John’s Soho Guidebook
Food scene
This is absolutely the best place in Soho for a traditional Sunday roast. You may have to books months in advance but it worth the effort. They even have vegetarian options now.
6 locals recommend
Blacklock Soho
24 Great Windmill StThis is absolutely the best place in Soho for a traditional Sunday roast. You may have to books months in advance but it worth the effort. They even have vegetarian options now.
One of the best restaurants in the area Barrafina is a great spot for authentic Spanish food. They don't take bookings so you will need to show up and wait for a table but it worth the effort.
75 locals recommend
Barrafina
26-27 Dean StOne of the best restaurants in the area Barrafina is a great spot for authentic Spanish food. They don't take bookings so you will need to show up and wait for a table but it worth the effort.
A great Persian restaurant. Like most places in Soho that are worth visiting you may want to book ahead. They do take walk-ins for the countertop tables on the day and you can watch the food being prepared from there.
Berenjak
27 Romilly StreetA great Persian restaurant. Like most places in Soho that are worth visiting you may want to book ahead. They do take walk-ins for the countertop tables on the day and you can watch the food being prepared from there.
Known for proudly having 'the rudest staff in London' Wong Kei offers a large selection of Chinese dishes at a very reasonable price. Don't be intimidated by the staff - it is all part of the charm!
10 locals recommend
Wong Kei
41-43 Wardour StKnown for proudly having 'the rudest staff in London' Wong Kei offers a large selection of Chinese dishes at a very reasonable price. Don't be intimidated by the staff - it is all part of the charm!
Gelupo by far has the best ice cream and sorbet in London and, despite having lived in Italy, I have to say I think it probably has better ice cream than I've ever had in Italy, too. It is open Wednesday to Sunday only.
18 locals recommend
Gelupo
7 Archer StGelupo by far has the best ice cream and sorbet in London and, despite having lived in Italy, I have to say I think it probably has better ice cream than I've ever had in Italy, too. It is open Wednesday to Sunday only.
Bar Bruno is a local institution. It is an old school Italian greasy spoon cafe and one of only a handful of businesses that have survived the recent gentrification of Soho. It is exactly what you think it might be. A great place to people watch and attracts a more diverse crowd than most local places.
Bar Bruno
101 Wardour StBar Bruno is a local institution. It is an old school Italian greasy spoon cafe and one of only a handful of businesses that have survived the recent gentrification of Soho. It is exactly what you think it might be. A great place to people watch and attracts a more diverse crowd than most local places.
The favourite local pub of George Orwell, one of the favourite local pubs of Dylan Thomas, and an old haunt of Madonna and Guy Ritchie. It is small, intimate, has a huge selection of ales and is just a few doors away from the apartment.
The Dog and Duck
18 Bateman StThe favourite local pub of George Orwell, one of the favourite local pubs of Dylan Thomas, and an old haunt of Madonna and Guy Ritchie. It is small, intimate, has a huge selection of ales and is just a few doors away from the apartment.
This is my favourite local pub. It is just around the corner from the apartment. It is small, intimate, it attracts a regular crowd who are very friendly to new faces. They now serve food upstairs too. Don't ask for a pint - they only do halves - so you need to order two halves instead of a pint if you want to look like a local!
23 locals recommend
French House
49 Dean StThis is my favourite local pub. It is just around the corner from the apartment. It is small, intimate, it attracts a regular crowd who are very friendly to new faces. They now serve food upstairs too. Don't ask for a pint - they only do halves - so you need to order two halves instead of a pint if you want to look like a local!
This is one of my favourite places for a treat. Excellent fish and seafood restaurant. A sister to The Ivy. You will need to book in advance for peak times but could always give it a go last minute. Great staff, great food, great ambience.
24 locals recommend
J Sheekey
28-32 St Martin's CtThis is one of my favourite places for a treat. Excellent fish and seafood restaurant. A sister to The Ivy. You will need to book in advance for peak times but could always give it a go last minute. Great staff, great food, great ambience.
This is one of my favourite places for a treat. Excellent British restaurant with a long and illustrious history. A sister to J Sheekeys. You will need to book in advance for peak times but could always give it a go last minute. Great staff, great food, great ambience.
42 locals recommend
The Ivy
1-5 West StThis is one of my favourite places for a treat. Excellent British restaurant with a long and illustrious history. A sister to J Sheekeys. You will need to book in advance for peak times but could always give it a go last minute. Great staff, great food, great ambience.
Sightseeing
The Soho Theatre has several venues showing cabaret, comedy, live shows. There are a number of shows on in each space each evening. Not child friendly but worth a visit. They also have a bar that is considerably cheaper than the local pubs and which has a late license.
52 locals recommend
Soho Theatre Bar
Dean StreetThe Soho Theatre has several venues showing cabaret, comedy, live shows. There are a number of shows on in each space each evening. Not child friendly but worth a visit. They also have a bar that is considerably cheaper than the local pubs and which has a late license.
The Palace Theatre is where Harry Potter is currently showing. It is a 3 minute walk from the apartment. There is ticket availability as a result of Covid restrictions having kept international visitors away. The show is in two parts. Contact the Box Office directly for the best value tickets or try the TodayTix app which runs a weekly lottery.
13 locals recommend
Palace Theatre
113 Shaftesbury AveThe Palace Theatre is where Harry Potter is currently showing. It is a 3 minute walk from the apartment. There is ticket availability as a result of Covid restrictions having kept international visitors away. The show is in two parts. Contact the Box Office directly for the best value tickets or try the TodayTix app which runs a weekly lottery.
British Museum
Great Russell StreetLess than 10 minutes walk away is The British Museum.
Less than 10 minutes walk away is the National Gallery, in Trafalgar Square.
796 locals recommend
The National Gallery
Trafalgar SquareLess than 10 minutes walk away is the National Gallery, in Trafalgar Square.
Leicester Square is the home to London's largest cinemas. Going to see a film on one of the largest screens at the Odeon or Empire Leicester Square is quite an experience.
319 locals recommend
Leicester Square
Leicester Square is the home to London's largest cinemas. Going to see a film on one of the largest screens at the Odeon or Empire Leicester Square is quite an experience.
The Curzon is a really great local cinema that shows many of the mainstream releases but also art house films and films you may not get to see elsewhere. It's a real gem.
29 locals recommend
Curzon Soho
99 Shaftesbury AveThe Curzon is a really great local cinema that shows many of the mainstream releases but also art house films and films you may not get to see elsewhere. It's a real gem.
Currently the Prince Edward Theatre is home to Mary Poppins. It is 2 minutes from the apartment.
12 locals recommend
Prince Edward Theatre
Old Compton StreetCurrently the Prince Edward Theatre is home to Mary Poppins. It is 2 minutes from the apartment.