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London Al Fresco Dining | Best London Outdoor Restaurants [2021]

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What could be better than enjoying a delicious meal outdoors in great company? With Summer in full swing, here are the best London al fresco dining suggestions and outdoor restaurants. 

London Al Fresco Dining

If the weather won’t play ball, some of these London outdoor restaurants also have heaters and blankets, although let’s hope we don’t need those for quite a while.

1. Coppa Club

A newcomer to London’s dining scene, Coppa Club in Tower Bridge immediately stood out with its super friendly service, well executed dishes, stylish decor and of course, that view of The Shard and HMS Belfast.

It’s one of the most Instagrammed restaurants in London, thanks to its private dining igloos. Coppa Club also have several more eateries in St Paul’s, near Oxford Circus and in the riverside village of Sonning-on-Thames.

Address: 3 Three Quays Walk, Lower Thames St, Tower, London EC3R 6AH, United Kingdom

Coppa Club terrace at Tower Bridge, London

Coppa Club terrace at Tower Bridge, London

2. Coq d’Argent

We love a good rooftop restaurant and Coq d’Argent is one of the nicest in London. With great views over the City, they have a huge roof terrace with plenty of room between each table. There are also plenty of parasols to give you shade from the sun.

Le Coq d’Argent do some great value set menus. They specialize in classic French dishes and fresh seafood platters.

Address: 1 Poultry, London EC2R 8EJ, United Kingdom

best London al fresco restaurants

3. Dalloway Terrace

One of the most Instagrammable restaurants in London, Dalloway Terrace is located within the Bloomsbury Hotel in Fitzrovia. This beautiful London restaurant has the advantage of a canopy cover, meaning that you can dine outside in all weather.

There are also heat lamps and blankets, so this is a popular London al fresco spot all year round.

Address: 16-22 Great Russell St, Fitzrovia, London WC1B 3NN, United Kingdom

Dalloway Terrace, Bloomsbury

Dalloway Terrace, Bloomsbury

4. Jones Family Kitchen

Tucked away in Eccleston Yards near Victoria, you’ll find some stylish boutiques, a co-working space and Jones Family Kitchen. This stylishly decorated restaurant has a spacious terrace surrounded by greenery.

The atmosphere is very relaxing and the friendly service reflects the fact that this is a family run business. Jones Family Kitchen are known for their steaks. Try the onglet or rump steak with chips and chimichurri.

Leave some room for the white chocolate cheesecake with lemon curd.

Address: 7-8 Eccleston Yards, Belgravia, London SW1W 9AZ, United Kingdom

Jones Family Kitchen - al fresco dining London
Jones Family Kitchen – al fresco dining London

5. Le Pont de la Tour

This is one of the best al fresco locations in London with uninterrupted views of the Thames and Tower Bridge. The former tea warehouse has a light and airy bar which mixes up great drinks.

Le Pont de la Tour also has a cosy restaurant with outdoor seating on a pedestrianized riverside street. They offer some keenly priced set menus and the classic French cuisine is a treat.

Address: 36D Shad Thames, London SE1 2YE, United Kingdom

Le Pont de la Tour - one of the largest London outdoor terraces
Le Pont de la Tour – one of the largest London outdoor terraces

6. OXO Tower Restaurant

Did you know that the OXO Tower is one of the first examples of advertising in London? This wasn’t allowed on public buildings at the time so when the tower was built in the 1920s, the architect Albert Moore cleverly incorporated a reference to the OXO beef cube into the design.

These days its a smart restaurant, bar and brasserie with a mean line in ice creams. Make sure to try the charcoal one, it’s actually very tasty.

Address: Barge House St, South Bank, London SE1 9PH, United Kingdom

Rooftop dining at OXO Tower Restaurant
Rooftop dining at OXO Tower Restaurant

7. Sea Containers London

For dining al fresco in London, the South Bank is a great choice. One of our favourite London outdoor dining spots is Sea Containers Terrace.

Open throughout the Summer, it’s a great location in which to enjoy a chilled glass of Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé. The terrace is part of the luxurious Sea Containers hotel and has superb views of the Thames and St Pauls.

Feast on cod loin, skirt steak and Summertime faves. We like the whole grilled seabass with herbs and lemon. An Eton Mess with strawberry coulis makes for a refreshing dessert. 

Decorated in vibrant tones of yellow, complete with a telephone box, it’s a very Instagrammable London restaurant. The terrace is open from Wednesday to Sunday until October. You can pre-book indoors however you can’t book outdoor seating in advance, which is on a first come first served basis.

Address: 20 Upper Ground, South Bank, London SE1 9PD, United Kingdom

Laurent-Perrier Terrace at Sea Containers London

Laurent-Perrier Terrace at Sea Containers London

8. Tavolino Bar & Kitchen

With a fantastic location on the Southbank and views of Tower Bridge, Tavolino is a new Italian restaurant with a gorgeous outdoor terrace. They make their own bread and pasta on the premises each day.

You’re sure to find dishes that you’ll enjoy on the rustic Italian menu. Head chef Louis Korovilas learnt to appreciate Italian cooking from his godfather, Giorgio Locatelli.

For dessert, we can’t resist the homemade tiramisu, as well as the gelato and sorbet. Accompany your meal with a glass of Italian wine or a mini apericini such as iced sgroppino from the bar-top slushie machine or a mini negroni cocktail.

Address: 2 More London Riverside, London SE1 2DB, United Kingdom

London al fresco dining at Tavolino
Outdoor dining near Tower Bridge at Tavolino

9. The Ivy

Specializing in British dishes with a contemporary twist, The Ivy is known for its stylish decor and great locations. There are several branches of The Ivy with lovely outdoor terraces in London:

  • The Ivy Chelsea Garden – charming orangery and terrace on the King’s Road.
  • The Ivy City Garden – temporarily closed.
  • The Ivy Tower Bridge – with incredible views of Tower Bridge and the River Thames.
The Ivy Tower Bridge terrace
The Ivy Tower Bridge terrace

10. The Saatchi Gallery Bar & Brasserie

If you like a bit of culture with your cuisine then this chic terrace is the place for you. Just off the King’s Road, one of the most famous London streets, it’s part of the Saatchi Gallery.

You don’t need to be visiting the gallery to eat here though. It’s open to all and the terrace is lovely in warm weather.

They focus on seasonal ingredients and the interior is as attractive as the exterior, with vaulted ceilings and modern artworks galore. The giant shoe sculpture is very quirky.

Gallery-Mess-London

Gallery-Mess-London

So there you have it, our top 10 London al fresco dining recommendations, based on places that we’ve eaten at and enjoyed. Do you have a favorite outdoor restaurant in London?

Which are your favourite al fresco dining spots in London or near you? Let us know your recommendations in the comments below.

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