Where To Eat Outdoors This Spring (Before Everyone Else Catches On)

The Laundry Brixton

Tucked beneath the railway arches in Brixton, The Laundry has long been one of South London’s strongest outdoor dining spots, with a terrace that feels lively without tipping into chaos. String lights, flowing wine and the constant rhythm of plates leaving the open kitchen give it the sort of atmosphere that encourages you to settle in for a long night.

This summer also sees the return of its Wild Table events — long, communal outdoor dinners centred around seasonal cooking, shared plates and generous pours under the trees and just outside London for a real, fresh air escape. It’s the definition of alfresco dining that does best when the weather finally starts to behave itself.

Where: 374 Coldharbour Ln, London SW9 8PL
Website: www.thelaundrybrixton.com

The Italian Greyhound

Set on a bright corner of Seymour Place, The Italian Greyhound’s terrace is perfect for channelling your inner Italy with indulgent cicchetti and spritzes, perfect for catch-ups with friends.

For those looking to linger, fresh pastas take centre stage. Think squid ink agnolotti with lobster vodka sauce, creamy mezzi rigatoni carbonara with confit yolk or lamb ragu with hand-pulled pappardelle to suit heartier appetites. Larger plates invite sharing from whole grilled seabass with burro piccante or burnt ends pork chop balanced by sharp forced rhubarb.

where: 62 Seymour St, London W1H 5BN
website: www.theitaliangreyhound.co.uk

Liverpool Street Chop House & Tavern

At Liverpool Street Chop House & Tavern, you can look forward to fabulous steaks and pints, best enjoyed on their covered terrace. Go for delicious pork chops or treat yourself to the chop chop burger. Made to share, the roast chicken pie is another favourite on the menu.

You can look forward to fabulous steaks and pints, best enjoyed on their covered terrace.

where: 16A New Street, Devonshire Square, London, EC2M 4TR
website: www.liverpoolstchophouse.coM

Luca

Merging beautiful British seasonal ingredients with Italian flavours and techniques, Luca is a prime spot for laid-back dining. Their terrace, though, is where the magic happens. Seating up to 18 guests, dine al fresco with olive trees and jasmine for a night to remember. 

If the weather isn’t holding out, the terrace roof retracts, keeping you dry and warm from any drizzle overhead. Look forward to dishes such as rigatoni with pork sausage ragu, tomato, anchovy, mint; pork loin with Italian peas, calabrian spianata, nespole, mustard; and Italian bitter leaves salad with blood orange, hazelnuts, and pickled chilli on the side.

where: 88 St John Street, Clerkenwell, EC1M 4EH 
website: www.luca.restaurant.com

STK Rooftop & Bar Stratford

Soak up the glow of golden hour on STK’s cosy outdoor terraces that offer sheltered panoramic views of East London. Surrounded by the sparkling skyline, you can enjoy STK’s signature dishes such as steak frites, roast chicken with honey-glazed carrots, selections from the raw bar, or the shellfish platter for two. The rooftop terraces are open to guests wishing to dine or just have drinks.

where: STK Rooftop & Bar Stratford, The Gantry, 40 Celebration Avenue, London, E20 1DB
website: www.stksteakhouse.com

Jurema Terrace at The Mandrake

As the weather shifts, Jurema Terrace at The Mandrake becomes the ideal haven, sheltered, luminous, and alive with atmosphere. Here, immerse yourself in the wellness menu, the champagne and oyster menu, or the à la carte menu for lunch and dinner. Enjoy small plates like grilled octopus skewers, sea bass crudo, or grilled sirloin with chimichurri.

where: 20-21 Newman St, London W1T 1PG
website: www.themandrake.com

The Garden at Corinthia London

Head to The Garden at Corinthia London for a cosy meal this spring. Showcasing the best of seasonal ingredients, you can look forward to favourites such as native lobster brioche roll, grilled Hereford ribeye, and slow roast rack of Welsh lamb to share. Thoughtfully paired with fine wines and indulgent desserts like rhubarb custard vanilla shortbread. This spot is made for lingering evenings in the heart of the city.

where: Whitehall Place, SW1A 2BD
website: www.corinthia.com

Angler

Angler is bringing Provence to the capital thanks to its gorgeous, floral-filled terrace. The rooftop space is equipped with heaters and a retractable rain cover, helping guests to keep warm and dry, even if there is rain in the forecast. Priding itself on its Michelin status, Angler offers a menu that champions the best of British seafood.

Priding itself on its Michelin status, Angler offers a menu that champions the best of British seafood.

where: South Place Hotel, 3 South Place, EC2M 2AF
website: www.southplacehotel.com

Bombay Brasseries

Bombay Brasseries’ plant-filled conservatory is the perfect place to dine in natural sunlight or gaze at the London night, while being sheltered from the elements. With gorgeous tropical plants hanging from the ceiling, you’ll be transported away from the London rain while indulging in the delicious food Bombay Brasserie has to offer.

