There’s nowhere quite like Kingly Court when it comes to eating out. You’ve got 21 restaurants from all corners of the globe, secret cocktail bars, quick and healthy lunch take-aways and decadent brunch spots; all within the comfort of a vibrant and colourful courtyard in the heart of the West End. Here are some of our favourite places to dine within Kingly Court.
Spread across three floors, Carnaby’s iconic Kingly Court is a one-size-fits-all destination when you’re looking for a place to eat in central London. The top two floors look down onto a central courtyard, where Londoners come together over steaming bowls of ramen, proper Neapolitan pizza or mouth watering burgers. The joy of eating here – whether it’s for a simple yet delicious lunch on a busy day, or a long-awaited meet up with friends – is that everyone can get what they want and still sit together.
More substantial than street food but less restrictive than a sit down dinner inside a restaurant, the central courtyard is heated and protected from the elements in winter, whilst the roof is taken off to allow for sunny alfresco dining in the Summer. There’s also something to suit all price points. Inside the restaurants, you’ll find some of London’s brightest stars on the culinary scene, a melting pot of flavours and up-and-coming chefs bringing new concepts to the stage for the first time.
Dig into some of Kingly Court’s coolest dining destinations:
Starting with the classics, you’ve got Pizza Pilgrims, a much loved spot for proper Neapolitan goodies. One for large groups of friends who need feeding, opt for pizza calzone stuffed with buffalo mozzarella, sun-ripened tomato, and fragrant basil, or order some platters of their famous fried courgette flowers to share.
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Le Bab is another Kingly Court classic, one of the longest-standing spots in the vibrant dining destination, and located indoors on the top floor. Here, everyone’s favourite late-night ‘kebabs’ are given a fine dining make-over, incorporating classical fine dining techniques & global gastronomic influences… without making them too pretentious.
Vegans delight in Club Mexicana, a plant-based Mexican street food concept which has gathered a cult following among veggies and carnivores alike for their guilty pleasures: sizzling vegan al pastor spit, beer battered “Tofish Taco” and the “Cheezeburger Taco” loaded up with vegan meat, red pepper queso and annatto mayo.
Brunch is also a big deal in Kingly Court, the perfect way to start a weekend in Soho before hitting the shops. The Good Egg is the place to do this, with an all-day menu celebrating the flavours of Tel Aviv. For brunch, popular choices include shakshuka, babka French toast, and a whopping salt beef Reuben sandwich.
On Thursdays, Fridays and throughout the weekend, Rum Kitchen welcomes party-goers enjoying a taste of the Caribbean. Aside from a creative cocktail menu, the kitchen menu showcases the vibrant flavours of the West Indies. Think traditional curried mutton and saltfish fritters, as well new creations like swordfish sandwich with a spicy tartare and a crispy pork belly, watermelon and mango salad.
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Also in the drinks department is underground train-station-cum-speakeasy Cahoots. Beyond their creative post-war era cocktails and speakeasy vibe, you’ll find good quality grub inspired by wartime rations. Every Saturday from 1pm, they serve a squiffy picnic of quintessentially British staples too – scones, finger sandwiches, pasties, trifles and more – accompanied by live swing music.
The bustling hub of culinary delights also hosts some of the best international concept restaurants in the West End, acting as an incubator for pop-ups and new ideas. Korean Dinner Party is one such restaurant. Inspired by LA’s Koreatown, expect East-meets-West dishes, kitsch cocktails and Korean hip hop playing into the night.
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Another is Imad’s Syrian Kitchen on the top floor of Kingly Court, which has an especially a compelling backstory behind the founder: a refugee who spent 64 days sleeping on church steps in Calais before arriving in the UK and being granted asylum. Imad Alarnab was a successful chef and restaurateur in Damascus before fleeing the Syrian war, and his Middle Eastern cooking is a tribute to his homeland.
Señor Ceviche is another concept making waves on the culinary scene, serving the fresh and zingy flavours from across Peru in new and creative ways. Cured seafood is at the heart of their offering, but other staples inspired by the 30 different microclimates you’d find in Peru, and the bountiful range of ingredients they provide.
Finally, in recent months, Kingly Court has also undergone something of a revolution in terms of the sustainable restaurant options. The newly opened Marsha is leading the way with their sustainable chicken mission. The restaurant re-imagines what a chicken restaurant can achieve, using free range Yorkshire birds and serving as many parts of the animal as they can in creative and deeply delicious ways.
Check out more ideas for where to eat in Carnaby, including al fresco spots and where to go out for drinks and cocktails afterwards.