Top 20 Restaurants With Outdoor Drinking in London
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Spring has finally arrived, and outside eating in the city is definitely back on the cards. So soak up that all-important vitamin D when you dine at London’s greatest restaurants that offer some of the best rooftop views and terraces that will make you feel like you’re on vacation. Our list has you covered whether you’re in the mood to take bottomless brunches outdoors or eat spaghetti in the sun and munch on schnitzel by twilight.
Here Are The Top 20 Restaurants With Outdoor Drinking in London:
1. BENTLEY’S OYSTER BAR & GRILL
Bentley’s has been providing oysters and champagne to the general public for more than a century now. You should try the trademark fish pie as well as the shellfish cocktail and Cornish dressed crab. The scallop and gurnard ceviche with jalapeno and mint is a great option for people looking for something lighter while basking in the lovely sunshine.
During these warmer months, the restaurant’s 60-seat patio is the place to be. And the greatest part is when the sun sets, the room may also be entirely covered and heated to provide a comfortable environment.
Location: 11-15 Swallow St, London W1B 4DG, United Kingdom
Contact Details: +44 20 7734 4756
2. The Lane, Theatre Royal Drury Lane
Did you know that one of London’s most renowned and adored theatres also has a hidden terrace? If you didn’t know, you should know. The Lane, located close behind the theatre, is a walkway adorned with trees and lush green plants that serves as a gathering place for theatre patrons and passersby to enjoy refreshments and snacks. In addition to being a part of Andrew Lloyd Weber’s £60 million transformations of the Theatre Royal, this is a perfect central London drinking and dining place that is also tucked away from the masses.
Wines available include classics like Whispering Angel, while nibbles such as potted shrimp and crudités are also available. For those who are still not convinced, east London’s favourite chef Lily Vanilli’s gluten-free chocolate cake and salted caramel chocolate brownie are also available on the menu to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Location: 82 Nightingale Ln, London E11 2EZ, United Kingdom
Contact Details: +44 20 8989 1500
3. SABINE
Located in the heart of London’s financial district, Sabine is a new rooftop bar that has spectacular views of St Paul’s Cathedral and the City of London. The interiors are plant-filled and exude botanical feelings. The building also has a retractable roof, making it suitable for use even in the unpredictable weather of the United Kingdom.
One of the services Sabine provides is a DIY cocktail when it comes to cocktails. The mixologists question you about your regular preferences in terms of flavours and spirits before creating a bespoke drink tailored to your specific palate. As for the cuisine, shared platters are the order of the day, and the burrata is out of this world.
Location: 7, 10 Godliman St, London EC4V 5AJ, United Kingdom
4. SOLAS AT THE SAVOY
It was once the trendiest spot in town to be dropped off by a taxi, but now The Savoy’s distinctive turning circle has been turned into Solas, a whiskey and oyster lover’s paradise. Solas, which has a spectacular floral and crystal chandelier made out of apparently floating antique decanters and golden oyster shells, captures The Savoy’s old-school art deco splendour while still serving up a variety of fresh seafood and Bowmore whiskey.
Warm yourself with a hot dish of chowder and a plate of poached lobster as you drink on old whiskey (served in an oyster shell, no less), and take in the utter luxury of your surroundings while you snuggle up in a historical check blanket
Location: Strand, London WC2R 0EZ, United Kingdom
Contact Details: +44 20 7836 4343
5. The ROOFTOP, TRAFALGAR SQUARE
If there’s one positive thing to come out of the epidemic, it’s the way we’ve been pushed to check out some of London’s top outdoor terraces for food and drinks in the process. And it’s fair to say that The Rooftop at the Trafalgar St James Hotel has quickly risen to the top of our list of favourite discoveries.
Visitors are welcome to indulge in a delectable cuisine of small shared plates and grilled meals inspired by Japan and Korea and mouth-watering drinks while taking in views of Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, and The London Eye. First, we recommend the Coupette (vodka, lychee, aloe vera, lime juice, and raspberry shrub), followed by the Shittake bao bun, octopuse takoyaki, and prawn tempura, and finally, the grilled salmon teriyaki and mapo togu with chargrilled stem broccoli and sesame seeds.
Best of all, The Northern Lights at the Rooftop will be open for Christmas, with a wintery cuisine (think Alpine Sliders and fondue), northern lights-inspired drinks, candles, and aurora light projections on the skyline above the restaurant. A word of caution: after only one visit, you will not want to leave.
Location: 7th Floor, 2 Spring Gardens, St. James’s, London SW1A 2TS, United Kingdom
Contact Details: +44 20 7870 2900
6. Golden Gai, Soho
Located on a cobblestone lane in London’s Soho, this Italian-Japanese fusion restaurant offers outside eating space due to the area’s pedestrianization of the roadways. With delectable Japanese twists on drinks and Italian flatbreads incorporating ingredients such as chicken katsu, this is a location that you should add to your bucket list as soon as possible.
