[title]
Ah, Soho. The tangle of streets which make up the beating heart of the West End are truly like nowhere else. A melting pot of cultures, walks of life and social strata, the central London neighbourhood is as eclectic as they come, and its diversity is reflected in its restaurants.
Traversing the streets between Chinatown and Mayfair, you’ll find an eatery to satisfy pretty much any and every craving. And for any self-proclaimed gourmand, there are few neighbourhoods better equipped to cater to even the most unconventional taste.
Just like any other culinary community, though, not all of its bistros are created equal, which is why, each year, Time Out’s pool of hungry editors and food experts head out in search of the finest.
So which of Soho’s restaurants was handed the ultimate accolade in 2026? Well, topping our list of the 50 best eateries in the area this year was Impala.
Here, executive chef Meedu Saad blends influences from his Egyptian heritage with French and Thai techniques, and you need only consider his seven years running the kitchen at nearby Kiln to see why.
‘He wouldn’t be the first to filter a cuisine through Gallic techniques, but the latter, after seven years spent running nearby Kiln’s kitchen, is where it gets interesting. Mastering it is about controlling intensity, integrating funk and heat without pushing it over the edge, balancing smoke and freshness, and using bitterness to counteract umami,’ said Joel Hart in his five star review of the resto for Time Out.
‘It’s Saad’s judicious control of heat and bitterness, and his willingness to push balance to its limits, that gives Impala’s fare its distinctive flavour profile.’
Impala’s ambitious menu spans everything from a pounded white bean dip topped with herbs and bottarga and a summer fruit salad with chilli salt to meatier dishes like confit pollock and aubergine or grilled short rib with rosemary and pepper. Mouth watering yet? Yeah, us too.
As for the drinks, the French-focused list has around 40 wines by-the-glass, plus a smattering of cocktails for those more inclined to sip spirits.
Check out all the other eateries that made Time Out’s top 50 in Soho here.
Did you see that Oxford Street will be pedestrianised next month?
Plus: one of London’s best burger restaurants is opening its first standalone location.
Get the latest and greatest from the Big Smoke – from news and reviews to events and trends. Just follow our Time Out London WhatsApp channel.
Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out London newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox.