Karan Gokani is the Co-Founder of the acclaimed Hoppers London restaurant group, known for popularizing Sri Lankan and South Indian cuisine in the UK. He is also the author of 'Indian 101' and 'Hoppers: The...
Hoppers London Soho is the original branch of the popular Hoppers group, inspired by Sri Lanka's village toddy shops. It's known for its vibrant and cozy atmosphere, offering authentic Sri Lankan and South Indian cuisine in the heart of London's Soho.
Customers consistently praise the delicious, authentic, and flavorful (often spicy) food, highlighting dishes like the Black Pork Curry and Chilli Cheese Dosa. Service is frequently described as excellent, friendly, and attentive, even on busy nights. The ambiance is noted as vibrant, lively, and cozy, making it suitable for both casual visits and nights out with friends. Portions are considered generous, and the cocktails are highly rated.
Additional Details
Hoppers Soho is the first location of the Hoppers London restaurant group, which has since expanded to other areas like Marylebone and King's Cross. The menu is complemented by a tropical drinks list, including arrack, a traditional Sri Lankan spirit.
Vegetarian options availableVegan options available
Best Times to Visit
The restaurant maintains a lively atmosphere, even on busy nights like Fridays, suggesting it's a good spot for an energetic dinner. It's suitable for casual evenings or nights out with friends.
Awards & Recognition
Michelin Bib Gourmand • 2016
5
Fantastic restaurant serving Sri Lankan themed food! The meal we ate at Hoppers Soho was delicious. I started with the Chilli Garlic Brocoli, which I would have happily had as a main course as it was very tasty. For a main course, I opted for the Kerala Fish Kari, and again, the flavours were amazing. We also shared a variety of sides and some rotis. The portion sizes are perfect, and coupled with the sides, made for a fantastic and tasty food experience - I would definitely recommend Hoppers Soho if you are looking for great food, and the staff are also very friendly and helpful with menu recommendations!
We walked in for dinner on a Friday night as a party of two, and had a fantastic experience. Even though we didn’t have a reservation, we were seated quickly and the service throughout the evening was excellent.
The food was absolutely delicious—packed with Sri Lankan and South Indian flavours. We ordered the Bone Marrow Varuval with roti, the Jaggery Lamb, the Black Pork Curry, and an Egg Hopper, and every dish was delicious. The flavours were rich, well-balanced, and satisfying. Their house wine and cocktails were good too.
The food arrived quickly and the staff were polite, attentive, and very welcoming. The ambience was vibrant.
Absolutely loved our experience of Sri Lankan cuisine at Hoppers Soho.
Really good service. Everything was explained and we decided to have the set menu so that we could try a bit of everything. The portions are generous but deceiving because they look like small plates but everything packed a punch and before you knew it, you wondered if you had enough room to eat after the starters! My favourite was the chickpea salad. WOW! I expected a bit more from the mutton roll but it was pleasant enough. The hoppers and dosa was nice. I’m not a pancake texture or taste kind of person so I could leave both of them if I’m honest. The rice that was served with coconut shavings was tasty. The passion fruit soda looked and tasted delicious. The coconut lassi was another favourite on the drinks menu. Even though it was Valentines night, the atmosphere was cosy and friendly and not full of couples. The staff presented a cake and card for the birthday guest which was a lovely surprise for her which was appreciated.
I loved Hoppers. I highly recommend everyone to try their Chilli cheese dosa (don’t forget to order chutney with it) and Chettinad Chicken Chukka.
The experience was better than what i expected.
I am not fan of their chicken biriyani but I really loved the rest of what I ordered .
Definitely visiting again as I couldn’t try their Prawn Kari Dosa which is starting as special tomorrow.
The Hoppers Soho is a small venue. We sat in a somewhat tight spot, like a bar counter, but it was still cozy and welcoming. Despite being small, the atmosphere was lively and friendly — you could feel the energy without it being uncomfortable or crowded.
The cocktails were excellent, creative, and well-balanced, adding a special touch to the evening.
The food was tasty, authentic, and full of flavors, although personally, I found it quite spicy. However, this level of spice is part of the experience, and for those who enjoy bold flavors, it’s definitely a plus.
Overall, Hoppers combines good energy, delicious cocktails, and interesting food, making it perfect for a night out with friends or a casual evening in Soho. Definitely worth a visit if you’re in London.
