A local’s guide to the best hidden gems in Soho and Carnaby Street, London: secret food spots, culture, street art, shopping: all the must-visit places!
It’s true that Soho can feel loud, while Carnaby Street is more boho and polished.
Whether it’s your first time in London or you’ve been living here a while and on the lookout for secret places, both Soho and Carnaby Street itself have plenty to show us.
Places that aren’t really trying to be seen; bookshops upstairs, records stores, rooftops above the chaos and courtyards people don’t want into.
Hidden Gems in Soho: 25 Food, Street Art and Shopping Spots
When I live in London, I spend lots of time around Carnaby Street because of the hidden alleyway behind, and because the independent shops are really attractive.
Streetwear fashion is to be found in all corners of Soho, from StockX to Stüssy and Supreme, and there are lots of hidden food gems and cultural spots as well.
Did you know that Soho is part of a Bookish Itinerary in London, for how many times it’s be used or cited in novels?
Anyhoo.
You’ll find below all the best things to do in Soho, from shops to food, and what to do afterwards, especially food in Chinatown nearby!
Cultural Hidden Gems in Soho, London
Hidden Gems in Soho: “Imagine” John Lennon Statue in Carnaby
The John Lennon statue in Carnaby is a bronze bench sculpture by Lawrence Holofcener which was placed behind Liberty London in 2021.
He’s sitting with his arms out and head tilted back, with a small plaque that just says ‘Imagine’ John Lennon; it’s in full view, but most people still miss it.
Address: Carnaby Street, London W1B 5PW
Hidden Gems in Soho: Golden Square
Golden Square is one of Soho’s oldest public spaces, first laid out in the 1670s, tucked just off Beak Street, and somehow still quiet even though it’s right in the middle of everything.
There’s a statue of George II in the centre, a few benches, and enough trees to block out the traffic, and if you visit at the right time, you’ll often find public art installations there.
Address: Golden Square, Soho, London W1F 9JP
Hidden Gems in Soho: Orange Yard on Manette Street
Orange Yard is a small courtyard off Manette Street, near Goldsmith Vintage and the Outernet building.
It used to be the back entrance to the Borderline music venue, which closed in 2019 after decades of live gigs. Now the yard is mostly empty, with just a black-and-white mural of a tree painted on the wall.
Address: Orange Yard, Manette Street, Soho, London W1D 4JB
Best Hidden Gems in Soho London: Shakespeare’s Head
Shakespeare’s Head is a historic pub dating back to 1735 (though the current building is 19th-century Tudor-style).
It’s known for the life-size bust of Shakespeare in the first-floor window, which you can see whether the pub is closed or not; a nice little hidden gem I love seeing, even if I don’t drink.
Address: 29 Great Marlborough Street (corner of Carnaby Street), London W1F 7HZ
Hidden Gems in Soho: Alex Eagle Studio on Lexington Street
Alex Eagle Studio is a modern lifestyle store and carefully curated concept space tucked into the heart of Soho.
Founded around 2014, it blends fashion, design, and interiors into a single, gallery-like experience, really in tune with the Soho atmosphere.
Inside, you’ll find a rotation of ready-to-wear clothing, minimalist homeware, rare books, and sculptural design objects: is a shop, feels like someone’s loft.
Address: 6–10 Lexington Street, Soho, London W1F 0LB
Hidden Gems in Soho: Shaida Walking on Broadwick Street
When walking around Carnaby Street, close to Kingly Court, you’ll find the installation of a walking woman.
Shaida Walking is a mesmerizing permanent animated LED artwork by Julian Opie, installed in 2015 during the Lumiere London festival.
It’s a double-sided vertical monolith showing a figure walking, located on Broadwick Street opposite Carnaby Street: I could stay hours watching her walk, lost in my thoughts.
Address: Broadwick Street, Soho, London W1F (exact number varies)
Hidden Gems in Soho: The Spirit of Soho Mural on Broadwick Street
The Spirit of Soho Mural wraps around the side of 9 Carnaby Street onto Broadwick Street. It was created by the local community in 1991 and restored in 2006.
At the centre is Saint Anne, with a skirt shaped like a map of Soho, filled with cafes, theatres, and old faces. Karl Marx, William Blake, Casanova, and Teresa Cornelys all show up—Cornelys even winks on the hour!
It’s easy to miss if you’re not looking up, but since Shaida Walking is right next to it, do tilt your eyes up when on Broadwick Street!
Address: 9 Carnaby Street (corner of Broadwick Street), Soho, London W1F 9PB
Food Hidden Gems in Soho, London
Best Hidden Gems in Soho London: Elan Cafe Wardour Street
Elan Cafe on Wardour Street is but one of the many Elan in London, including the floral coffee shop facing Harrods in Knightsbridge.
