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With summer on its way, it’s time to look forward to the best of London’s outdoor hospitality options. London is one of the top cities in the world for exclusive restaurants. Below is a list of the best outdoor restaurants in London, which surely won’t disappoint.
Within walking distance from Moorgate station and run by head chef, Gary Foulkes, is Angler. With over two decades of experience working in some of the most prestige Michelin-Starred restaurants all over the UK, not forgetting working with some of the most acclaimed chefs, Foulkes has continued to create his reputation by focusing on his own exclusive and distinctive cooking techniques. With a sophisticated and fine dining feel on the inside and Angler’s rooftop terrace and bar overlooking the city skyline on the outside, it’s hard for this not to be known as one of the city’s serene hidden gems and indeed one of the best outdoor restaurants in London.
Producing picture perfect plates of food and specializing in impeccable British seafood dishes, the menu stars some of the most pleasing and unusual combinations. The A ’la Carte menu features the likes of; Cuttlefish Bolognese with flavoursome basil rigatoni, roasted Monkfish with parsnip cream and Orkney Scallops served on a bed of lightly curried cauliflower. If you want to experience the full capacity of Mr Foulkes’s creations, the tasting menu with paired wines is very much recommended too.
Situated in Devonshire Square, just off Liverpool street and inspired by classically trained Indian chef Vivek Singh, is one of London’s finest modern Indian restaurants, Cinnamon Kitchen. By incorporating fusions and spices with the finest ingredients Vivek has created a number of modern but classically delicious Indian dishes. Understandably, with Vivek’s global reputation in mastering Indian fine dining, author of six books and host of live cookery events, no wonder he is one of the most inspiring chefs of his generation.
After refurbishing a former warehouse and converting it into a graceful, chic and stylist dining area, we can understand as to why customers want to dine at this atmospheric and attentive to detail haven. Whether it be sitting outside in the terraced area just by the entrance of the restaurant, or seated inside in the low dimmed, sleek setting surrounded by unique original feature of the warehouse itself, ‘Cinnamon Kitchen City’ is definitely among the best outdoor restaurants in London and a place worth checking out.
The menus offer carefully source Indian spices with seasonal ingredients, making sure you don’t go home disappointed! Starters include several typical Indian delights, such as; Samosa or crispy kale and spinach Chaats, to even Chicken Tikka and Cheese Nann and Kerman spiced Ox-Cheek pickle. This is then followed by variety of tasty fusion curries, spiced meats and fishes with a selection of appetising side dishes. Mouth-watering or what!
In the heart of some of London’s busiest streets, situated just off Fitzrovia is the vibrant Sicilian Trattoria, Circolo Popalare. Although, this is not necessarily an outdoor restaurant, diners won’t be disappointed as the outdoors scenery is virtually brought indoors. The lavish interior boasts walls lined with countless vintage spirit bottles, dimmed lit hanging festoon lights and also greenery, which stretches up the walls and across the ceiling. You’ll be able to experience traditional dishes with a twist, using both seasonal and organic ingredients which are carefully put together making sure each mouth of food is a volcano of flavour.
The menu offers an endless list of Italian specialities, once again bringing you a taste of Italian culture to our very own London suburbs. The delightful menu is equally as lavishing to the restaurant’s settings, featuring metre long pizzas (particularly good for sharing), tasty pasta and meat dishes, not forgetting the irresistible list of sweet desserts. If you’re not a big fan of coffee, we’d recommend the ‘Limonemisu’ which is basically an Amalfi lemony take on an Italian classic, which is nicely complemented with a single shot of limoncello. This is an almighty treat!
Just steps away from Covent Garden and Oxford street, featuring some of the most magical and stylish interior elements is Dalloway Terrace. Fulfilled with an artistic ambiance to reflect 20th Century Bloomsbury, this alfresco diner is definitely one to try. The elegant and poetic English atmosphere is based in a secluded and romanticized secret garden, which is idealistic all year round. Just imagine a fairy-tale like, white and cheerful setting from Narnia, and this is where you’ll be eating some of the most inviting foods.
Dalloway Terrace well known for its outdoorsy setting serves menus for breakfast, brunch, afternoon tea as well as lunch and dinner, making it open all day long. That’s why we believe it is indeed one of the best outdoor restaurants in London. The menu selection exaggerates colourful, light and refreshing flavours suitable for the latter. For all you cheese lovers, the oozing ‘Le Gruyere Premier Cru Fondue’ with homemade toasted rosemary focaccia, pickles and fingerling potatoes is one of many which is very temping. If this doesn’t take your fancy, undoubtedly there will be a dish that will…ranging from; Cotswold Chicken Breast, Winter Squash Risotto, Thai Green Pumpkin Curry or even Roasted Wild Venison. You’ll be fooled if you don’t go dine at this magical retreat!
Establishing its name in the famous Shoreditch and inspired by Bombay in the 1930’s is Dishoom, Taking influence from Iran and Persia, this charming but ‘a little rough around the edges’ restaurant embraces the element of imperfection. The interior is renounced for its vintage dark wooden décor, dimmed lighting and snug seating, whereas the exterior is the most impressive providing an outdoor shaded veranda with comfy brocade sofas, all of which are surrounded by exotic plantation, antique cultural furniture’s and faded old-fashioned photographs.
If this doesn’t wooh you enough, the multi-award-winning menu surely will, producing affordable Indian street food with digs of quality and style. Typical cuisines are slow cooked and layered with aromatic traces from the origins itself, providing some of the most dark and rich flavours. Some popular favourites is the tender and juicy ‘Lamb Raan,’ (a leg of lamb marinated by a number of herbs and spices, then braised overnight before being flame-grilled, sliced and served with a home-made mint chutney and freshly baked roomily roti) or ‘the Dishoom Chicken Tikka,’ (a family heritage using marinades of sweet vinegar, ginger juice, turmeric, garlic and fresh green chillis). Tempting is an understatement!
