Soho

Salt Beef

Hot Indian wraps

A cafe with a lot of character.

Noodles, sushi, bento boxes and assorted other Japanese goodies. Good cheap eats and reliable quality.

Almost a Soho institution, this 24-hour eatery in the heart of the gay village offers a wide range of British and world cuisine in a stylish atmosphere. Has now gone international with branches in Miami, but the original Old Compton Street Balans is still be best, attracting clientele as diverse as the late TV presenter Dale Winton and politician and former mayor Ken Livingstone among its regulars.

One of the best choices on a street with any number of fantastic restaurants. You will find a laid back atmosphere with big low wooden tables (expect to share if your party is small). The menu features among other dishes a fine butternut squash curry.

This Victorian-themed pub serves meals upstairs. The updated pub food includes a surprising range of vegetarian (some vegan) options. Order at the bar, they serve at your table. Cheap, interesting draught beers (see Drink). The real fireplace adds atmosphere, and a smoke scent to your clothing. Photos of the local area 100+ years ago teach history lessons. They have a no-electronics policy: put away your phone and interact with people instead.

Mostly-vegan, all-vegetarian, interesting menu and very tasty food, since 1988.

A slice of the Swiss Alps in central London, offering fondue, raclette and other winter comfort foods amongst giant alpine horns and cowbells.

Cozy Japanese restaurant serving freshly made udon noodles, walk-ins only.

Top quality restaurant, great romantic spot. Bookings recommended.

This French restaurant has been serving up refined cuisine to the Soho faithful since 1927. It is owned and run by celebrity chef Marco Pierre White. The brasserie downstairs is slightly less formal than the Michelin-starred upper level.

Bit of a Soho institution that used to be owned by Marco Pierre White. Now under new management but little has changed. Top notch British grill style food in a very smart environment.

Umbrian food prepared with the very best ingredients by chef Vasco. All the pasta is freshly made on the premises. The calve's liver is especially famous. Has been in business here for 40 years.

Slightly tatty but utterly and deliciously French, since 1871. Take away or sit at one of their sidewalk tables.

The original location of this very successful business (locally nicknamed as "Pat Vals") which has expanded across London with numerous outlets now around the West End. Wonderful French cakes and pastries. Breakfast here is notably good. Has a large seating area upstairs.

Refurbished pub claiming to be the only pub on the whole of Oxford St. An absolute tourist trap but it is very convenient.

Widely mistaken for an Irish bar it actually specializes in Guinness, said to be the best pint in London. Also check out their collection of over 100 different Irish whiskies.

Sam Smith's pubs are some of the cheaper places to drink in Soho as they mostly sell their own beers brewed in Yorkshire.

This Victorian-themed pub offers cheap Sam Smith draught beers in a variety of interesting flavours. Photos of the local area 100+ years ago teach history lessons. Dining upstairs (see Eat). They have a no-electronics policy: put away your phone and interact with people instead.

Named after a doctor who traced the origin of a cholera outbreak in the area in 1849, and removed the handle of a water pump on Broad Street to prevent it from spreading further. Dr John Snow is today widely remembered as the father of epidemiology.

Ronnie Scott's world-famous jazz venue. Most performances get booked up quickly: you need to reserve space on a table for dinner. Upstairs, there is a bar ("Ronnie's Bar") with more of a club-like environment.

Blues bar.

Walk through the unassuming upstairs restaurant and head down the back stairs to find this small hidden basement bar, which boasts 101 different garlic and chilli-infused shots and loud rock/metal music. The 'Bloodshot' is highly recommended! There is also a seated outdoor smoking area out the back.

Italian-style bar serving cocktails and charcuterie. Excellent (and reasonable for the area) drinks in a cosy, quiet setting. No loud music, no rowdiness.

A single room: what it lacks in space, it makes up for with drag performances. Make sure you head here on a Sunday evening for the Divine Ms Frankie Fantastique and her weekly game of "Rock and Roll Bingo".

A gay institution. Mostly caters to an older, rougher, fetish-oriented and bearish crowd.

Superb "neighbourhood pub" which is popular with the bearish crowd. Good music and great choice of drinks. Downstairs is always busy - upstairs is more subdued with sofas and tables.

Cocktails, shirtless barman and all the usual facilities of a gay bar, plus a large, enclosed outside seating area and first floor balcony—great for sunny summer evenings, great for smokers too.

Quirky shop selling bubble teas in a very interesting way.

The world's largest gay retail company. Merchandise includes underwear and adult toys.

An absolute gem and a relic of Soho's past. This is an old fashioned London fruit and vegetable market complete with shouting Barrow Boys and a whole array of colourful characters. There has been a market at this site since the early 1800s. Best early in the mornings. The street food vendors make this a good lunch option.

London's best known bookshop is a mazy warren containing a seemingly impossible number of books! It is not always easy to find your way around and although greatly improved since the renovation in 1999, the service is notably surly. Nonetheless, this place is a must for all book lovers.

A shop and gallery showcasing the work of the designers who create the letters, signs, newspapers, and many other props and graphics in the Harry Potter movies. Lots of prints and souvenirs available for purchase. Worth a visit for Harry Potter fans.

The flagship, original store of the world-famous British brand. A mock tudor department store, worth visiting for the beautiful interior woodwork. Lovely old building and great fun to browse in Liberty even if you are not going to buy something!

Comic and graphic novel specialist.