by an enthusiastic staff.
Reasons to go
Typical visit
1h30
Best time
lunchtime, afternoon, early evening, evening or late night
Walking intensity
Easy pace
4★ 4.7 · 6,851 reviews
Step into Ronnie Scott's, Soho's legendary jazz club since 1959. Settle into the intimate, old-school room and catch a live set from top-tier musicians in one of London's best jazz atmospheres.
Reasons to go
Typical visit
2h30
Best time
early evening, evening or late night
Walking intensity
Easy pace
5★ 4.3 · 4,119 reviews
Discover Kiln, Soho's high-energy open-kitchen spot for Thai-Burmese small plates. Watch dishes like beef with dill and grilled chicken sizzle over live fire, then share bold, fast-paced plates in a lively, noisy room.
Reasons to go
Typical visit
1h15
Best time
lunchtime, afternoon, early evening, evening or late night
Walking intensity
Easy pace
6★ 4.2 · 2,220 reviews
Step into Bar Italia, one of the last true fragments of old Soho still standing on Frith Street. Grab a coffee any hour you like and soak up the lively, round-the-clock atmosphere, whether it's a 2am nightcap or an early breakfast stop.
Reasons to go
Typical visit
35 min
Walking intensity
Easy pace
7★ 4.4 · 900 reviews
Step into Quo Vadis, a Soho townhouse where Karl Marx once lodged. Settle in for chef Jeremy Lee's seasonal modern British cooking, served in a room that mixes character with a proper occasion.
Reasons to go
Typical visit
1h30
Best time
lunchtime, afternoon, early evening or evening
Walking intensity
Easy pace
8★ 4.4 · 4,811 reviews
Discover The Breakfast Club Soho, a kitsch American diner tucked into D'Arblay Street. Dig into classic pancakes, eggs, and fry-ups amid colourful, quirky decor that's become a favourite stop for Soho explorers.
Reasons to go
Typical visit
1h
Best time
early morning, morning, lunchtime or afternoon
Walking intensity
Easy pace
9★ 4.7 · 210 reviews
Discover Impala, a Soho restaurant celebrating Middle Eastern and African food and culture. Start with the aish baladi bread and olive oil and harissa, then let knowledgeable staff guide you through boldly spiced dishes over dinner.
Reasons to go
Typical visit
2h15
Best time
lunchtime, afternoon, early evening, evening or late night
Walking intensity
Easy pace
10★ 4.7 · 6,576 reviews
Discover Berenjak Soho, a lively Persian grill packed into a tight room around an open kitchen. Perch on a bar stool to watch charcoal cooking up close, then dig into a fun, informal dinner with friends.
Reasons to go
Typical visit
1h15
Best time
lunchtime, afternoon, early evening, evening or late night
Walking intensity
Easy pace
11★ 4.4 · 3,157 reviews
Discover The Devonshire, Soho's buzzed-about pub-restaurant hybrid. Tuck into juicy pork ribs with bacon bits and scallops, or a well-rested rib-eye, all washed down with famously good pints in a genuinely welcoming setting.
Reasons to go
Typical visit
1h15
Best time
morning, lunchtime, afternoon, early evening, evening or late night
Walking intensity
Easy pace
12★ 4.6 · 760 reviews
Discover Noble Rot Soho, a wine-focused restaurant run by the writers behind Noble Rot magazine. Settle into a relaxed yet polished room for a seasonal European meal paired with bottles from a genuinely serious cellar worth lingering over.
Reasons to go
Typical visit
1h30
Best time
lunchtime, afternoon, early evening, evening or late night
Walking intensity
Easy pace
13★ 4.6 · 1,814 reviews
Step into Swift Soho, an Old Compton Street institution split between a quick upstairs bar and a lively downstairs room. Sip a standout Irish coffee or another classic cocktail while soaking up the buzzing, packed-in Soho energy.
Reasons to go
Typical visit
1h15
Best time
afternoon, early evening, evening or late night
Walking intensity
Easy pace
14★ 4.6 · 1,551 reviews
Step into Bar Termini, a narrow slice of Rome tucked into Soho. Sip a well-made espresso by day or a classic negroni in the evening, settling into the compact, well-worn room for a relaxed pre-dinner drink.
Reasons to go
Typical visit
1h15
Best time
morning, lunchtime, afternoon, early evening, evening or late night
Walking intensity
Easy pace
15★ 4.6 · 4,086 reviews
Discover Hoppers Soho, the Sri Lankan-inspired spot everyone's talking about. Dig into the signature bowl-shaped egg hopper and chilli garlic broccoli in a lively, always-buzzing dining room.
Reasons to go
Typical visit
1h15
Best time
lunchtime, afternoon, early evening or evening
Walking intensity
Easy pace
16★ 4.4 · 1,448 reviews
Discover Mountain on Beak Street, Soho's go-to for live-fire cooking. Dig into char-forward plates like wild mushrooms and the regulars' favorite wood-fired rice over an unhurried evening booking.
Reasons to go
Typical visit
2h15
Best time
lunchtime, afternoon, early evening, evening or late night
Walking intensity
Easy pace
17★ 4.7 · 1,613 reviews
Discover SOMA Soho, a Denman Street cocktail bar that's built a name as one of Soho's best-kept secrets. Sip carefully crafted cocktails and enjoy attentive service that keeps regulars coming back, even if it means queuing on a busy weekend night.
Reasons to go
Typical visit
1h30
Best time
early evening, evening or late night
Walking intensity
Easy pace
18★ 4.8 · 1,212 reviews
Step into Algerian Coffee Stores, a century-old Soho institution behind a beautifully preserved shopfront on Old Compton Street. Browse shelves stacked floor to ceiling with coffee beans and loose-leaf teas, and let the knowledgeable staff help you pick a bag worth returning for.
Reasons to go
Typical visit
20 min
Best time
morning, lunchtime, afternoon or early evening
Walking intensity
Easy pace
19★ 4.1 · 2,406 reviews
Discover Cay Tre, a Soho favorite for regional Vietnamese cooking beyond the usual London menu. Tuck into the standout Hanoi-style banh cuon, fresh herb-packed dishes, and a satisfying casual lunch or dinner.
Reasons to go
Typical visit
1h15
Best time
morning, lunchtime, afternoon, early evening, evening or late night
Walking intensity
Easy pace
20★ 4.4 · 101 reviews
Discover Osteria Vibrato, a moody Italian osteria tucked into Greek Street. Settle in under low lighting for a creamy parmigiano risotto and well-made small plates, no booking needed.
Reasons to go
Typical visit
1h15
Best time
lunchtime or evening
Walking intensity
Easy pace
