Last Updated on June 16, 2025
Discover Nessa Restaurant and Bar Soho – British Cuisine with a Bohemian Twist
4.0 out of 5.0 stars
Soho’s magnetic allure is impossible to ignore – alive with creativity, history, and a hint of bohemian mischief. Nestled right at the bustling corner of Brewer, Glasshouse, and Warwick Streets, Nessa Restaurant and Bar captures that very spirit. Inspired by Soho’s rich artistic heritage (think Vanessa Bell and the Bohemian creatives who once roamed these streets), Nessa (our restaurant of the month when it first opened in 2023) serves up a vibrant, informal modern British menu, seasonal and flame-cooked, with ingredients sourced from this country and from just across the Channel.
With its bar licensed late into the night, it’s already become a Soho hotspot for classic drinks, inventive cocktails, and those wonderfully unpredictable gatherings where art and music collide. Naturally, invited to check it out, I was keen to see if it lived up to the buzz.
Housed on the ground floor of the 1 Warwick members’ club, inside a beautifully restored 1910 neo-Baroque building, Nessa feels like a stylish nod to Soho’s colourful past. Designed by boutique firm Fettle, the space effortlessly blends sophistication with a relaxed vibe.
We dined on a low table in the bar area – a sleek olive-green bar lined with matching leather stools, with soft old-pink velvet sofas, marble bistro tables, and slow-slung upholstered chairs. Wood parquet floors and art deco lighting add a timeless touch, and a funky groove soundtrack spinning London’s retro vibe pulls it all together into a space that feels effortlessly inviting. Alternatively, the restaurant offers a glimpse into the open kitchen, adding a lively, behind-the-scenes buzz to the experience.
There’s also the irresistible lure of the £1 Oyster Hour – weekdays from 5 to 6 pm, when freshly shucked Jersey Rock oysters are yours for a pound a piece. We just made it in time (by the skin of our teeth), and thank goodness we did. Each oyster was a sweet, juicy delight, elevated even further by their Signature Boho Negroni, a gloriously golden twist on the classic, made with Ramsbury gin, nectarine, Mancino Ambrato, Luxardo Bianca, and a hit of saffron.
My companion opted for the Everlong – one of those fabulous, grown-up cocktails that knows exactly what it’s doing. A fragrant mix of Italicus, King’s Ginger, Mancino Ambrato, plum, and elderflower soda, it delivered a summery, bittersweet freshness with just enough of a kick. Think botanicals galore, with bergamot singing lead.
Although technically we’d already had our starters (oysters do count, don’t they?), Executive Chef Tom Cenci’s menu, rooted in seasonality and proudly produce-led, had us itching to try more. Cenci celebrates British ingredients with a dash of flair, and it shows. From the starters, we shared the Salmon Crudo: generous chunks of fresh salmon, dotted with capers and parsley, crowned with trout caviar and served alongside crisp slivers of toasted English muffin. Light, elegant, and full of zing.
Then came the Cheese and Onion Croquettes – golden, crisp little mouthfuls of cheesy gorgeousness, sitting in a pool of gently sharp grape-husk mustard mayo. They didn’t last long.
We also ordered the rolled oats soda bread – hearty, and just the right side of rustic. It came with a cloud of light, whipped cultured butter that we slathered on without hesitation. Simple, yes, but completely irresistible.
To sip alongside, we shared a bottle of Folli & Benato Gavi del Comune di Gavi 2023 – a bright, elegant white with notes of white flowers, green apple, citrus zest, and a gentle mineral finish. Fresh, zippy, and wonderfully food-friendly, it paired beautifully with everything without ever stealing the show.
The mains offered something for everyone – from the hot plates, to the flame-licked dishes from the ‘Over the Coals’ section of the menu, and plenty of crowd-pleasers in between. But we were both firmly in a fishy mood, and happily, we chose well. My chargrilled sea bream arrived perfectly cooked, its crisp skin giving way to tender flesh, served with fine beans, brown shrimp, and a luscious peppercorn sauce that tied it all together sublimely.
Across the table, my companion tucked into the poached Cornish cod – a delicate plate with parsley root purée, wilted greens, and a hazelnut crumb for texture and warmth. Clean, clever cooking with just enough flair to keep it interesting. We added a side of fries for good measure – golden, salty, and perfectly crisp, they brought just the right touch of indulgence to round things out.
And pudding… well, we really didn’t need to – but resistance crumbled in the face of such tempting options. The ginger cake, rich and comforting, came caramelised with a generous scoop of milk ice cream melting slowly over the top, properly nostalgic and not to be sniffed at.
Meanwhile, the chocolate mousse was a more elegant affair: silky, dark and decadent, topped with a Biscoff crumb and a whisper of orange and olive oil. Two very different desserts, both thoroughly worth making room for. Washed down with a black Americano – decaf, thankfully, which I always appreciate in a restaurant that understands not everyone wants to be buzzing until 2 am. It was the perfect end to a meal that beautifully balanced comfort with creativity.
I loved the atmosphere at Nessa – the staff were friendly, attentive, and genuinely welcoming. The vibe is relaxed and unpretentious, the kind of place where you can effortlessly drop in for a cocktail and a snack (the bar stays open until 1 am Thursday through Saturday) a light supper or settle in for a hearty, delicious dinner that lasts the night – the kitchen now serves late until 10:15 pm. Soho just got a little more irresistible.
Address: Nessa, 86 Brewer Street, London, W1F 9UB
Opening hours: Monday – Wednesday 8 am – Midnight | Thursday – Saturday 8 am – 1 pm | Sunday 8 am – 6 pm
Group bookings: Nessa can take bookings of up to 20 people.
Phone number: +44 (0)20 7337 7404
