London Soho

One of the best places in London to eat and drink, Soho has restaurants, cafes, and bars to suit every taste and budget. Chinatown is located on Gerrard St. and Lisle St., while Frith St. offers pizza, pasta, and garlic goodness in Little Italy. Wardour Street is a new hot spot for everything from vegetarian food to creperies and Asian cuisine. The southern side of Shaftesbury Avenue feeds hungry clubbers post-club. Around Carnaby Street, cute cafes and coffee shops welcome tired shoppers, while a little farther east lie holes-in-the-wall and edgier local spots.

The Breakfast Club, 33 D’Arblay St. (☎020 726 5454; www.thebreakfastclubsoho.com), A favorite spot for the irreverent brunch-goer, serving creative twists on classics like eggs benedict, pancakes, burritos and burgers. Large family-style tables with red-checkered table cloths. Specials like The Full Monty (bacon, sausage, beans, tomatoes, mushrooms; £6.20) or The Number wrap (goat cheese, roasted red peppers and eggplant, pesto, tomato chutney; £6). Full Metal Jacket Potatoes with a variety of toppings £4.50-5.50. Super smoothies £3.50. Open M-F 8am-6pm, Sa 9:30am-5pm, Su 10am-4pm
Golden Dragon, 28-29 Gerrard St. Leicester Sq. The ritziest and best-known dim sum joint in Chinatown. Golden Dragon’s 2 large red-and-gold rooms (yes, there are dragons) are packed on the weekends with families and couples taking in the cheery atmosphere and shoveling in the dumplings—from veggie staples to minced prawn and sugar cane treats (each dish £2.40-3.20). Regular dinner items £6.20-22. Dim sum £15-25. Open M-Th noon-11:30pm, F-Sa noon-midnight, Su 11am-11pm. Dim sum served M-Sa noon-5pm, Su 11am-5pm
Cha Cha Moon, 15-21 Ganton St. (☎020 7297 9800; www.chachamoon.com), Oxford St. Also at 151 Queensway (☎020 7792 0088). One of the area’s more raucous spots with communal tables and a lively atmosphere. Low ceilings, brick columns, and bright red fixtures. The lo mein and wok creations are inexpensive (£4.80-7.50), and the atmosphere is perfect for a fun date or night out with friends. Open M-Th noon-11pm, F-Sa noon-11:30pm, Su noon-10:30pm
Vitaorganic, 74 Wardour St., (☎020 773 489 86; www.vitaorganic.co.uk), Tottenham Court Rd. or Leicester Sq. It doesn’t get earthier than this: vegetarians and vegans unite in this jungle-esque cafe for organic, raw, and “gently cooked” dishes or healthier-than-thou juices. Served buffet style, dishes like veggie stroganoff, lentil daal, couscous, and moussaka are mouthwatering despite their health benefits. Try one of the specialty juices, with names like Red Purifier (beetroot, celery, carrot, apple, milk thistle) and Wisdom Eye (blackberry, blueberry, raspberry, grapes, gingkoba biloba). Or, make your own: choose a flavor (chai, earl grey, rooibus, masala), a style (hot or cold), a milk, a frappé, and a sweetening. Dairy, wheat, and gluten-free desserts available. Hot food £5-7. Juices £4-5. Open M-Sa noon-10pm, Su noon-9pm
Jerk City1, 89 Wardour St. Tottenham Court Rd. The name refers to the food, not the service: a small and simple restaurant that lets its fine Caribbean fare do the talking. Feast on house specialties like jerk chicken (£7.50), Trinidadian mutton roti (£6), or one of several vegetarian options (£6-8). All entrees come with a hearty portion of rice and peas. Add fried plantains (£1) or delicious baked mac ‘n cheese (£2.50). Halal meat used in all dishes. Takeaway available. Open M-Sa 10am-11pm, Su noon-8pm
Soba Noodle Bar1, 1/13 Soho St. (☎020 7827 7300; www.soba.co.uk), Tottenham Court Rd. Narrow noodle bar with a long communal table, bench seating, and cork trimmings. Big bowls of wok-fried noodles and rice plates (both from £6.20). In nice weather, crowds gather at the outside tables overlooking Soho Square. Lots of vegetarian dishes. Happy hour (all mains £4.50) M-W 4-7:30pm, Sa and Su all day. Open M-F noon-3:30pm and 5:30-11pm, Sa noon-10pm, Su noon-9pm
Hummus Bros.8, 8 Wardour St. Oxford Circus or Tottenham Court Rd. The 1st restaurant of its kind, Hummus Bros. offers variations on the versatile dip. Top it with everything from spiced chicken to veggie salad and pair it with warm pita bread. Sides like tabouleh, greek salad, and smoked BBQ aubergine. Environmentally friendly (completely carbon-neutral). Small, bright space with red-lacquered tables. Sides £2.50-3.20. Small dishes £3-6.50; regular dishes £4-8. Free Wi-Fi. Open M-W and Su noon-10pm, Th-Sa Sa noon-11pm
Masala Zone, 9 Marshall St. (☎020 7287 9966; www.realindianfood.com), Oxford Circus. Also in Islington at 80 Upper St. (☎7359 3399). Despite its status as a quasi-chain, Masala Zone manages to be hip and relaxed, with a softly lit interior and sunken dining room. The food is authentic, delicious, and cooked in an open kitchen. The focus is on thalis, platters that come with a variety of smaller dishes and a larger fish, chicken, meat, or veggie entree (£11-13). Also serves Indian street food (£4.20 each), including samosas. Vegetarian friendly. Open M-F noon-2:45pm and 5:30-11pm, Sa 12:30-11pm, Su 12:30-3:30pm and 6-10:30pm
Boulevard Bar and Dining Room, 57-59 Old Compton St. Leicester Sq. Fresh creative twists on standard English and American cuisine in American-sized portions. Try the jumbalaya (£10), Texas omelette with chorizo and potatoes (£9), or a steak (£13-20). Add in a hip atmosphere and you’ve got a nice pre-theater or pre-club spot for those who aren’t up for Chinese. Starters like butternut squash soup with mascarpone £4.30-8. Desserts £5

Cafes And Specialty Foods

Mrs. Marengo’s, 53 Lexington St. (☎ 020 7287 2544; www.mrsmarengos.co.uk), A refined pink diner serving healthy vegetarian takes on classics like burgers, quesadillas, falafel, and tajines (£4-7) ...more