18 Must-Visit Outdoor Restaurants in London for a Perfect Summer Dining Experience

18 Must-Visit Outdoor Restaurants in London for a Perfect Summer Dining Experience

Discovering London’s Hidden Outdoor Dining Gems

For those of us not enjoying a holiday getaway, finding decent outdoor restaurants in London can be a bit of a quest. Unlike other European capitals, the UK hasn’t always excelled in al fresco dining. After all, it’s hard to savor a platter of fruits de mer and a bottle of Sancerre when it’s a chilly 14 degrees in August. And when the sun does make a rare appearance, many of us prefer to picnic in one of London’s many verdant parks.

However, what London might lack in traditional terrace culture, it more than compensates for with its array of restaurants boasting secret gardens and hidden courtyards. Take Rochelle Canteen, for instance. This charming spot is a delight year-round, but in summer, when grapevines are lush and ripe peaches grace the menu, it becomes an absolute haven. Similarly, while dining near the River Cafe’s striking magenta pizza oven is always a pleasure, securing a table on its waterfront patio feels like hitting the jackpot.

London’s unique take on outdoor dining, with its secluded garden spots and intimate courtyards, offers a special charm all its own. So, even if the weather isn’t always perfect, these hidden gems make al fresco dining in the city an experience worth savoring.

 

Towpath Café

Nestled along the serene banks of the canal, Towpath Café remains a cherished London institution, virtually unchanged since its inception over a decade ago. While reservations aren’t available, the wait is justified by Chef Laura Jackson’s cult-favorite menu, featuring delights such as irresistible cheese toasties with homemade quince jelly and vibrant, peppery radishes paired with whipped taramasalata. Visit on a Sunday morning for breakfast, then meander over to Columbia Road Flower Market to gather armfuls of seasonal delphiniums, sweet peas, and hydrangeas.

Brunswick House

Overseen by Orasay’s Jackson Boxer, Brunswick House is a gem situated in an elegant Georgian property that stands humorously out of place amidst industrial Vauxhall. The rooms are filled with exquisite architectural salvage, thanks to LASSCO, the antiques specialist. Browse through fireplaces, plaster castings, and ironwork before retreating to the garden for a delightful lunch of courgette fritters and Isle of Mull scallops.

The River Cafe

The River Cafe in Hammersmith is a perennial favorite, consistently surpassing high expectations. However, it’s particularly enchanting in summer. Indulge in chargrilled squid and spaghetti alle vongole, finishing with homemade hazelnut gelato. After your meal, take a stroll along the river to Fulham Palace, where the 18th-century garden design provides a tranquil escape.

Dusty Knuckle

A short walk from Dalston Junction, the original Dusty Knuckle bakery crafts some of London’s finest sandwiches, laden with toppings like grilled halloumi and corn romesco on fresh sourdough. Enjoy a bacon sarnie and sugar-dusted pastries at an outdoor table, surrounded by pots of vibrant nasturtiums and fresh herbs.

40 Maltby Street

Open for dinner from Wednesday to Saturday without reservations, 40 Maltby Street offers exceptional food and wines in the heart of the Gergovie Wines warehouse. Savor desserts featuring seasonal gooseberries and explore the nearby market while waiting for a table. Alternatively, enjoy a seat on the terrace at Café Deco in Bloomsbury, launched by chef Anna Tobias and the 40 Maltby House team.

Toklas

Frieze founders Amanda Sharp and Matthew Slotover created a lush oasis at Toklas, featuring a 3,000-square-foot terrace designed by Miria Harris. The seasonally inspired menu changes weekly, but the artichokes and perfectly crisp chips are must-tries. For post-meal culture, visit The Courtauld nearby, which boasts an impressive collection from Botticelli to Bloomsbury Group artists.

Campania & Jones

Campania & Jones offers a taste of southern Italy in a charming setting within a converted Victorian dairy farm in Hackney. The restaurant, along with a two-bedroom apartment above, is beautifully adorned with garden seating and a handful of tables out front, making it a summer favorite for its enchanting atmosphere.

Llewelyn’s

Located just outside Herne Hill station, Llewelyn’s is a Brixton staple perfect for people-watching during the Sunday market. The summer menu has featured dishes like avocado, bottarga, and elderflower salad, and Basque cheesecake with peaches. Pair your lunch with a scoop of gelato from Minus 12° next door, some of the best ice cream in London.

Café Cecilia

Securing a table at Café Cecilia, especially outdoors, is an achievement. Max Rocha’s modern European menu, influenced by his stints at River Cafe and St John, has captivated food critics and the fashion crowd alike. Signature dishes inspired by Rocha’s mother, Odette, such as Guinness bread and deep-fried bread and butter pudding, are standout items.

Quality Wines

Quality Wines is a wine bar and shop with a stellar food offering and a few pavement tables. Chef Nick Bramham’s menu changes weekly, featuring dishes like langoustine with mayonnaise and braised Iberico pork. While the wines available by the glass vary daily, the Gildas and focaccia are always on offer and worth ordering.

Jolene

Jolene, an upscale bakery in Newington Green, is the brainchild of chef David Gingell and restaurateur Jeremie Cometto-Lingenheim. Known for its irresistible pastries, such as the raspberry and custard buns, Jolene also offers a daily menu of elegantly simple plates.

Rochelle Canteen

Rochelle Canteen, often recommended by Vogue editors, is renowned for its dishes like Roman artichoke, herb-filled potato salad, and wild garlic preparations. The vine-covered terrace is a perfect spot for a summer evening with a bottle of Crémant.

The Garden Café

Located within a deconsecrated church along the Thames, The Garden Café offers a modern European dining experience in a verdant courtyard garden designed by Dan Pearson. The Garden Museum, which houses the café, features niche exhibitions on floral history and fashion.

Tiella

Tiella at The Compton Arms boasts a picturesque pub garden with white-and-green tiles, climbing plants, and rustic wooden tables. Dara Klein, formerly of Trullo and Sager + Wilde, presents a menu inspired by her Italian roots, featuring dishes like panelle with lemon and tagliolini with datterini tomatoes and pesto.

Italo

Founded by Charlie Boxer, Italo exudes familial warmth, hosting supper clubs and knitting circles for locals. A visit to Tate Britain is incomplete without crossing the river for one of Italo’s focaccia sandwiches, generously filled with mortadella.

Luca

Luca’s outdoor dining space is adorned with olive trees and climbing jasmine, creating a delightful ambiance. Chef Isaac McHale’s Italian-inflected menu is overseen by The Clove Club’s team, with the parmesan fries being a standout side dish.

In Horto

In Horto, meaning “in the garden” in Latin, evokes a friend’s patio with its central wood-fired oven. Located near Borough Market, the Mediterranean-inflected menu by chef Richard Teague features produce from local suppliers like The Ginger Pig and Neal’s Yard Dairy.

Brat at Climpson’s Arch

Brat at Climpson’s Arch became a permanent fixture during the pandemic, transforming the outdoor space with fairy lights and communal tables. Chef Tomos Parry’s Welsh-inflected dishes, such as the whole turbot, are perfect for sharing among friends in this cozy, under-the-railway-arch setting.