The best outdoor restaurants in London to book now
There are few things that anyone will remember favourably about the pandemic, but its closure of indoor dining meant that a whole host of London restaurants that never had the chance to consider outdoor dining had to create mini terraces around the capital to survive, and thankfully, they've all kept them. From rooftop scenes to pavement tables, this new wave of outdoor restaurants and outdoor drinking made London feel more like Paris or Madrid, and as they're here to stay, they've upped the outdoor dining opportunities across the capital.
Below are the best restaurants in London that have a terrace space, so grab your family and friends and get a date in the diary. It's worth checking whether you need to book beforehand, as tables will be snapped up in a flash as the weather gets warmer.
The best outdoor restaurants in London
1/33Sparrow's Nest by Bird in Hand, Sparrow, Mayfair
You'd be hard pressed to find a more tucked-away, lusher rooftop than Sparrow's Nest, perched atop the modern Italian delight that is Sparrow restaurant on Avery Row. But a few flights up, there it is: a small yet beautiful space with one of London's most beautiful neighbourhoods stretching out beneath it. The summer terrace comes courtesy of a partnership between Sparrow and Australian winery Bird in Hand, whose Mediterranean-inspired gardens inspired the verdant planting up here. London-based florist and poet, Julia Campbell-Gillies, is responsible for the planting; she has combined British-grown flowers with the southern-European sensibility that defines the menu here. Among the delights, a moreish tuna tartare with truffle ponzu, a refreshing summer salad of cavolo nero, radicchio, and chickpeas and oysters and caviar designed to transport you to the coast. Washed down with any one of Bird in Hand's award-winning sparkling, red or white wines, it is a meal to remember, against the most relaxing and transportive of backdrops.
– Christabel Chubb
- Address: 1-3 Avery Row, London W1K 4AJ
- Menu: sparrowitalia.com
- Phone: 020 3089 9501
- Reservation: sparrowitalia.com
2/33Grey Goose Terrasse at Rosewood London, Holborn
Rosewood London is one of capital's most lovely hotels and it strikes you from the moment you see the exterior. Set against the backdrop of busy Holborn, the building is impressive on an unrivalled scale and as you walk under the archway, across the central courtyard is where you'll find its verdant courtyard, which hosts pop-up restuarants each summer. Sheltered from the elements (it was a classic rainy summer night on the evening I dined there), it's a heavenly place to spend a few hours. This summer the menu (by Rosewood London’s Executive Chef Fernando Corona in collaboration with Holborn Dining Room’s Head Chef Ilona Perczyk) has been designed to pair with bespoke Grey Goose cocktails.
– Tal Dekel-Daks
- Address: 252 High Holborn, London
- Menu: rosewoodhotels.com
- Phone: 020 7781 8888
- Reservation: rosewoodhotels.com
S3/33Claridge's Terrace
Claridge's is always a good idea and their sliver of a terrace that adjoins the hotel's main restaurant is the ideal spot. Shielded from the streets by greenery and a high fence, the team has innovatively used the space, filling it with squashy benches, skinny tables and slim lights to create an oasis in Mayfair. As for the menu, champagne are fried chicken is an incomparable combination and the latter is so good here that you'll order multiple rounds of it. It's a lovely spot on a sunny day but gets equally appealing as the leaves turn, offering a cosy hideaway to curl up in and enjoy some of the best food and drink in this part of town. It'd be a lovely place for a romantic evening or somewhere brilliant to catch up with friends over small plates and generous pours.
- Address: Brook St, London W1K 4HR
- Menu: claridges.co.uk
- Phone: 020 7629 8860
- Reservation: claridges.co.uk
johnny stephens photography4/33Scott's, Richmond
The original Scott's is always a good idea for outdoor dining but its newer outpost in Richmond is equally appealing, offering unparalleled views of the Thames from its lofty terrace. There are a clutch of tables, all with a prime position, so competition is high to get one but it's worth securing. Once sat, the menu offers so many seafood delights but the roasted shellfish for two is hard to resist. A platter of sizzling lobster, prawns and scallops in a sea of garlic butter are delivered to the table, and the smell alone is enough to have every other table follow suit and order it. The menu is a tour de force of shellfish and seafood, all as fresh as can be and prepared wonderfully to highlight each ingredient. Start with a cocktail and leave room for one of the many excellent desserts.
