Frith Street's New Openings Spring Roundup: Fresh Faces in Soho's Food Scene
Frith Street pulses with fresh culinary blood this spring, as a wave of ambitious openings transforms one of Soho's most storied thoroughfares into an even more magnetic dining destination. The neon-lit stretch between Old Compton Street and Soho Square has welcomed an eclectic mix of venues that capture the neighbourhood's restless creative spirit.
The Night Owls
Midnight Ramen Co. has claimed the basement space formerly occupied by a forgotten members' club, turning the subterranean den into a late-night haven for proper tonkotsu and natural wine. Open until 2am Thursday through Saturday, this intimate 28-seater draws the after-hours crowd from nearby Ronnie Scott's and the theatre district. Chef Yuki Tanaka, formerly of Koya Bar, crafts broths that simmer for 24 hours, resulting in bowls that justify the inevitable queue down the narrow stairs. Expect to pay £14-18 per bowl, with no bookings taken after 11pm. The sake selection runs deep, curated by sommelier Sarah Chen who previously worked at Zuma.
Just doors down, The Vinyl Room occupies the corner plot where Frith meets Bateman Street. This record shop-cum-wine bar hybrid opens at 4pm and doesn't close until the last customer leaves, typically well past midnight. Owner Marcus Rivera, a former A&R scout, has filled the space with rare pressings and natural bottles that pair surprisingly well. The food menu centres on sharing plates designed by Anna Tobias alumna Chef Helena Park. Her Jerusalem artichoke crisps with aged Comté have already become legendary among Soho's night people. Budget £8-15 for small plates, with wines starting at £6 per glass.
The Experimenters
Ferment represents the most ambitious opening on the strip, taking over the three-storey Georgian townhouse previously home to a private dining club. Chef-owner David Kim, who cut his teeth at The Clove Club, has created a fermentation-focused tasting menu that changes with the lunar calendar. The ground floor hosts walk-in counter dining, while upstairs requires bookings made exactly 30 days in advance via their cryptic website that updates only at midnight. The 12-course menu costs £95, with an optional fermentation flight for an additional £45. Tuesday and Wednesday offer a more accessible 6-course option at £55.
The experimental thread continues at Plant Memory, a vegan fine dining spot that's already earning whispers of Michelin attention. Chef Rosa Martinez, formerly of Gauthier Soho, works exclusively with heritage vegetables sourced from a network of small farms within 50 miles of London. Her signature dish reconstructs the flavours of beef Wellington using beetroot aged in hay for six months. Book at least two weeks ahead for dinner service, though lunch slots (£35 for four courses) remain easier to secure.
The Comfort Seekers
Not every new arrival aims to reinvent the wheel. Maman's Kitchen brings authentic Levantine home cooking to a cosy 40-cover space with windows overlooking the constant theatre of Frith Street. Chef-owner Layla Hassan serves the kind of food that makes homesick Middle Eastern creatives weep with joy. Her lamb shoulder, slow-cooked with pomegranate molasses and served family-style, feeds four generously for £60. Open from Tuesday to Sunday, with the best atmosphere emerging after 8pm when the space fills with smoke from the open charcoal grill. No reservations for parties under four.
The Frith Street Bakery anchors the morning scene, opening at 6am to serve the neighbourhood's early risers and late-shift workers heading home. Baker Tom Fletcher, previously at E5 Bakehouse, produces sourdough that sells out by noon and pastries that bridge French technique with Middle Eastern flavours. His cardamom-rose croissants have already inspired Instagram obsession, while the lunch sandwiches on house-baked focaccia rarely disappoint. Everything's priced fairly, with coffee and pastry combos under £6.
The Insider's Guide
Timing matters on Frith Street. The early evening window between 6pm and 7:30pm offers the best chance of snagging walk-in spots at the busier venues. Late-night dining thrives here, with several kitchens serving full menus past 11pm to accommodate Soho's nocturnal rhythms.
For the full Frith Street crawl, start with afternoon wine at The Vinyl Room, move to dinner at Plant Memory or Maman's Kitchen, then finish with late ramen at Midnight Ramen Co. The street's compact geography makes venue-hopping effortless, and the creative energy flowing between these new spaces captures exactly why Soho remains London's most intoxicating neighbourhood for food adventurers.
