Discover London’s 200 best Local Soul spots for your trip

The Golden Tooth

★ 4.7 · 75 reviews

Discover The Golden Tooth, a Newington Green favourite that locals like to keep quiet about. Settle into the bright dining room for a proper Sunday roast or an unhurried evening dinner, greeted personally by attentive staff.

E Pellicci

★ 4.8 · 3,140 reviews

Step into E Pellicci, a Grade II-listed East End caff whose Art Deco marquetry dining room has barely changed in a century. Tuck into a hearty fry-up or pasta among locals, family staff, and genuine lived-in charm — just be ready to queue at breakfast.

Durak Tantuni

★ 4.6 · 950 reviews

Discover Durak Tantuni, a north London spot that does exactly one thing and does it right. Grab cash, order the thinly sliced spiced meat wrapped in flatbread, and taste why locals rate this no-frills West Green Road favorite so highly.

DOMA

★ 5.0 · 29 reviews

Discover DOMA, a rare Balkan gem tucked into South London. Tuck into coal-grilled meats, flaky burek, a cooling yoghurt drink, and a sour cherry dessert that reviewers say has no real equivalent in the city.

Honey & Co.

★ 4.5 · 1,810 reviews

Discover Honey & Co., a cosy Bloomsbury spot for Middle Eastern cooking. Sit down for standout hummus and labneh, guided by attentive staff, in a warm little room perfect for couples or small groups.

Regency Cafe

★ 4.7 · 5,040 reviews

Step into Regency Cafe, a 1946 Art Deco greasy spoon that's popped up in films but never lost its no-nonsense charm. Order a straightforward full English at the counter, then soak in the black-and-white tiled interior near Westminster.

Osteria Vibrato

★ 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.

The Lavery

★ 4.8 · 104 reviews

Discover The Lavery, a light-filled café-restaurant in South Kensington. Settle into the plant-filled, design-conscious space for a relaxed lunch, light dinner, or simply a coffee amid photogenic, stylish surroundings.

KOKUM

★ 4.8 · 369 reviews

Discover KOKUM, an East Dulwich favourite for coastal Indian cooking. Work through small plates like papad, dahi batata puri, and the standout samosa chaat over an unhurried lunch or dinner.

Miga

★ 4.6 · 636 reviews

Discover Miga, Hackney's take on refined Korean dining. Enjoy carefully plated dishes that feel comforting yet light, whether you swing by for a relaxed lunch or a slightly elevated dinner.

Canteen | Notting Hill

★ 4.1 · 523 reviews

Grab a seat at the bar at Canteen, a walk-in-only favourite on Portobello Road. Add your name to the list, wait for the text, and settle in for an easy, no-fuss lunch or dinner between market stalls.

Tayyabs

★ 3.9 · 9,500 reviews

Discover Tayyabs, Whitechapel's legendary Punjabi grill house. Dig into sizzling lamb chops and halal classics in a lively, no-frills setting, bringing your own bottle to complete the affordable, unpretentious feast.

Paradise Cove

★ 4.6 · 907 reviews

Discover Paradise Cove, a Caribbean favourite in South London. Tuck into generous, well-seasoned plates of oxtail, jerk fillets, rice and peas, and plantain amid a lively room made for a casual dinner with friends.

Chuku's (Tottenham)

★ 4.7 · 1,555 reviews

Discover Chuku's, London's first Nigerian tapas restaurant tucked away in Tottenham. Gather a group to share small plates, conversation, and those chicken wings reviewers rave about, all in a relaxed, unpretentious setting.

Mangal 2 Restaurant

★ 4.2 · 1,234 reviews

Discover Mangal 2, Dalston's beloved Turkish grill institution. Tuck into confident, flavourful ocakbasi cooking before spilling out into the neighbourhood's buzzing bars and nightlife.

Satan's Whiskers

★ 4.7 · 1,209 reviews

Discover Satan's Whiskers, a neighbourhood cocktail bar tucked away on Cambridge Heath Road. Walk in without a reservation and enjoy expertly made classic cocktails, served with unpretentious charm by bartenders who favour craft over flashy spectacle.

Three Sheets Dalston

★ 4.7 · 457 reviews

Discover Three Sheets Dalston, the original home of this beloved London cocktail group. Settle into a friendly neighbourhood bar and sip thoughtfully crafted drinks without the queues found at its Soho sibling.

Lanzhou Lamian Noodle Bar

★ 4.2 · 3,054 reviews

Discover Lanzhou Lamian Noodle Bar, a no-frills hand-pulled noodle spot tucked near Leicester Square. Slurp down fresh noodle soups with quick, no-booking service, whether you're grabbing a solo lunch or refuelling between sightseeing stops.

Bar Termini

★ 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.

Normah's

★ 4.7 · 799 reviews

Discover Normah's, a hole-in-the-wall Malaysian kitchen tucked inside Queensway market. Book months ahead for a table, then settle in for authentic regional dishes that reviewers say live up to every bit of the wait.

Cay Tre Soho

★ 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.

Dalston Superstore

★ 3.6 · 783 reviews

Discover Dalston Superstore, a laid-back staple of East London's queer nightlife. Grab a cocktail upstairs, then head to the basement club for drag shows, DJ sets, and themed parties among a friendly local crowd.

Climpson & Sons Café

★ 4.5 · 554 reviews

Discover Climpson & Sons, the coffee stop locals have trusted for years on Broadway Market. Grab a well-loved cup and soak up the neighbourhood buzz, especially lively when the Saturday market is in full swing.

The Good Egg Neighbourhood Restaurant Stoke Newington

★ 4.2 · 1,133 reviews

Discover The Good Egg, a Stoke Newington favourite serving up New York Jewish deli-style dishes. Tuck into standout shakshuka and cornbread for a relaxed, budget-friendly breakfast or brunch among locals.

Peckham

Explore Peckham, South London's vibrant mix of old and new. Wander the African and Caribbean market stalls on the high street, then head up to Frank's Cafe or Bold Tendencies for rooftop views and art in a converted car park.

Beigel Bake

★ 4.4 · 14,490 reviews

Grab a bite at Beigel Bake, Brick Lane's round-the-clock bagel institution. Bite into a hot salt beef bagel loaded with tender meat and sharp pickles, grabbed quick and cheap any hour of the day or night.

Victoria Park

★ 4.7 · 16,413 reviews

Explore Victoria Park, East London's beloved "People's Park" since 1845. Stroll past lakes and memorial fountains under mature trees, feed the ducks, and relax the way local Londoners have for generations.

Venue MOT Unit 18

★ 4.3 · 240 reviews

Discover Venue MOT Unit 18, New Cross's insider club for serious dance music heads. Dance to respected underground DJs in an intimate, no-frills space, then cool off on the cozy outdoor patio.

Dairy Dairy Coffee

★ 4.9 · 131 reviews

Discover Dairy Dairy Coffee, a tucked-away favorite inside Borough's John Harvard Library. Sip specialty beans and try the banana cake while owner Jamie turns a quick stop into the neighbourhood's best-loved coffee ritual.

Mambow

★ 4.4 · 413 reviews

Discover Mambow, a compact Malaysian spot tucked away in Lower Clapton. Watch your food come together in the open kitchen while you tuck into honest, regionally authentic cooking that's earned praise from Malaysian diners themselves.