- Address: 4 Whittaker Avenue, TW9 1EH
- Menu: scotts-richmond.com/menus
- Phone: 020 3700 2660
- Reservation: capricebookings.com
5/33The Maine, Mayfair
Hidden in a courtyard just off Hanover Square, The Maine is a glorious destination for drinks and dining. The subterranean restaurant is super glamorous, but we're very fond of the terrace for year-round cocktails and dinner. Covered and heated in winter, sunny and airy in summer, you can stop here for anything from martinis and nibbles to whole lobsters and filet mignon. If you come between 4pm and 6pm on a weekday, you'll be in time for Happy Hour, with buy one get one free cocktails and oysters at £1 a shuck.
- Address: 6 Medici Court, W1S 1JY
- Menu: themainemayfair.com/menus
- Phone: 020 3432 2192
- Reservation: themainemayfair.com/reservations
6/33Luca, Clerkenwell
Luca, one of the best restaurants in London, was awarded its first Michelin star in 2023 for good reason. Inside, the design is sleek and warm, with cosy nooks and elegant red leather seating – an ideal place for its elegant Italian-inspired dishes. Outside, the experience is even more special. The bright terrace with its exposed brick and glass roof is covered in twisting green vines and a burning log fireplace that means it's also a lovely place to hideaway come winter.
- Address: 88 St John St, London EC1M 4EH
- Menu: luca.restaurant
- Phone: 020 3859 3000
- Reservation: sevenrooms.com
7/33Llama Inn
This indoor-outdoor rooftop restaurant on the top of The Hoxton hotel in Shoreditch very much feels on-brand for the Hoxton, with low-slung mid-century furniture, terracotta tiles, booth seating opposite the long and lively bar – and a great view of the east London skyline from the open-air terrace in the back. The restaurant is already well-known and loved in Brooklyn for its Peruvian flavours and ceviche is a big hit on the menu. The kitchen is headed up by chef Marcin Maliczowski who previously worked at Yakumanaka in Barcelona, led by celebrated Peruvian chef Gastón Acurio. It's not just the food and views that are worth visiting for however – the cocktails are absolutely not to be missed.
- Address: 1 Willow St, London EC2A 4BH
- Menu: llamainnlondon.com
- Reservation: llamainnlondon.com/reservations
Michael Kelly8/33Hyde Park Garden at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park
Walk through Mandarin Oriental's dark and moody Dinner by Heston Blumenthal restaurant and you'll reach the bright new quintessentially British summer terrace, adjoining Hyde Park itself. Designed by the team behind Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, the menu is inspired by British botanicals found in gardens all around the country, think British cheeseboards, bold chicken salads and desserts like Eton Mess. And of course – don't sleep on their sparkling English wines.
- Nearest tube: Knightsbridge
- Address: 66 Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7LA
- Menu: mandarinoriental.com
- Phone: 020 7235 2000
- Reservation: sevenrooms.com
9/33Gold, Notting Hill
Portobello Road locals are very lucky to have Gold on their doorstep, even more so now that the restaurant has opened a rooftop terrace with views across Notting Hill's skyline and the spire of St Peter's church. It's a sun trap that makes you feel like you're in Madrid, as you tuck into umami-rich, fresh dishes.
- Address: 95-97 Portobello Rd, London W11 2QB
- Menu: goldnottinghill.com
- Phone: 0203 146 0747
- Reservation: goldnottinghill.com
10/33Rochelle Canteen
Margot Henderson's original restaurant is housed in a converted Victorian school in east London with a large, private garden that provides ample space to enjoy her expertly prepared, thoughtfully sourced and seasonal dishes. The dishes are simple and highly effective and the surroundings couldn't be more lovely. The team had the foresight to erect a tent in the garden too for those days when the sun refuses to play along.
