The area, then called Soho Fields, was an obvious location for the wealthy to build their property, being within easy reach of the royal palaces of Westminster, Whitehall and St James's.

Georges Gaudin established a restaurant in 1896 at the bottom end of Greek Street, called Le Bienvenue.

When in 1927 he moved to larger premises at 48 Greek Street,[2] his customers implored him to rename his restaurant L'Escargot after his most popular dish.

A plaster bust of Gaudin riding a snail, with the motto "slow but sure", remains to this day on display outside the restaurant.

In February 2014, L'Escargot was acquired by Brian Clivaz[3][4] (of The Arts Club, Home House and Langan's Brasserie), Laurence Isaacson and a group of their friends.