The Best Things to Do in Soho

There’s a lot going on in Soho: the Central London core is packed with things to do for both tourists and locals alike. You have iconic shopping spots such as Carnaby Street, famous for the swinging sixties movement; historic LGBTQ+ clubs and bars that continue to draw a rainbow crowd of revellers; and many a stage to showcase the arts, whether that’s theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue or a comedy night at the SoHo Playhouse. Foodies: this is where some of your favourite restaurants were birthed (including Mildred’s, Bao and Tonkotsu) and of course, where the best fish & chips in Central London resides. Hungry for fun times? Here’s what to do in Soho. 

1. Try the West End’s best first and chips on Old Compton Street 

    You won’t find a better chippie than Poppies (we’re not biased at all!), and our Old Compton Street restaurant is just the spot to bite into a crunchy golden catch of the day and a generous helping of chunky chips. The restaurant is full of East End charm, decked out in 70s retro style with screen sirens and Soho moments, and we’ve got jellied eels, mushy peas, and sticky toffee pudding to fuel a Soho night just right. 

    2. Get the swinging sixties look on Carnaby Street 

      One of the most famous shopping streets in the capital, Carnaby Street was where the swinging sixties movement began. Back then, rockers from The Beatles to The Kinks to The Rolling Stones (and many more!) not only hung out here but got their iconic looks from Carnaby’s independent fashion retailers. Today, shoppers can browse a range of department stores, brands, and boutiques, creating looks just like the stars of the sixties once did.  

      3. Watch some live jazz at Ronnie Scott’s 

        This world-famous jazz club was founded in 1959, and has hosted the who’s who of jazz and beyond. Names such as Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone and Miles Davis have all graced Ronnie’s stage, and today you can witness future legends in this intimate and beautifully outfitted Soho venue. 

        4. Join London’s most inclusive party at Friendly Society 

          London’s LGBTQ+ community is one of Europe’s largest, and being so fabulous, Soho is naturally the mecca. The streets dotted around Old Compton Street are packed with bars that welcome the whole spectrum of queer and their allies, and our favourite is Friendly Society. Since 1999, the underground venue has brought good times in good company, with a little disco ball and tropical cocktail magic. A guaranteed night of fun and frolics. 

          5. Visit an underground tube speakeasy at Cahoots 

            Did you know you can legally drink alcohol on the London Underground? Well, at least in Cahoots you can. The Soho speakeasy is situated within a forgotten Kingly Court tube station, transformed into a forties cocktail bar with ticket hall, platforms and a life-sized train carriage to knock back a Winston Churchill themed gin concoction in. The best place for an immersive sip. 

            Soho continues to captivate us – it’s a must-visit destination for the shoppers, partygoers, and foodies. 

            Get booked in!

            Be sure to book a table at Poppies Fish & Chips for your next Soho visit to truly immerse yourself in an authentic and comforting London culinary experience.

            Book a table

            VE Day 80 Celebrations with ‘The Not Forgotten’

            Throughout the month of May, all proceeds from the sales of our ‘Fish Bites & Chips’ will go to veterans charity The Not Forgotten to help them provide vital support to veterans and service personnel around the country living with injury, illness, or isolation.

            We are commemorating 80 years since Victory in Europe (VE) Day, remembering all those that gave their all for our freedom and celebrating the role fish and chips played in the war.

            Further to this, on VE Day itself (8th May), Poppies will be selling ‘Fish Bites & Chips’ at the 1945 price of 13p, or for a donation to The Not Forgotten, with the intention of making Britain’s favourite food accessible to all, just as it was during the war.

            Fish & chips keeping morale high

            Throughout World War II, fish and chips were one of the only foods not rationed, a decision made by the Government to keep morale high. This sentiment was confirmed by Prime Minister Winston Churchill who described fish and chips as “the good companions”.

            It wasn’t just at home, fish and chips also played a vital role on the front line, with British troops identifying allies by shouting out ‘fish’ and awaiting the reply ‘chips’ to confirm the presence of other British soldiers.

            We hope this classic British dish will raise spirits and fuel the VE Day celebrations of all those heading to London whilst also raising money that will support veterans across the country. We want all veterans to know they are not forgotten, we truly appreciate their sacrifices and will do whatever we can to ensure their lives are full of community, camaraderie and confidence. 

            The anniversary of VE Day is a poignant moment when our nation turns to remembering the sacrifices made by so many individuals and families during the Second World War. It is almost impossible to imagine the joy and relief they must have felt at the announcement of an end to the conflict. This 80th anniversary holds special significance as it represents the ‘handing over of the baton’ between the Second World War generation, of whom just a special few remain, and those who follow. We are thrilled and hugely grateful that Poppies have chosen to support us as part of their commemorations – every penny raised will help fund our vital programme of events and support for injured and isolated veterans. Support that is needed now more than ever, eight decades on.

            Col. (Retd.) Richard Walker, OBE | Chief Executive | The Not Forgotten

            The details:

            • Poppies ‘Fish Bites & Chips’ cost £6 and are available from all four branches of Poppies as a takeaway.
            • Throughout May all proceeds from sales will be donated to The Not Forgotten. On the 8 May 2025,
            • the cost will be reduced to just 13p as it would have been in 1945.

            Links:

            The ultimate valentine’s day pairing

            This February, two iconic names are coming together to offer an unforgettable Valentine’s Day experience, heroing a traditional British dish and French classic for the most unexpected of pairings. Champagne Lanson, the historic Champagne house founded in 1760, renowned for their freshness and innovative approach to winemaking, is partnering with Poppies Fish and Chips in Soho, a beloved London institution famous for its crispy, golden fish and chips, to bring a unique pairing to celebrate the season of love.

            From the 10th of February, until the end of the month, guests can enjoy a specially curated Valentine’s menu featuring classic fish and chips (cod or haddock) followed by a gelato dessert complemented by a 20cl mini bottle of Lanson Le Black Création Champagne at £35 per person. The perfect choice for those looking for a more lively way to celebrate Valentine’s Day, this delicious experience makes for a fabulously fun alternative.

            Expertly selected for this pairing, Lanson’s iconic Le Black Création is a bold expression of the house’s dedication to both freshness and luxury. This unique cuvée, which blends the richness of Pinot Noir with the finesse of Chardonnay, provides a  beautifully structured profile on the palate The Champagne’s abundant freshness enhances the traditional fare, cutting through the heavenly richness of the crispy batter and succulent fresh fish, creating a marriage of taste that elevates this classic British dish to new heights.

             

             

            The Poppies team commented:

            “Despite our different backgrounds, this partnership brings together two iconic brands that are united in their dedication to excellence with a shared appreciation for quality. We both use precision and skill to craft the best there is. And now you can enjoy our labours of love in a unique marriage throughout the season of love.”

            This limited-time Valentine’s Day menu will be available at Poppies Fish and Chips Soho location, offering individuals, couples and friends a playful twist on the classic fine dining typically associated with the 14th of February.

            BOOK HERE

            Images: Stacie Ma Photography

            Festive Christmas Pud!

            DON’T GO UNTIL YOU GET SOME! POPPIES BRINGS GOOD TIDINGS WITH A NEW FESTIVE PUD IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS

            Ready to taste the best Christmas pudding of your life?! Skate away from tradition and ditch steamed, baked or flambéed pud, and instead enjoy it encased in Poppies’ signature, crispy batter. Think of a warm, rich and moist Christmas pudding with an added layer of crunchy crust that gives way to an explosion of melt-in-the-mouth Christmas flavour. All topped off with a scoop of vanilla gelato. It’s a match made in heaven and all that’s left to wonder is why on earth it’s taken us so long to make it! Every year we help make the season bright by taking a Christmas classic and giving it a Poppies makeover. From glitter chips and battered brussels sprouts to mince pies, Quality Street and Ferrero Rocher. The Poppies team said, “This year we put it to our customers and asked them what Christmas delight they want to see given a touch of Poppies magic. A whopping two thirds (66%) set their hearts on Christmas pudding. So we have answered our customers’ wishes with the first ever Poppies Christmas Pudding, a merry marvellous addition to the menu. The rich flavours of the Christmas pudding are perfectly complemented by the crispy, crunchy Poppies batter. Both British staples come together to make an irresistible and memorable Christmas treat.” To enjoy this unique Christmas special, make your way to Poppies Soho between 16th December – 29th December 2024. Costing £8.95, this festive dessert is served along with a scoop of ice cream and is a guaranteed way to feel jolly this Christmas.

            Halloween

            Get all the gang together and join us this Halloween for a frighteningly good feast! We’ve decorated our restaurants ready for your arrival and swapped our iconic white lab coats for black ones to set the spooky scene and have a bit of fun. Looking forward to seeing you!  

            The Fish & Chip Taco!

            It’s the neighbourhood food fusion you’ve been waiting for. Spitalfields OG Poppies, renowned for its fresh, classic British fish and chips, and new kids on the block Taco Taco, the go-to spot for innovative flavour filled tacos, have teamed up to create the ultimate takeaway treat – the Fish & Chip Taco. 

            Combining the best of both culinary worlds, the Fish & Chip Taco features a crispy, battered cod fillet nestled atop a stack of twice cooked chunky chips on a bed of mushy peas, cocooned in a warm, soft tortilla. Finished with the iconic Poppies parsley sprig and a liberal squeeze of lemon for the ultimate pleasure bite. It’s the marriage of two beloved cuisines and a celebration of lip smacking, hands on, get in my belly greatness.”

            Available to takeaway at Poppies Spitalfields from the 1st – 15th October only. 

            One taco is £4, two tacos for £6. 

            @popsfishnchips / @tacotaco.uk / #thefishandchiptaco 

            Euro’s Final Special

            IT’S COMING HOME! To celebrate England reaching the Euro 24 Cup Final this Sunday, we have an incredible takeaway offer from all of our restaurants. Since England’s last big win was in 1966, we are offering the following takeaway meal bundles for just £19.66. 2 x regular portions of Haddock & Chips – £19.66 OR 2 x Pie & Chips with a drink – £19.66 Take home London’s favourite fish and chips this Sunday while England takes home the Cup! Come on England! Terms & Conditions *The offer is available to takeaway customers this Sunday 14th July only.

            Wimbledon Special

            We’ve added a classic Wimbledon tradition to our dine-in menu for the duration of this iconic tennis competition. All our restaurants are now serving fresh Strawberries & Double Cream until the 14th July. This ‘ace’ dessert is sure to be a hit!  

            National Fish & Chip Day 2024

            National Fish & Chip Day is an annual celebration dedicated to honouring the iconic British dish of fish and chips. It showcases the unique combination of flaky fish, crispy batter, and fluffy chips that have become a culinary symbol of the United Kingdom. This event not only indulges our taste buds but also recognises the heritage and cultural significance of this beloved meal.   National Fish & Chip Day is traditionally celebrated on the first Friday of June each year. This year, it will be observed on June 6th to coincide with the D-Day 80 celebrations. This carefully chosen date ensures that people across the country can come together and enjoy the quintessentially British meal at their favorite fish and chip shops, restaurants, or even from the comfort of their own kitchens.   To take part in this year’s National Fish & Chip Day you could:
            1. Enjoy a Classic Fish & Chip Meal: Visit your local fish and chip shop or restaurant and treat yourself to a scrumptious portion of fish and chips. Whether you prefer cod, haddock, plaice, or another variety, the crispy batter, perfectly cooked fish, and piping hot chips will undoubtedly leave you satisfied.
            2. Organise a Fish & Chip Feast: Gather your friends, family, or colleagues and organise a fish and chip takeaway feast. Whether it’s a picnic in the park, a backyard barbecue, or a casual get-together, the simple joy of sharing a meal of fish and chips is sure to create lasting memories and bring people together.
            3. Support Local Fish & Chip Establishments: Show your support for local fish and chip shops and restaurants by choosing them as your go-to destinations for your fish and chip cravings. Spread the word about your favourite spots and encourage others to support these cherished establishments.
            4. Try Homemade Fish & Chips: If you enjoy cooking, why not try your hand at preparing fish and chips at home? Experiment with different recipes, explore variations in seasoning or accompaniments, and share your culinary creations with friends and family.
            5. Share Your Fish & Chip Experience: Take pictures of your fish and chip meals and share them on social media using the hashtag #FishAndChipDay2024. Describe your experience, recommend your favourite places, and engage in conversations with fellow fish and chip enthusiasts.

            Poppies Portobello is OPEN!

            We’re absolutely thrilled to announce that the doors of Poppies Portobello are now officially open! Come and find us at 152 Portobello Road in the heart of Notting Hill where we’ll be serving up the finest fish and chips to West London! 
             
            Expect to see all the same cosy and nostalgic ambience that you love about our restaurants in Spitalfields, Camden and Soho. We’ve got lots of lovely design features that tell the story of Poppies and our beloved founder, Pat ‘Pop’ Newland as well as special touches that hark back to the building’s former life as a Bank. 
             
            See if you can spot –
            • An exquisite portrait of Pop, painted by esteemed portrait artist Liam Dickinson who you may know from ‘Portrait Artist of the Year’ where he was a finalist in 2017.
            • British heritage paint, vintage milk glass light shades, a replica bank checkerboard floor, wooden panelling and the Bank’s original vault and money shute.
            • Brass fish-shaped door handles, oars and fishing paraphernalia.
            • Our ‘Ketchup corner’ painted in Lick paint’s limited edition RED HTK 57 Ketchup colour, a unique blend of pigments capturing the perfect shade of ketchup red!
             
            And of course, you can also expect to taste our award-winning fish and chips, crafted with fresh British ingredients and Pop’s cherished batter recipe using time-honoured techniques to prepare and cook the food. The result is crispy, golden batter encasing succulent fish so tender it’ll melt in your mouth with chunky hand-cut chips that are fluffy on the inside and irresistibly crispy on the outside.
            What are you waiting for?! Come and join us for a lip smacking, belly filling, classic British meal!