- Address: 16 Playground Gardens, London E2 7FA
- Menu: rochellecanteen.com
- Phone: 020 3928 8328
- Reservation: sevenrooms.com
11/33Seabird
The roof of the Hoxton's Southwark outpost plays host to Seabird, a restaurant that serves the finest platters of fruits de mer and has an entire menu dedicated to oysters. There's a Spanish and Portuguese note to the food and when the sun shines, you could imagine yourself to be high above Lisbon or Barcelona in this dreamy spot.
- Address: 14th Floor, South Bank, 40 Blackfriars Rd, London SE1 8NY
- Menu: seabirdlondon.com
- Phone: 020 7903 3050
- Reservation: seabirdlondon.com
12/33The Goring
Is there any more elegant place in London to go for a summer dinner than The Veranda at The Goring? If there is, we can’t think what it might be. Amazingly for its central London location, The Goring has a heavenly garden with tables outside, and The Veranda, a beautiful pavilion with a roof that peels back to the sky, opens on to it. This summer there’s a concise but utterly indulgent ‘Lobster and Fizz’ menu, where you can order whole or half lobsters, a lobster club, deep fried lobster, and plenty of other delights, with accompanying prosecco or champagne.
- Address: 15 Beeston Pl, London SW1W 0JW
- Menu: thegoring.com
- Phone: 020 7396 9000
- Reservation: sevenrooms.com
13/33Cafe Biltmore
The Biltmore Hotel in leafy Grosvenor Square is a delightful place to escape the bustle of nearby Oxford Street, with plenty of space to spread out, including two restaurants run by Jason Atherton, The Betterment, and Cafe Biltmore. The latter sprawls out onto a generous terrace at the back of the hotel, part undercover, and part open to the sky. The menu is simple but satisfying: elegantly done gastropub classics with a hefty wine list to go with them. You can have a light meal of oysters and grilled plaice, or indulge more freely with steaks, pizza, or the very moreish fried chicken sandwich. There’s something for everyone here, and it’s reasonably priced (for Mayfair) too. A charming place for a civilised lunch after a morning’s shopping.
14/33Daffodil Mulligan
Richard Corrigan’s critically-acclaimed restaurant in Old Street has a 28-cover terrace serving a mostly wood-fired menu. Pig cheek skewers with tamarind and crab 'chip shop' curry sauce, salt chilli fried chicken and signatures like Peter Hannan’s sugar pit pork with salted pineapple pureé are just some of the top dishes to try.
15/33Kutir
A terrace is lovely, even a seat on a pavement is a joy at this stage but a rooftop overlooking the red brick buildings of Chelsea is something quite different altogether. That's what critically acclaimed fine dining Indian restaurant Kutir offers, an idyll in the city where up to 16 guests can enjoy the refined, punchy cooking of head chef Rohit Ghai.
16/33Garden Museum Cafe
Flock to South London to nab a picturesque table either on the terrace at the Garden Museum or within the tranquil surrounds of the open-air garden atrium. The menu is succinct, highlighting locally sourced, seasonal produce cooked with a light touch by head chef George Ryle, who cut his teeth at Primeur and Padella. Expect British plates with an Italian influence.
17/33Darby's
Chef Robin Gill has been at the helm of Darby's, located by the American Embassy, for a few years now and has gained recognition for the modern British menu with European influences. It's hearty, decadent food and near impossible to choose from the menu highlights. They have tables reserved for walk ins too.
18/33The Laundry
All day bistro The Laundry has one of the larger terraces in London, and a roster of lipsmackingly good small plates to go with it. Part restaurant, part wine shop, it's just as good for a long lunch in the sun as it is for a quick drink and a snack and the menu is simply too tempting to stop in for a simple glass of wine alone.
19/33Scott's
This Mayfair institution has long been famed for its glorious terrace, where the tables have always been suitably distanced and heaters keep you warm as you sup oysters and crack into the freshest seafood around. For the reopening, the team has collaborated with Perrier-Jouët Champagne, so guests can rest assured the finest cuvees will be on offer.
20/33Hicce
Great British Menu winner Pip Lacey runs Hicce in Coal Drops Yard, Kings Cross, offering a seasonal menu with sharing plates and some excellent cocktails. The food is wood-fired and modern British and the terrace can be a real sun trap.
