A Piece of London: Exploring Soho
Soho, one of Central London’s buzzing locations filled with plenty to do. Whether one is in search of the perfect spot to eat or drink, something new to watch at the theatre, quickly grabbing copy of your fave independent magazine, you can always count on Soho for endless things to do, see, eat, buy, and of course a place to stay.
For those spending a weekend or lengthier time in London, hotels in Soho should be ones to definitely consider. With the likes of Ham Yard, Hotel Café Royal, The Nadler Soho, and many more worthy hotels surrounding the area, there’s a place suitable for everyone’s different tastes; as you’ll come to find when you explore Soho in general too.
With a day free to explore a piece of London, my sister and I headed into Soho for the day in search of some new things to discover with a mix of our old favourites to share.
TO SEE
The Photographers’ Gallery – 16-18 Ramillies St, Soho, London W1F 7LW
[Tip* - Get there before 12pm for free entry].
A hidden gem quietly tucked away behind not-so-quiet Oxford Street, The Photographers’ Gallery is one that hasn’t popped up in my conversations before, and being the UK’s first public gallery solely devoted to photography it’s definitely worth a visit when around Soho. Be sure to also check out the bookshop before leaving the gallery, as you’ll find a range of film, cameras, many magazine’s and photography books to have a flick through and buy. ↓
Good News – 23 Berwick St, Soho, London W1F 8RB
To some people passing by, Good News pretty much looks like a regular newsagent but is surprisingly the go-to pit stop for those in search of their favourite magazine’s. Whether they’re mainstream or independents that are usually hard to source. ↓
Sounds of the Universe – 7 Broadwick St, Soho, London W1F 0DA
This spot is for the music lover. If in need of a music fix, Sounds of the Universe is your number one destination. Home to a very large selection of vinyl and CDs from a plethora of cool genre’s, and a stock of merchandise and books. Most of my time was spent flicking through the African genre recollecting memories of my parents’ favourite Nigerian artists. ↓
TO EAT
Bao - 53 Lexington St, Soho, London W1F 9AS
[Tip* - Best time to visit would be early afternoon, to avoid waiting]
An intimate and minimalist setting, best known for its fluffy Taiwanese white steamed milk buns. Fillings include lamb shoulder, fried chicken, pork belly with the addition of other small contemporary and inventive Taiwanese dishes. Be prepared to queue as this little discovery is a popular one. ↓
Kingly Court – Kingly St, Soho, London W1B 5PW
Surprisingly a new discovery for us when it comes to places to dine-but as they say, better late than never. Hidden in the nooks and crannies of Carnaby Street (yet still very easy to access), Kingly Court is a large and beautifully decorated dining courtyard, home to a number of bars and restaurants, all offering a wide range of cuisines. It has definitely earned it’s place as a foodie hub.
You can find the likes of Pizza Pilgrims, Rum’s Kitchen, Dirty Bones, and Le Bab all propped up across three floors as you gaze around indecisively. As our day began to draw to an end, we were in search for a taste of Japanese cuisine, which led us to Shoryu’s door ... ↓
Shoryu - Ground Floor 3, 5 Kingly St, Soho, London W1B 5PJ
With memories of Japan still reigning heavily on our minds, the taste buds were in need of a typical dish we grew very fond of during our trip-ramen. Specialising in Hakata tonkotsu ramen, Shoryu most definitely embodies an authentic Japenese experience. From the way the staff carry attend to guests, to the open kitchen and modern/contemporary Japanese settings, we felt as though we stepped back into Tokyo for the day. The double rich Kotteri tonkotsu was our ramen of choice and did not disappoint. ↓
Berwick Street Market - Berwick St, Soho, London W1F 0PH
Just a short walk from Bao, the traditional market open Monday to Saturday from 8am until 6pm, boasts a number of cool food spots amongst the fruit, vegetable and florist stalls, which are worth giving your attention. Savage Salads and Jerusalem Falafel are two of my faves! Alongside the stalls you’ll find plenty of independent shops and pubs too. ↓
SHOPPING
Carnaby Street - Carnaby St, Soho, London
Have you really explored London if you haven’t strolled through Carnaby Street? The pedestrianised shopping destination is home to many mainstream and independent retailers offering fashion, lifestyle, beauty and more. Regular visitations for us include Liberty London, Monki, Muji, Mac, Levi’s, Byredo, and The Kooples. Always worth a visit for a spot of shopping. ↓
‘A Piece of London’ will be a new series on this platform, where I’ll be offering my recommendations on things to get up to whilst in different parts of London, so stay tuned!
Spending money for this post was gifted by Hotels.com, but all views are my own.