Looking for the best restaurants in Soho and Central London? Concerned about prohibitive restaurant prices? Wondering how to bag a seat (or stool) at one of the top dining hotspots in the area?
With Soho largely pedestrianised and many of our favourite dining spots currently spilling out into the street, as Spring moves into Summer and the UK opens up after its third lockdown, the prospect of dining out in London offers new and exciting opportunities in the coming months.
The West End is home to some of the best restaurants in the UK. There are so many truly terrific restaurants it’s hard to know where to begin. For the uninitiated and the visitors, here’s some advice on making the most of the fantastic eating options here; these 6 IDEAL beginner’s tips on dining out in Soho and Central London.
BE PREPARED TO QUEUE
First things first, Soho at anytime of year is busy. But now, with restaurants reopening and the clamour for a table in the sunshine hotting up, it’s essential that you call ahead to see if the restaurant is taking bookings or accepting walkins. Then, accept that queuing for a restaurant in central London is part and parcel of the experience.
If you want to be where it’s at London food-wise, then I’m afraid some standing in line will be involved. You could either write this off as an unnecessary annoyance that you’ll have no part of or you could recognise its advantages. Take the former and Hoppers, Bao, Barrafina, Kiln, Padella (a roll call of some of the most popular places in central London right now) are usually off limits.
No reservations means that you can go to some of the best places in town on a whim, as long as you can stand (ahem) the wait. The much maligned system also creates a buzz which is impossible not to get caught up in. These places also tend to the cheaper end of the spectrum, and usually trade in small plates – meaning you can sample a good selection of offerings once you’ve parked your bottom.
All that said, many previously proudly ‘no reservations’ restaurants are now taking them, in light of coronavirus restrictions and the necessity for a little added caution and security. This could be your chance to ‘skip’ the queue!
TAKE A SEAT AT THE BAR
Whilst most of the trendiest, hippest foodie hangouts are booked up months in advance, many offer bar seating and a reduced menu, enabling you to sample some of the place’s famous snacks and smaller dishes, all for a significantly reduced price. Take advantage of this – you don’t need a reservation and you can sample some of the restaurant’s classic dishes without having to indulge in a time and wallet consuming tasting menu.
WHERE TO EAT?
Next, that all important question of where the best restaurant Soho has to offer might be.
Soho has so many brilliant restaurants to satisfy any craving you may have. Some of our favourite places include Kiln for spicy, pungent Thai food with bar seating that overlooks hot, ceiling-licking flames. Barrafina on Dean Street is ideal for tapas, with bar-stool seating only and a former no reservations policy (since COVID, you are now able to book some parts of the restaurant) that makes you feel blessed to nab a seat. Here, the simplicity of the menu stays true to its Barcelona-bistro inspiration, with a focus on fresh seafood cooked and presented, zero-frills. If you’re looking for sushi with a difference, then Sticks ‘n’ Sushi is pretty great!
Hoppers offers Sri Lankan curries, dosas, the hopper itself (a kind of pancake) and more – all of exotic, heady, just-off-centre spicing and playful delivery. They have a sister restaurant at St Christopher’s place and up in Kings Cross if you can’t get a seat at the mothership. If you’re looking for a quick bite, Bao is always a winner – the confit pork bao, with crispy shallots and XO sauce is as iconic a dish as the capital offers.
MAKE SURE YOUR PHONE IS CHARGED
Navigating your way around Central London can be hellish, and Soho, in particular, is a warren of streets. To find the best restaurants with room during this undoubtedly busy time, you’ll need charge to wait for that all important phone call.
Finding a charging point can be an equal annoyance, but you certainly don’t want to be left phoneless and relying on those freestanding urban maps to get you to the nearest restaurant. Best to carry one of those tiny power packs with you instead.
A PRE-DINNER DRINK
If you (you will) have to wait around for your meal, you’re going to need to find a bar or pub to fill the time in between. Luckily, Soho is dotted with proper old school pubs which have a tale or two to tell.
Timeout explains that “Some of London’s pubs date back as far as the 1600s (the jury’s still out over London’s oldest pub) and they’ve gathered a few tales to tell along the way. Over hundreds of years they’ve seen all sorts, from pirates and smugglers at The Prospect of Whitby to Shakespeare at The George Inn. Look beyond the cosy fireplaces and wonky timber beams – there are some truly weird and wonderful backstories to London’s historic boozers.”
It’s worth looking up the nearest boozer to your restaurant of desire before, this way you won’t waste time searching for one, only to have to down your pint the moment the restaurant calls you.
If cocktails are more your thing, then Swift on Old Compton Street has been voted as one of top 50 best cocktail bars in the UK. Bar Termini, also on Old Compton Street, does a killer negroni. If espresso martinis are more your thing, the head to Grind on Beak Street.
While cocktail bars like Simons and Be-at-one offer cheap buy-one get one free cocktails at happy hour, best to avoid these places if you’re looking for a quiet pre-dinner drink.
EATING OUT FOR LESS
There are some jaw-droppingly good set lunch deals going at Michelin rated restaurants across town. Hop over to the theatre district for a show; pre-theatre dinners are also a bargain – many central London restaurants like Cafe Murano offer two courses for around the £20 mark if you’re keen on dining early. Noble Rot Soho offers a three course menu for the same price, and is just fantastic.
Alternatively, chef Jason Atherton’s Michelin starred Social Eating House offers a three course price fixe menu on weekdays between 17:45 and 18:30, allowing you to sample one of the best restaurants in Central London for a relative steal.
Those are some of our favourites; how about yours?