London – Around Town : Soho and the West End (part 3) – Pubs and Cafés, Restaurants

by

Pubs and Cafés




  1. Patisserie Valerie

    A
    classic Soho café with a wide range of delicious cakes and pastries:
    the fresh croissants make it a good place for breakfast. Its Frenchness
    extends to the Toulouse-Lautrec style cartoons byTerroni.

    • 44 Old Compton Street W1

  2. Maison Bertaux

    This
    little corner of Paris in the heart of Soho attracts a faithful
    clientele, who love its delicious coffee and heavenly cakes.

    • 28 Greek Street W1

  3. French House

    A
    small, one-bar establishment where conversation flows freely among
    strangers, this Soho pub was once the haunt of the artist Francis Bacon
    (1909–92).

    • 49 Dean Street W1

  4. Bar Italia

    Sit
    at the bar or out on the heated pavement and enjoy the best Italian
    coffee in London. A huge screen at the back of the bar shows Italian
    football matches. Open 24 hours.

    • 22 Frith Street W1

  5. Fernandez and Wells

    This
    lovely coffee shop serves quality coffee along with delicious
    croissants, pastries and cakes. It is also open for breakfast when you
    can order grilled pancetta or black pudding with egg mayonnaise in a
    roll.

    • 73 Beak Street W1

  6. The Admiral Duncan

    A small, lively bar in Old Compton Street – one of dozens in the area with a gay clientele.

    • 54 Old Compton Street W1

  7. Endurance

    This is what gastropubs are all about – great food, plenty of atmosphere (especially on market day), and a decent pint.

    • 90 Berwick Street W1

  8. Beatroot

    A small, bright vegetarian restaurant serving delicious salads and hot dishes, packed in boxes.

    • 92 Berwick Street W1

  9. The Cork and Bottle

    A 1970s basement wine bar with vintage music, bistro food and a fine selection of wines (see Cork and Bottle).

    • 44–6 Cranbourn Street WC2

  10. The Dog and Duck

    Small, friendly pub with Victorian tiled walls, classic pub food and British cask ales .

    • 18 Bateman Street W1





Restaurants




  1. Italian Grafitti

    This bustling trattoria sells quality pizzas as well as pasta, and swordfish simply grilled with oil and garlic.

    • 163–165 Wardour Street W1

    • 020 7439 4668

    • No disabled access

  2. Arbutus

    Black
    leather banquette seating and wood flooring, with typical dishes
    including squid and mackerel “burgers” and bavette of beef.

    • 63 Frith Street W1

    • 020 7734 4545

  3. Incognico

    Solid
    French food, such as fried goose liver, is served here. The restaurant
    was set up by Nico Ladenis, one of London’s best chefs, who is now
    retired.

    • 117 Shaftesbury Avenue WC2

    • 020 7836 8866

    • Disabled access

  4. New World

    Choose from the trolleys that trundle past at this popular dim sum venue, or from the menu of stir fries.

    • 1 Gerrard Place W1

    • 020 7734 0396

  5. Criterion

    This
    is a fabulous place to sit and dine, especially at lunchtime, when the
    Channel-hopping menu of mainly French food seems a treat among the
    captivating gold, wood and marble furnishings.

    • 224 Piccadilly W1

    • 020 7930 0488

    • Lunch and pre-theatre menus

  6. Yauatcha

    Be prepared to book ahead and dress up to enjoy med scallop schu mai or venison in puff pastry.

    • 15 Broadwick Street W1

    • 020 7494 8888

  7. J Sheekey

    The best fish restaurant in London in a charming setting, with dishes including shellfish and fishcakes.

    • 28–34 St Martin’s Court WC2

    • 020 7240 2565




    J Sheekey

  8. Itsu

    An oriental conveyor-belt restaurant serving imaginative dishes.

    • 103 Wardour Street

    • 020 7479 4790

  9. Busaba Ethai

    Trendy Thai restaurant with a minimal interior.

    • 110 Wardour Street W1

    • 020 7255 8686

  10. Barrafina

    Enjoy quality tapas at the counter in this stylish restaurant. Expect to queue.

    • 54 Frith Street W1

    • 020 7813 8016