Al Fresco Dining: London’s Best Restaurants with Gardens

When the weather plays ball, al fresco dining in London is a real treat. Many of the capital’s restaurants have open-air terraces – from riverside retreats to botanical greenhouses and rooftop hotspots overlooking the city skyline. Here we round up the best outdoor restaurants in London, where you can soak up the sunshine while tucking into everything from Mexican to Italian and Peruvian.

Al Fresco Dining: Best Outdoor Restaurants in London

Dalloway Terrace

One of the capital’s most Instagrammable outdoor restaurants is Dalloway Terrace, the flower-bedecked balcony of the Bloomsbury Hotel. Covered and heated, it’s popular year-round, but it’s looking particularly pretty right now thanks to a new wildflower-themed installation. Think fresh green foliage, white English roses and peonies, plus lavender, hydrangeas and wisteria. From here, enjoy cocktails from Silent Pool Gin: highlights include the coconutty Mrs Dalloway Club, a blend of lemon juice, honey, raspberry and coconut milk. Pair with summer dishes such as Cornish plaice ceviche, courgette and garden pea risotto, and English strawberry tart with Pimm’s sorbet.

16-22 Great Russell St, London WC1B 3NN, dallowayterrace.com

The Laslett

This summer, all the cool kids of Notting Hill will be hanging out on the terrace of boutique hotel The Laslett. The venue has partnered with Ridley Scott’s wine estate Mas des Infermières on a special al fresco pop-up, bringing the feel of Provence to west London with citrus-filled terracotta pots, greenery and a wine cart serving lashings of rosé wine, plus suggested food pairings.

8 Pembridge Gardens, London W2 4DU, living-rooms.co.uk

The Terrace at Claridge’s Restaurant

For the first time, diners can enjoy the delights of Claridge’s al fresco. A new terrace has opened up at the Mayfair hotel, on street level, but tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Culinary director Simon Attridge has crafted a menu of ingredient-led small plates (think savoury crumpets and fresh summer salads), alongside some of the venue’s signature dishes, such as the beloved Claridge’s Fried Chicken. Enjoy alongside Ruinart champagne and cocktails, such as a tequila-based Peach Piquant, and a Blood Orange Garibaldi, made with freshly squeezed blood orange and Campari.

Claridge’s, Brook St, London W1K 4HR, claridges.co.uk

Beaverbrook Town House

With just five tables, it’s not easy to get a spot on the terrace at Beaverbrook Town House. The stylish space is decked out in tones of pastel pink, turquoise blue and sunshine yellow, overlooking pretty Cadogan Gardens. An extension of the hotel’s Sir Frank’s Bar and The Fuji Grill, the exclusive space serves breakfast, plus sushi and Japanese-inspired small plates, paired with rose and cocktails (the Sloane Martini is a must). Dogs are also welcome.

115-116 Sloane St, London SW1X 9PJ, beaverbrooktownhouse.co.uk

The Apollo Arms

If decadent pub grub is what you crave, look no further than Clapham’s The Apollo Arms, a beloved pub with an in-demand Secret Garden. Expect festoon lights draped overhead and planters brimming with gold euonymus plants alongside olive and spindle trees, all best enjoyed with a dish from the special Garden Menu. Options include the light Chilled Gazpacho Andaluz with basil oil, big bowls of summer salads (from Caprese to Caesar) and pub classics like beer-battered haddock and flat iron steak. On a Sunday, don’t miss the impeccable Roast, with beef, pork, lamb, chicken and a veggie pithivier all served with a generous pile of roasties and veg, topped off with a Yorkshire pud. For dessert, enjoy the likes of the playful ‘Solero’ Baked Alaska, a classic Tiramisu or a seriously decadent chocolate mousse.

The Apollo Arms, 19 Old Town, Clapham, SW4 0JT, apolloarms.co.uk

Cin Cin

© Justin De Souza

Sitting on a corner of a bustling street in Fitzrovia you’ll find Cin Cin, a modern Italian neighbourhood restaurant which promises a slice of calm – and delicious food – away from the hustle and bustle of central London. Just a short walk from the prime surrounding shopping district, and theatreland of Soho – it makes for a perfect spot to grab a pre-theatre dinner or a post-shopping beverage. The menus, which change seasonally, offer an array of delicious Italian dishes made with fresh and well-sourced ingredients.

