Soho could have easily been named Tally Ho! The name Soho was apparently coined as it was the hunting cry of Duke of Monmouth, rather than the more common ‘tally ho’. We can’t decide which would have been better, but in any case ‘tally ho!’ to all these restaurant options in one of London’s most diverse and exciting areas. It’s a place where five star hotels jostle with brothels, where chic meets grit and where the food is always excellent. Welcome to Soho.
Wild Rice
Brewer street certainly got lucky over Christmas as Both Wild Rice and Mamasan flung their doors open, both of which reside in the same building. Wild Rice is all about bold is beautiful, with flavours oozing vibrancy and reinvention. Thai favourites are partnered with seasonal British ingredients which, at first might seem like an embarkation from the norm, but it’s worth admiring their quest to implement something new into London’s Thai scene. The atmosphere is buzzing, the tables intricately placed in close proximity, and the space is small holding not many covers. And yet it all adds to that Thai food dining experience, akin to one you might find in Bangkok Old Town, which is where the concept reaps some of its cuisine influence from.
Wild Rice favours sharing plates and despite going in with an appetite the size of Jupiter, you’ll have to give sharing food a go – a foreign concept for most we bet. Highlights include the sharing tofu nuggets with creamy satay sauce; the tofu os so gelatinous that it also melts in your mouth a bit like the tofu version of marmite – you’re either going to love or hate this. Plus, Thai Rice Berry is a Thai superfood grain with a vitamin-rich purple pigment and it is moreish. If you get just one dish, make it the Thai rice berry.
Great for: Rice, obvs.
Where: 28 Brewer Street, Soho, W1F 0SR
Website: www.wildricelondon.com
Viet Lounge
Viet Lounge; as the name suggests, it’s an oasis of all things Vietnamese! It’s just like a house filled with Vietnamese food on all levels. Viet Lounge, at the top, features a central counter where you can pull up a pew. It’s a simple interior, with colourful detailed walls and black stools, making the bar the focal point… and there’s nothing wrong with that! The menu is adorned with a whole host of Vietnamese small plates, from octopus salsa to bang bang king prawns and crispy soft-shell crab. There are 16 bar food options all together and, if summer bod goals are a thing of the past, we suggest you try them all.
Rustling up some serious black magic behind the bar is the fabulously creative mixologist who designed the cocktails on the list, Alex Looi, formerly the Head Barman at The Dorchester Hotel. The vivacious cocktail card displays eccentric names including the Lemongrass Bubble, the Skiddoo and the Call Me Maybe – and trust us, there’s no maybe about it, we’ll be calling back!
Great for: Vietnamese food and cocktails – if you love espresso martini’s then be sure to try Black Magic, Viet Lounge’s scrumptious take on the classic.
Where: 34-36 Wardour Street, W1D 6QT
Website: www.vietnamfood.co.uk
Soho Hotel
Nestled inside the gorgeous Soho Hotel is Refuel Bar & Restaurant, a place that does just what it says on the tin. Serving up an encyclopaedic menu, the restaurant doesn’t go too off-piste with its offerings, instead keeping it quintessentially British using fresh and seasonal produce. You’ll sit in elegant surroundings with breakfasts, brunches, afternoon teas and a la carte meals on offer. Menu highlights include the salmon and tiger prawn curry and the refuel beef burger (or, well, just anything from the menu)!
Soho Hotel itself has two state-of-the-art screen rooms with red leather and cowhide seats. These can be hired for private screenings, press launches and business presentations. So, if you’re boasting a food coma after dinner then why not recline in the hotel’s cinema? Cosy!
Great for: Cosiness, seasonal produce and a post-dinner cinema!
Where: 4 Richmond Mews, London, W1D 3DH, United Kingdom
Nearest station: Tottenham Court Road (0.4 miles)
Website: www.firmdalehotels.com
Kiln
Pull up a pew at the counter of Kiln and watch as flames fly, chefs dally about in mad excitement and the heat of the kitchen hits your face. The Thai restaurant sitting snug in Soho creates queues down the street with its coveted fare. In 2018, the fiery venue secured a top spot at the National Restaurant Awards, climbing up eight places from 2017. It’s a hot spot, both concerning popularity and food, which bursts with vibrant and spicy Thai flavours. Co-owner Ben Chapman wows with his charcoal-fired cooking with flavours influenced by the regions where Thailand borders Burma, Laos and Yunnan, all the while keeping British produce in mind.
When you’re there, make sure you try the epic fried curry of monkfish and wild ginger and beef neck curry from Burma. Kiln is an apt spot for both express dining and date-night and truly highlights the eclectic range of food found in Soho.
Great for: Spice, spicy baby! As well as counter-dining and innovative dishes.
Where: 58 Brewer Street, Soho, W1F 9TL
Website: www.kilnsoho.com
HIX Soho
Hix is elegant, suave and cool, with its leather banquettes and oak surroundings you could be in a gentleman’s club, and not the sort that surround it. The panelled private dining room is particularly smart. Fish takes centre-stage at Hix Soho, with Mark Hix’s expert skills shining in a tour de force. Also shining are Damien Hirst’s mobiles, which are curious but celebrated.
Check out Mark’s Bar, downstairs, for the cocktails and intimate surroundings
Great for: Posh dining, and fish, of course
Where: 66-70 Brewer Street, London, W1F 9UP, United Kingdom
Nearest station: Piccadilly Circus (0.2 miles)
Website: www.hixrestaurants.co.uk
Journeying away from Soho? Take a look at our Chelsea, The City Marylebone and Clapham must-visits. Or if you’re after date ideas further afield, head to one of our 102 Date Ideas
