The height of summer in London is here: the skies are lighter for longer and the streets are lively and animated. Make the most of it with dinner and drinks at London’s best al fresco restaurants and bars.
Including fresh, handmade pastas in Italian-style terraces and Iberian seafood restaurants perched atop hotel rooftops, here are our favourite al fresco dining spots in London to enjoy this weekend and all summer long.
Yasmin, 1 Warwick Soho
Opened in Spring 2023, 1 Warwick is Soho’s vibrant yet boutique new member’s house, where colourful velvets and sleek woods make for stylish interiors and a welcoming ambience. Climb six floors and you’ll find the newly opened Yasmin by executive chef Tom Cenci. Middle Eastern sharing plates take centre stage here, promising lots of flavour, colour, and a relaxed atmosphere – all you need for a slow afternoon of al fresco dining with friends. Menu highlights include sumac cured salmon with smoked yoghurt, a za’atar-spiced mushroom skewer and a baklava and pistachio ice cream ideal fod cooling down on a sunny day. Food aside, the panoramic views of London’s bustling Soho, are worth stopping by for a quick post-work aperitif or late-night cocktail.
Seabird, The Hoxton Southwark
With interiors just as beautiful as the panoramic views of London you’ll have access to from Seabird’s expansive terrace at the top of The Hoxton, this restaurant is a feast for the senses. Although firmly positioned amongst London’s iconic skyline, Seabird whisks you away to coastal dining with its seafood-focussed menu. You’ll find all the flavours of Southern Europe from Oyster Happy Hour serving a selection of fresh oysters with the cocktail of the month (currently a Bombay Sapphire or Grey Goose Martini), sea trout ceviche with blood orange and sweet potato, grilled octopus, and Lake District beef. However, there are delicious vegetarian and vegan dishes too including an asparagus paella and his cabbage with white beans – it’s set to be a crowd pleaser. The menu is served all day, though book a terrace table for early evening to watch the sun set over the horizon.
The Berkeley Rooftop Bar
The Berkeley’s rooftop, poolside bar made waves in London last summer for opening up a beautiful space usually only reserved for guests. Atop the chic five-star in the former 1700s coffee house building is the rooftop pool and bar, where seasonal spritzes and iced Granitas are served waterside for cooling aperitifs. For food, try a selection of the seasonal Mediterranean small plates including mushroom and truffle maki rolls and yellowfin tuna tartare. With the vibrant parasols and striped sun lounges the colours of the French Riviera pierce through London’s horizon making The Berkeley one of the city’s most covetable al fresco summer spots.
JOIA, Battersea
Perched atop the incredibly chic art’otel in London’s new hotspot, Battersea Power Station, is JOIA, the Portuguese restaurant by chef Henrique Sá Pessoa. Daring flavours, colourful interiors involving lots of pinks – found on the seats and walls – mixed with oranges and greens, beautiful ceramic pieces, and even the hotel’s rooftop pool make for a bustling ambience regardless of the season, but especially when the sun appears. When it comes to the menu, the two-Michelin head chef is leading the way to the Iberian coast and back with his Seabass Crudo served with green oil vinaigrette and the very traditional Bacalhau à Brás which is a salted cod with shoestring potatoes. Spanish and Portuguese classic appear on the drinks menu too with signature wines and vermouths from lesser-known Iberian producers. JOIA, meaning ‘jewel’ in Portuguese, is a London gem shining bright in London’s al fresco dining scene.
Dovetale, Mayfair
On the ground floor of London’s chicest, sustainability-focussed 1 Hotel Mayfair, find Dovetale, the restaurant where two Michelin star chef Tom Sellers moves through the seasons with his menu. Focussing on market-sourced foods, the restaurant’s menu is customised to regional and seasonal ingredients to ensure a mindful approach to the environment but also optimal flavours, textures, and colours. Dishes are cooked over the grill – both fish and meat – and there is an extensive vegan menu too championing white asparagus, celeriac, and wild mushrooms. To trial a lovely range of the menu, try the two or three course set menu. For an after work or pre-diner aperitif, a couple of oysters and a cold cocktail at the raw bar are a perfect way to settle into a warm evening. Seating 36 guests and enshrouded with greenery, the terrace is an intimate affair, perfect for a quiet and romantic summer date night.
