Babaji (Closed Permanently)

A most worthwhile enterprise from restless restaurateur maverick Alan Yau (Wagamama, Busaba Eathai, Hakkasan, Yauatcha, Cha Cha Moon etc), specialising in (very tasty) modern and traditional Turkish food, with a certain pride in their pide (Turkish pizza made with kaşar cheese and combined with various other fillings). There's much to recommend here, from the simple and delicious red lentil soup (with perfectly executed flatbread) to moist and yummy topkapi chicken and refreshing tomato and walnut salad. Weekend brunch from 11am. This casual, comfortable and nicely designed three-floor restaurant is located on the corner of tourist-heaving Shaftesbury and Wardour St. – one of the gateways to Soho. Try for the upstairs, with big windows overlooking the non-stop action outdoors, not to mention a full-on view of the LES MISÉRABLES logo pronouncing the Queen's Theatre across the street. Tube stations: Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square. Closed suddenly September 2018.