You’d be forgiven for thinking you were in a chic and breezy beach club perched on Sydney Harbour on arrival at Milk Beach’s Soho restaurant. In reality, you are on Manette Street (named after a Charles Dickens character) in the heart of the West End. The original Milk Beach restaurant in Queen’s Park has a cult following among London’s well-heeled NW crowd, and the Soho outpost brings Kensal cool to central London.
If the weather is kind, dine al fresco on pared-back seating (with heaters and tasteful throws for when the evenings grow chilly). The staff speak in Aussie lilts, and the decor is all exposed wooden beams, rattan lighting and neutral hues with pops of greenery. The Mediterranean and Asian-influenced menu manages to toe the fine line of casual yet refined fare, with lots of fish, that is beautifully presented.
Stand-outs include the melt-in-mouth tuna tartare with delicately puffed nori and the chicken salt chips. But the real star of the show is the prawn toast – made with hunks of sourdough and oh so sweet prawns and served with a tangy Gochujang sweet ‘n’ sour sauce. Hidden away in Chelsea's Sloane Square, Kutir is housed in a renovated townhouse in the heart of SW3.
With just a handful of tables on their terrace, this location still benefits from that level of exclusivity and anonymity we all love to see. Boasting a selection of traditional, elegant and refined Indian dishes from richly spiced curries to exquisitely grilled meats, each ingredient is perfectly curated by Michelin star chef Rohit Ghai. When you're there, be sure to try the Neelamber cocktail if you enjoy an alcoholic tipple - delectable.
Tucked down a side street in W1, you’ll find the new outpost of LA-born brand Sparrow Italia. Serving food across four floors (with a cigar lounge on the third), the main attraction is its rooftop terrace. Seating just 20 people for an intimate alfresco experience, from here you can watch the sunset over the rooftops of Mayfair.
The Sparrow’s Nest promises ‘Mediterranean classics with modern twists’, so start with a Figurati cocktail – its own zesty take on an Aperol Spritz (and far superior). Then onto and sharing plates of oysters, focaccia and creamy burrata. If you’re still hungry, the impossibly rich caffé chocolate mousse is a perfect endnote.
With Bond Street just steps away, you can shop-til-you-drop right into the chairs of this terrace to while away the rest of your afternoon. And if you’re lucky enough to catch the Sparrow’s Nest in a summer heatwave, you might as well be in Italy. They say good things come in small packages.
That’s certainly the case with The Terrace, the delightfully dinky al fresco space from the perennially stylish Beaverbrook Town House – the London outpost of the celebrated country house estate in the heart of the Surrey Hills. At The Terrace, find refreshing seasonal cocktails ( recommends the Sir Frank’s Libation or the Spitfire Collins) with views over Cadogan Gardens. What sets it apart, though, is the food: an inspiring selection of Japanese bites like Popcorn Shrimp, Toro Tartare and Spicy Tuna Roll that are delicious and moreish enough to ruin any dinner plans that were in the offing.
As with all things Beaverbrook, the service is exemplary and diners are made to feel like part of the family. The decor is joyful: poppy shades of yellow, pink and blue. Yes, the space is small – but the experience is better than that at many terraces triple the size.
Nestled within the prestigious enclave of Mayfair, The Terrace Bar at The Maine is a true gem that beckons with its refined allure. This enchanting spot shifts from a daytime retreat to a nighttime escape. Whether you seek a rendezvous for intimate conversations, a place to unwind after a day in central London, or a sophisticated setting to celebrate, the 'all seasons' sanctuary ensures uninterrupted outdoor dining throughout the year.
Shielded from the elements by rainproof covering, cozy pashminas and robust heaters provide respite from the English winter, making it an attractive option come rain or shine. Ruth Rogers (now Lady Rogers CBE) and the late Rose Gray changed London’s restaurant scene forever when they opened their Thameside Italian restaurant in 1987. More than three decades on and The River Cafe remains a beacon of excellence, from its ever-evolving, hyper-seasonal menu to the timeless elegance of its brightly-coloured dining room, designed by Ruthie’s late husband, renowned architect Lord Rogers.
