We have updated our guide to the best outdoor restaurants in London – read on for a selection of our favourite alfresco dining spots.
London’s Best Outdoor Restaurants
From street-side terraces to river views and gorgeous gardens, read our guide to our favourite outdoor restaurants in London.
Chiltern Firehouse
The courtyard at Chiltern Firehouse is the perfect spot for your glass of rose on a summer evening or for a lingering brunch on a weekend.
Sit back on one of the comfy sofas or black and white wicker chairs and order oysters from the terrace’s dedicated Oyster Cart before settling in for the full menu.
River Café, Hammersmith
Widely regarded as London’s best Italian restaurant with great pedigree in the kitchen that has produced many successful alumni and imitations.
The River Café, with its minimalist, sleek design and light colour scheme that blend effortlessly with the riverside setting, creates an unforgettable dining experience.
The large outdoor terrace makes the River Cafe an excellent ourdoor dining option in West London.
The Garden at The Berkeley
A perfectly timed summer pop-up, The Garden at The Berkeley gives a real taste of the Mediterranean on a quiet side street in Belgravia.
The beautiful space is dotted with lanterns and olive trees, creating one of the best outdoor dining settings in London.
The menu features simple but delicious food including grilled prawns, watermelon, feta and tomato salad, charred octopus and T-bone steak. Save room for the cones of ice cream for dessert.
Joy at Portobello Dock
Stevie Parle has opened Joy, at the old Dock Kitchen site until the end of September.
Joy, which encompasses a restaurant, farm-to-fork shop and a bottle shop overlooks the canal at the north end of Ladbroke Grove and is, like Dock Kitchen, a collaboration between Parle and designer Tom Dixon.
Kudu
Kudu is a fantastic restaurant in Peckham that you wished you had in your neighbourhood. The menu is influenced by the chef’s South African heritage with a wine list to match.
Standout dishes include the Kudu Bread, which comes with either melted cape malay, bacon butter or with melted seafood butter; and the onglet with hispi cabbage, enoki and truffled potato mousse.
There is a beautiful garden at the back of the restaurant for walk-ins.
The Ivy Chelsea Garden
The Ivy Chelsea Garden is an all-day British brasserie serving dishes inspired by The Ivy restaurant in Covent Garden.
While the restaurant interior oozes glamour, the exterior is equally pretty.
The beautiful, large garden at the back for outdoor dining complete with a terrace and orangery is a perfect setting for breakfast, lunch or dinner in Chelsea.
Avalon by The Melusine
Avalon by The Melusine has popped up at St Katharine Docks, from the team behind seafood restaurant, The Melusine, from 20th August to 25th September, every Thursday – Saturday.
There is a daily changing fish and seafood menu, which you can enjoy while suspended on the marina.
Start with oysters before moving on to an excellent menu of Scottish langoustines or Spider Crab before a whole fish (plaice, monkfish, seabass and more) to share with some sides.
There’s also Gin & Tonic bar for pre and post dinner drinks. Pretend you’re away in the Mediterranean feasting on excellent fish dishes!
Padella Shoreditch
Pasta specialists Padella opened a second site in Shoreditch earlier this year (the original site in Borough Market is pictured below).
Now you can enjoy their fantastic cacio e pepe and fettuccine with tomatoes on a terrace on a quiet back street in Shoreditch. Padella is excellent value for money as well.
Petersham Nurseries Covent Garden
Petersham Nurseries opened on Floral street in Covent Garden in the spring of 2018 with two restaurants.
La Goccia is a more casual Italian restaurant with open kitchen and wood fire oven, while The Petersham is a more elegant, refined Italian restaurant focusing on seasonal ingredients.
Floral Court, in the central courtyard between both restaurants offers alfresco dining from La Goccia and The Petersham.
Cecconi’s, Mayfair
Serving fine Italian food from the morning until the early hours, Cecconi’s is a perfect spot for all day dining in the sun, with a few sought after tables lining the street on the corner of Saville Row and Burlington Gardens.
Cecconi’s is great for outdoor dining in London where you can watch the world pass you by.
The Modern Pantry, Clerkenwell
Anna Hansen’s Clerkenwell restaurant The Modern Pantry has a large outdoor dining area on a beautiful square in Clerkenwell.
Tables are available on a first come, first served basis, but it’s worth the wait. The terrace at The Modern Pantry serves one of our favourite weekend brunches.
Dean Street Townhouse, Soho
Dean Street Townhouse serves classic British cuisine from first thing in the morning until the early hours.
Whilst the interiors are dark, cosy and seductive, the small but perfectly formed terrace is a delight in the warm weather, with the added benefit of being one of the best restaurants for outdoor dining in London right in the heart of Soho.
Antidote Wine Bar & Restaurant
If you’re looking for an outdoor restaurant where you can book, try Antidote’s pavement dining option near Carnaby Street.
