Bars By The Canal In London

Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Islington, this boozer is something of a hidden gem. There's a cosy and intimate feel to this one, with a balcony looking out over the water which offers the best views in the house.

With a beer garden overlooking the canal in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, The Lock Inn is a gorgeous Hackney pub. Serving up cocktails and craft beer from local breweries, alongside delish pizzas, burgers and Sunday roasts, they're keeping you well fed too.

Prepare to be transported to a faraway land, as this Clapton boozer gives you all the feels of an out-of-town pub. Go for leafy views alongside Sunday lunch and classic British gastro grub with real ales and craft beer to soak it all up.

Head down to West London's Regent's Canal where this quirky restaurant is cooking up a storm of the best Australian brunch fare going. Proper Instagram-worthy, Bondi Green offers a view of the water, as well as an open-plan interior filled with pretty plants and quirky furniture.

They offer top quality coffee and cocktails here, as well as bottomless brunches. Their all-day menu features the likes of barbecue tandoori salmon, chicken parmigiana, miso roasted aubergine and more. Plus, they've got two more venues in the area: Beany Green and Darcie & May Green.

If you're looking for bars by the canal in Stratford, head on over to Jim & Tonic at The Print House, where you can enjoy tipples on the waterfront terrace. On the menu? Everything from affordable cocktails and quirky G&Ts to enticing Italian eats.

Not only does Barge East boast history with a venue that has seen 144 years on top of the water, but this slick Hackney canal bar is the perfect pick for dinner on the deck alongside drinks and a roster of live music below.

A gorgeous Mexican restaurant overlooking the Camden canal, Cafe Chula is your ultimate summer stop off complete with tacos and margaritas, plus some of the decorative interiors in the business.

The Grand Junction Arms in Acton is a great spot to catch up with friends over great food and drink. Not only do they have an outdoor garden and balcony with views of the canal, but they also have private lodges with top-notch speakers and screens for those special occasions. 

Serving up a wonderful array of craft beers and ales to a whole host of happy customers, this North London boozer is not just by the canal, it also has a great beer garden. Grab some rays by the water, tuck into a hearty menu of British classics, and try out some of the local breweries on offer.

Spread over two floors and overlooking the canal on both, 3 Locks Brewery is a cool drinking den that's about to become your new favourite. Inside, you'll find monochrome interiors in the form of checkerboard flooring and pinstripe walls, paired with pops of orange, as well as ten taps fronting fresh fraught lager brewed on-site. Look forward to trying the Czech-inspired craft lager, West Coast IPA and more. 

Nestled on the sublime banks of Imperial Wharf, this riverside bar gives you stunning views alongside top notch cocktails, wines and a huge range of real ales. The terrace is also heated so you can soak up the scenes come rain or shine.

A sunny slice of the 70s along with sunnyside eggs? Enjoy the best of retro interiors and brunch combined at The Breakfast Club Hackney Wick, a restaurant sat right in front the beaut and bustling canalfront.

If you're after a gorgeous bar on the Thames, then Dove should be on your radar. Check out the Hammersmith favourite for all the usual food and drinks set to the stunning backdrop of Lonon's iconic river.

With an outdoor terrace and huge windows, Lockside has some of the best views of Regent's Canal. Join the all-day venue for Tex Mex dishes, delicious cocktails and DJ nights that will have you up until the early hours.

Head north to Granary Square, where this modern restaurant sits only minutes from the hustle and bustle of King's Cross. Take in the chilled out atmosphere and relaxing scenes of Regent's Canal from the alfresco bar or head inside where a glass restaurant offers flatbreads and more.

Sitting pretty by the Regent's Canal, Rotunda offers one of London's most sought-after dining destinations. Whether you're enjoying some of the stunning plates of food boasting Mexican flair or sipping tequila-infused cocktails, they've got canalside views for days.

Arepa & Co is a gorgeous Venezuelan restaurant and bar on the waterfront in Haggerston. Offering a varied menu of vibrant, authentic eats, you can sit back and relax with a cocktail and graze on a menu of cachapa, rice bowls and arepas in style.

If you're in the mood for something fun to do by Hackney Wick canal, Four Quarters East are bringing the antics at their arcade bar, complete with beers, arcade games, a view of the water and pizza for the peckish.

A stalwart of Greenwich's drinking and dining scene, The Cutty Sark takes its name from the waterside landmark. Whether you're with friends, family or a date, head here for alfresco drinks in a chilled out setting.

Bow Wharf destination the East London Liquor Company is found right on the Hertford Union Canal, as the converted warehouse brings you no-frills cocktails across the uber-cool space. Plus, there's a garden terrace to boot.

If you love a good drink with a view, No90 Hackney Wick is the place to be. Perched right on the canal, this venue blends relaxed daytime vibes with high-energy nights. Start your evening lounging on their spacious terrace, sipping on signature cocktails or local craft beers, then head inside for live music, DJ sets, and an unbeatable party atmosphere.

The venue's intimate yet vibrant setting makes it a go-to for weekend drinks, spontaneous nights out, or even an after-work wind-down that turns into an all-nighter. With its laid-back charm, stellar drinks list, and a crowd that knows how to have fun, No90 is an East London must-visit.

Fancy sipping on a bespoke cocktail while enjoying views of the canal? We thought as much. Make your way to Wyke Road's Lanterna for its glorious range of pizza or bevvies. If you're after something for a special occasion, it also has a stylish mezzanine area that can be booked.

Found on top of the canal, London Shell Co has got date night slapped all over it. As well as being considered one of the best restaurants in London, the barge is all sorts of pretty, from the views of Regent's Canal through to the candlelit tables.