It’s little wonder the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow, Sir Paul McCartney, Steve McQueen, Jake Gyllenhaal and Tracey Emin (many of whom have appeared on ) return time and time again. If you’re lucky enough to secure a coveted spot on the The River Cafe’s paved terrace, with views of a green lawn stretching to the Thames beyond, dishes might include the likes of Culatello di Zibello (cured pork) with Charentais melon, poached Scottish langoustines with aioli, buffalo ricotta ravioli with marjoram butter and wood-roasted turbot with anchovy and flowering oregano. While the menu is re-written twice daily to showcase the finest, freshest ingredients, there’s always a beguiling selection of gelati del River Cafe on offer: a scoop of homemade strawberry sorbet or an ice-cold affogato with Vin Santo is the stuff of summer dreams come true.
From the superb French-Mediterranean menu to the air of breezy elegance, a meal at Claude Bosi’s shiny new Mayfair restaurant feels like a holiday in itself. A collaboration between the Michelin-starred chef and acclaimed restaurateur Samyukta Nair, expect Socca’s South Audley Street terrace to be the most coveted table in town this summer. A sun-dappled spot beneath a sky blue awning, it’s the perfect place to while away a lazy afternoon; a bucolic backdrop for a convivial feast of Joséphine oysters, salad Niçoise, Provençal beef cheeks and delicate grilled sole, glossy with lemon and caper butter.
End on a high with Bosi’s ethereal madeleines, kissed with orange blossom and served with a nuanced olive oil ice cream – guaranteed to induce your very own Proustian moment. The cocktails are no less enticing, from the heady Villa Santo Sospir, with vodka, lemon verbena, raspberry, rhubarb bitters and champagne; to the Portofino: a Sophia non-alcoholic concoction of Everleaf Marine, pink grapefruit soda and basil. Pantechnicon, Belgravia’s magnificent, multi-floored dining paradise, is home to Sachi: a stylish underground Japanese restaurant complete with its own sushi counter.
This summer, Sachi is being given its moment in the sun thanks to the launch of a new outdoor terrace space, set in front of Pantechnicon’s grand Neoclassical façade. Dine on crisp vegetable tempura, delicate sashimi and robata-grilled duck breast, paired with fabulous cocktails (like a punchy yuzu sake, rum, passionfruit, pineapple and lime concoction) or lashings of champagne. Pudding is a fabulous finale: the mochi is a true taste of summer, stuffed with an ethereal strawberry semifreddo; while the chocolate and caramel sobacha bar is its dark and decadent counterpart, laced with caramel and served with heady whisky ice cream.
When sundown comes, Motcomb Street is bathed in a golden-hour glow, making Sachi’s terrace the perfect spot for a romantic dinner à deux or a special celebratory meal. Despite being on of the capital’s newest restaurant openings, The Campaner is fast becoming a beloved West London staple. Housed in a show-stopper of a building by the celebrated Ben Pentreath, it’s the first venture outside of Barcelona for Spanish restaurateur Mar Martin.
Looking out across the Chelsea Barracks to the pristine Garrison Chapel, The Campaner’s spacious outdoor terrace is elegantly contemporary in feel, with sleek marble tables, scarlett chairs and dainty potted trees. The front of house staff are warm and helpful, while the seasonal menu is a union of British and Spanish sensibilities, showcasing locally-sourced ingredients in hearty Catalan-inspired dishes. Pick at padrón peppers, crisp chipirones and verdant green bean salad with pesto while chatting over a Cocomoon cocktail (a heady mix of pink gin, coconut and lime).
For the main event, many of the signature dishes incorporate a fun, theatrical flourish, from the grand rices served in an extravagant paella pan; to the two-course lobster and monkfish casserole, which is whisked away and returns laden with poached eggs, potatoes and fish fumet. The vegetable dishes are no less beguiling, like roast leek with tomatoes and goats cheese or baby lettuce grilled in a josper oven, laden with velvety with hollandaise. For pudding, push the boat out with towering lemon meringue pie, or pimp your choice of ice cream with toppings like hot chocolate sauce, salted caramel, toasted almonds and clouds of whipped cream.
The Harrods rooftop might seem like an unlikely location for a buzzy terrace serving world-class cuisine, but this is what Swedish chef Björn Frantzén has achieved with Studio Frantzén – a London sister to the three Michelin-starred Frantzén restaurant in Stockholm. The interiors are a plush, contemporary take on Scandinavian design – moody, low lighting, sumptuous booths and curved wood detailing – but it is worth booking a table on the spacious terrace, which seats 150 and offers surprisingly open views from Knightsbridge to the Thames. Attention to detail is everywhere: from the delightful custom crockery featuring a bear (the English translation of Björn) to the hand-painted mural.
