Nestled in the bustling heart of London, Soho pulsates with electric energy, enticing visitors with its kaleidoscope of restaurants, pubs, bars, and shopping experiences at the epicentre of London’s dining scene. Traverse through its streets, where renowned eateries mingle with hidden gems, a microcosm of London’s diverse dining culture awaits. What better way to explore this iconic neighbourhood than a full day of eating and drinking?
This insider guide will highlight how to savour 24 hours in Soho; from eggs ‘n bacon in the morning to sipping cocktails in a speakeasy at night.
Morning
10am: Commence your Soho sojourn with a stop at the small but mighty ‘caf’, The Breakfast Club, renowned for its legendary Full English Breakfast, aptly named ‘The Full Monty. Amidst the quirky decor and smell of frying bacon, the cheerful chatter of Soho regulars and visitors alike provides a jolly atmosphere to start the day. Or hit up Flat White, an antipodean-style coffee shop, popular with locals for its banana bread as much as a dose of caffeine in the morning.
11am: For an alternative mid-morning meal, head to Dishoom Carnaby for the iconic Bacon Naan Roll accompanied by bottomless Masala Chai. The outdoor terrace on Kingly Street also provides an ideal location to take in the morning sun whilst partaking in a spot of people-watching over breakfast. Or take in a hearty Shakshuka or Fatteh accompanied by freshly baked pitta bread at Imad’s Syrian Kitchen to fuel up for a busy day of shopping on the streets of Soho. Those with a sweet tooth should head to buns from home for hand rolled croissant buns or Crumbs and Dollies for a decadent spread of cupcakes, cookies, and brownies.
The places to go
- The Breakfast Club, 11 Berwick Street, Soho
- Dishoom Carnaby, 22 Kingly Street, Soho
- Imad’s Syrian Kitchen, Top Floor, Kingly Court, Carnaby Street
- Buns from Home, 63 Broadwick Street
- Crumbs and Dollies, 1 Kingly Court, Carnaby Streer
- Flat White, 17 Berwick Street
Afternoon
12pm: After working up an appetite shopping at stores from the likes of GANNI to Reckless Records, visit Bar Kroketa, Dehesa, Maresco, or Tapas Brindisa for some of the best Spanish tapas in town. Each bringing a unique slice of Spanish bar culture to Soho and within walking distance of another; an ideal route for a tapas crawl along the streets of W1.
2pm: Spend an afternoon at the counter at Kiln to experience open-fire rural Thai cooking on a wood-burning kiln oven and grills. Or slurp up some noodles at Ramo Ramen, a Filipino-Japanese ramen house combining staple foods from Japan with the flavours of the Philippines.
4pm: Head to Blue Posts on Rupert Street for an afternoon pint, a Soho institution where people have been drinking for nearly 300 years. Imbibe British craft beers in the pub or venture upstairs to discover The Mulwray – a hidden wine bar specialising in fine and natural wines from the old world and the new.
The places to go
- Bar Kroketa, 21 Beak Street
- Dehesa, 25 Ganton Street
- Marseco, 45 Berwick Street
- Tapas Brindisa, 46 Broadwick Street
- Kiln, 58 Brewer Street
- Ramo Ramen, 28 Brewer Street
- Blue Posts, 28 Rupert Street
Evening
6pm: Kickstart the evening at Kolamba for Sri Lankan-style home cooking with a fiery blend of curries, sambols, and rotis. The menu is ideal for sharing family style or knocking back a couple of ‘short eats’ if dining solo or in a couple. For a special occasion, visit Bébé Bob, ‘the most glamorous rotisserie restaurant’ in town, for chicken, caviar, fine wine, and champagne. Or make a beeline to Mountain; a Michelin-starred establishment with a showstopping menu including red prawns with house-made stracciatella and a crowd-pleasing whole lobster caldereta.
8pm: For a sit-down occasion, look no further than Rita’s – a laidback restaurant where American Modern dining meets seasonal British produce. The drinks program is focused on low-intervention wines and cocktails made with organic spirits including rare tequilas and mezcals. Another must-visit for dinner is the recently opened Donia on the top floor of Kingly Court. The open kitchen and intimate dining room provide a buzzing backdrop to indulge in the very best of contemporary Filipino cooking via flavourful sharing plates and clever cocktails.
The places to go
- Rita’s, 49 Lexington Street
- Kolamba, 21 Kingly Street
- Donia, Top Floor, Kingly Court, Carnaby Street
- Mountain, 16-18 Beak Street
- Bebe Bob, 37 Golden Square
Late
Soho is renowned for its vibrant nightlife and diverse range of bars, making it the perfect destination for bar hopping. The venues often stay open late into the night, providing plenty of opportunities for revellers to continue into the early hours of the morning.
10pm: Spend the evening at the drinking den of the Scoundrels, Cahoots, or head to the legendary basement club at Ronnie Scott’s -a hotspot for world-class jazz musicians. Music heads can also experience a line-up of live music and international DJs at Hovarda, an Aegean-inspired bar and restaurant serving cocktails and wines. For spectacular views over the Soho streets and skyline, visit Flute on the top floor of Broadwick Soho hotel. Sip on sophisticated libations in the opulent rooftop bar that features an ever-changing list of innovative cocktails.
12am: Visit Speedboat Bar for a taste of the bustling late-night canteens of Bangkok’s own Chinatown. Open until 1 am on Fridays and Saturdays and playing Thai pop and rock beats to keep the party going.
1am: End the night at SOMA, an Indian-accented drinking den found in a basement on Denman Street. Open until 2am during weekdays and 3am during the weekend, the snug speakeasy is perfectly suited for indulging in leisurely cocktail sipping well into the night.
The places to go
- Cahoots, 13 Kingly Court
- Flute, The Broadwick Hotel, 20 Broadwick Street
- Hovarda, 36-40 Rupert Street
- Ronnie Scott’s, 47 Frith Street
- Speedboat Bar, 30 Rupert Street
- SOMA, 14 Denman Street
All imagery credit: This is Soho/Carnaby.co.uk