Located in the heart of Mayfair, this inclusion into our list of the best outdoor restaurants in London, and inspired by the stoves of the legendary Heston Blumenthal ‘The Dinner’ lies Fallow. Both Will Murray and Jack Croft, who are well known for their prestigious and culinary awards in cooking are the masterminds behind the scenes, helping run and sustain this sublime gem.
Guest are greeted by the open kitchen dinning area and beautiful aromas of freshly cooked British cuisine at your finest. When arriving at Fallows, you can choose between indoor seating surrounded by a modern and contemporary interior or seating on the outdoor terrace fulfilled by greenery and the busy streets of Mayfair.
Customers have a choice of a selection of delicious and appetising starters such as; ‘juicy corn ribs with a dash of lime’ or even, mouth watering ‘January king cabbage, with gun-powdering garlic and tasty chestnuts.’ The mains on the other hand, offer a large array of plant base, meat and fish choices. Depending on what takes your fancy, one of my particular favourites would be the unique and packed full of flavour ‘plant burger,’ with vegan cheese, lettuce and shallots, all of which are nicely complimented by a wine of your choice.
Located at the very top of the Hoxton hotel in the Southwark and boasting one of London’s biggest oyster lists is the impressive Seafood restaurants Seabird. Consisting of a coastal but chic interior with an impressive marble bar, not forgetting the well know outdoor rooftop seating with breath taking views of the city, diners are able to experience the fresh and fragrant flavours of Southern Europe. The restaurant has a wonderful sensation right from the outset and it is no wonder it is ideal for a romantic date-night out for all you love-birds! The New-York themed rooftop, with snug white and beige sofas, candle lit tables and as mentioned outstanding views surely must tick all the boxes.
In addition to the restaurants outstanding features, ‘Seabird’ also manages to ‘wow’ customers with their small plates of delicious and tender octopus or even signature specials like ‘the Afternoon Sea,’ fulfilled with fresh and wholesome selections of oysters, langoustines, clams and prawns. This delightful ship is definitely the captain of the sea!
With over 50 years under the management of the Bianchi Bandinelli family, providing superb hospitality and flavoursome foods and wines is Villa Di Geggiano. Inspired by Tuscan heritage, particularly from the enchanting hills of Chianti Classico, the Bandinelli’s bring a taste of Tuscany to the heart of London’s W4. The beauty is not only in the dining room experience, which remains intimate adjourned by residential contemporary artworks and a grand piano, it also lies in the open-air terrace which is shaded by Sangiovese vines making it a perfect ‘all year-round’ dining experience. Definitely one of the best outdoor restaurants in London.
The menu prides itself using a selection of the finest imported ingredient from there very own Tuscan villa and farms, employing tradition techniques to master the essence of Italian cuisine. The foods range on the menu entice homemade yet attentive to detail plates, which are full of flavour and delicious with every bite. One particular favourite is the ‘Tagliatella Al basilico con pesto di pistacchi e limone, blu do bufala,’ which is freshly home-made green Basil tagliatelle pasta, served with a unique yet delicious pistachio and lemon pesto, nicely garnished with a sprinkle of Blu Bufala cheese. The best way to explain it, is a mouthful of heaven!
Known for its exquisite Michelin star food and equally good outdoor riverside terrace, is the long-standing The River Cafe. Placed in the borough of Hammersmith in a former oil storage warehouse, which specializes in culinary Italian cuisine. Although the surrounding area has developed over the year, the restaurant itself still feels like a hideaway, surrounded by with vibrant greenery and overlooking the famous River Thames.
Adding to the buzzing and wonderful atmosphere is the excellent daily changing menu, offering a wide range of delicious Italian foods. Whether it be an Antipasti, Primi, Secondi or even a sweet Gelati, this award-winning outdoor restaurant really does spoil you for choice allowing you to learn about their ingredients. Not only does the restaurant have a huge choice of outstanding plates of food, they also provide set-menus with expertly selected wines from all over Italy. Just from personal choice, one admirable wine would be the ‘Roero Arneis’ which a ‘vini bianchi’ produced in the Piedmont region.
If you are looking for a more intimate and romantic outdoor environment to dine at, the south American inspired restaurant YOPO at the Mandrake Hotel is the place to go! Taking influence from his journey through the likes of Argentina, Chile and Peru, head chef and mastermind behind the culinary dishes, George Scott-Toft has incorporated the finest indigenous native ingredients into his own interventions, producing some of the most inviting dishes. In contrast with the indulgent foods, ‘YOPO’, is well known for its remarkable interiors of golden velvet seating, marble flooring and elements or artistry, not forgetting the even more so lavishing and dreamlike outdoor setting known as the ‘Jurema Terrance’ which also follows on from the South American theme. With hand woven seating, an all-over wooden feel and drapes of green ivy all around, it’s no wonder this is one of London’s popular hangout spots.
Moving onto the food at YOPO uses devised combinations and experimental ingredients to produce only the finest and refined plates. Ranging from ‘Parmesan Tapioca with Pumpkin seed Salsa’, ‘Devonshire Crab with Corn, ‘Oscietra and Tostadas’, to even ‘500 grams of juicy and succulent dry aged Sirloin with Girolles,’ all of which are accompanied by a selection of the finest native wines. This stunning setting truly does fulfil the needs for all! We vote this as one of the best outdoor restaurants in London.
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