Soho London is diverse and everchanging and also a great place for the perfect day out. In this guide on what to do in Soho London for the day, we will explore everything you need to know about fun stuff and free stuff before you hop off of the London underground. If you want to know the best things to do in Soho London, take a look here at my tips for a great day out.
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Want to know where or what to eat in Soho and where to drink? Read on. These Soho London day-out tips take in all this area has to offer. Take a walking tour of this urban area and discover how to make the most of your time in the Londons Soho district.
This is everything you need to know about the best places to go and things to do in London’s Soho Area.
What and where is Soho London?
The heart of London is the Colourful Soho streets which are buzzing with Londoners and tourists having a good time. Soho is in a convenient location in between Piccadilly Circus and Oxford street making it a popular spot for tourist attractions too. There are so many side roads full of interesting bars and restaurants. The narrow alleyways and quiet areas offer a buzz not seen anywhere else in London.
What does Soho have that’s so good? The streets of Soho have everything from pop-up food stalls to swanky bars and eateries It is well known for being the heart and soul of the pride festival, which takes place every year. There is even an annual fair in Soho which holds a waiter’s race has a stage. You can not deny you will find something here any day of the year.
If you are a tourist, there are plenty of Hotels in Soho, so you can stay right in the heart of all of the action. In London, it is sometimes nice to have an idea of where you are going, so I’ve set up this handy itinerary of some places you can visit whilst you are staying in the area.
With so many things to do here in London’s Soho neighbourhood, you can skip some and take your time or simply cram it all in, so here are my Soho London day-out tips.
Heading off to Greenwich London? See my Guide to Greenwich here.
How to get around Soho London
Getting around Londons Soho is super easy you can walk around it in just a few hours, depending on what you wish to stop for. There are a few underground stations surrounding Soho, so it is easily accessible. Choose which station to start from and then you can tailor make your day. The Soho area has four tube stations on its perimeter all of which are within a few minutes walk.
- Leicester Square
- Tottenham court Road
- Piccadilly Circus
- Oxford Circus
The Nearest Rail Station to London Soho is Charing Cross
The bus routes for the Soho area are Routes: 9, 13, 15, 19, 23, 24, 29, 38, 139, 153, 176, and the RV1
What underground station should I get off at for London Soho?
Leicester Square is just outside of Soho and a good place to start your tour of Soho. It is also good to start here if you need to get some theatre tickets. Leicester Square is the heart of theatre land and film land. This is where all of the film premieres take place and the home of the official London ticket booth.
You could also start your tour of Soho at Tottenham court road, Piccadilly Circus or Oxford Street.
You can pretty much do anything in Soho and normally do not need to book. There is a mountain of shops, restaurants, bars, theatres, cinemas and unusual places to go in London.
If I am heading to Soho on a day out I don’t normally plan it. I like to wander around the Soho district, taking it in and checking how the locals live. For more Soho London days out tips, read on.
Best Cocktails in Soho
My Favourite Cocktail bar is Bar Termini in Soho. It serves authentic Bellini cocktails just like they do in Venice at Harry’s Bar! The place is small, but it packs a punch!
Where to eat in Soho London
London Soho’s food varies, and there is so much choice from different cultures and plenty of cake shops! You can find pretty much anything in Soho, from cafes to the famous Ivy Soho Brasserie.
The whole area, including Carnaby Street and Berwich Street has a wide choice of restaurants. One of my newfound favourites is Ceru a Turkish restaurant which uses authentic ingredients and cooking methods.
You will also find an array of places that offer bottomless brunches in London which are always one of my favourite things to do.
More Soho Eats
Bodega negra is a fantastic Mexican restaurant in Old Compton Street Soho. The outside of the restaurant is an eyeopener ( think Soho peep show ) You have to book it way in advance. The other side of this restaurant is a cafe-style Mexican, more like street food in Moor Street, you experience similar food here without having to book so far in advance.
Indian food in Soho
For Indian cuisine, try some Indian specialities in Dishoom or Tamarind Kitchen. You can also. Why not treat yourself to the oldest known Indian restaurant in London? Veeraswarmy is an exquisite restaurant l which we visited as part of the London Restaurant Festival. It also happens to be one of the oldest restaurants in London Soho, opening in 1926!
French Cuisine in Soho
French Cuisine in Soho can be found in Pierre Victoria at the top of Dean Street or its sister restaurant Prix Fixe at the start.
Sunday roast dinners in Soho
If you are a meat eater, you may love to visit Blacklock Soho with its award-winning Sunday roasts. Blacklock Soho is a restaurant in what used to be an old gentlemen club on Windmill Street. Now it is a trendy and lively restaurant without the sleazy hidden past. You can also visit the Dean Street Townhouse for a fabulous Sunday roast dinner in Soho.
Chinese food in Soho
Of course, you are also only a stone’s throw away from Chinatown with its many Chinese restaurants. Why not try some Dim Sum another perfect choice for lunch or dinner when you are in the area? China Town is particularly nice to visit when it is Chinese New Year with its festive lanterns and street festivals taking place.
