Where to Eat in Central London

The original Bubala in Spitalfields was an unreserved hit, and the follow up in Soho – on the old Vasco & Piero site – delivers the excellence of the original, and more. Helen Graham’s Middle Eastern cooking balances playfulness and comfort, with favourites like confit potato latkes, burnt butter hummus, and braised hispi returning, along with new dishes like refreshing grapefruit ezme and a lineup of skewers, fresh from the grill (the charred oyster mushrooms remain irresistible). The menu, as ever, remains entirely vegetarian.

This modern Indian gem takes up a plum corner of Greek Street, with a plush dining room and buzz reminiscent of the group’s first restaurant in Spitalfields. A greater focus on seafood – courtesy of its executive and head chefs, from Goa and Maharashtra, respectively – yields notable early dishes like a punchy lobster pulimunchi with crisp dosa, or a playful riff on prawn toast. A drinks list leans towards Portuguese and Spanish wines, plus Martinis. And yes, the restaurant’s incredible lamb chops are still on the menu, and must be experienced to be believed.

This buzzing Soho taqueria and cocktail bar from the team behind Barrafina oozes understated cool, with a tacos-and-tequila one-two punch that slips down a treat. Hand-pressed tortillas are the star of the show, accompanying classic and new dishes like a fresh scallop tostada, or a large format spiced duck to share with salsas and plenty of sides — for October, a signature pork belly and octopus taco will be on the menu. Breezy touches like ceiling fans and greenery lend a hacienda-like ambience, while those seeking a nightcap should slip downstairs afterwards, where an intimate mezcal bar awaits.

This slick Japanese restaurant in Soho is among the best places in Britain to enjoy the traditional yakitori experience. Guests relax at a long neon-lit bar as Angelo Sato and his team of chefs cook every piece of the humble chicken to perfection – from familiar pleasures like thigh and wings, to offal and everything in between. Cocktails are superb and notably, Sato’s larger plates are excellent and ideal for splitting with a friend – go for a few drinks and a few skewers or put your evening in the chefs’ hands and lean into a full-blown multi-dish tasting.

The go-to for outstanding fried chicken in London, Chick’n’Sours is partly responsible for the city’s addiction to superb free-range chicken paired to fiendishly good sauces and peerless sides like smacked cucumbers and Szechuan aubergines. Stiff (and sour) cocktails are only polite, and the vibe is unpretentious and lively; meanwhile, the spacious subterranean dining room in Covent Garden make it perfect for celebrations, fun dates, and group get-togethers.

One of the original—and still the best—steakhouses in town is housed in an old theatre, complete with soaring ceilings and a glamorous feel. There’s a picturesque, covered terrace for spritzes, an Art Deco bar for cocktails, and a seductive, banquette-lined restaurant for everything from statement dinners to hot dates. The headline attraction: beautifully aged cuts of native breed beef (via Warrens in Cornwall) prepared over a showstopping open fire pit to the perfect char and tenderness. For October, a signature dish of pit roasted gammon, slow-cooked to perfection, will be served with firepit baked beans and a herbal salsa verde.