Fellow diners were an eclectic mix of aristocrats, new money tourists and well-heeled Harrods shoppers took their seats, while a well-trained team of staff sprung into action. The cocktails were blissful: the Virgin Forest (pine, rosemary, citrus, soda, gin) and Finish Sisu (Kyrö pink gin, shiso umeshu, sakura, grapefruit, citrus) slipped down easily as the sun set. Yet all of this pales in comparison to the à la carte menu – a mix of ‘Nordic gastronomy with Asian influences’.
Shared starters of sashimi of hiramasa, roasted Orkney scallop and stracciatella di Bufala, proved a refreshing appetizer to the salmon tataki ‘furikake’ and steamed turbot ‘Jansson’s temptation’ that followed. Don’t miss the monkfish tail, served on the bone with , brown butter and chives (add Studio Frantzén Kaluga caviar) for unmissable indulgence. A stone’s throw from the bustle of Notting Hill Gate, KURO Eatery has a charming neighbourhood feel – the sort of restaurant where a quick lunch or afternoon coffee with friends could all too easily lead to drinks and dinner as the hours slip away.
KURO’s chic and simple aesthetic extends to its new outdoor terrace, where diners can enjoy Head Chef Andrianos Poulis’s exquisite dishes bathed in a golden-hour glow. Broadly Mediterranean inspired but with a nod to Japanese flavours, the sharing-style menu features a glorious goat’s cheese flatbread, delicate turbot bianco and Lumina lamb yakitori, among other delights. And just down the road at Instagram favourite KURO Coffee, stop by on a balmy evening to take advantage of KURO Late, where you can sip on Lychee Martinis and Matcha Sours while soaking up the last rays of sunshine.
A hidden oasis behind the hustle and bustle of Soho’s Manette Street, James Court is home to Kapara, the latest venture from chef Eran Tibi (of Southwark’s Bala Baya fame). A pleasure palace of Tel-Avivian inspired cuisine, it’s a rare union of style and substance, with decadent interiors, spectacular food and an unabashedly naughty spirit. The spacious outdoor terrace is decorated in a sugary, Wes Anderson-esque palette: a paradisiacal sun trap by day and a secret haven by night, lit up with a rosy glow.
Find a shady spot for a leisurely brunch (from Tibi’s masterful take on shakshuka, to the luxurious sweetcorn challah toast with smoked salmon, avocado and caviar); or swing by for dinner, feasting on vibrant mezze dishes (like the celestial smoked cod roe dip), gloriously sticky aubergine heart with pine nut jam, and theatrical whole canoed sea bream. The cocktails are every bit as fun, including a customisable take on the classic fizzy drink, Gazoz, or the hard-hitting ‘High 5 Bi*tch!’, heady with spiced rum, oloroso sherry, pineapple, ginger, and cayenne pepper. The Petersham’s leafy, fairy-light strewn courtyard oasis is as dreamy a setting as one could hope for on a summer night.
Settle in among terracotta pots and stylishly-attired waiters and delight in the elegant menu, which draws on Italian flavours and utilises the freshest, hyper-seasonal ingredients. Favourites include the verdant Summer Fritto, with crisp battered calamari and courgettes; luscious charred sea bream; and fresh gnocchi with langoustine, orange and lemon zest. As darkness falls, indulge in the restaurant’s signature tiramisù, with a decadent mascarpone cream and coffee-soaked biscuits.
The wine list draws on favourites from the Petersham Cellar, founded by Lara Boglione and her husband, Gionvanni Mazzei, at Tuscany’s Castello di Fonterutoli. Set in the heart of theatre land, J. Sheekey remains one of the most glamorous establishments on London’s restaurant scene, frequented by everyone from Poppy Delevingne to the Beckhams, Kate Moss and Sienna Miller.
Now, J. Sheekey has been transformed for the season with a new campaign, a Floral Symphony, with an outburst of coral and orange blooms to match its famous red lacquered Covent Garden terrace. There’s an elegant oyster and Nyetimber pairing menu to delight in, as well as the wittily-named Afternoon Sea – the renowned seafood restaurant’s chic spin on the beloved British ritual, in which a bottle of Nyetimber Sparkling Rosé MV is teamed with a luxurious plateau de fruits de mer.
Itamar Srulovich and Sarit Packer, the husband-and-wife duo behind Honey & Co, have conjured up a taste of laid-back holiday living in the heart of London with their glorious new summer pop-up. Their beloved Middle Eastern deli, Honey & Spice, has been transformed into Playa Honey Beach Bar, with deck chairs and parasols dotting Warren Street’s pavement and a fun menu of cocktails and beach snacks. Open from Monday to Saturday from 4pm to 8pm, stop by to nibble on crudités, dips, tinned seafood and Honey & Co’s refreshing watermelon, feta and prawn salad; paired with beer, wines and ice-cold canned cocktails.
