Why We Love This London Neighbourhood At Christmas

We always enjoy time spent in Soho & Carnaby Street, but the festive season is when the neighbourhood comes into its own. This year, its beautiful Christmas decorations have transformed the area into a winter wonderland. As you walk through Carnaby Street you’ll be greeted by twinkling lights illuminating striking golden sculptures. The display is more sustainable than ever this year: it features over 60,000 energy-efficient LEDs and will evolve over the next five Christmas seasons.  

Sitting below the golden glow, the street is lined with Christmas trees adorned in metallic baubles, while Kingly Court balconies are decorated with cascading curtains of lights. From bespoke window displays to traditional decorations, you’ll spot other festive décor around the neighbourhood, making it one of the most Instagrammable places in London. Other areas in Soho have embraced the festive spirit with beautiful installations, including St Anne's Church tree, which shines brightly. 

Soho & Carnaby Street are home to some of London's best dining spots – including some of the SL team’s favourite restaurants – making it the perfect destination for food lovers this festive season. Whether you're looking for a casual option or something smarter, the area has endless spots to choose from. If you’re overwhelmed by the choice, you can’t go wrong with Kiln on Brewer Street, which serves spicy, authentic Thai food. All cooked on hot coals beneath tao pots and grills, it's the type of food you couldn’t make at home. A seat near the open kitchen is the place to be, as you watch the chefs create the likes of pounded hake with Cornish radish; sour curry of mussels with winter squash; and the must-order clay pot-baked glass noodles with Tamworth belly and brown crab meat.

Then there’s BAO on Lexington Street, known for its signature Taiwanese buns stuffed with tender pork belly, fried chicken and other tasty fillings. After a few savoury dishes, save room for something sweet – the fried Horlicks ice-cream is definitely worth trying. 

For a more indulgent experience, head to Bob Bob Ricard with its red and gold gilded interiors. Famous for its ‘Press for Champagne’ button at every table, it offers the perfect excuse to raise a glass to the holiday season. Its nearby sister Bébé Bob is equally fun and festive, though slightly more affordable – think champagne, caviar and crowd-pleasing chicken dishes. For a modern take on Middle Eastern cuisine, the Palomar offers a warm, inviting ambience and dishes packed with flavours, while Rita’s has a buzzy atmosphere and a regularly changing menu of small plates and fun cocktails. 

But no visit to Soho & Carnaby Street would be complete without a stop at Kingly Court, the buzzing three-storey dining destination. This vibrant food hub has an eclectic mix of critically acclaimed restaurants and exciting new concepts, all set within an open-air courtyard. One of the best spots is Donia, which serves inventive Filipino dishes in its smart dining room. You’ve probably already spotted its beautifully presented plates, like crispy meats with flavoursome sauces, on social media. 

Another favourite here is Bar Crispin, a wine bar and restaurant from the team behind Crispin and Bistro Freddie out east. Let the team guide you through a couple of natural and organic wines paired with small plates of beef tartare, burrata and its signature crispy polenta topped with parmesan. Finally, Goldies is not to be missed. Here, everything is cooked over wood-fired ovens and grills – think meat skewers, tiger prawns, charcoaled veg and steak. The Mediterranean-inspired dishes are best served with sharing salads, fries and dips, as well as classic cocktails from the drink menu. Elsewhere, diners can tuck into kebabs at Le Bab and try authentic Indian dishes at Asma Khan’s award-winning Darjeeling Express.