Last Updated on August 22, 2026
Chic Soho Dining Over Fire
4.2 out of 5.0 starsFirebird is an open-fire Mediterranean restaurant and wine bar on Poland Street. It’s very close to Oxford Street, generally considered the less-cool end of Soho, but believe me, the female-run Firebird Restaurant is remarkably hip.
Firebird was opened by Anna Dolgushina and Madina Kazhimova in June 2022, and Anna Dolgushina says, “Firebird has always been about honest food, honest wine, and a room that feels alive, without pretence.”
I’m often in Soho, whether it’s for a show, a bit of shopping or to meet friends, and I love it when I stumble across somewhere that feels a little bit special. Firebird restaurant is one of those places. Judging by the packed dining room on a Wednesday evening, with just 45 covers, it’s clearly popular, so I’d recommend booking ahead.
We arrived a little early for our reservation, so we happily settled at one of the outdoor tables while we waited for our table to be ready. It gave us the perfect excuse to browse the cocktail menu. I opted for the Vetiver Margarita, where tequila and mezcal gave it a lovely smoky depth, while the vetiver and ancho verde added a subtle sweetness with a gentle chilli kick.
My companion chose the Tomato Dirty Martini, which had the wow-factor, looks-wise, with a whole tomato at its base. The bartender explained that the tomatoes are first pickled in brine, then peeled and blended with basil vodka and vermouth. The result was a savoury, complex cocktail, with the tomato flavour becoming more pronounced with every sip.
Inside, Firebird restaurant is stylish and intimate, with stripped-back plaster walls, exposed brick and wooden beams. At the front, a long zinc-topped bar leads through to the heart of the restaurant: a custom-made open-fire grill with counter seating, where diners can watch the chefs at work.
Beyond this, the dining room opens out into a mix of wooden, zinc and marble-topped tables, all set against a walnut herringbone floor. One wall is entirely lit by candlelight, giving the space a warm and relaxed feel.
Head Chef Ben Munslow’s menu focuses on dishes made with seasonal produce, with everything sourced from local and regional suppliers. We began with the sourdough potato focaccia, which had a beautifully crisp, salty crust and a light, fluffy centre.
Dipped into a pink cloud of whipped cod’s and trout roe, with crunchy radishes on the side, it was divine. It’s the sort of dish I could happily pop into Firebird restaurant for with a glass of wine.
Talking of wine, the regularly changing list, curated by Anna Dolgushina, co-founder of Firebird Restaurant and sommelier, is concise but well chosen, with a strong focus on natural and biodynamic producers from across Europe.
I opted for a glass of Château Sainte Anne Bandol Rosé 2024, made by the Dutheil de la Rochère family. A beautiful deep pink, it was fresh and dry, with notes of red berries and pomegranate. My companion chose the Nuvo Nivo Côtes du Rhône Rouge, produced by Rhône winemaker Elodie Jaume in collaboration with UK importer Modal Wines. It’s made using high-quality biodynamically grown grapes that might otherwise go to waste; the result is a fresh, medium-bodied red with ripe berry flavours.
For starters, we shared the tuna tartare and the glazed pork belly. The bowl of tuna came in small chunks, topped with a cured egg yolk, which we had the pleasure of stirring in, adding rich creaminess. A touch of ponzu gave the dish freshness and a savoury citrus note.
The pork belly was surprisingly meaty and almost fat-free, yet wonderfully crisp and tender. The date molasses gave the outside a sweet, caramelised glaze, while a crisp salad of fenugreek and radicchio added a refreshing crunch.
Choosing a main wasn’t easy. There was half a Creedy roast duck to share, ikejime sea bass, poached chicken with peas and Florence onion consommé. At the same time, vegetarians could opt for portobello and oyster mushrooms with egg yolk and Parmesan.
Wanting to try something straight from the grill, we settled on the 800g bone-in dry-aged sirloin to share. It arrived on the bone, perfectly pink in the middle, exactly how I’d hope a medium steak would be cooked. Charred on the outside and already sliced for sharing, it was served with a rich Marsala jus. I really enjoyed the sauce, although my companion thought the steak was good enough without it.
The barattiere cucumber salad with verjus and finely grated Pecorino was a standout, so fresh and clean that we even tried to recreate it at home the next day. The broccoli with seaweed and tahini, however, wasn’t quite as successful; for us, the combination of flavours just didn’t quite come together.
With pudding cocktails sitting alongside the desserts on the menu, we couldn’t resist. The apricot sorbet, served with preserved apricots and pacharán, was fresh and light, a good palate cleanser. In contrast, the raspberry ganache, topped with whipped Chantilly and cherries, was just the right level of indulgent.
The cocktails were excellent too. The baked banana old fashioned was like sipping an alcoholic banana cake, while the Cariello espresso martini had an intense coffee aroma and was finished with a dusting of cinnamon. It was a delicious end to the meal.
Firebird Restaurant is one of those Soho haunts I’ll happily recommend to friends. Whether it’s after-work drinks, a date night or dinner with friends, it works brilliantly. I’ve added it to my list of great places to eat in Soho, and I’d encourage you to add it to yours.
Firebird Restaurant & Wine Bar
29 Poland Street
Soho
London W1F 8QR
Tel: 07713 737813
Leave a Reply