City Sundowners: The Best Outdoor Restaurants In London

Seabird

Al fresco dining doesn’t come much better than Seabird. Hidden above The Hoxton Southwark, this rooftop serves up seafood delights and is home to London’s longest oyster list, marble raw bar and views that look out over the city. 

Head here for cocktail memories or book in for dinner to sample a few of their legendary oysters and delicious sharing boards of whole boneless sea bass with smoked honey butter and mojo verde or whole lobster rice with manchego and porto blanco.

The Lighterman

If anywhere in London screams summer it’s Coal Drops Yard. Tucked away in King’s Cross, the space is home to so much vibrance and activity in the summer months, from the giant cinema screen on the canal to the flurry of alfresco dining spots. Our favourite? The Lighterman, the three-floor restaurant-turned-bar that’s handily located on the riverside.

Here you’ll find multiple alfresco dining areas, each serving up great food and drinks for all to enjoy. Order something fresh from their British-influenced menu, from salads to artisan cured meats, hot smoked salmon flatbreads to char-grilled Castlemead chicken breast, before spending the evening sipping cocktails at sunset. 

The Rooftop at One Hundred Shoreditch

A favourite all around, the venue serves up immaculate alfresco vibes, from dreamy baby pink interiors to the best views on this side of the capital. 

Grab a table and sit back as you relax to the sound of Latin dance music filling up the space, order a round of their signature margaritas and soak up the sunset at this special spot.

Lost in Brixton

Lose yourself in the magic of Brixton’s hidden rooftop terrace this summer. Lost in Brixton is a giant alfresco venue that serves up some of the best buzzy vibes in the capital, from Latin American-inspired cocktails and local craft beers to boot to DJ sets and live music to fuel you into the early hours of the morning. 

Wash your cocktails down with food from Brixton market’s street food vendors, from Jalisco Brizton to Black Bear Burger, Three Uncles to Okan. 

The Greenhouses

For an evening a little more intimate, look to The Greenhouses at One Marylebone. Made up of nine unique areas, this is the perfect private dining moment, whether you’re after a celebratory dinner or a romantic evening for two. 

Open year-round, there’s seating al fresco style in the summer and cosy heated corners come the winter time. 

On the menu front, you can look forward to Mediterranean-style sharing plates, from stone bass with white tahini, freekeh stew, broccolini, green beans, spinach and labneh to lamb shoulder with pearl barley, baby carrot, fronds pesto and apricot jus.

Haugen

East Londoners will already know about this hidden gem but D&D’s Haugen is the ultimate alpine-inspired restaurant we love. 

From live music every Thursday through to Sunday to their legendary off piste brunch on Saturdays, there’s something for everyone. Grab a seat, sip cocktails and look out over Stratford’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

Sabine

Sabine became an instant favourite when it opened its doors last summer, and it’s hardly surprising when it’s a rooftop that looks out over St Paul’s Cathedral. 

Home to sky-high dining and a glass-domed roof, the bar is filled with botanical-inspired plants and interiors, and this theme leaks into the cocktail menu too.

You’ll find them serving up a selection of small plates, from pulled lamb tostadas to tandoori prawn skewers, mac and cheese bon bons to shitake mushroom gyoza. 

Darcy & May Green

As colourful as they come, Darcie & May Green is the canalside venture from brunch specialists Daisy Green. Located in Sheldon Square, this multi-coloured boat is covered in bespoke artwork by British pop artist, Sir Peter Blake.

With seats inside and aboard the top deck, they serve up some of the best Aussie brunch staples in the city, from their award-winning banana bread sandwich with honey mascarpone cream, fresh berries and flaked almonds to The Bondi, a mix of back bacon, poached eggs, chilli and fennel sausage, mushrooms, avo and house chilli pesto on cold fermented activities charcoal sourdough.

The Fifth Floor Terrace at Harvey Nichols

You’re invited to discover Puerto Rico this summer courtesy of Harvey Nichols. The iconic department store has teamed up with Discover Puerto Rico to create a Caribbean-inspired takeover.

The terrace is adorned with native flowers and colourful furnishings, while Puerto Rico’s rum house, Casa BACARDÍ, will be serving up popular classics. Think mojito and hand-shaken piña coladas. There’ll also be Puerto Rican dishes on offer too.

Frank’s Cafe

Sometimes all we need is a cocktail in hand to have a good time, and at Frank’s Cafe in Peckham that’s what you’ll find served up. Situated at the top of a multi-story car park, the drinking spot has been popular since it opened up in 2009, with London residents from all over coming here to sip into the sunset. 

On the menu you’ll find brunch, lunch and dinner served up, all focusing on simplicity and seasonality. As well as plenty of booze to go around too, from beers to spritz.

Unfussy drinking and dining at its finest.

Jones Family Kitchen

One of our favourite spots for the summer has to be Eccleston Yards thanks to its plethora of events, restaurants and terraces. At the top of our list for a sundowner though is Jones Family Kitchen thanks to its sunny situated terrace. 

Grab a cocktail from their long list, from the Sunshine Spritz, made with Aperol, Ramsbury gin, grapefruit, marmalade, soda and Prosecco to the Frozen Margaritas.