The restaurant also conducts a “drag and wine” event on Wednesday nights, during which a drag queen performs and guests are invited to partake in a wine tasting of sparkling, white and red Italian wines. All the while, we sit outdoors and take in the sights and sounds of Soho. Bliss.
7. The Terrace at The Standard
The cult hotel chain’s London location, which opened its doors in 2019 and has a charming, elegant green terrace, is a must-visit destination. A bonus is the stunning view of the hotel’s King’s Cross St Pancras building.
Location: 10 Argyle St, London WC1H 8EG, United Kingdom
Contact Details: +44 20 3981 8888
8. SMOKING GOAT
This is one of East London’s top Thai-style restaurants, with meals that are inspired by the spicy foods found in Bangkok’s street-food markets. It was best to take a seat at the bar and munch on meals such as sweat-inducing lamb, aromatic lardo-fried rice, and chilli fish sauce wings while the place was open during regular hours.
However, it has recently added a covered outside patio that extends into Redchurch Street, making it a great place for open-air suppers. Make sure to get bigger platters of barbecue chicken or Tamworth pork collar chop to go with your meal and local draught beers and East Asian-style drinks to wash it all down after all that spice.
Location: Smoking Goat, 64 Shoreditch High Street, London E1 6JJ
9. FALLOW
This Mayfair eatery is a favourite among the city’s culinary set. Grilled corn ribs, mushroom parfait with shiitake and black truffle, entire lemon sole with bacon-butter sauce and miso-heavy kombu fries are some of the items on the limited, constantly changing menu devised by two former chefs at Dinner by Heston Blumenthal. The outside patio has the option of being heated, and it is located on a traffic-free Heddon Street.
Location: 2 St James’s Market, St. James’s, London SW1Y 4RP, United Kingdom
Contact Details: fallowrestaurant.com
10. Borough Market
Borough Market, the first outdoor/indoor gastronomic destination, is coming into its own as the weather cools and the winter months approach. Additionally, there are more nighttime meal alternatives available than ever before. Pasta palace is notoriously difficult to obtain a table at but is well worth the wait. Padella has added outside seating, so there will be less of a wait to get your hands on some cacio e Pepe and a hearty rag bowl of hearty ragù.
Flor (which will soon reopen in its original form after months of selling slices as ASAP Pizza) is just around the street and offers outside tables and a new menu, accepting both walk-ins and reservations. Mei Mei, a Singaporean counter-dining establishment owned by Elizabeth Haigh, is another option. The best part is that they’re all beneath the market’s canopy, which means they’re all filled with fresh air without being exposed to the elements.
Location: Borough Market, 8 Southwark Street, London SE1 1TL
11. Petersham Nurseries Café
Although we’ve been spending more time in gardens than ever in recent years, none compare to the lush settings of Petersham Nurseries. In the flower-filled glasshouse restaurant, which has a heated pergola for maximum alfresco comfort, you can enjoy thoughtful seasonal dishes like risotto with onion squash and Gorgonzola, brilliant with cavolo nero pancetta, and pork loin with spiced carrots and plums, among other things. So take a leisurely lunch or an early dinner to allow yourself enough time to tour the nursery and bring home some new green pals to brighten up your own backyard oasis.
Location: Off Church Ln, Petersham Rd, Richmond TW10 7AB, United Kingdom
Contact Details: +44 20 8940 5230
12. BRAT AT CLIMPSON’S ARCH
Since its debut in 2018, Tomos Parry’s Basque-inspired Shoreditch restaurant has quickly established itself as one of our favourites – and its sibling restaurant in neighbouring London Fields is every bit as wonderful as the original. It’s taking up the yard just beyond the arch where famed Broadway Market coffee shop Climpson & Sons roast its beans.
The covered but airy room is warm and inviting, thanks to heaters and the scent of charcoal-cooked fish wafting in from the kitchen. The daily changing menu includes small shared plates – if available, try the grilled puff bread with anchovies – and larger entrees such as the entire sizzling turbot with a side of smoked potatoes. The restaurant offers a private dining room for up to six people in larger groups. Make sure to save room for dessert, which is a scorched cheesecake in the manner of San Sebastián that is too wonderful to share.
Location: 374 Helmsley Pl, London E8 3SB, United Kingdom
Contact details: +44 7843 955309
13. SEABIRD
A meal at The Hoxton, Southwark’s glitzy rooftop restaurant, which seems more like a night out. The seabird’s patio, located on the 14th level, has come into its own. This restaurant, which has panoramic views of the city and palm trees, heaters, and a retractable canopy for rainy days, serves an extensive menu that includes oysters, seafood platters, and Spanish Portuguese-inspired meals that will make you feel like you’re on vacation.
Location: 14th Floor, South Bank, 40 Blackfriars Rd, London SE1 8NY, United Kingdom
Contact Details: +44 20 7903 3050
14. The River Cafe, Hammersmith
Unless you are able to get a permanent reservation for the whole summer, you will just have to cross your fingers and hope for the best. However, it is a rare and wonderful experience when the stars align. In the garden, several Italian families have come to enjoy the fantastic genuine and imaginative cuisine that Ruth Rogers is producing in her well equipped open kitchen.