With an extensive list of organic and biodynamic wines, the restaurant offers small plates and a selection of cheese and charcuterie where the menu has been consulted on by Mikael Jonsson from Michelin-starred Hedone.
J Sheekey’s Terrace
One of our favourite Covent Garden restaurants, J Sheekey’s, has launched a terrace which runs along the outside of both the restaurant and the newly relaunched J Sheekey Atlantic Bar, serving 50 covers.
Open from midday onwards every day, the menu features a large shellfish platter and a range of seasonal fish, shellfish, meat and vegetarian dishes.
Chicama, Chelsea
Chicama is a modern Peruvian seafood restaurant on the King’s Road in Chelsea, sister restaurant to Marylebone’s Pachamama restaurant.
On summer days they open up all the doors bringing the courtyard to life with several quaint little table and chairs.
Seabird London
Located on the 14th floor of The Hoxton hotel in Southwark, Seabird has a large terrace with stunning views of the London skyline.
The Medittarannean menu specialises in seafood – there’s a raw bar, a huge array of oysters and an excellent cocktail list.
Paladar
Latin American restaurant Paladar’s ‘secret’ courtyard garden is the place to be in Elephant & Castle this summer.
Chef Jose Rubio-Guevara has refreshed his menu with a selection of light and summery ‘tapas-style’ dishes, all of which are gluten-free.
The adjoining bodega will continue to sell wines and spirits from Paladar’s all-Latin American list at retail prices.
Kitty Fisher’s, Mayfair
With only one table for 4 or two tables of 2, bagging a table outside at Kitty Fisher’s isn’t easy but it’s worth the effort for a memorable long lunch in the sun on a quiet Mayfair street.
The Coach, Clerkenwell
The Coach has recently been restored by chef-restaurateur and former Racine chef, Henry Harris, who mixes French and British flavours and techniques.
Drinkable ales and draught lagers from craft breweries are available at the bar as well as a list of wines from familiar Old World names and some new and interesting producers.
The Coach gets the balance of proper pub and great food just right, and this can be enjoyed from the large terrace at the back of the pub.
Rochelle Canteen, Shoreditch
Rochelle Canteen is located in the converted bike shed of the old Rochelle School, looking out to the trees of Arnold Circus in Shoreditch.
Rochelle Canteen was opened by Melanie Arnold & Margot Henderson in 2004. The menu includes dishes like skate & dulse butter sauce, roast brill with artichokes & aioli and pork Chop with braised turnip & anchovies.
There are a number of lovely tables outside for wamer days.
Read our guide to some of our other favourite Shoreditch restaurants.
The Laundry, Brixton
The Laundry’s south-facing terrace offers the perfect spot for outdoor dining during the summer months.
With a complete terrace menu, guests can enjoy brunch as well as an all-day menu of antipasti, sharing and larger plates. Extensive wine and cocktail lists are also available.
The Laundry’s terrace is open from 8am, Monday – Friday, and from 9am on Saturday and Sunday.
The Standard, London
The Standard London reopened on 11th July with a beautifully designed ground floor terrace which runs along the entire length of the hotel.
The perfect sun trap, the terrace offers a casual space to enjoy chef Adam Rawson’s summer-inspired dishes and famous burgers.
Craft beers, wine and frozen and bottled cocktails will be available, as well as Moët & Chandon Imperial Brut minis from the terrace’s fun vending machine.
The Standard, London’s terrace will be open from 3pm – 9pm, Monday – Tuesday, and from 3pm – 10pm, Wednesday – Sunday.
Colbert, Sloane Square
Inspired by the great French pavement cafés, Colbert is an informal, neighbourhood restaurant in Sloane Square from Chris Corbin and Jeremy King.
Colbert Restaurant follows its sister restaurants The Delaunay and Brasserie Zedel in being wonderfully atmospheric with the buzz of regular, happy diners.
Sit on one of the prized pavement tables and order from the menu of Parisian café stalwarts.
Boundary Rooftop, Shoreditch
Boundary’s Provençal-style rooftop serves a light and fresh all-day menu, alongside a carefully curated coastal wine list and range of specialist gin and tonic cups.
The Rooftop at The Boundary also features in our guide to the best rooftop bars in London.
Ham Yard, Soho
Ham Yard Hotel has a fantastic location in the centre of Soho – its location gives it a large courtyard where you can dine and drink alfresco in a very quiet spot (for Soho at least!).
The menu is modern European classics but it really is all about being able to have such a large outdoor space right in the centre of Soho.
Courtyard Terrace at Rosewood London
The Courtyard Terrace at the Rosewood London offers an oasis of calm and serenity.
Set in the courtyard of the Edwardian Grade II-listed building, the easygoing terrace of Holborn Dining Room can be enjoyed all year round.
