Soho, Fish & Seafood Restaurant Guide

“So welcoming it feels like home…”; “always look forward to eating here with a glass of house fizz…” – this “noisy, crowded but very fun” Champagne & Seafood bar in Soho is cossetting yet “down to earth” all at the same time and celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. Set in a converted Edwardian butchers’ shop which once supplied The Ritz and The Savoy, a perch on its high stools is “good for people-watching too” while tucking into some “excellent seafood” provided by its “snappy service”. Unusually for a venue that generates a high volume of feedback, not a word of it is negative – the worst being a gentle “not cheap, but good value”.

“A bright, clean, open space – huge for Soho” – houses this London outpost from Amsterdam’s De Visscher family, whose “extravagantly sized platters” of fish and seafood are promising but too inconsistent for a higher rating. (A not un-typical reporter “had two very different experiences – one in which the fish was fantastic and service very good – the other with comedically bad service and so-so fish”.)

“Forget hopping on a budget flight to the famous Cal Pep in Barcelona…” – the original inspiration for the Hart Bros’ genius small group of tapas pitstops – “… here in London you can sit at the counter, with the fun of watching mouthwatering tapas being prepared in front of you, so delivered piping hot (and best is the unbeatable fresh fish cooked ‘a la plancha’)”. “From the greeting to the explanations of the dishes, service is knowledgeable and caring”; there’s “a good choice of Spanish wines and sherries”; and the “superb” overall formula has made them one of the most popular destinations in our annual diners’ poll for almost 20 years now, even if the feeling has grown that “merely a small selection of dishes can incur eyewatering bills”. Top Tips – “the best atmosphere is had eating perched on a stool at the counter, but the Adelaide Street branch does have comfortable table seating downstairs”. On the Menu – “specific praise for the mojama”; “especially lovely prawn stuffed tortilla, seabream and the crisp aubergine with honey”; “tasty rabbit paella”; “squid croquetas are a perfect combo – crunchy on the outside, unctuous within”. “Shout out for the basics: lovely oils, bread etc…”

Founded in 2011 by four friends, this interesting concept hit ten sites in London in April 2025 with its debut in Kensington (replacing Street Burger on the high street) and also has a Brighton outpost as well as a handful of footholds in the Middle East and Asia. Fans are still in the majority and say its posh comfort food (the clue is in the name) is “a surprisingly good offering”. But while there are few harsh criticisms, its ratings have over the years slipped to a level that’s only “OK”.

“Fabulous, opulent surroundings… but the food does not match up”, sums up the copious feedback on this 2023 Soho revival of a post-War seafood institution (sited near Leicester Square and closed in 2006), long planned by restaurant impresarios Corbin & King but – following their ousting in a management reshuffle – ultimately launched by its successor company, the Thai-owned Wolseley Hospitality Group. A “very well designed and comfortable environment tucked away in Bateman Buildings just off Frith Street” – the “dramatic” dining space incorporates “lush, marine-themed” decor replete with murals, friezes and statues. But while some fans do hail “beautifully fresh seafood” (and “especially the early-evening oysters-and-Champagne offer”), there are too many complaints of “very disappointing” meals with food that’s “variable” or even “poor all round and a rip-off”.

“Superb West African food elevated to a fantastic level” and “presented as fine dining for Western palates is still unusual (for the UK) with its obscure ingredients and flavours” and – having scored huge success at its original site in Brixton – Adejoké Bakare’s transplanted Fitzrovia two-year-old quickly won a Michelin star in 2024 which many reporters feel is “well deserved”: it helps that “staff are genuinely passionate and more-than-willing to answer questions and talk through the sourcing and processes”. However, many reports note that the setting is “slightly basic” (“hard surfaces and close tables” that are “a trad cramped” make it “noisy”) and while fans feel “this is a minor issue when the main focus is the food”, ratings here are dragged down by a vocal minority who say: “this is a laudable effort to bring African cooking to a wider audience but price increases after the Michelin star make the experience feel overpriced”. Top Menu Tips – “delicious rice cake, the most amazing millet and sorghum pasta; and smoked eel”.

“Simply cooked fresh fish (often all you want)” is the USP at this trio of fishmonger/restaurants that offer “extremely reasonable prices for the quality” in prime central locations: off Piccadilly Circus, in Covent Garden and on Marylebone High Street. “The cooking does what it should do – the fish is the star of the show, delivered daily from Cornwall and really well executed”; and “they have specials depending on that day’s catch listed on a blackboard”. It’s “let down a little by staff that need more training to improve both the service and the ambience”.

2023 Review: From Cream Group (owners of Cirque le Soir, Restaurant Ours, Wild and The Windmill Soho), this July opening in Mayfair occupies the erstwhile 120-cover site of XO (RIP). Former Elystan Street head chef Toby Burrowes heads up an extravagant offering, which includes a £3,000 ‘sunken treasure’ caviar platter; and a cocktail listed at £5,000 (a rare 1950s gin and a bottle of 1970 Dom Perignon BTW). All good PR. Opening in mid-July 2022, this new spot calls itself a ‘clubstaurant’ – not a term we feel needs encouragement.