May 19, 2025

The French House London

Old school journo den

"The French House has a long-standing reputation as a central pillar in London's historic district of dastardliness and debauchery..."

Some places are just intrinsically cool, years of history building the spot you see in front of you today. The French House in London's Soho is one such place. With a long, proud history as the haunt of literary and media types, The French House has a long-standing reputation as a central pillar in London's historic district of dastardliness and debauchery.

Its iconic blue frontage with huge French Tricolour and Union Jack blowing in the breeze is as much a part of the Soho landscape as neon signs and sex shops, but what makes this place so special is its beautifully maintained atmosphere ties you to those who have passed through before.

Upstairs a Michelin Guide-listed restaurant sells appealing French fare in a small room, but wine by the glass is the true currency here, with its unique history part of the district's rich tapestry from years of journalists pouring off Fleet Street to chew the fat on the latest happenings in the world of news.

This bohemian bar is both a classy and raucous spot, where good taste in both art and wine is vital but stuffy manners are chucked into one of the well-used cigarette bins out front. If its wine-soaked tables could talk, they'd tell of the endless nights of laughter, rosy cheeks and steamed-up windows that the French House is almost a synonym of for those in the know.

Amsterdam
Antwerp
002-building
Art & culture
002-building
Art & culture
002-building
Art & culture

About this spot

49 Dean St

Wine glass:

£

6

02074372477

Find your way with 222 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our London guide.

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in London

Italo Delicatessen

Quiet oasis in noisy Vauxhall

The people of Bonnington Square really know how to foster a vibe with leafy exotic plants spraying scattered shadows as you sit and eat...

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Harry

Thompson

Jul 1, 2025

Di Lieto

A true Neopolitan family deli

From focaccia to pasta, coffee to cake, this one-stop shop is as much a place to buy your brew and bread as it is to have a lunchtime bite of pasta...

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Harry

Thompson

Jul 1, 2025

The Black Dog

Park pub perfection

Of all the reasons why you have to check out this idyllic boozer, perhaps the most important is that this is the home of the finest scotch egg in London.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Harry

Thompson

Jul 1, 2025

Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens

Vauxhall's chill space

Birds sing while trains rumble along atop the parallel railway arches, old men play boule in the shade and planes skim overhead on approach to Heathrow.

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Harry

Thompson

Jul 1, 2025

The Dog House

Footy, friends and feels

From the run-down chic aesthetic to the strong beer selection and excellent pub garden, there are no chinks in the Dog House's armour...

028-beach-bar-1
Bars

by

Harry

Thompson

Jul 1, 2025

The Prince of Wales

Boule and birdsong, anyone?

Inside, the bar is a welcoming, tightly-packed vibe with old-fashioned, old-world decor with gorgeous bare wood surfaces & countless pictures on the walls.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars

by

Harry

Thompson

Jul 1, 2025

The Crown & Cushion

Made like they used to

The unassuming, retro signage outside amidst the noise & din of Waterloo might pull you in, but what makes you stay is the genuine town tavern feel inside.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars

by

Harry

Thompson

Jul 1, 2025

Pierre Victoire

French fare at a fair price

With a rustic French feel, Pierre offers dishes with rich red-wine sauces and tasty meats from much of the spectrum of the French culinary roster.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Harry

Thompson

Jul 1, 2025

The Toucan

Soho's Guinness godfather

With old-fashioned vintage Guinness branding adoring just about every surface, this is the ideal spot to take a moment and enjoy a perfectly-poured pint.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars

by

Harry

Thompson

Jul 1, 2025

Dalston Eastern Curve Garden

A tiny urban jungle

Built back in 2010 on the site of a disused railway line, it’s a local secret: a quiet, forest-like space to retreat to when city life becomes overwhelming.

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Madeline

Gowers

Jun 29, 2025

Sutton House

Hackney’s hidden Tudor gem

Inside, the rooms have distinctly different decorative styles. This is to give an idea of how the house would have looked at each stage in its history.

002-building
Art & culture

by

Madeline

Gowers

Jun 29, 2025

Geranium

The Barbican Centre’s best kept secret

Shelves run all around the edge of the shop, piled high with upmarket store cupboard essentials in addition to handmade soaps and eco-friendly products.

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Madeline

Gowers

Jun 29, 2025

Heading to London?

222 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

Heading to London?

0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

222 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

App Download Download our app

City guides by those who know the city in and out!

Our Locals' Favorite Bars

Our team loves London

Get to know our other Spotters from London

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
false
0
false
19
Filters