The best restaurants in Soho

Best restaurant in Soho for date night

Founded in 2012 and led by chef-owner Gabriel Pryce and beverage director Missy Flynn, Rita’s moved into their permanent home Soho in the heart of Soho (from Hackney) in 2021.

Rita’s is the perfect combination of classic and newfangled. Yes, they have an extensive wine list with various natural wines, and yes, their menu is an eclectic array of small plates, but they also do a fantastic martini and one of the best steaks in London.

Describing itself as ‘modern American dining meets British and European produce,’ Rita’s is always bustling, with steamed up windows and an rotating menu of seasonal and delicious things. It’s a spot that would feel more at home in the heart of Manhattan than London, which is what makes it so special.

This will always be top of my list when I’m looking for an intimate date night or celebratory dinner, but they’re now also open for lunch. The lunch menu highlights were undoubtedly the sesame-spiked devilled eggs and the fillet steak ‘miso poivre’ (like a super salty, buttery peppercorn sauce, what more could you want?) – Evie Delaney

What to order: The mini martini with accompanying ‘gilda’ (anchovy, chilli and olive on a cute stick) is famous for good reason. At lunch, don’t miss the grilled shrimp with fermented chilli and garlic.

49 Lexington Street, Soho, London W1F 9AP