The Best Pubs in Soho

If you ask any Soho regular what their go-to pub is, chances are you’ll hear The Coach and Horses. It’s hands down one of the most popular pubs in the area, so of course we had to check it out.

This is a proper traditional pub — so if you’re the type to get pressed about places calling themselves pubs but serving Aperol spritz and pornstar martinis, you’ll be safe here. They’re all about pints, cask ales, and draughts, giving you that classic English pub experience.

It’s also one of the best spots for actually meeting people. Nobody’s sat quietly in a corner — everyone’s up, standing, chatting, and adding to the buzz. That’s exactly the vibe you want when you’re in Soho.

Have to try: London Pride cask ale
Perfect for: Socialising
Approx price for 2: £30+

The Devonshire is one of those places you just can’t stick a single label on. Some days it’s got that cosy, comforting pub feel, and other times it’s absolute buzzing chaos — but always in the best way.

It’s also a dream for big, indecisive groups. You can keep it casual at the ‘public house’ downstairs with just drinks and bar snacks, or if the hunger suddenly hits (as it does after a few pints), just head upstairs to their restaurant and grill for something more refined.

We stayed true to the bar scene and obviously had to get a pint of Guinness — they self-proclaimed to pour the best pint in London, so it had to be done. The bar menu’s short but full of classics: scotch eggs, sausage rolls, chips. The one that had us laughing though? “Sausage on a stick.” Never seen that one before, but hey, each to their own. The contrast between that and the elegant à la carte upstairs is actually hilarious — downstairs, it’s pints and sausages on sticks; upstairs, it’s fine dining.. 

Have to try: Guinness and chips with hollandaise sauce
Perfect for: Casual catch up
Approx price for 2:  £30+ (depending on if you get food)

The French House on Dean Street really puts Londoners to the test with its no phones, no music, no TV — basically, no tech at all. And yet, it’s still one of the most popular pubs in Soho, which says a lot.

We’ll be honest, the idea was a bit daunting. No TV? Fine. No phones? Probably healthy. But no music? That’s where we started to sweat — because nothing’s worse than awkward silences. Luckily, the place is always packed with people who come in buzzing, light-hearted, and ready to chat, so you don’t miss the background noise at all.

And while it’s very much a drinking spot, we couldn’t resist the call of something sweet. The chocolate and orange mousse was an absolute winner. Honestly? Worth sacrificing that “one last pint” for.

Have to try: Chocolate and orange mousse
Perfect for: Catch ups
Approx price for 2: £30+ (depending on if you get food)

The Blue Posts is perfect when you want that classic, warming pub feel but with just a touch of refinement. You still get the buzzy atmosphere — people standing and chatting away — but you also get to enjoy the events they host, usually music-related.

We were lucky enough to catch their blues and jazz night. It was the perfect soundtrack while sipping wine, really vibing, and letting the conversation flow… until suddenly it’s 12 a.m., and you’re sprinting for the last tube!

Have to try: Blues and jazz night
Perfect for: Chill catch ups
Approx price for 2:  £30+

You already know — when a pub has “Arms” in the name (plus that alliteration), it’s going to slap and deliver exactly what you’re craving from a proper classic British pub night.

The interior is stunning, with chandeliers and intricately designed walls that give it a timeless, elegant feel. We’d heard the food was unreal, so we made a whole day of it. Plus, we loved the “order to your table” feature — no awkward race to flag down a waiter. You can just relax and order from the comfort of your chair.

We went for the 3-for-£21 bar snack deal, and with our glasses of white, it was a total win. We got the sticky chicken, calamari, and loaded chunky chips. The chips stole the show — absolutely smothered in cheddar (the cheese pull was insane) and topped with beef brisket for that extra decadence. Yum!

Have to try: Loaded chunky chips
Perfect for: Dinner out with family
Approx price for 2: £30-£70

The Lyric just does simple so, so well. It’s your classic Victorian pub with cosy vibes, serving up both food and drink. Even if you come just for a pint, the smells alone will sway you — so skip the “we’ll eat out after” performance and just go for it.

The menu is huge, honestly anything you could crave — pizzas, burgers, picky bits. But in classic pub style, we went for the fish and chunky chips, complete with mushy peas and tartare sauce. Next time, though, we’re definitely trying the tandoori chicken kebab — the smoky aroma had us slightly regretting not venturing from the classics.

Bonus: they run daily food and drink offers, so keep an eye out for those!

Have to try: Sticky toffee pudding
Perfect for: Lunch and drinks with friends
Approx price for 2: £30+

If we’re being honest, the Toucan’s dark black exterior had us questioning whether to be intrigued or slightly cautious about stepping inside. Dramatic? Maybe. But the vibes inside couldn’t be more vibrant and welcoming. It’s a basement bar, hence the darkness, but that just adds to the charm.

They’re most known for their Guinness, which is an absolute must-try. The atmosphere is buzzy and casual — perfect for striking up random conversations with strangers you know you’ll never see again, but act like you were best friends in another life.

Have to try: The guinness
Perfect for: Socialising
Approx price for 2: £30+

The Marquis of Granby stands out with a much more modern interior than the other pubs on this list, so if you’re after that sleek bar-meets-pub vibe, this is your spot.

Inside, they keep things classic with a drinks and food menu full of ales, beers, and traditional pub grub. What really sets them apart, though, are their three-tier buffet menus: Bronze (£16), Silver, and Gold (£23.50). We went for the Gold — honestly, such a bargain considering the amount of choice you get compared to a standard meal.

Of everything we piled onto our plates, the goat’s cheese and spinach croquettes stole the show. Crispy (especially for buffet food!), tangy, and just perfect. 

Have to try: Goat’s cheese and spinach croquettes
Perfect for: Family lunch
Approx price for 2: £50

The Dog and Duck really lives up to its alliterative classic pub name — you know it’s going to deliver. With chandeliers and mahogany interiors, it exudes serious Victorian charm; definitely not your local “Spoons.”

For traditional pub fans, brace yourselves — on a hot, sunny day, we went for the Limoncello Spritz. Light, refreshing, and perfect for the weather. They have a huge cocktail list, so yeah, not strictly “traditional,” but sometimes a cocktail in a pub is exactly what’s needed — unpopular opinion, we know.

Don’t worry, though — their beer, cider, and ale selection more than makes up for it. With the sun out, a full roast wasn’t calling our name, but their sandwiches definitely were. We went for the chargrilled sirloin steak sandwich with chimichurri sauce. Incredible. After that, Tesco meal deals will never stand a chance again.

Have to try: Chargrilled sirloin steak sandwich
Perfect for: Catch ups
Approx price for 2: £30-£60

This list has been all about traditional British pubs, but why not explore traditional foreign pubs too? Especially in Europe — they must be just as comforting, right?

Enter De Hems, a traditional Dutch pub! Technically a café-bar, but the classic interior, buzzy chatter, and welcoming atmosphere make it a strong contender for Soho’s best pubs.

The beer list is impressive, and to fully embrace the “non-Englishness,” we tried the Schofferhofer Grapefruit Radler, a German fruit-and-wheat beer — surprisingly good. The food is just as impressive. We went for a “picky bits” vibe: fried chicken with chili honey (match made in heaven) and nachos loaded with all the works. The menu had everything we could want, though a few more Dutch-inspired dishes would’ve been a nice touch.

Have to try: Fried chicken with chilli honey
Perfect for: Fun with friends
Approx price for 2: £30-£60