Bombay Brasseries’ plant-filled conservatory is the perfect place to dine in natural sunlight or gaze at the London night.

where: Courtfield Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 4QH
website: www.bombayb.co.uk

The Churchill Bar & Terrace

Perfect for nights when it’s a little chillier, The Churchill Bar’s terrace is heated and a cosy oasis from the hustle and bustle of Marylebone Village. Expect to find a leafy terrace hidden outside, complete with subtle nods to the former prime minister Winston Churchill. As the weather warms, stop by for the Riviera Terrace Spritz menu, plus food specials like red tuna tartare, beef carpaccio, chicken milanese, and aubergine parmigiana.

where: 30 PORTMAN SQUARE, W1H 7BH
website: www.hyattrestaurants.com

Bentley’s Oyster Bar & Grill

Take in the hustle and bustle of a rainy Swallow Street in style at Bentley’s Oyster Bar & Grill, where you’ll find a heated and covered terrace overlooking the street. Rest easy knowing you’ll be dry and comfortable while you dine on delights from the sea and land.

Rest easy knowing you’ll be dry and comfortable while you dine on delights from the sea and land.

where: 11-15 Swallow Street, W1B 4DG
website: www.bentleys.org

Coppa Club

Bringing the indoors out is Coppa Club and their iconic igloos that are open all year round. No matter the weather, you can guarantee you’ll be protected from whatever the spring weather wants to throw at us. Whether it’s beautiful views overlooking London’s Tower Bridge and the Thames or a gorgeous location in Sonning, Coppa Club has it all.

No matter the weather, you can guarantee you’ll be cosy, warm and protected.

where: Various locations
website: www.coppaclub.com

Eataly

Fancy a drink before your long commute home? Meeting friends for a spritz and a catch-up? Head over to Terrazza at Eataly to nab one of the best covered outdoor seats in the city. 

Handily located next to London Liverpool Street station, this gem nods to its Italian heritage, complete with a spritz menu you won’t be able to resist. 

Head over to Terrazza at Eataly to nab one of the best covered outdoor seats in the city. 

where: 135 Bishopsgate, EC2M 3YD 
website: www.eataly.co.uk

Heddon Street Kitchen

Located just off Regent Street, Gordon Ramsay’s Heddon Street Kitchen is perfect for dining alfresco or sipping cocktails into the evening. 

The restaurant, complete with a covered outdoor terrace, features a menu of Ramsay’s iconic classics, from his legendary beef Wellington served with creamy mashed potato and red wine jus to premium rare breed beef cuts. Plus, it’s a great one for families too, as kids under ten eat free.

where: 3-9 Heddon Street, W1B 4BE 
website: www.gordonramsayrestaurants.com

Sea Containers Restaurant

With sweeping views overlooking the Thames, there’s no better place to visit than Sea Containers restaurant. The restaurant offers all-day dining and features a lovely covered outdoor dining area right on the river. With a menu designed around sharing, the food celebrates seasonality and ingredient-led cooking.

With a menu designed around sharing, the food celebrates seasonality and ingredient-led cooking.

where: Sea Containers London, 20 Upper Ground, South Bank, SE1 9PD 
website: www.seacontainerslondon.com

The Garden Room at The Lanesborough

Escape the busy street and book yourself in for London’s chicest hiding spot – The Garden Room at The Lanesborough. The sophisticated indoor-outdoor cigar terrace is the perfect oasis. Look forward to tucking into a selection of spirit-led drinks list featuring rare whiskies, cognacs, rums, and signature cocktails.

where: The Lanesborough, Hyde Park Corner, SW1X 7TA 
Website: www.oetkerhotels.com

Fortnum & Mason at the Royal Exchange

With summer on the cusp, Fortnum & Mason at the Royal Exchange is a prime people-watching covered alfresco space. Fortnum & Mason’s umbrellas ensure shelter from all the elements, and you can enjoy lunch, dinner, and afternoon tea. For food, think crab linguini, cod with pea velouté, and ribeye steak with chips.

where: Royal Exchange, EC3V 3LL
website: www.fortnumandmason.com

Sloane Place

The Roof Terrace at The Sloane is a perfect spot for a sunny lunch or dinner, whatever the weather. The covered terrace protects you from the rain and is lined with heaters for when the sun dips behind the clouds.

The covered terrace protects you from the rain and is lined with heaters for when the sun dips behind the clouds.

where: 52 Lower Sloane Street, Chelsea, SW1W 8BS
Website: www.sloaneclub.com