Summer Restaurants In London

If there are two things this city can do, it's food and views - so it makes sense that we should be combining them. From sky-high spots to riverside restaurants and pretty gardens, the capital is well-supplied with gorgeous locations to get your munch on. Check out our guide for the best places to eat outside in London this summer, because outdoor dining has never looked so good.

Last edited by Kiera Chapman

Last updated on 24th September 2024




Sabine Rooftop Bar

When it comes to terrace restaurants in London, Sabine Rooftop Bar really blows it out of the water. With St Paul's Cathedral on its doorstep, it provides unbeatable views of the capital's landmarks, not to mention enticing small plates, like Cajun-spiced roast potatoes and mac 'n' cheese bon bons.

The Devonshire

A top-notch pub and restaurant loved by Londoners in-the-know including celebrities like Ed Sheeran, The Devonshire is the place to be for top-notch food and drinks with a British twist. What's more, with covered seating, lush greenery, and stunning views of Central London, their rooftop terrace is the ideal spot to indulge in a crab salad and sip on a glass of bubbly after a long day of retail therapy or work.

Hawksmoor Bar Wood Wharf

Cocktail hour

Hawksmoor Bar Wood Wharf is a prime summer restaurant thanks to its brilliant location where you'll find the main eatery at dock level and a 120-seat waterside bar in Canary Wharf. Look forward to soaking up the sun while sipping on signature cocktails like the Double Melon Daiquiri or a Sour Cherry Negroni, before tucking into ethically reared cuts of steak accompanied by beef dripping fries and creamed spinach. 

Kapara

Summer restaurants don't come any sexier than Kapara, run by head chef Eran Tibi whose history includes experience under Ottelingi's wing. This stunning Israeli eatery is spread over multiple floors and is adorned with crystal chandeliers and plush pastel furnishings. Outside you'll find a beautiful terrace, ideal for relaxing in come warm evenings. The menu delivers the cuisine of Tel Aviv and a hedonistic style of dining, with plates like braised beef hummus and 1kg tomahawk steak with brown butter. To drink, it boasts its own house beverage, the Naughty Gazaz, made with small-batch syrups, alongside other creative cocktails. 

Cottons Vauxhall

Boasting a huge outdoor terrace that's perfect for the summer months, Cottons in Vauxhall is a vibrant Caribbean restaurant that looks out over the Thames. Expect laid-back vibes, reggae beats and a cracking selection of rum cocktails here, alongside a delicious menu of curried lamb shank, jerk chicken wings, sweet potato fritters and much more. Even better? You can also get your hands on a three-course bottomless brunch on Saturdays for just £34.50 per person.

The Orangery at Kensington Palace

To make your outdoor dining a truly royal affair, look no further than The Orangery at Kensington Palace. The Orangery was commissioned by Queen Anne as a lavish greenhouse for her beloved orange trees and built back in 1704, but now stands as a pillar of history that's ideal for summertime afternoon teas, ribeye steak and The Palace Pie - a dish of braised lamb shoulder and beef rib with Sommerset cheddar mash and a rich red wine jus.

Il Maremmano

Looking for a delicious summertime date venue in Brixton? Check out this buzzy apericena bar serving up regional specialities from the Maremma – the wild coastal region in southern Tuscany. Il Maremmano is all about adding a new twist to the traditional Italian aperitivo, offering small plates that are more casual than dinner, but still substantial enough to fill you up; we're talking goodies like green anchovy and butter crostonis, parmesan biscuits as well as salumi boards. And the best part? You can wash all the delicious tapas down with a cocktail or a glass of Tuscan wine from a hand-picked, independent producer on their gorgeous outdoor terrace.

TT Liquor

Located in Shoreditch, TT Liquor is a vibrant rooftop bar and restaurant that looks out over the city. Expect an urban jungle atmosphere filled with wooden furnishings and lots of greenery. Their renowned Head Chef, Sam Lone, is cooking up a mouthwatering menu for the summer, with a range of wood-fired sharing plates up for grabs - we're talking barbecue chicken thighs, grilled cauliflower with pumpkin seed pesto and smoked ox cheek croquettes.

Pergola Brixton

2-4-1 On selected drinks and 7 other offers

On the hunt for cheap outdoor restaurants in London? Pergola Brixton is the place to go. While sitting on its sunny rooftop terrace, grab yourself a £5 margarita on a Thursday or hit up a bottomless party come Saturday. You can expect to chomp on award-winning wings here, as well as Mexican-inspired fare such as tacos, or a loaded bun from Black Bear Burger.

Bamboo Mat

Nikkei hotspot Bamboo Mat in Stratford is inviting you to enjoy some seasonal delights on its summer terrace. To begin, tempt your tastebuds with Maldon oysters alongside a signature cocktail: from the Roku gin and sake-based Yuzu Blossom to the Peruvian Pisco Sour, there's something for everyone. Don't miss out on the ceviche mix platter either, or the sashimi affair featuring the highest grade yellow tail, seabass and salmon. What's more, every Friday and Saturday night, DJs will set the alfresco scene with sets from 5pm onwards. 

Brunswick House

Housed within an 18th century and Grade II listed Georgian mansion, which has been a landmark of the city since 1758, Brunswick House is still filled with antiques while also overflowing with plants. This produce-led restaurant also has a gorgeous outdoor space for the summer, ideal for tucking into dishes like cod collar in suya butter with grapefruit and brown shrimp alongside white asparagus with cured egg yolk.

The Laundry

All-day bistro and wine bar The Laundry is a Brixton favourite, where you'll find their terrace packed out in the glorious sunshine. The restaurant is from Melanie Brown, the woman behind Specialist Cellars just around the corner, specialising in locally sourced produce and meals with Antipodean flare. Think good, honest cooking across beef and chilli meatballs with pomodorini ragù on toast for brunch or the likes of pea and shallot ravioli in lemon sauce off the all-day menu.

Chucs Café Kensington

With restaurants in Kensington, Chelsea, Mayfair and Belgravia, Chucs is a gorgeous Italian restaurant serving up top-quality dishes across the city. Each of their venues boasts a beautiful outdoor terrace where you can look out over these gorgeous neighbourhoods while sipping on alfresco drinks. And this summer they're really pushing the boat out, as they've partnered with Malfy Gin to create a bespoke set of exclusive cocktails on their Spritz along the Riviera menu - all priced at £13. Think Riviera negronis with grapefruit, lemon and watermelon blends and rose gin mixed with elderflower cordial, found at every location - although you'll find a unique cocktail at each of the four destinations as well.

Tattu London

Contemporary Chinese restaurant Tattu might be best-known for its blossom-filled interiors, but did you know they have a gorgeous terrace too? Think alfresco dining and theatrical cocktails in collaboration with Laurent-Perrier, ranging from lychee and coconut flavours to cucumber, thyme and blood orange. A host of delicious dishes are also available, such as lobster dumplings with a bisque puree for dim sum and wok-fried Angry Bird chicken from their two or three-course Taste of Tattu menus.