DUCKSOUP is part of the family that includes Little Duck The Picklery and Camille. All three London gems in our humble opinion! Head straight to Soho for chef Tom Lake’s exquisite small plates and a whole array of natural vinos. 

This spot specialises in udon: thick, soft, flour noodles from the south of Japan, traditionally kneaded by foot. The noodles here are made authentically (allowing body weight to do much of the work) and the broths are vividly flavourful. Everything is designed to be eaten quickly (so the noodles remain al dente), making this one of Soho’s finest in-and-out spots.

Angelo Sato has been cooking some of the best yakitori in the city since 2021. But in a bid to move away from the juicy Japanese skewers, the chef shifted his own goalposts with a relaunch just two years later. Humble Chicken 2.0 is a magical multi- course omakase experience that leaves diners giddy. Crisp tartlets of beef tartare arrive in a puff of smoke; bouncy loaves of milk bread are served with layers of miso sesame butter and chicken liver parfait. There are only a few seats so book ahead.

Many may be put off by the queues at the original Barrafina, which is one of the few genuinely walk-in-only restaurants in the neighbourhood these days. Arrive early (perhaps ahead of a comedy show at Soho Theatre) and indulge in pan con tomate, ham croquetas and runny-in-the middle tortilla. Fast-paced tapas that are still the best around.