Shelter From The Rain At London’s Best Covered Outdoor Dining Areas
We’re being stereotypically British by talking about the weather here, but when the weather changes as drastically as it has over the last few weeks, who can blame us? Come rain or shine, more often than not us Brits will always opt to dine alfresco style when we can. With rain on the upcoming forecast, you’d think it would be a little harder, but here to prove us wrong once again, are London restaurants armed with stylish covered outdoor dining areas with buckets of charm.
From covered courtyards to cosy igloos, we’ve rounded up the best spots with a covered outdoor dining area.
The Best Covered Outdoor Dining Areas You’ll Find In London
Luca
Merging beautiful British seasonal ingredients with Italian flavours and techniques, Luca is a prime spot in Clerkenwell for laid-back dining. Their terrace though is where the magic happens. Seating up to 18 guests, dine alfresco in their foliage-filled space, 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 the drizzle overhead.
Look forward to dishes such as mezzi paccheri with pork sausage ragù, tomato, anchovy and mint; Scottish halibut with mussels, saffron, courgette and san marzano tomato; and aubergine cooked over hazelwood with smoked datterini, chickpeas and farinata.
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88 St John Street, Clerkenwell, EC1M 4EH
Corinthia London
Corinthia London, located in Westminster, is home to a glorious secret garden. If the weather is looking a little iffy, don’t worry as the floral-filled garden is rainproof thanks to a canopy covering the area. Besides, it’s even cosier when it’s a little chilly as they have two roaring fireplaces on the go to take care of the cold.
For that truly Mediterranean feeling, pursue their menu. Designed and prepared by executive chef André Garrett, expect raw salads and seafood aplenty to make an appearance.
Whitehall Place, SW1A 2BD
Angler
Angler is bringing Provence to the capital thanks to its gorgeous, floral-filled terrace. The rooftop terrace is equipped with heaters and a retractable rain cover, helping guests to keep warm, cosy and dry, even when it’s pouring outside.
Priding itself on its Michelin status, executive chef Gary Foulkes has rustled up a menu that champions the best of British seafood. By night, the spot becomes a secret drinking den, serving up cocktails and snacks perfect for soaking up the British (temperamental) autumn time.
Come rain or shine, this is the place to head for Michelin-star dining at its best.
South Place Hotel, 3 South Place, EC2M 2AF
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Plaza Pastor
Escape to Mexico in a heartbeat thanks to Coal Drops Yard’s Plaza Pastor, the lively outdoor covered Mexican terrace from Casa Pastor.
Expect authentic Mexican fare, from al Pastor tacos and tuna tostadas to beef short rib sharers.
Coal Drops Yard, King’s Cross, N1C 4DQ
Dalloway Terrace
Head to Dalloway Terrace to uncover this season’s most Instagrammable terrace makeover. The Bloomsbury hideout has once again been transformed into a natural garden, transporting you to Maison Belle Epoque, the home of Perrier-Jouët Champagne.
Expect the space to be abrim with golden autumnal leaves, all complemented with a fall-inspired menu. Dishes include wild seabass with avocado, chilli and citrus dressing; chicken Milanese with rocket and parmesan; and Portland crab fresh linguine with datterini tomatoes, chilli and lemon.
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16-22 Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury, WC1B 3NN
Brat x Climpson’s Arch
Over in London Fields lies Brat x Climpson’s Arch, a wood-fired restaurant home to a large covered courtyard.
Perfect for big groups, the restaurant serves up a selection of coal-fired dishes, from roasted chicken rice and whole crab to wood-fired breads and fresh shellfish.
374 Helmsley Place, E8 3SB
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.
The bar’s team of expert mixologists has created a special cocktail menu rooted in sustainability. Championing local flavours and home-grown produce, enjoy the likes of the Motherland, featuring Scapegrace Vodka, pineapple, jalapeño, sweet potato and orange bitters; and the Le Vieux-Port, a mix of Godet N1 Cognac, Campari, Dubonnet and Cynar Chambord.
30 PORTMAN SQUARE, W1H 7BH
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.
11-15 Swallow Street, W1B 4DG
Aqua Kyoto
Enjoy a taste of Kyoto without flying at Aqua Kyoto. One of London’s best-kept secrets is their terrace out the back that overlooks the city.
When the sun is shining, expect a beautiful breeze overhead but as the wind settles in and rain clouds appear, the retractable roof comes into play so you can look forward to outdoor dining without getting soaked.
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5th Floor, 240 Regent Street (entrance 30 Argyll Street), WIB 3BR
The Stafford
Home to St James’s best-kept secret, The American Bar at The Stafford has a hidden outdoor terrace waiting for you to discover.
The terrace boasts an exciting American-inspired menu, helping to live out your alfresco dreams. The terrace is fitted with heaters and an extendable covering, meaning you can still enjoy a few outdoor tipples in style.
16-18 St James’s Place, St. James’s, SW1A 1NJ
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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 cosy, warm and protected from whatever the weather wants to throw at us.
For beautiful views overlooking London’s Tower Bridge and the Thames, visit their London branch, Coppa Club Tower Bridge. Or, head out of the city and enjoy alfresco dining at its finest, with a little help from covered seating, at Coppa Streatley or Coppa Sonning.
