Founded in 1926, this Soho sanctuary is full of character. There’s even a blue plaque outside to Karl Marx (a massive foodie, apparently). With a big chunk of its original dining room hived off to accommodate Barrafina, this Soho veteran has lost a bit of its vim and vigour – in fact, the petite space now feels a bit like a members’ club, but that’s not a bad thing. It’s cosy and makes it all that more special. A serious contender for business lunches or sociable catch-ups – especially if you’re partial to their signature smoked-eel sarnies and humble British dishes such as fish and chips.
There’s nowhere in the world like Soho. The haunt of poets, pimps and parvenus, the seedy, sleazy, impossibly romantic heart of London’s West End is home to tons of great independent shops, cafés, bars and, most importantly, restaurants. Its culinary diversity has been fuelled with centuries of immigration and cultural cross-pollination. From rustic French fare to Mediterranean small plates and tasty tapas, here is Time Out’s directory of our favourite Soho restaurants. Whether you fancy a slap-up meal or are just in the market for a mid-town pitstop, our list definitely has you covered.
Here’s a reminder of how we do restaurant reviews and how we recommend places to eat and drink.