Let’s face it, we aren’t always greeted with the best of weather here in London. But come rain or shine, you can guarantee we’ll still all be out dining at our favourite restaurants this summer.
If you’re looking for somewhere that’s outdoors but is covered, we’ve rounded up the best alfresco dining spots guaranteed to keep you dry when the weather turns (or when it just so happens to be too hot to cope in the sweltering heat).
Luca
Merging beautiful British seasonal ingredients with Italian flavours and techniques, Luca is a prime spot in Clerkenwell for laidback dining. Their terrace though is where the magic happens. Seating up to 18 guests, dine alfresco in their foliage-filled space, abrim with olive trees and jasmine for a night to remember.
If the weather isn’t holding out, the terrace roof retracts, easily keeping you dry and warm from the drizzle going on overhead.
Look forward to dishes of agnolotti carbonara with speck and puffed quinoa; Hereford beef fillet with white asparagus, confit garlic, mustard leaf and parmesan; and pickled Italian cucumbers with tropea onion, lemon and mint.
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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 their 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 (tempomental) summer 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
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 abrim with wildflowers. Created by floral designers Early Hours, the transformation nods to the British countryside, filled with blossom, tulips and ranunculus.
Alongside the makeover, expect a cocktail and food menu to match. They’ve partnered with The Botanist Gin to create a cocktail menu filled with botanical flavours and crisp seasonal aromas. While the food, created by head pastry chef Chris Dodd, has been designed to complement the cocktails with a herbal afternoon tea.
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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
Frescobaldi London
The Mayfair favourite, Frescobaldi is home to some of the best Italian food in the capital. And thankfully, it boasts fifty covers in their covered alfresco dining area.
Enjoy the taste of Tuscany in London and enjoy dishes such as spaghetti with clams and fresh chillies; sea bass fillet with fennel salad and orange; and grilled carabinero prawns.
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Enjoy the taste of Tuscany in London...
15 Burlington Place, Mayfair, W1S 2HX
The Churchill Bar & Terrace
Perfect for the 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.
Head bartender Christian Maspes and his team of mixologists will be on hand to whizz up some delicious cocktails, from the Cephalonia, a mix of olive oil fat washed Metaxa, Myers rum, celery and basil juice, Contreau and marzipan syrup, to the High Altitude, a blend of Dobel tequila, Oloroso sherry, paprika cordial and cardamom extract.
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.
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. If the weather isn’t playing ball, fear not as 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
8 Heddon Street, W1B 4BU
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.
Hans’ Bar & Grill
From grilled dishes to pan fried hake, beef tataki to fresh doughnuts made for sharing, 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
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.
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 their 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. Order a round of cocktails and dishes from their special collab with YamGood. Think Asian flavours, from miso nasu to popcorn shrimp and lemongrass chicken skewers.
6-8 All Saints Road, W11 1HH
Home House
London’s popular members’ club Home House is keeping a little secret from you all… Outside you’ll find their Garden dressed for the occasion in floral arrangements and displays celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Perfect for all weathers, come rain or shine, their Garden boasts plenty of outdoor seating options, from under the sun rays to parasols and a bohemian inspired open tent.
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20 Portman Square, W1H 6LW
The Richmond Club
The Richmond Club has everything you need for a day of alfresco dining, from cosy covered seating to space to soak up the sunshine.
Whether it’s raining or shining, the Pagoda is a covered space, perfect for dining and enjoying drinks bistro-style. There’s also overhead heaters for when the cooler weather hits once the sun goes down.
Pair the experience with dishes from their menu, from bruschetta with tomatoes, olives and basil to breaded halloumi sticks with a hot and spicy salsa. Expect plenty of cocktails too, including strawberry and blackberry brambles, old Cudans and the refreshing blackberry Champagne mule.
If you don’t have a membership, fear not as they offer day passes at £25pp so you can visit for a meal and drinks.
115 – 117 Kew Road, Richmond, TW9 2PN
Sloane Place
The Roof Terrace at The Sloane is a perfect spot for a summer 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.
The menu has been designed by German Executive Chef, Bernhard Mayer, and Javanese Head Chef, Maryono Maryono, giving the menu a European/Asian flair celebrating British summer flavours with a delicious exotic twist. Try the Thai Green Papaya Salad and English Green Asparagus Ceviche to start. The Messy Aromatic Lemongrass Chicken Burger and Jerusalem Artichoke, Chickpea and Wild Garlic Burger are a must too.
60 Lower Sloane Street, Chelsea, SW1W 8BP