There’s even a soundtrack of the greatest summer tunes for the ultimate holiday vibes. There’s no better way to while away a lazy summer afternoon than lounging in the sun – but take it up a level (quite literally) with a visit to this season’s hot-ticket terrace. The lofty balcony on the sixth floor of Four Seasons Ten Trinity Square has been transformed into Bloom, a summer pop-up bar in collaboration with florist Wild at Heart.
A true garden paradise, sip on a botanical-inspired cocktail (try a citrusy Honey Bee or the sweet Trinity Truffle) as you watch bees buzz around planters of flowers. The only thing better than the drinks? The mesmerising view of Tower Bridge and The Shard – which might just be the best vista in the city. In the heart of London this terrace still feels intimate, and you’ll find it hard to tear yourself away from the plush sofas and relaxing deck chairs.
But be quick – Bloom is only around until the end of August. Easily one of the most romantic spots in the capital, the Bloomsbury Hotel’s bucolic terrace is a veritable Instagram sensation. This summer, Dalloway Terrace has been decorated in collaboration with Neal’s Yard Remedies and the London Essence Company, showcasing a bountiful wildflower wall.
The stunning ‘Botanicals of Bloomsbury’ installation is accompanied by a new tea and cocktail menu inspired by biodiversity, showcasing pollinator-friendly and sustainably sourced ingredients. Highlights include the English strawberry and elderflower tartlette; roasted red pepper, rocket and hummus finger sandwiches; and a perky blood orange cocktail with vodka, Chambord and rhubarb and thyme tinctures. Better yet, £1 from every tea sold will be donated to the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, to help protect the UK’s bumblebees.
Hugh Stanley’s eponymous venture has taken Chelsea by storm since its launch in 2020 (by all accounts a challenging time for the restaurant industry), with the likes of the Sangsters, D’Abos and Blandfords clinking glasses of Whispering Angel in its striped upholstered booths all summer long. Set in prime territory just off the King’s Road, Stanley’s encompasses an orangery, dining room and verdant courtyard inspired by the bucolic English country garden. With a brilliantly British, seasonal menu (the rhubarb Eton mess is pure heaven) it’s the perfect place to soak up the sunshine, sipping on a signature Stanley’s Elderflower Collins while rubbing shoulders with the smart set.
As renowned for its starry patrons as it is for its spectacular seafood, Scott’s Mount Street terrace is the ultimate place to sip champagne and gossip over a groaning plateau de fruits de mer. This season, the Mayfair grande dame is hosting a glorious summer terrace takeover, Scott’s in Bloom, in partnership with Bird in Hand Wine. The vibrant flower displays form a perfect paring with the fruity, floral notes of Bird in Hand’s wines, while dishes like cod Provençal with fried courgette flower and elderflower and lemon posset sing with the flavours of summer.
An oasis of green tucked away in the chic Mandrake Hotel in Fitzrovia, this secretive terrace is one of London’s best-kept secrets. There’s an air of exoticism that whisks you away from the humdrum of city life, with hanging plants spilling from the floors above swing benches and stylish cane furniture. The cocktails and bar snacks are South American in theme, featuring tacos, tostados, croquetas and crudo.
The cocktails are just as punchy, like the tequila-based Venus Trap, heady with ginger liqueur and prickly pears; or the beguiling Butterfly Effect, with gin, peach brandy and açai berries. Don’t leave without tasting the strawberry and guava cheesecake, which is creamy and refreshing – just the thing for a hot summer’s day. With its twinkling lights and retractable roof (a must when the heavens open mid-cocktail), The Hari’s atmospheric garden terrace is one of the hottest tables in Belgravia come summertime.
The stylish hotel has teamed up with Malfy Gin this season to offer a taste of transforming the terrace into an Amalfi beach bar. The cocktail menu includes a refreshing Watermelon Spritz, while diners can feast on Italian favourites like tomato and burrata salad and lemon and white chocolate caprese cake. Tucked away behind Claridge’s, LPM is one of Mayfair’s better kept secrets.