A striking neon pink cafe, Elan Cafe Soho is a tad underwhelming from the outside.
Pass the threshold, though, and you’re in one of Soho’s best cafes, with a collection of wonderful pink desserts, including pink brownies, layer cakes, and colorful lattes of all kinds.
Hidden Gems in Soho: Café Boheme on Old Compton Street
Café Boheme is one of the few French spots in London that still hints at the city’s old Huguenot roots.
It sits on Old Compton Street with its red canopy, candlelit tables, and the occasional live piano drifting through.
The mood hasn’t changed much in years: we’ve still got Parisian tables, low lighting, close seats, and that steady hum that feels more like old Soho than most places left.
Address: 13 Old Compton Street, Soho, London W1D 5JQ
Hidden Gems in Soho: Cutter & Squidge on Brewer Street
Cutter & Squidge is a bakery and dessert shop famous for its biskies: layered sandwich cakes that are fully vegetarian and often vegan.
They bake everything in-house, from cakes and cookies to brownies, and serve drinks alongside.
The Potions Room afternoon tea is excellent, and can be taken from noon onwards; great for a little stop when you’re tired of walking around Central London.
Address: 20 Brewer Street, Soho, London W1F 0SJ
Hidden Gems in Soho: Maison Bertaux on Greek Street
Maison Bertaux has been on Greek Street since 1871, making it one of the oldest bakeries in London.
It carries that long-standing French presence in Soho that began with the Huguenots and continued with later waves; one of the oldest spots you can visit, still filled with history.
The counter is packed with éclairs, tarts, scones, and cheesecakes, all handmade on-site, in a really cute decor.
Address: 28 Greek Street, Soho, London W1D 5DQ
Hidden Gems in Soho: Aqua Kyoto Rooftop on Regent Street
Aqua Kyoto is a Japanese restaurant with a rooftop bar on the fifth floor of the former Dickins & Jones building.
Entrance is via 30 Argyll Street, and while it may serve halal sushi, I prefer going there for a soft and the beautiful views of London.
The rooftop terrace is spacious, makes for a perfect photo spot, and we’re just seconds away from Oxford Street’s shops.
If you’re looking for halal food in Soho, too, you’ll find quite a few restaurants and street food spots where you can eat on a budget, too.
Address: 240 Regent Street, Fifth Floor, entrance via 30 Argyll Street, London W1B 3BR
Best Hidden Gems in Soho London: Kingly Court
Kingly Court is a three-storey shopping and dining court just off Carnaby Street, with walk-throughs from Beak Street, Kingly Street, and Carnaby itself.
It’s mostly independent food spots with a few cafes and shops layered across the upper levels, and the roof shifts with the seasons: open in summer, covered in winter.
There are free water refill stations tucked around and a mix of seating, but most people just pass through without noticing it.
Address: Kingly Court, Off Carnaby Street, Soho, London W1B 5PW
Best Hidden Gems in Soho London: Cafe de Nata
Café de Nata is a small Portuguese bakery known for its pastel de nata, baked fresh all day.
There’s no seating inside: people come to grab the pastries and go.
It’s simple and focused: just warm, flaky custard tarts made well, and great if you’re in Central London and can’t make your way to Lisboa Patisserie.
Address: 25 Old Compton Street, Soho, London W1D 5JN
Shopping Hidden Gems in Soho, London
Hidden Gems in Soho: Annie’s Ibiza on Newburgh Street
Annie’s Ibiza is a fashion boutique on Newburgh Street selling Ibiza-style party dresses and vintage-inspired occasion wear.
It opened a Carnaby Street store in 2024, and while I prefer to dress oversize, I love the vibe of seemingly indie shops to be inspired by the artsy shapes, textures and colors.
Address: 3 Newburgh Street, Carnaby, London W1F 7RE
Hidden Gems in Soho: IDEA Books on Wardour Street
IDEA Books is a rare bookshop tucked upstairs at 101 Wardour Street, in the very heart of Soho.
It was started in 2009 by David Owen and Angela Hill, and mostly stocks out-of-print or limited-run books on art, fashion, and photography.
IDEA Books used to be appointment-only, but now opens on set days, with most new arrivals announced through Instagram drops.
Address: 101 Wardour Street, 2nd floor, Soho, London W1F 0UG
Best Hidden Gems in Soho London: Lina Stores
Lina Stores on Brewer Street faces Cutter & Squidge; this one is great to visit whether you want to grab some food on the go, sit down or just are just homesick from home and looking for Italian groceries.
There’s a halal-friendly menu at the nearby Greek Street branch, but I’m not sure about the status/cross-contamination.