Sessions Arts Club, Clerkenwell
Perhaps one of London’s most Instagrammed restaurants – and rightly so – the stunning and wonderfully romantic Sessions Arts Club has been the centre of London chatter since it opened in 2021. With its pastel hued, fading walls and tall arching, the Grade II listed building is at once a restaurant, bar, and art gallery with regularly changing artworks. While the interiors capture the hearts (and cameras) of all visitors, the rooftop bar and garden is equally as elegant with green seating and crisp white parasols. Previously headed up by former head chef Florence Knight, the restaurant has just re-opened with their new spring menu with dishes and flavours just as elegant and enchanting as always. From mammal artichoke and verjus to duck rillette served with pear, this restaurant doesn’t wait for a special occasion but makes one when you dine there.
Bacchanalia Mayfair
While Bacchanalia may boast one of London’s most exciting restaurant interiors (Martin Brudnizki, of course), you’ll want to grab a spot on the terrace of this fine Mayfair establishment, inspired by the ancient wonders of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Semi-enclosed with potted plants, you can still peek out to stylish passersby walking from Berkeley Square towards London’s stylish Mount Street. All whilst feasting on the Greek-Mediterranean menu set over several courses of sharing options from the new Spring a la carte menu. Kick off with the tzatziki and babaganush with crudités as you sip on a Meteroa (Patrón Silver & Reposado Tequila, The Lost Explorer Espadín Mezcal, grapefruit, vanilla, spices, milk whey, Prosecco). Move onto the Keftedes (greek-style meatballs, tomato relish, smoked yoghurt), a small sharing plate of the devon crab linguini, perfectly refreshing and citrusy, and finish with the salt-crust sea bass. We’re just not sure you’ll have room for dessert. This is one for the gram. Inside, outside, plus the food.
Luca, Clerkenwell
Luca, the incredible (and now Michelin-starred) Italian restaurant in London’s Clerkenwell borough dishes up the best of both worlds: British seasonal ingredients including high-quality turbot from Cornwall and lamb from the Hebrides served with an Italian lens. Each ingredient shines in these dishes, especially the olive oil, produced by La Fornace for Luca, so much so that you’ll want to leave with a bottle and will be happy to hear that you can in fact do so. Just ask the waiter at the end of your meal. If you’re struggling to decide between the antipasti, prime, and second – each as delicious sounding as the next – we suggest The Chef’s Tasting Menu for a six-course journey through the dishes starting with parmesan fries and ending with a perfectly-whipped tiramisu to enjoy either inside under candlelight or at Luca’s beautifully tiled outdoor terrace for the summertime al fresco experience.
Flute in Broadwick Soho
For a sunny respite from bustling Soho head seven floors up in the independent hotel Broadwick Soho to Flute where you’ll find a colourful terrace just like the jovial interpretation of a traditional, British lounge Broadwick offers inside. This wraparound rooftop terrace is a hidden paradise in central London, with sweeping views across London and a very friendly, relaxed environment. The menu exhumes a similar vibe with indulgent takes on classic dishes including charred hisbi cabbage with salsa rossa and Hereford rib eye steak with brown butter Bearnaise and fries. Just like the interior designs, the cocktail menus caricature the classic with black fig margaritas and vodka palomas. The list of cocktails is never ending and is changed regularly by the dynamic bar staff meaning you’ll always have an excuse to return. There are lots of non-alcoholic options too, sure to satisfy everyone’s sunny day tastes.
Petersham Nurseries, Covent Garden
Welcome to floral court, where a quick turn down a narrow street in one of London’s busiest shopping districts, Covent Garden, leads you to the peaceful Petersham Nurseries Floral Court. An elegant outdoor courtyard which connects the florist, the deli and the cellar – and only when the weather clears up and starts to warm do they bring out the tables from the restaurant and offer their dining al fresco. Combining both British and Italian elegance the courtyard is an oasis of calm, connecting you to nature and a beautiful place to sit outside, stay for a while and enjoy the weather – while it lasts. From pastries to pasta or indulge in a cheese board with a bottle of wine from the cellar. Pretend it’s your own private back garden, sit back, relax and enjoy.