21/33Smoking Goat
Smoking Goat has a cult status in London for its Thai dishes, which fuse tradition with modern Bangkok cooking. Clay pot dishes, grilled meat and seafood keep guests coming back again and again, and their terrace on Redchurch Street means the doors will be open once again.
22/33Brat Climpson's Arch
Michelin-starred restaurant Brat's summer outdoor pop up in Hackney was so popular, they've made it permanent. Head there to enjoy all of Brat's Basque-inspired dishes, using British produce to showcase the amazing wealth and breadth of the food industry here.
23/33Paradise
Paradise has a lively and informal vibrant sharing menu reflecting the variety of influences on Sri Lankan cuisine; hints of Malay, Portuguese and Dutch flavours can all be found here in the delicately spiced and intensely flavourful dishes, of which yellow cod curry is a highlight. Their Kingly Street premises mean a small terrace area has been set up outside for fans who are clamouring to get back in.
24/33River Cafe
The River Cafe is an institution and one of the best restaurants in London. Set against the backdrop of the Thames, it has one of the most coveted terraces in the whole city. You may have to wait to get a table, but it'll be worth it for Ruth Rogers' famously excellent Italian cooking.
25/33Hoppers
All three of Hoppers' popular restaurants offer outdoor seating that can be booked, with some seats held back for walk ins. The Kings Cross restaurant has the largest terrace and it faces the canal, so we recommend enjoying fiery Sri Lankan plates and perfect hoppers canalside.
26/33Circolo Popolare
If you can't get to Italy, have Italy brought to you in the form of Circolo Populare's charming terrace in Fitzrovia. Complete will lush plants, pretty parasols and wrought iron chairs, it is a simply delightful place to gorge on pizza and pasta while sipping your Aperol spritz.
27/33Allegra
This light-festooned terrace is hard to stay away from, especially as chef Patrick Powell dishes up seriously good food from the kitchen that usually also serves the stylish restaurant inside. It's as brilliant for brunch as it is for dinner and has the feeling of a New York rooftop bar. If you do opt for dinner, rest assured that they have heating and blankets if it gets a little chilly once the sun sets.
28/33Bentley's Oyster Bar & Grill
Oysters al fresco on a terrace? Count us in please. Chef Richard Corrigan has the loyal patrons of his legendary restaurant near Regent Street covered in all weather eventualities with a sheltered, heated terrace that will be as welcoming in early April as it sounds for high summer. Cold white wine, fresh seafood and good company – what more could you ask for?
29/33Double Standard
A terrace opposite Kings Cross station may not sound that appealing, but that's because you've not been to Double Standard...yet. Tucked behind the towering beauty of The Standard hotel, this terrace is one of the most lovely secrets in London, complete with inventive cocktails and a menu of comfort food. Festoon lights, a chiminea and abundance of plants create the most lovely atmosphere to while away some hours.
30/33Julie's
A Holland Park institution for their modern British cooking, Julie's has had the clever thought to expand the capacity of their terrace in light of the current situation. Since 1969, it's been one of the most elegant terraces in London on which to socialise with loved ones over their utterly lovely food. It's on a quiet back street in west London that oozes charm and makes you feel like you're somewhere completely off the beaten track.
31/33Galvin Bistrot & Bar
This newly opened French bistrot – located just next door to Galvin La Chapelle in the heart of Spitalfields – features the type of big French dishes that you're unlikely to have cooked in lockdown. Think cassoulet and slow-cooked beer braised pork cheeks; the kind of food that gives you a hug from the inside. Their outdoor seating benefits from having ample cover to keep you sheltered if any weather crops up as you tuck into classic French dishes and delicious wines.
32/33Petersham Nurseries Café
Inside the abundant gardens at Petersham Nurseries is one of the loveliest places to eat outside in London. In summer, the pergola provides shade from the sun and in winter, the team add heating to provide warmth for guests. It's like being in the best cocoon ever, surrounded by plants, flowers and plentiful plates of Italian food.
33/33La Goccia
The Petersham team also have a restaurant on their Covent Garden site, which has a somewhat secret garden in an internal courtyard, protected on all sides from the surrounding building. That, plus cosy blankets on the seats, make it a popular choice for al fresco drinks and nibbles, especially during aperitivo hour.
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