The Best Gastropubs In Soho London

Soho certainly isn’t short of fantastic places to eat and drink, with some of London’s best restaurants and bars calling the area home. With so many options to choose from, we’ve picked a few of its best gastropubs.

1. The Ape & Bird

Gastropub, Italian

The Ape and Bird is Polpo owner Russell Norman’s version of a pub. He’s taken over the Marquis of Granby and added a sense of lightness to the place, although it very much still feels like a pub. You don’t get normal pub grub here though, rather you can feast on wood-fired pizzas and Venetian small plates from the Polpo menu while enjoying your drinks.

2. The White Horse

Gastropub, Pub, Pub Grub

This Carnaby pub dates back to the 1930s and it’s still proudly traditional, from its prancing horse iron sign outside to the art deco touches inside. Like all Nicholson’s pubs, it takes gin and cask ale seriously and serves up a menu of pub classics including fish & chips, steak, ale and mushroom pie and sticky toffee pudding. However, this pub is also a specialty sausage and chop house with six types of sausage and four varieties of mash to choose from, so if you want a true taste of The White Horse this is what to order, with a pint of ale on the side of course.

3. The Sun & 13 Cantons

Gastropub, Pub, Contemporary

Named in tribute to the Swiss watch-making community of 19th century Soho, The Sun & 13 Cantons has been through many phases. It was a hub for those in the film industry before hosting Heavenly Social DJ nights in the basement in the 90s, now it’s well-known for its kitchen residencies, which have included the likes of Darjeeling Express and Eastern Bloc. As a Fuller’s pub, they always have their own ales on tap as well as other craft beers and lagers.

5. The Queen's Head

Gastropub, Pub, Pub Grub, British

Despite being right in the heart of Piccadilly, The Queen’s Head has managed to retain its independence and its traditional pub atmosphere. They have locally sourced ales behind the bar and classic pub fare coming out of the kitchen, their pies being particularly popular.

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