58 Outdoor Restaurants And Drinking Areas In London

Opened in spring 2022, Wagtail is fast becoming one of London’s most popular rooftop destinations for food and libations given its 360° degree views (expect to see London Bridge, The Shard, Tower Bridge and St Paul’s) as well as impeccable service and party vibes. Located atop a 1920s building, which previously housed House of Fraser, Wagtail is made up of three main areas: the rooftop terrace, a restaurant, and a private dining room. Dine on dishes such as whipped cod roe (served with crispy serrano ham and toasted pitta), and soft shell crab sliders (paired with a lemon emulsion and coriander) from Michelin-trained executive chef, Philip Kearsey, and sip on Matcha, Beetroot and Mint cocktails from former Aqua bar manager Angelos Bafas. We'll see you at the bar.

Toklas sits between The Strand and the River Thames and quickly became a must-visit after its opening in late 2021. Whether you're visiting for an after work drink on the terrace or a pre-theatre dinner, the extensive wine list and mediterranean menu - you have to try the asparagus and mozzarella - has everything you could possibly want.

One of London’s most iconic and beloved theatres also has a secret terrace, didn’t you know? The Lane, situated just behind the theatre, is a passageway lined with trees and leafy green plants home to tables for drinks and snacks for theatre dwellers and passers by. Part of the Theatre Royal’s £60m makeover by Andrew Lloyd Weber himself, this is an ideal central London drinking and eating spot that’s hidden away from the crowds too.

Wines include favourites like Whispering Angel while snacks offered include potted shrimp and crudités. If that’s not enough to tempt you, east London favourite chef Lily Vanilli’s gluten free chocolate cake and salted caramel chocolate brownie are on the menu too.

Home House garden is officially open for summer in Marylebone, and let's just say it's one of our favourite places to hang out in the sun in the city. The courtyard garden is the place to be seen this year if you love to wine and dine al fresco. During the week, diners can tuck into a delicious spring menu including dishes like beef carpaccio, burrata, and spiced tuna tartare, before tickling their tastebuds with offerings like chicken supreme, the house cheeseburger, and truffle parmesan fries. At the weekend, we love the BBQ menu, which invites guest to order from the grill. Pair your meal with a glass of Gavi Di Gavi, and sip away until sunset.

Sabine is hidden away in the city of London with stunning views of St Paul's Cathedral. Inside is plat-filled, creating a botanical garden vibe, and the retractable roof means it's ideal even for the most unpredictable weather.

One service Sabine offers is a DIY cocktail, with the mixologists asking for your usual preferences when it comes to flavours and spirits and concocting a unique cocktail designed to suit your individual palette.

With views overlooking Trafalgar Square Big Ben and The London Eye, guests at The Rooftop are invited to enjoy a delicious menu of small sharing plates and grilled dishes inspired by Japan and Korea, as well as lip-smacking cocktails. We suggest asking for the Coupette (vodka, lychee, aloe vera, lime juice and raspberry shrub) to start followed by the Shittake bao bun, octopuse takoyaki and prawn tempura, and then the grilled salmon teriyaki and mapo togu with chargrilled stem broccoli and Sesame seeds.

The London branch of the cult hotel chain, which opened in 2019, is also home to a cosy, chic and green terrace. A bonus is the beautiful views over the Kings Cross St Pancras building.

This latest addition to the Big Mamma Group family (of Gloria and Circolo Popolare fame) opened last year and is an ode to Florence. There are two ivy-filled terraces and yes, the Insta-worthy tableware is available throughout. Remember to take a selfie in the rainbow neon toilets.

The locally-famed Thameside venue - and its popular beer garden - is an extremely popular venue come any day with a hint of sunshine.

The hotel's popular pub has transformed its space into a city gin garden, with a cover in place just in case the British summer turns on punters. The food offering - including dishes like buttered lobster roll with onion rings - is overseen by Michel Roux Jr.

The huge outdoor space at the Hope and Anchor on Acre Lane features long, open-air tables and 12 bookable huts which all have their own heaters and TVs.

For some of the best views in central London, you can book the Oxo Tower's terrace bar for coffee, afternoon tea or its six-course tasting menu.

The latest offering from the team behind Flat Iron Square is St Felix's place. Found under a railway arc, it has a lovely garden space.

With over 500 seats and 40 food and drink vendors, Mercato Metrapolitano is one of the biggest outdoor dining and drinking spaces in London.

Tucked away around the corner from Shoreditch High Street station is a restaurant offering the best barbecue brisket outside of Tennessee, there we said it. Founder David Carter is a man enslaved to the power of slow-cooked, smoked meat, and to the absolute benefit of the rest of us. Perfecting the art of melt-in-the-mouth pork and beef over years spent in a food truck at festivals and street feast courtyards, the restaurant, which opened in 2016 and has expanded to include a sizeable outdoor dining area complete with cute festoon lights, has a short but sweet menu of stalwart dishes, each as mouth watering as the last. The crispy ox cheek with anchovy mayo is a must-have starter and the aforementioned brisket is to die for. One of the best things about this restaurant, however, is that for a reputationally meat-focussed joint, the chefs pay just as much attention to the veggie dishes. Having had the mustard rarebit potato, we now can't imagine life before it existed.

Lost In Brixton is the South London gem where you can eat food from any Brixton Village restaurant by ordering on their app. Sip cocktails as you wait for Franco Manca pizza or tapas from The Tapas Room.

The spouse to celebrated London cocktail club and gin specialist Mr Fogg, is found at Broadgate Circle by Liverpool Street

Moments away from Battersea Park, this pub is the ideal post-sunbathing spot. Even better, if you have a dog, the Duke of Cambridge has newly created a 'doggie roast' so your pup doesn't miss out while you enjoy your Sunday roast in the sun.

Found in Wapping's Tobacco Dock, with impressive panoramic views of the City is Skylight. Why not book one of their outdoor summer games - croquet, ping pong, shuffle-board and more - while you wait for your bevs?

Last year, Skylight opened their second location in Peckham much to the delight of south east London dwellers. With a view of the skyline that rivals its Wapping sister site, Skylight Peckham also hosts DJ sessions throughout the summer, bottomless brunch (with a DIY blood Mary cart!) and live music on Thursdays. If you're heading there for dinner and drinks, their Gochujang glazed seabream sharing plate is a must-try.

The gorgeous views across the river are enough to attract you to this east London venue but the extent of the craft beer available is enough to keep you coming back.