Soho

London, England

Vibrant entertainment district

Places in Soho

The French House Soho institution where De Gaulle drafted speeches and Dylan Thomas drank. Only half pints served—encourages conversation.
Swift Upstairs for quick, excellent drinks; downstairs for serious cocktails and whisky. Soho's best bar, full stop.
Speakeasy Coffee Specialty coffee roastery with third-wave expertise and pastries
Cocktail bars Soho World-famous cocktail venues with expert mixologists

Best time to visit: May-September (warm, long days); December festive markets
Getting around: Excellent Underground; buses comprehensive; walkable neighborhoods vary; expensive transport system
Currency: British Pound Sterling (£)
Language: English, though you'll hear hundreds of languages on any high street.
Timezone: GMT/BST (UTC+0/+1)
Current trends: Natural wine bar boom; Diverse global cuisines recognized; Small plate dining expanding; Regeneration of former industrial areas; Sustainability focus

Shoreditch & Spitalfields — Street art, vintage shops, and some of London's best food. Sunday markets at Spitalfields and Brick Lane are essential.
South Bank — Tate Modern, the Southbank Centre, and Borough Market line the Thames. The best walk in London.
Bloomsbury — Georgian squares, the British Museum, and ghosts of the Bloomsbury Group. Independent bookshops abound.
Mayfair — Upscale west-end neighborhood