TT, Shoreditch
Formerly an ex-Oren (Eastern Mediterranean sharing-plates) head chef, Sam Lone leads Shoreditch’s new restaurant TT which, previously known as TT Liquor now welcomes its new permanent restaurant. Here, pickled produce and wood-fired dishes from the outdoor kitchen’s Asado-style grill and wood fired oven form the menu of sharing plates. While there is enough excitement in the dishes to keep you entertained, the retractable roof welcomes the warmer weather heading our way and elegantly frames the sweeping views of London’s edgy eastern borough, perfect for a sunny weekend dining.
La Petite Maison
A taste of the Mediterranean’s dolce vita beckons from Mayfair at La Petite Maison. Tomatoes and a lemon decorate each table as a homage to the restaurants core ingredients, and those that champion their signature cocktail, the Tomatini. Every dish – from the hors d’oeuvres to les plats – is fresh and playful, championing good-quality ingredients. These fun dishes are served within a fine-dining atmosphere here, with a sommelier on hand to pair each dish with one of France’s finest chablis or a wine from a lesser-known vineyard. Nestled within a quiet mews just behind London’s Claridge’s, and therefore tucked away from the loud bustle of central London, order a Tomatini and the scallops carpaccio and close your eyes – you really could be on the French riviera.
Dalloway Terrace
Bloomsbury, home to the covetable literary group that transformed the UK’s modernist art scene, is also home to the al fresco space at Dalloway Terrace. Named after Virginia Woolf’s – a core member of the Bloomsbury Group – heroine, Clarissa Dalloway from the novel Mrs Dalloway, the terrace affords all the floral, and elegant beauty the upper-class protagonist would love to indulge in herself. Fresh florals by florist Richard Eagleton flit between the marble tables for soft scents of the English countryside in the heart of London’s literary district. A crowd-pleasing, all day menu of Grilled Organic Salmon and Pasta All Norma is served outside amongst the meadow-like decor, making Dalloway Terrace a beautiful option for a family lunch. Though, the showstopper here is really the Afternoon Tea of champagne served with the most elegant patisseries you’ll have seen, from an earl grey and blackberry dome to the pistachio and vanilla Battenberg cake. There’s a children’s menu too of shortbread and scones. Quintessential British delicacies at their finest.
Brooklands by Claude Bosi
Located at the top of London’s loved The Peninsula hotel is Brooklands by Claude Bosi. Start at the Brooklands Bar to sip on a signature Calabria (a variation of the popular margarita including Calabrian chilli, orange, and cinnamon) with views over Buckingham Palace – the only spot in London to offer a scene quite as spectacular. Though, while you could happily sit here all night, the restaurant’s dishes aren’t ones to miss out on. A series of tasting menus await here, for a true, London fine-dining experience. Start with the Cornish Squid and Artichoke before moving to the British classic of Lake District Lamb – though the Great Fen Farm Celeriac is a delicious vegetarian alternative. Beautifully presented dishes set amongst the London skyline, Brooklands is the spot for any celebrations or special events on the calendar in late summer or as the autumn approaches. We don’t doubt why the rooftop has a Michelin-star.
The Maine, Mayfair
A traditional English townhouse, the original drawing room of the Duke of Montrose, a speakeasy tavern, and probably the biggest chandelier you’ve ever seen, the origins of New England extravagance are revived here at The Maine. While well-known, it still offers a hidden gem in Mayfair: the terrace. Although directly accessed by Hanover Square or New Bond Street, the hand painted vases by George Erdei, colourful cushions, and green foliage enshroud the space in a feeling of calm in the centre of the city. Stop by for the Afternoon Happy Hour or Oyster Shuck Fest for an afternoon under the light sky, or wait until the sun sets and enjoy the best of brasserie-style dining under the candlelight.