21A Foley St, London W1W 6DS, cincin.co.uk

The Hari Garden Terrace

Come summer time, The Hari’s Garden Terrace transforms into a Mediterranean-inspired suntrap oasis, surrounded by crawling ivy. Enjoy sharing plates of truffle arancini and calamari, or larger plates of cheese burgers and falafel wraps, alongside art-inspired cocktails, wine and champagne. Set under a retractable glass roof, it’s suitable for all weathers, though naturally it’s particularly idyllic for long lunches in the sunshine.

20 Chesham Pl, London SW1X 8HQ, thehari.com

Coppa Club

Whatever the season, us Londoners can’t seem to get enough of Coppa Club’s riverside igloos. They’re back with a new spring look – think woven wicker chairs, bamboo lanterns and linen throws beneath suspended botanicals. Fitting six people, the igloos offer an à la carte menu with a selection of seasonal European dishes: sharing platters of seared garlic king prawns, fresh pasta and sourdough pizzas all feature.

3 Three Quays Walk, Lower Thames St, London EC3R 6AH, coppaclub.co.uk

Chiltern Firehouse

With its wicker chairs, black and white striped sofas and beautiful greenery, the courtyard of Chiltern Firehouse has long been the place to see and be seen in London. Head over for a boozy lunch as you soak up the ever-buzzy atmosphere. Nothing beats Chiltern’s fresh oysters paired with a few glasses of champagne.

1 Chiltern St, London W1U 7PA, chilternfirehouse.com

Chicama

The second restaurant from the Pachamama group, Chelsea’s Chicama is a charming seafood restaurant named after a coastal town in Peru – not the word chic, although that does describe it well. If you can pry yourself away from the pretty beach-inspired indoors, the outdoor terrace is an equally lovely dining spot for sunny days: a petite plant-filled space overflowing onto the pavement on a quiet section of the King’s Road. From here, tuck into a meat-free menu of vibrant seafood and vegetarian small plates alongside colourful cocktails.

383 King’s Rd, London SW10 0LP, chicamalondon.com

Petersham Nurseries

Dine beneath a canopy of bougainvillea, vines and jasmine at Petersham Nurseries Cafe, a greenhouse-style restaurant in Richmond. Since it was founded in 2004, it has led the way in eco-friendly dining, with much of the produce coming from the organic family farm in Devon. Seasonal menus are inspired by Italian cuisine, focusing on simple, fresh dishes presented beautifully. 

Off Church Ln, Petersham Rd, Richmond TW10 7AB, petershamnurseries.com

Angler, South Place Hotel

Perched atop South Place Hotel, Angler’s 40-seat west-facing roof terrace boasts lovely views of the city. Chef Gary Foulkes heads up the Michelin-starred kitchen, which serves up a fish-focused menu of dishes like Cornish turbot with scallop stuffed courgette and Dorset crab with bouillabaisse sauce.

South Place Hotel, 3 South Pl, London EC2M 2AF, anglerrestaurant.com

The River Café

A true London stalwart, The River Cafe has remained largely unchanged since Ruth Rogers and Rose Gray launched it back in 1987. Perched beside the Thames in Hammersmith, it’s an endlessly glamorous spot serving Italian fare, with its own dreamy riverside terrace. The menu is seasonal, though some signature dishes remain constant, such as the chargrilled squid with chili and rocket, and the Chocolate Nemesis dessert.  Easily one of the best outdoor restaurants in town.

Thames Wharf, Rainville Rd, London W6 9HA, rivercafe.co.uk

Rail House Cafe

While in the past Victoria hasn’t been much of a foodie destination, these days it’s brimming with great places to eat. This is mainly thanks to the new Nova development at Sir Simon Milton Square, a culinary hub with an array of outdoor restaurants and bars which flood onto the central promenade. One of these is Rail House Cafe, the younger sibling of Fitzrovia’s Riding House Cafe. With cosy cushions and a mix of small and large tables, this terrace is an ideal al fresco dining spot whether you’re after brunch, lunch or dinner; healthy or indulgent.

8 Sir Simon Milton Sq, London SW1E 5DJ, railhouse.cafe

The Ivy Chelsea Garden

Paul Winch Furness

It would be wrong not to include this ever-popular Chelsea haunt, one of the prettiest outdoor restaurants in town. Come rain or shine, few places beat The Ivy’s idyllic English garden, a spacious botanical haven decked out with flowers and foliage, plus a glasshouse available for private dining. Enjoy Ivy classics like the shepherd’s pie, chicken milanese and traditional fish and chips, or pick from the plant-based menu (think Malaysian curry and spicy jackfruit salad), alongside a wide array of wines and cocktails.

195 197 King’s Rd, London SW3 5EQ, theivychelseagarden.com