Various locations including Tower Bridge & Putney
Heddon Yokocho
Guests are instantly transported to downtown Tokyo when they step inside Heddon Yokocho. Inspired by the retro ramen bars, it’s the perfect place to while away long summer evenings, and somewhere to escape those pesky summer showers that London is so known for.
The covered alfresco terrace, featuring vibrant red tables and cool artwork, invites guests to chow down on warming, authentic Japanese ramen.
8 Heddon Street, W1B 4BU
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.
Dining at the Terrazza will finish for the season on 29th October but the space will remain open throughout the winter for drinks.
135 Bishopsgate, EC2M 3YD
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Lucy Wong
Traditional Asian elements intertwine with modern innovations at Lucy Wong, the late-night bar located in Fitzrovia. Here you’ll find a hidden covered outdoor dining area, complete with intricate artwork, warm autumnal tones and a signature cocktail list to make your way through.
Fully heated and covered, sip into the evening on the likes of the Eastern Sour, made with Orientalist Origins vodka, raspberry and thyme liqueur, raspberry shrub, lime, rhubarb bitters and egg white; or the Dynamite Gimlet, with Roku Gin, Italicus Bergamot liqueur, ginger syrup and yuzu.
33-34 Rathbone Place, W1T 1JN
Hans’ Bar & Grill
From aioli pulled pork and beef tataki to pan-fried hake and la parmigiana, Hans’ Bar & Grill is the place to go for fine food and sheltered cover in Chelsea.
Their alfresco dining area is home to large parasols, heaters and blankets, all designed to keep you cosy on cooler nights, dry during any showers or simply sheltered from the scorching heat when the sun decides to make a sneaky appearance.
164 Pavilion Road, Chelsea, SW1X 0AW
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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 eat free.
3-9 Heddon Street, W1B 4BE
Sea Containers Restaurant
With sweeping views overlooking the Thames, there’s no better place to reside this autumn than Sea Containers Restaurant.
Designed by visionary Tom Dixon, 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.
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Sea Containers London, 20 Upper Ground, South Bank, SE1 9PD
London Shuffle Club
With outdoor space at a premium in Shoreditch, a table on the London Shuffle Club outdoor terrace is a hot ticket. The venue is best known for its supercharged game of shuffleboard but it makes way for the ideal spot for beers and cocktails in the sun too.
The cocktail menu changes with the season, but you can always go classic with an Aperol Spritz or a refreshing Margarita to mentally transport you to holiday climes. With a fully retractable roof, the sun shines down on the terrace from dawn till dusk, making London Shuffle Club the perfect spot for a lunchtime pint or post-work cocktails in the evening sun (or rain).
4 Ebor Street, Shoreditch, E1 6AW
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Little Yellow Door
Outdoor dining can often feel a bit of a luxury in London and covered outdoor dining even more so, so when you find somewhere it’s hard to keep it a secret. We love the Little Yellow Door’s outdoor space as it brings its eccentric charm outdoors.
Head to All Saints Road, tap on the lion knocker at the yellow door and prepare for your mind to be blown away by the charm and characters that lie within this little cosy spot. Head down Wednesday to Friday to make the most of their £5 Picante offer.
6-8 All Saints Road, W11 1HH
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 heated cigar terrace is the perfect oasis for the autumnal months. Look forward to tucking into a selection of fine British cheeses and sipping into the evening on expertly mixed cocktails.
The Lanesborough, Hyde Park Corner, SW1X 7TA
Home House
London’s popular members’ club, Home House, has once again undergone its winter garden lounge transformation. Guests can expect to embark on a journey through opulent furnishings, low day bed seating and exotic objets d’arts.
Throughout the colder months, members and guests can enjoy cosy dining alongside winter-warming drinks, from hot chocolates to Home House’s secret mulled wine recipe served from the club’s Samovar.
20 Portman Square, W1H 6LW
Fortnum & Mason at the Royal Exchange
Autumn may be here but that hasn’t stopped Fortnum & Mason at the Royal Exchange from offering a prime people-watching covered alfresco space.
Fortnum & Mason’s umbrellas ensure shelter from all the elements, and you can cosy up with a warming wild mushroom dish from their seasonal menu. Think Chanterelle risotto with goat’s curd and walnuts and burrata with pickled girolles and figs.
Royal Exchange, EC3V 3LL
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Sloane Place
The Roof Terrace at The Sloane is a perfect spot for an autumnal lunch or dinner, whatever the weather, as there is a covered terrace to stay out of the rain, lined with heaters to keep warm on those colder days.
Menu highlights include the wild mushroom and Somerset brie cheese tart; pan-seared stone bass fillet; and corn-fed chicken supreme.
52 Lower Sloane Street, Chelsea, SW1W 8BS
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Devonshire Terrace by Drake & Morgan
Just shy of Liverpool Street Station, Devonshire Terrace by Drake & Morgan is home to a spacious fully covered outside terrace.
Book yourself in for a weekend brunch or evening catch-up with friends and cosy in with cushions and blankets to keep warm. Menu highlights include spiced cauliflower; burnt end pork bites; twelve-hour braised ox cheek; and superstraccia and n’duja tortellini.
Devonshire Terrace, Devonshire Square, EC2M 4WY