Madera, Treehouse
There’s a little magic waiting in Marylebone, at Madera. At the top of the Treehouse Hotel, Madera offers experiential dining, where the restaurant’s atmosphere of fire breathers (performing Tuesday and Friday night) is as electric as the Mexican dishes themselves. Whether you’re celebrating or just craving some really good huevos rancheros and an enigmatic atmosphere while London’s skyline twinkles in the background, Madera is a top choice. The monthly fiesta brunch (on the first Saturday of every month) with live DJs – and sweeping city views, of course – is also a great way to kickstart the weekend.
Terrazza At II Gattopardo
You don’t need to hop on a plane this summer to taste Italy’s rich culinary heritage. The Terrazza at II Gattopardo is an elegant affair, with all the sophisticated modernist minimalism of 1960s Italian design. The menu is seasonal for true flavours of an Italian summer. New additions include the Gamberoni (Imperial King Prawn served with Taggiasca olive and tomato) and Scoglio (a Neapolitan seafood stew with Amalfi lemon). The most intriguing part of the menu has got to be the Negroni Gelato – I doubt a dessert could get more refreshing than this. The Terrazza has a fully-retractable glass roof, so rain or shine (we’re all familiar with London’s unpredictable summers by now) an intimate evening awaits.
Los Mochis City
Set amongst the towering jungle of London’s iconic skyline, at the newly opened Los Mochis in London City you have a front row seat to the flashing lights the Liverpool Street district. The menu is just as exciting. Mexican food is fused with Japanese cuisines on the seasonally-driven menu of sharing plates. Snack on fresh fish tacos, spiced edamame, and crispy tortilla chips. Even better, every dish is gluten, nut, and celery free (with minimal dairy too) so all dietary requirements – vegetarians and vegans included – can be catered for here. Book for a vibrant girl’s night out.
Brigadiers
A social bar and restaurant in central London, Brigadiers is an excellent spot for an animated evening out. Inspired by India’s military bars, the interiors are dimly lit with red detailing, a central bar, booth seating, and private coupiers for a casino-like energy where you can enjoy poker or classic card games while drinking. The outdoor terrace is just as fun. Enjoy the A La Carte menu with a wide selection of classic Indian dishes, from Smoked Aubergine Missi Rotis to Aloo Tokri Chaat to share amongst your group. Pair with the house cocktails – the Yashpal Old Fashioned made from the Brigadiers Family Reserve is a standout. Also outside, you’ll also find DJ sunset sessions for late night parties every Friday.
CLAP Restaurant
There aren’t many rooftop spots in Knightsbridge, making CLAP a rarity in this part of town. Taking over the sixth and seventh floor of its building, the restaurant has a lovely rooftop terrace on its top floor where you can enjoy fire-torched peppers, crispy rice salmon, miniature ice sculptures, the decadent Hyojun Platter of fresh sashimi and nigiri served over a mountain of ice, the list goes on … CLAP brings a show-stopping take on contemporary Japanese dishes. The Omakase menu – meaning “I leave it up to you” in Japanese – is an excellent dive into the menu’s highlights, and you can leave is up to CLAP to make a lasting impression with beautiful platters. The bar at CLAP is just as impressive with a long cocktail list featuring Japanese takes on signature drinks. Try the new Saturday brunch session this summer, running from 12pm to 3pm every Saturday. Nothing short of a spectacle will be served as you indulge in three courses paired with options of champagne, rose, sake, and live DJ sets. There’s no better way to start your Saturday in style.
The Lighterman
Modern British dishes find an elegant spot amongst North London’s canal circuit at The Lighterman. Stylising classic pub dishes to add a lighter, seasonal and sustainable air, from the Beef Carpaccio and Salt Marsh Lam Cutlets (with sides of skin-on fries) to the Wild Sea Bass, this spot is a lovely summer alternative to spending Sunday afternoon at the local pub. For outdoor dining, The Lighterman also offers a canal-side menu of chicken salads, broad bean risottos, and Cornish crab. Plus, this summer saw the arrival of Lighterman Sounds every Sunday with an in-house DJ to accompany your meal.
Lead image credit: Luca, Clerkenwell.
We may earn a commission if you buy something from any affiliate links on our site.
Any Questions or Tips to add?