Tomatini in hand (the restaurant’s signature twist on a martini), the peaceful terrace is the perfect spot to get your French Riviera fix – minus the crowds. Tables set with crisp white linen and dressed with ripe tomatoes, lemons and luxurious olive oil (to construct your own first course, if you so choose) create the ideal setting. The indulgent menu lends itself to leisurely lunches and balmy London evenings spent feasting on salt cod croquettes, yellowtail carpaccio and escargot with garlic butter.
Move on to homemade pappardelle with veal ragout or duck confit with orange and endive, by which time a second (or indeed third) tomatini will definitely be in order. Trinity has long been the shining star in Clapham’s culinary scene. The Michelin-star holder sits just north of Clapham Common in Old Town, nestled between a theatre, a pub, and a cluster of charming shops, and was once visited by none other than King Charles himself (then Prince of Wales), who stopped by in his capacity as patron of the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts.
A walk-in al fresco restaurant, Trinity Outside is a winning summer partnership with champagne house Ruinart. The small plates menu showcases Mediterranean flavours, with highlights including Gordal olives, Iberico ham, Cornish lobster rolls and calamari fritti with aioli. From the hot dishes, dig into rose veal meatballs or chef Adam Byatt’s unusual sardine bolognese.
Washed down with a glass (or three) of Ruinart’s always fabulous Blanc de Blanc, Trinity has conjured up exactly the sort of summer evening you want to repeat ad infinitum. Set just off Grosvenor Square, 34 Mayfair has arguably one of London’s most perfectly situated terraces. The lavish Art Deco interiors translate into lush bold prints and marble table tops outside, where diners can watch the world go by over lazy lunches and decadent dinners, as well as grand weekend brunches.
Sip on classics like Vodka Gimlets and punchy Palomas, or push the boat out with seasonal creations like the Tea Time Highball (with Dalmore whisky and Earl Grey cordial) or the heady Plum Role (with plum liqueur and chocolate bitters). The food menu is an eclectic offering of contemporary classics that sing of summer in the city; the seared scallops with chipotle and lime butter are the perfect warm up to BBQ Spatchcock chicken or an expertly-grilled Wagyu sirloin. The restaurant’s signature dessert of warm miniature doughnuts with chocolate sauce is one to save room for.
This glossy East London hotel is celebrating summer in style with the launch of its Terrace on the Plaza, a new collaboration with St‐Germain, purveyors of the finest elderflower liqueur. Set on Bishopsgate Plaza, the space has been transformed into a verdant, plant-filled paradise, while the menu features uplifting cocktails and spectacular seafood dishes. Sip on an elegant St-Germain Spritz (combining St-Germain, prosecco, soda and lemon) and graze on poke bowls, ceviche and lobster rolls, chased with a scoop of intriguing raspberry and chilli sorbet.
An evening on Le Pont de la Tour’s sun-soaked terrace feels like being whisked away to Paris, with French-inspired dishes and décor, not to mention a Chambord cocktail collection. Sip on the chicly-named Josephine (showcasing Chambord, Cointreau, passionfruit and rose), while dining on oysters, steak frites and steamed seabass with red wine sauce. A slice of sharp lemon tart or the theatrically flambéed crêpes suzette make for the perfect denouement.
Madison is the perfect in-the-city penthouse with breath-taking panoramic views of St Paul’s. Expect a cool vibe with live DJs, fun cocktails and an Italian-American inspired menu, including rigatoni alla vodka and whole native lobster with lashings of garlic butter. The weekend New York rooftop brunches are quite the spectacle, with decadent dishes like fried chicken and pancakes and Mississippi mud pie.
If you are looking for an authentic slice of Italy in London, look no further than Fish & Bubbles. Niched in the heart of Notting Hill, this bar is the perfect answer to your Sicilian summer cravings. A fantastic list of Negronis and Spritzes but also Italian bubbles and classic wines, all paired with traditional Southern Italian dishes like their iconic (a mix of fried seafood, depending on the catch of the day) or (a selection of Italian sharing plates).
If you are still hungry, although we doubt it, their inventive sandwiches or delicious tartares are not to be missed. From the chef behind the now-iconic Miznon restaurants, Eyal Shani, Lilienblum offers an elevated experience of Israeli and Mediterranean cuisine. Fresh and seasonal products are used to create the most delicious spread.
From their marbled focaccia and fig carpaccio, to scallop tartare and fresh pappardelle with ragu, the menu is a celebration of good food that goes beyond labels and traditions. Mediterranean staples are prepared with Japanese-inspired techniques while British ingredients get a European makeover. The result is a melting pot of stunning dishes, better enjoyed on a lovely summer evening.
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