Ideal for a cocktail or two during the warmer months or for a charcuterie board with a glass of wine and a blanket during the winter months.
Coal Drops Yard, King’s Cross
Many of the restaurants at Coal Drops Yard, the new development behind King’s Cross, have excellent outside spaces, including The Drop wine bar.
On the outdoor restaurant front, there’s Parrillan, a part of Barrafina, and Plaza Pastor, the all-outside section of Casa Pastor for some great Mexican food.
Sushisamba Covent Garden
Sushisamba London opened in Heron Tower in The City with fantastic views of London (along with Duck and Waffle).
The second site opened last year in Covent Garden, perched on top of Covent Garden Market.
This summer, diners can enjoy Sushisamba’s Japanese-Peruvian-Brazilian food right in the heart of Covent Garden with plenty of outdoor seating overlooking the piazza.
Scott’s, Mayfair
Scott’s is glamorous, exciting and makes a great night out, specialising in seafood and shellfish.
Scott’s is located on Mount Street, one of the most beautiful streets in London, and with a small selection of tables lining the street outside, it is easy to see why Scott’s is one of London’s most popular restaurants.
If you can’t get a table on the terrace or inside in the main restaurant, you may be lucky to get a seat at the oyster bar.
Keep reading for more suggestions of the best restaurants for outdoor dining in London…
Barrafina Drury Lane
One of the best Spanish tapas bars in London, now with 4 sites across the city, Barrafina Drury Lane is owned and operated by restaurateurs Sam & Eddie Hart.
The menu is a mix of contemporary and traditional tapas from all regions of Spain – Here you’ll find some big hitting dishes that you’ll want to come back for time and time again.
Barrafina’s Drury Lane outpost has a lovely wraparound terrace that makes you almost feel like you’re sitting alfresco in Spain.
Stanley’s
Olivia Burt (formerly at Claridge’s and Masterchef: The Professionals) – is head chef at the new Stanley’s Restaurant & Bar in Chelsea.
Stanley’s large outdoor terrace has a garden feel to both the décor and the menu, which uses British seasonal produce.
CUT OUT
CUT OUT is Mayfair latest alfresco hotspot serving dishes from restaurant CUT and cocktails from BAR 45.
The summer terrace is open for dinner every day from 6pm, with a menu including Wolfgang Puck’s Australian Wagyu Filet Sashimi with Rocket, Cherry Tomatoes, Tosa Soy Vinaigrette; and CUT Sushi Box with Bigeye Tuna, Scallop, Hamachi, Sticky Rice, Soy Gel & Yuzu Kosho.
Michael Nadra, Primrose Hill
Michael Nadra Primrose Hill sits tucked away, below street level and parallel with the canal in Primrose Hill.
Inside, the space is split into three dining rooms, including a brown cobbled tunnel previously used as part of the canal, a small bar area and a lovely breezy garden terrace.
Hush, Mayfair
Hush, located on a quiet courtyard in Mayfair, has a beautiful and large terrace where they do regular collaborations with alochol brands.
A floral arch and a canopy of hanging flowers gives a distinct Spring-like vibe where you can enjoy new cocktails alongside Hush’s new summer menu.
Bentley’s Oyster Bar & Grill
Bentley’s terrace holds up to 24 people, surrounded by glass panels to allow views up and down Swallow Street.
Famous for its oysters, the terrace at Bentley’s is the ideal spot to enjoy seafood and shellfish in central London.
45 Jermyn St
45 Jermyn St is ideal if you’re looking for that buzz, grandeur and glamour that only St James’s or Mayfair can provide. The bar, in particular, is a great spot for a Martini.
Now you can enjoy dishes such as beef wellington and their famous dessert floats from the terrace on Jermyn Street.
The Ritz Restaurant Terrace, St James’s
The Ritz Restaurant is widely thought of as one of the most grand dining rooms in the world, but you may not know that the restaurant also has a secluded terrace with views on to Green Park.
Guests can combine the grandeur of The Ritz with a beautiful outdoor dining option in central London.
The Albion, Islington
The Albion is a traditional English country pub in Islington, with the main attraction being its garden.
The French windows in the restaurant area open onto a terrace of over 450 sq metres, which can seat over 120 people for dining and drinking surrounded by herb beds, fruit trees and an original Georgian walled garden.
The Garden Lounge at The Corinthia
The Corinthia Hotel has a central courtyard where guests can enjoy a light all day menu, afternoon tea or evening drinks.
The Courtyard has under floor heating and two fireplaces on either side, in case the weather turns a little chilly, as well as a bespoke humidor and terrarium style bar.
The Engineer, Primrose Hill
A Primrose Hill institution, The Engineer has a gorgeous terrace at the back of the restaurant.
