Informal but plush, satisfying but not overwhelming, always busy but never rushed, Hoppers is a restaurant with a family-friendly feel that would also be a good shout for a date. The menu is inspired by Sri Lanka and the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu, with an emphasis on small plates, steaming bowls of curry and the venue’s trademark hoppers – featherlight pancakes precision-engineered for soaking up all manner of spicy, flavoursome treats. The place is a certified crowd-pleaser, so it’s no surprise that you’re well-advised to book ahead. This Soho branch was so successful that there are now Hoppers in the similarly trendy King’s Cross and the much bougier Marylebone, proving they can do cool and upmarket. Find yourself a restaurant that does both.
Order this
The jackfruit kari is one of Hoppers’ greatest hits: vegan, richly spiced and light enough to leave room for the chocolate biskut pudding.
What’s nearby?
You’re a few minutes’ walk from Soho Square – ideal for a lie down on a sunny day if it’s been a heavy lunch.
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