Why Finding a Decent Supermarket in Soho Feels Like a Mission Impossible

Soho is a foodie’s dream. Michelin-starred restaurants, authentic ramen joints, late-night bao buns—you can eat like a king at any hour of the day. But what if you just want to do a normal grocery shop?

That’s when you realise Soho wasn’t built for people who cook at home. Finding a decent, reasonably priced supermarket is like a treasure hunt where the prize is a £6 bag of spinach.

Here’s why living in Soho means you’ll probably end up eating out more than you planned.

1. Your ‘Local Supermarket’ Is Probably a Tesco Express the Size of a Cupboard

📍 Reality Check: It has the essentials… but not much else.

If you live in Soho, your closest ‘supermarket’ is probably a Tesco Express, Sainsbury’s Local, or M&S Food crammed into a tiny space. Expect long queues, overpriced ready meals, and staff who have seen things they’ll never talk about.

💡 What locals say:
✔ “The Tesco Express on Dean Street? It’s basically a survival shop.”
✔ “You’ll find wine, crisps, and sandwiches. Need actual ingredients? Good luck.”
✔ “Once, I went looking for eggs. They were out of stock. I left with hummus and regret.”

🚶 Pro tip: If you want a full-sized supermarket, be prepared to walk—the nearest big ones are Sainsbury’s in Covent Garden or Waitrose in Fitzrovia.

2. The Prices Are Straight-Up Offensive

📍 Reality Check: You’re paying restaurant prices for groceries.

Since Soho is mostly independent delis, organic markets, and premium food halls, expect to pay ridiculous prices for basic items.

💡 What locals say:
✔ “I bought a loaf of sourdough for £7. I’m too ashamed to talk about it.”
✔ “A small pot of pesto cost me £5.50. It wasn’t even fancy.”
✔ “There are great cheese shops. Shame I can’t afford anything in them.”

🚶 Pro tip: If you want normal prices, head to Lidl in Tottenham Court Road or Aldi in Camden.

3. If You Want Fresh Produce, You’re Stuck With Fancy Markets

📍 Reality Check: Great quality, painful prices.

Soho has some amazing markets and independent grocers. The catch? You’ll need a mortgage for your weekly shop.

💡 What locals say:
✔ “Berwick Street Market is great… until you realise you just spent £20 on fruit.”
✔ “I tried to buy avocados from an independent grocer. I could have bought a meal out for the same price.”
✔ “At this point, I just accept that Tesco’s salad bags will have to do.”

🚶 Pro tip: If you want fresh produce without paying Mayfair prices, try Chapel Street Market in Angel—a quick bus ride away and much cheaper.

4. Cooking at Home? Only If You Have the Patience

📍 Reality Check: Your kitchen is probably the size of a phone booth.

Even if you somehow manage to find affordable groceries, the next challenge is actually cooking in your tiny Soho flat. Most kitchens here are small, impractical, and definitely not made for serious cooking.

💡 What locals say:
✔ “My kitchen is so small, I can touch the fridge and the stove at the same time.”
✔ “I tried baking once. My entire flat smelled like burnt cookies for three days.”
✔ “If I cook at home, it’s out of principle, not because it’s easier.”

🚶 Pro tip: If you actually want to cook often, get an Airbnb-style flat before renting to check kitchen size.

5. Eating Out Is Just… Easier

📍 Reality Check: Soho has some of the best food in London.

With so many amazing restaurants and takeaways, why bother cooking at all? If you’ve lived in Soho long enough, you’ll realise it’s just easier to grab food from one of the 500+ restaurants around you.

💡 What locals say:
✔ “Supermarkets stress me out. I just go to Chinatown for dumplings.”
✔ “By the time I’ve found ingredients and cooked, I could have had ramen and been back home.”
✔ “I do ‘grocery shopping’ at Itsu and Pret.”

🚶 Pro tip: Budget for eating out. Even if you don’t plan to, you will end up doing it.

Final Thoughts: Can You Grocery Shop in Soho? Technically, Yes.

✔ Pros: You have access to amazing markets, specialty food shops, and organic produce.
✖ Cons: Supermarkets are tiny, expensive, and you’ll probably end up eating out instead.

If you love fresh food and don’t mind the prices, Soho is a great place to live. But if you just want to grab a normal, affordable weekly shop, you’re going to struggle.

📍 Find more brutally honest London guides at FindInLondon.