Cafe Boheme

You'll find yourself on Old Compton Street in the heart of Soho, pushing through the door of what's essentially a time capsule. The décor—vintage mirrors, red velvet banquettes, art nouveau touches—hasn't changed much in decades, and that's precisely why it works. It's the kind of place where you might spot someone reading Le Monde over coffee at the bar, or groups lingering over wine well into the evening. The menu sticks to Gallic comfort: croque monsieurs, moules marinières, steak frites—nothing revolutionary, but executed with the kind of confidence that comes from doing it properly for years. Service is French in the best way: efficient, knowing, sometimes brusque. Prices won't break the bank for central London either.