Despite the ample dining space, the bar area is on the small side, but there is respite in the form of a back garden, which is an ideal spot for long summer lunches at one of the best outdoor pubs in London.
Yauatcha City
I’m a big fan of Chinese restaurant Yauatcha – their dim sum is some of the best in London in my opinion (those venison puffs!).
Yauatcha City, which features in our guide to the best restaurants in The City of London, is located on Broadgate Circle and features a large terrace from which to view the hoards of city workers meeting for after work drinks below.
It’s one of the best outdoor restaurant spaces in the City and available on walk-in only.
Le Pont de La Tour, Tower Bridge
Le Pont de la Tour has a beautiful riverside setting from which to enjoy its modern French menu, with a focus on seafood, and vast wine list.
The outside terrace is very popular in the summer as it has a superb view of Tower Bridge.
Bleeding Heart, Clerkenwell
With a rustic look to match its location and history, the Bleeding Heart offers traditional French fare in a welcoming and intimate setting, but the real attraction in the summer is the large terrace, which brings a bit of Paris to the streets of Farringdon.
Angler Restaurant
At the top of South Place Hotel in Moorgate, Angler offers a seasonally changing menu from Executive Chef Gary Foulkes, with dishes including Cornish mackerel tartare, oyster cream, apple, shiso.
There is a retractable roof and some heaters for the colder summer evenings.
Meraki
Meraki is a new contemporary Greek restaurant in Fitzrovia from the Waney family who were also beyond London favourites Roka and Zuma.
The restaurant has a ground level restaurant and bar, counter-dining and two terraces.
Try the fantastic Santorini cherry tomato salad with capers and goats’ cheese and the Pastitsio (oxtail ragu, paccheri pasta, graviera cheese & truffle).
Fiume
Located in the Battersea power station redevelopment Fiume has views over the Thames from the large terrace where guests can enjoy chef Francesco Mazzei’s Italian cooking.
The food focuses on the Mezzogiorno region of southern Italy.
Bluebird Café White City
The Chelsea stalwart has opened a sibling in the new White City development overlooking Television Centre.
The terrace is a great spot for evening drinks or to try dishes from the modern European menu. Bluebird Café White City has also launched a new brunch menu for the summer.
Coal Office
Sibling to The Palomar and The Barbary, Coal Office is a slick collaboration with designer Tom Dixon, with a menu of exceptional modern Jewish food.
Located adjacent to Granary Square, the restaurant is split over two floors, with a stunning outdoor terrace.
Caravan Exmouth Market
The original Caravan restaurant is a relaxed and effortlessly cool setting on Exmouth Market in Clerkenwell.
When the weather warms up, the door and windows open and diners spill out into the street for one of the best outdoor restaurants in Clerkenwell.
The Marksman, Hackney
The Marksman is a pub and dining room on Hackney Road, focusing on the best of British food and drinks, with a menu inspired by the history of London.
The first-floor terrace is a great spot to sit outside to enjoy one of their excellent curries, pies or Sunday roast.
Sager & Wilde, East London
Featuring on our guide to the best wine bars in London, Sager & Wilde is a sleek wine bar with one site on Hackney Road and one on Paradise Row in East London.
The Paradise Row site has an excellent large terrace from which to enjoy a daily-changing selection of wines by the bottle or glass at reasonable prices.
Ivy Soho Brasserie
Occupying a central Soho spot on Broadwick Street, the Ivy Soho Brasserie offers the Ivy group’s classic British menu from breakfast until the early hours every day.
The large terrace is always buzzing with crowds enjoying an outdoor restaurant in a prime Soho location.
Harry’s Dolce Vita
Harry’s Dolce Vita, a throwback to 1950s and 60s Italy, located next to Harrods in Knightsbridge offers a classy casual-ity often difficult to achieve.
Now you can enjoy dishes such as fried zucchini flowers, Harry’s Tagliolini – gratinated tagliolini pasta, served at the table from its own copper saucepan – and veal Milanese from the beautiful terrace.
Sea Containers at the Mondrian
The Sea Containers restaurant at the Mondrian London hotel has opened its Midsummer Terrace, in collaboration with Laurent-Perrier.
Visit the separate Laurent-Perrier Champagne Bar before enjoying the restaurant’s food with views of the Thames and St Pauls.
German Gymnasium
This summer guests at Grade II listed restaurant, German Gymnasium, will offer dishes and a terrace transformed by flowers.
Featuring edible blooms throughout, the specially-designed menu offers fresh and floral dishes and a range of cocktails comprising edible flowers, fresh fruits and floral infusions.
Outdoor Restaurants in London
If you liked this guide to the best outdoor restaurants in London, why not read our guide to the best pub gardens in London, best brunch in London, the best cocktail bars in London or the rooftop bars in London?
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