London
Soho, small change
Good food, small bill
Updated
Eating well in the West End doesn’t have to cost a show ticket. Soho has most of the best of it: steamed buns at Bao on Lexington Street, udon at Koya on Frith Street, Syrian home cooking at Imad’s in Kingly Court and a proper sit-down chippy at Poppies on Old Compton Street. Brasserie Zédel’s Art Deco dining room, just off Piccadilly Circus, looks far grander than its set menu costs. Close by, Chinatown’s Gerrard Street is good for grazing, Kanada-Ya does ramen by Tottenham Court Road, Bancone makes fresh pasta near Trafalgar Square, and Seven Dials Market keeps everyone happy on a wet day.
Our picks
Chinatown
Gerrard Street, Chinatown
Address: Gerrard Street, Chinatown, London WC2H 7BE- Restaurant
- Cheap and cheerful
- Foodie
Graze your way down Gerrard Street under the red lanterns, from dumplings and roast duck to bubble tea and custard buns from the bakeries.
Why it's a good date: Lots of small stops means lots of chances to try something new together. Take turns choosing the next place, and go a little before the dinner rush to skip the queues.
Photo: Robert Lamb, CC BY-SA 2.0 (cropped and resized)
Bao Soho
Lexington Street, Soho
Address: Bao Soho, 53 Lexington Street, London W1F 9AS- Restaurant
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
- Foodie
Squeeze into the tiny original Bao on Lexington Street for soft Taiwanese steamed buns and small plates to share.
Why it's a good date: It's held a Michelin Bib Gourmand for years and still feels like a little neighbourhood spot. It's walk-in only, so go early or late to keep the queue short.
Bancone Covent Garden
William IV Street, Covent Garden
Address: Bancone, 39 William IV Street, London WC2N 4DD- Restaurant
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
- Foodie
Share bowls of fresh handmade pasta at the long marble counter of this smart little pasta bar off Trafalgar Square.
Why it's a good date: It feels far posher than the bill suggests, which makes it a great pre-theatre pick. Sit at the counter to watch the pasta being made.
Imad's Syrian Kitchen
Kingly Court, Soho
Address: Imad's Syrian Kitchen, Top Floor, Kingly Court, London W1B 5PW- Restaurant
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
- Foodie
Climb to the top floor of Kingly Court for warm, home-style Syrian cooking from chef Imad Alarnab, with mezze to share.
Why it's a good date: Generous, comforting food with a lovely story behind it, and a Michelin Bib Gourmand to its name. Have a nose round the courtyard's other spots after.
Brasserie Zédel
Sherwood Street, Soho
Address: Brasserie Zédel, 20 Sherwood Street, London W1F 7ED- Restaurant
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
- Romantic
Walk down the stairs off Piccadilly into a vast gilded Art Deco dining room for classic French brasserie cooking.
Why it's a good date: It looks like a big night out but the set menu is one of the best-value meals in the West End. Stay for a drink in the Art Deco bar next door.
Kanada-Ya St Giles
St Giles High Street, St Giles
Address: Kanada-Ya, 64 St Giles High Street, London WC2H 8LE- Restaurant
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
- Foodie
Slurp rich tonkotsu ramen at the busy little noodle bar by Tottenham Court Road, where the noodles are made in house.
Why it's a good date: A warming bowl each on a cold evening, and quick enough to fit before a gig or a show. There's often a queue at peak times, so go a bit early.
Koya Soho
Frith Street, Soho
Address: Koya, 50 Frith Street, London W1D 4SQ- Restaurant
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
- Foodie
Grab a seat at the Frith Street udon bar for thick, springy noodles made fresh every day, hot or cold.
Why it's a good date: Simple, calm and very good, a nice change from Soho's busier spots. It doesn't take bookings, so expect a short wait at busy times.
Poppies Soho
Old Compton Street, Soho
Address: Poppies, 55-59 Old Compton Street, London W1D 6HW- Restaurant
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
- Cosy
Share fish and chips the proper way at the retro chippy on Old Compton Street, all vintage signs and old-school charm.
Why it's a good date: A fun, unfussy sit-down chippy right in the middle of Soho, handy before a film at the Prince Charles or a show.
Seven Dials Market
Earlham Street, Seven Dials
Address: Seven Dials Market, Earlham Street, London WC2H 9LX- Restaurant
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
- Foodie
Wander the food hall in an old banana warehouse off Seven Dials, pick a street-food counter each and meet back at a shared table.
Why it's a good date: Lots of choice under one roof, so nobody has to compromise. It's a good warm, dry spot on a rainy day in the West End.
Quick answers
Can we book at Bao or Koya in Soho?
No. Both are walk-in only, so go a little early or late to keep the queue short.
Where can we eat cheaply in the West End on a rainy day?
Seven Dials Market on Earlham Street has lots of kitchens under one roof, so you stay dry and can each pick something different.
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