As espressos and sweet vin Santos are ordered as the sun sets below the silhouette of Hammersmith Bridge, the murmur of conversation and clinking silverware continues far into the evening. Rumours of a second River Café opening in Mayfair have died down, so for the time being, even if you reside in the East, this is the place to visit in the West above all others.
Location: Thames Wharf, Rainville Rd, London W6 9HA, United Kingdom
Contact Details: +44 20 7386 42001
15. The IVY CHELSEA GARDEN, CHELSEA
Even though it is often crowded, this walled garden has the sense of a hidden gem. Plants such as climbing roses, ivy, and wisteria, together with a stone water feature in the garden’s centre, give the area a very English feel. Whispering Angel rosé may be enjoyed while lounging on the blue-and-white-striped couches, and a complete Dover sole with aioli is served after plates of tuna carpaccio and asparagus with truffle hollandaise sauce are presented.
Those seeking something a bit more substantial can try the beef sandwich with Burgundy dipping sauce, which is delicious. Designed by renowned landscape architects Ginkgo Gardens, the terrace has a retractable roof, allowing it to be used all year round and is accessible from the street. Reservations are strongly recommended for what is perhaps London’s most stunning garden restaurant.
Location: 195 197 King’s Rd, London SW3 5EQ, United Kingdom
Contact Details: +44 20 3301 0300
16. Coppa Club, Tower Bridge
What really makes this riverfront terrace stand out are the spectacular views of Tower Bridge and the Shard that you can enjoy from here. Indulge in sourdough pizzas topped with ‘nduja and buffalo mozzarella after a long day at work in one of the summer cabanas or winter igloos, or relax in one of the summer cabanas.
There are also excellent salads filled with kale and quinoa, delicate courgette fritti, and juicy grilled king prawns that are great for sharing, among other things. Just be sure to book a table on the terrace in advance. Otherwise, you could find yourself sitting in the main restaurant, looking wistfully out the massive glass windows at the beautiful scenery.
Location: 3 Three Quays Walk, Lower Thames St, London EC3R 6AH, United Kingdom
Contact Details: +44 20 8016 9227
17. The Orangery at Number Sixteen, South Kensington
An English garden, replete with miniature trimmed hedges and a koi-filled pond, can be seen behind the Firmdale Group’s Number Sixteen hotel in South Kensington. Tables and chairs have been painted in soft pastel green, and enormous terracotta pots are overflowing with nasturtiums around the space.
Location: 16 Sumner Pl, South Kensington, London SW7 3EG, United Kingdom
Contact Details: +44 20 7589 5232
18. OFFICINA OO
The Officina 00 restaurant relocates its tables to the streets of Shoreditch during the summer months, with parasols and blankets on hand to combat the unpredictable British weather. Pasta is cooked fresh on-site every day, and it is combined with classic Italian ingredients and unique cooking techniques to create meals that make a powerful statement. The creamy burrata is placed atop asparagus, and aubergine and nduja croquettes are coated with sticky honey before being presented as a starter.
Two major pasta dishes are recommended for two people. For dessert, go for the crispy tiramisu, which is topped with lots of chocolate and orange zest and overflowing with Cointreau. Although the cuisine is excellent, this establishment is worth visiting only for its cool Italian cocktails. Each served with a unique twist. If you want something lighter, try the 00 Spritz, which is twisted with Emakulele bitters and grapefruit, or if you want something heavier, try the zingy Limoncello Martini.
Location: 156 Old St, London EC1V 9BW, United Kingdom
Contact Details: +44 20 8037 7161
19. Quo Vadis
Customers have been delighted at Quo Vadis since it first opened its doors in 1926, and they are even more delighted today because of the inventive meals created by head chef Jeremy Lee. Pasties with a punch, super-fresh seafood platters, and throwback spin on classics are all on the menu (try the pie and mash).
Location: 26-29 Dean St, London W1D 3LL, United Kingdom
Contact Details: +44 20 7437 9585
20. La Famiglia, Chelsea
When the awnings over the garden are opened, this is the go-to site for every cheerful Chelsea family gathering, the fail-safe best choice for candle-lit dates. The ultimate long weekend lunch destination and the hottest ticket for dinner on a summer evening when the sky is open.
If you come in the evening, go there as early as possible to get a table outdoors amid the olive trees and rosemary pots. Even though the old-school Italian cuisine hasn’t altered much since the restaurant first opened its doors more than 50 years ago, the spaghetti vongole and calamari are still well cooked. A luscious chocolate torte, tiramisu, profiteroles, lemon pie, and other delectable desserts are served on a cart that would put many other patisseries to shame.
Location: 7 Langton St, London SW10 0JL, United Kingdom
Contact Details: +44 20 7351 0761
Final Words
London is full of outdoor dining and drinking restaurants from where you can enjoy the splendid views of the London city. So, which one you are visiting on your next trip to London?