Still, the 1944-established Lina Stores has lots of fresh cheese, pasta, sauces, and various dry foods and Italian specialties you can bring back home; traditional and iconic.
Address: 18 Brewer St, Soho, London W1F 0SG
Hidden Gems in Soho: Goldsmith Vintage on Charing Cross Road
Goldsmith Vintage is a second-hand clothing store with racks of old leather, denim, faux fur, oversized sweaters and more.
The Charing Cross Road branch is cluttered but full of finds for vintage hunters, from all brands, and from ties to handbags, hats and vintage clothes.
Address: 121–123 Charing Cross Road, Soho, London WC2H 0EW
Hidden Gems in Soho: Bloobloom on Carnaby Street
Bloobloom is a French eyewear boutique on Carnaby Street, offering designer-style glasses and sunglasses at a fair price.
The shop has a clean, minimal layout, with most of the stock on open display. Styles are modern but pared back, and you can try everything on without the usual sales pressure.
Address: 24 Carnaby Street, London W1F 7DB
Hidden Gems in Soho: Algerian Coffee Stores on Old Compton Street
Algerian Coffee Stores is a coffee shop and grocer founded in 1887. It sells coffee beans, loose leaf teas, and takeaway drinks.
It’s the oldest coffee shop in London; if you’re into historical shops and areas, a pop-by Algerian Coffee Stores is something I strongly recommend.
Address: 52 Old Compton Street, Soho, London W1D 4PB
Hidden Gems in Soho: Lady Jane Boutique Green Plaque on Carnaby Street
The Lady Jane plaque marks the 1966 location of Carnaby Street’s first women’s fashion boutique, opened by Henry Moss and Harry Fox.
The green plaque was unveiled in 2019 above 29 Carnaby Street, and while the shop doesn’t exist anymore, it makes for a great stop to learn a bit more about London’s history.
Address: 29 Carnaby Street, London W1F 7DH
Hidden Gems in Soho: Glam Touch Soho on Greek Street
Glam Touch Soho is a Korean beauty and makeup store located on Greek Street, with the likes of Innisfree, Etude House and Clio on its racks.
Since 2021, it’s been offering a wide range of Korean skincare and makeup brands, and is open daily from noon to midnight.
Address: 59B Greek Street, Soho, London W1D 3DZ
Best Hidden Gems in Soho London: Supreme Store
Supreme London is a skatewear store in a gallery-style space: the vibe is incredible, artsy and streetwear all rolled into one.
It opened in 2011, mirrors the minimalist layout of its New York counterpart, shows artwork by Ari Marcopoulos, and displays apparel and accessories cleanly and logically.
Address: 2–3 Peter Street, Soho, London W1F 0AA
What to Do After Visiting Hidden Gems in Soho: Chinatown Food Spots
When you’re done visiting Soho and Carnaby Street, you’ll find there are some really cool things to do in Chinatown nearby.
Just cross Shaftesbury Avenue into Gerrard Street to find some more shops like P2Bus, and small food spots I’ve been loving for years.
Hidden Gems in Soho: Mamasons Dirty Ice Cream, Chinatown
Mamasons Dirty Ice Cream is London’s first Filipino ice cream parlour in Chinatown.
They serve traditional Filipino flavours like ube, queso, and halo-halo, plus the “bilog”, an ice cream sandwich in pandesal.
It’s open from midday daily, and you can’t miss it: it’s often busy with locals.
Address: 32 Newport Court, Chinatown, London WC2H 7PQ
Hidden Gems in Soho: Chinatown Bakery on Newport Place
Chinatown Bakery is a Chinese bakery right in the centre of Chinatown, near the Soho end.
They serve a mix of sweet and savoury bakes—egg custard buns, pandan cake, peanut and coconut fluffy cakes (my favorites!), plus taiyaki cooked fresh by the window.
It’s open every day from 10:30 to 21:00 and always busy, but not the kind of place that feels overrun.
Address: 7 Newport Place, Chinatown, London WC2H 7JR
Hidden Gems in Soho: 25 Food, Street Art and Shopping Spots
Soho is small, but most people still miss half of it.
There’s also plenty of street art if you slow down a bit.
It’s not as intense or mural-heavy as Brick Lane or Shoreditch, but there’s still graffiti and stencil work tucked into corners, usually half-covered by scaffolding or signs.
Orange Yard, near Tottenham Court Road, is one such place, that most people walk straight past.
The buildings in Soho add to it too, some of the best colour is just part of the streets themselves.
Beak Street, Wardour Street, and the side roads in between are scattered with old shopfronts, tiled corners, and painted facades that shift with the light.
If you’re onto hidden gems all around London, here’s further reading with spots I’ve come to know over the years: