London's Diverse Cuisine: Soho Food Tour

Visiting London? Between (mostly free) museums, bars, pop-ups, markets, and more, there’s always something going on in the English capital. But one of London’s best offerings is its restaurants. There are almost too many good places to try, especially if you’re on a short trip. That’s why we love food tours – they showcase some of the city’s best bites, taking out the guesswork for visitors. 

London is proudly diverse, with over 63% of residents identifying with an ethnic minority. This not only cultivates an inclusive, supportive community but also incredible restaurants. The melting pot of cultures and ethnicities truly makes London one of the most exciting food cities in the world. 

Discover London’s food scene beyond fish and chips and take a bite of history, culture, and top-notch dishes with Eating Europe. Their commitment to platforming independent eateries as well as ensuring visitors have a great time results in a well-rounded, food-and-history walking tour. 

Soho Food Tour: A Gateway to London’s Underground Culture

After recently going along to one of Eating Europe’s Twilight Soho Food and Drinks tours,  we gained a refreshed appreciation for the (already much-loved) city that we live in. With a combination of delicious dishes, the celebration of Soho’s history, and the bolstering of London’s diversity, the tour is a concentrated snapshot of what makes London such a great city. 

Most food tours are during the day, and we liked that Eating Europe offer something a bit different. Enjoy cocktails with your dishes, and explore Soho at its best: when the sun goes down. With neon lights coming into focus and people bustling around, no matter what day of the week, visitors get a sense of London nights. It’s also a great evening activity for solo travellers. 

Eating Europe: Twilight Soho Food and Drinks Tour

The Food

We’re not gonna' give away all of their secrets, and even as London dwellers, some of these spots were secret to us, too. But the food is what people take the tour for, and Eating Europe makes sure to hit the best spots. The tour showcases a range of cuisines, from Mexican to Burmese, so you can dispel any rumours of the food in England being bland. And we got a cocktail at 4 stops which paired delightfully with our dishes. There are 5 stops in total, including a super-chocolatey dessert, which was the perfect way to round off the evening. That was followed by respective food comas, chatting about which was our favourite bite. 

The History

London is one of the oldest cities in the world, and this small corner is packed with history. Soho has long been a hub of nightlife with a historical underground queer scene, it was at the forefront of pornography distribution and sex work in the Victorian era, had a foot in the sexual liberation of the 60s and 70s, and so much more. Attaching anecdotes to places helps us to understand its significance, and we found it weaved in seamlessly with the route. Plus, it was super interesting to learn about Soho’s scandalous past and how it’s shaped the area.

The Guide

Eating Europe work with knowledgeable, enthusiastic guides who are keen for visitors to enjoy the tour, and London as a whole. This easygoing enthusiasm underpinned the tour – our friendly guide, Niall, was full of tips and advice on making the most out of a trip to London. He knew the area like the back of his hand and shared his own favourite spots with us, genuinely passionate about Soho's food scene and its history. We left as informed as we did full.

The Logistics 

Our guide ensured the tour ran smoothly, finding a breezy balance of timeliness that didn’t tip into rigidity. We met on time at the meeting location – our guide was there early – and began the tour promptly. The Twilight Soho tour permits a maximum of 10 guests, so the groups are kept quite intimate, meaning you can ask your guide questions easily while getting to know other travellers.

The whole tour lasted around 3.5 hours. There is quite a bit of walking, and some locations are accessed via stairs, so we don’t think this is an accessible activity. Additionally, the Twilight Soho tour is not suitable for children, but Eating Europe offer three other family-friendly tours.

London Food Tours with Eating Europe

Food tours are a fab way of exploring a part of a city that you might not have considered, as well as unassuming food spots. Eating Europe’s London tours show off the city’s unsung heroes and most famous bites for an interesting mix. Explore the diverse East End on the Brick Lane, Shoreditch & Spitalfields Tour, taste ultimate British classics and dip your toe in pub culture on The Heart of the City Tour, and try viral sensations and streetfood saviours on the Borough Market & Bankside Tour. They also offer tours further afield, in Rome, Madrid, Lisbon, Berlin, Athens, and many more.

Fancy seeing Eating Europe’s Twilight Soho Food and Drinks Tour in action? Check out our TiKTok here.