Kingly Court Soho’s main food court
For more fabulous Soho food, you can head towards Kingly Street you will find even more choices here. Kingly court is a fabulous undercover area over three stories with a plethora of restaurants.
Italian food in Soho London
Obica Mozzarella Bar is a fantastic Italian restaurant in Poland Street where you can experience fresh mozzarella flown in from Italy three times a week. Why not try the easy going restaurant Vapiano for some amazing pasta?
Unusual places to eat in Soho London
There is even a restaurant in Londons Soho where you can press a button for Champagne in Bob Bob ricard!
Find unusual places in Soho
There are some amazing and unusual places to go in Soho London, including lots of pop-up galleries and shops. If you are a Harry Potter fan, then Minalima is a must. This is situated between Leicester Square station and Tottenham Court road in Greek Street. MinaLima is A fabulous museum and shops for fantastical Beasts fans and Harry Potter fans alike.
Where to Shop in Soho
Shopping should also be top on your list for Soho London. There are plenty of shops in and around Soho. Also, bear in mind that Regent Street and Oxford Street are a stone’s throw away too.
Of course, you can not miss the iconic Liberty of London, which stands proud on the corner of Soho’s Great Marlborough Street. Liberty London is a shop that you must visit as it is just as spectacular inside as out and is just a short walk from Carnaby Street.
Carnaby Street has some quirky flagship stores, including Vans, Irregular Choice and Adidas.
Regent’s Street is also on the border of Soho with its famous Hamleys toy store. There is also Regent’s Streets traffic-free Sundays. However, in this part or London, check where you wander as some parts of Soho have Sex shops and strip clubs in bare view.
For some of the best Makeup and Beauty shops in Covent Garden, check them out here!
Where are vintage shops in Soho, London?
Vintage shops feature a lot throughout Soho London; My favourite is Beyond Retro Vintage thrift shop in Great Marlborough Street. For your designer vintage pieces, you should also head to Reign vintage on Berwick Street. If Vans is your thing, head over to the top floor of the Vans store for some vintage Vans at the other side of the Pillow.
Pretty parks in Soho
Soho even has some greenery in the form of two pretty parks in Soho. Soho Square and Golden Square sit nestled in Soho. All around the parks are restaurants and bars close by. These two Soho parks offer a bit of solace in the summer should you wish to sit in the sunshine on a picnic bench and take in the atmosphere.
Evening vibes and cocktails in Soho
Some of my favourite bars and nightlife are in the heart of Soho, including one of the top bars in the world Bar Termini. Bar Termini Soho is a bar just like you would find in the heart of Venice, but it is in Old Compton Street serving authentic Venetian cocktails. Another great hidden cocktail bar is The Experimental Cocktail Bar in Gerrard St Chinatown. Hidden behind a brown door, you would never know what awaits you inside this speakeasy bar.
If dancing is what you are looking for in Soho try some music or an event in the famous Ronnie Scotts Jazz Club
100 Wardour street is another trendy bar in the heart of Wardour Street soho. During the day, grab a snack and a drink or play pool. In the evening, it is the place to be with more cocktails, dancing and late-night trendy vibes.
Soho even has some themed bars in its midst, including Cahoots a secret bar with a London underground theme and a 1940s atmosphere. They also have a cocktail bar in Kingly Court and a ticket hall and control room for drinks too!
Have your cake and eat it in Soho.
Maitre Choux probably makes the best choux buns I have ever seen, and you can find them in Soho. If you want to find a cute French cafe with fresh cream cakes then you should head over to Maison Bertaux for pure indulgence! Not only that, but Maison Bertaux is a picture-perfect shop too great for Instagram lovers. If it’s doughnuts you are after, then head over to Doughnut Time on Shaftesbury Avenue.
Theatreland in Soho
Soho has many theatres and some great shows to see. The amazing Disney’s Mary Poppins is at the Prince Edward Theatre and is a must-see. Harry Potter is also playing at the Palace theatre and there are many more shows in the area. Check out my guide to getting theatre tickets on the cheap in London. You may pick up a bargain! Head over to the main TKTS booth in Leicester Square to get some cheap tickets. Alternatively, you can also try your luck with a London theatre lottery ticket.
These are the theatres you will find in Soho London
- The Dominion Theatre
- Soho Theatre
- The London Palladium
- The Pheonix Theatre
- The Prince Edward Theatre
- The Palace Theatre
- Gielgud Theatre
- Sondheim Theatre
- The Ambassadors theatre
Soho Village Fair on Wardour Street
The Soho village fete is held every June in Wardour Street and promises to be bigger and better every year. They have a waiters race and a stage with live entertainment all on the grounds of the church. Anyone can attend, and it makes for a great day out.
So next time you need to know where to go in London, refer to my Soho London day out tips.
You can use this handy map of things to do in Soho London to guide you to the best Food, Soho dancing and good vibes in this trendy area of London.
Thanks for reading my Soho London days out tips. I hope you enjoy meandering around this fabulous part of London.
This post originally appeared on Likelovedo.com
D x
Kelly says
Such an amazing post woth everything I need to know about Soho I have said it before and I’m going to say it again you are Ms London.
likelovedo says
Thank you darling x