Soho’s Best Restaurants for Central London Dining

They may be on their phones, but only to tell people to eat in Kingly Court
They may be on their phones, but only to tell people to eat in Kingly Court | © chrispictures / Alamy Stock Photo
Sophie Hannah Davis

London’s Soho has a great range of restaurants to satisfy any culinary craving, whether for a traditional British dinner, flavours of Southeast Asia or Italian cuisine fit for royalty. There is simply nowhere better than Soho for dining in London, so head over there for this pick of the best venues.

Loved by over 40s

Yalla Yalla

Restaurant, Lebanese

Display of Lebanese Dishes at Yalla Yalla Restaurant London
© Neil Setchfield / Alamy Stock Photo

The first Yalla Yalla, in Green’s Court, Soho, was opened in late 2008 by chef Jad Youssef and his partner Aga Ilska. Beirut-born Jad met Aga, who is Polish, while the two worked in a Lebanese restaurant – she ran front-of-house while he was in the kitchen. The food is to die for if you’re a fan of Middle Eastern cuisine, and certain to make you a convert even if you’re not.

Bar La Rampa

Restaurant, Cuban

Copy of @charliemckay _ 0113
@ charliemcka

If you’re looking for a slice of 1950s Havana, then Bar La Rampa is the place to go. Expect a menu of Cuban-inspired small plates, along with a selection of dishes influenced by wider Central America. Sip on cuba libre cocktails, or make your way through the extensive list of classic Cuban rums one-by-one. When it comes to food, the elote ribs served with vegan chipotle mayo are a must, as is the crispy pork belly sandwich, melted together with stringy raclette cheese. It’s all about the vibe here, too. From Tuesday to Saturday you’ll hear live latin bands and be transported to the bustling streets of Havana.

Koya

Restaurant, Bar, Japanese

The best time to go to this divine Japanese noodle bar is around 5:45 on a cool evening, just before everyone pours out of the office and the queue for udon snakes up Frith Street. This little restaurant is an absolute delight and consistently delivers well-measured portions of Japanese dishes using locally sourced, seasonal ingredients – and they’re delicious, too.

Quo Vadis

Restaurant, British

Quo Vadis restaurant, Dean Street, Soho, London, W1D, UK
© Jansos / Alamy Stock Photo

Opened in the 1920s, Quo Vadis was one of the first Italian restaurants in Soho, and it has been given a new lease of life with the arrival of Jeremy Lee. The head chef’s cooking is simple yet superbly executed, and his search for unusual ingredients to complement the standard offerings never ends. Indeed, the menu changes daily, but summer fare has included sweetbreads, squid, duck hearts, samphire and pickled gooseberries.

Vasco and Piero's Pavilion

Restaurant, Italian

Vasco’s, a traditional osteria-style restaurant specialising in Umbrian cuisine, makes the best bowl of pasta in London. If that seems like a bold statement, try the classic spaghetti al pomodoro – it will surely have you nodding in agreement.

The Rum Kitchen

Restaurant, Caribbean

The Rum Kitchen Caribbean Restaurant, Kingly Court, Carnaby Street, London, UK
© Grant Rooney / Alamy Stock Photo

The name alone is a draw – who wouldn’t want to visit such a merrily titled establishment? The original Rum Kitchen opened in 2013 near Portobello Road, and was an immediate hit with locals, evoking time spent holidaying by the beach. Head here for beautifully flavoured Caribbean food, too.

Bocca di Lupo

Restaurant, Italian

In 2008, Bocca di Lupo set out to change the Soho dining scene. Chef Jacob Kenedy’s take on classic Italian regional cuisine is like the Silver Spoon cookbook brought to life, with stripped-down, simple food served in buzzy, glamorous surroundings.

culture trip left arrow
 culture trip brand logo

Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

meet our Local Insider

Hanna

women sitting on iceberg

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

2 years.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?

I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

culture trip logo letter c
group posing for picture on iceberg
group posing for picture on iceberg

Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

map of volcanic iceland trip destination points
culture trip brand logo
culture trip right arrow
landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.