London terraces are the perfect place to watch the world go by. With the recent heatwave reminding us how glorious the city feels in the sun, al fresco dining has never looked better. From rooftop gardens with skyline views to hidden piazza corners buzzing with theatre crowds, these terraces capture the very best of London’s outdoor dining scene. Whether you’re after a laid-back brunch, a Champagne-soaked celebration or simply somewhere to sip a spritz and people-watch, here are the must-try terraces to book now.
Pergola Brixton
High above Brixton’s bustle, Pergola is a sprawling rooftop playground with colourful benches, tropical planting and panoramic views. The terrace feels like summer even on grey days, with retractable roofing, fairy lights and DJs that turn it into a party by night. Food stalls cover everything from fried chicken to bao, and drinks lean toward spritzes, frozen cocktails and sharing jugs. It’s a go-to for big groups and laid-back afternoons that stretch late into the evening, where the atmosphere is more festival than rooftop bar.
Vyta Covent Garden
Few terraces feel as glamorous as Vyta’s, with its plum-velvet interiors spilling onto a leafy Piazza perch. From here, you can watch street performers and theatre crowds while sipping Italian wines or a negroni sbagliato. The menu leans into refined cicchetti — truffle arancini, burrata with datterini tomatoes, golden focaccia — and a full roster of handmade pastas. Its terrace balances people-watching with intimacy, perfect for a post-show aperitivo or long lunch that stretches into evening. Think Venetian sophistication in the heart of Covent Garden.
Sushisamba Covent Garden
The Covent Garden outpost of Sushisamba brings its signature flair to a terrace draped with greenery and lanterns. Tucked beside the piazza, it’s more intimate than the skyscraper version, yet still delivers on colour and theatre. Expect Japanese-Brazilian-Peruvian fusion plates: wagyu gyoza, samba rolls, seabass tiradito, and cocktails as flamboyant as the décor. The terrace buzzes during golden hour, with the piazza below providing a lively backdrop. For those who love a glamorous al fresco setting with dishes made for sharing, this is a standout.
Los Mochis City
A fresh City arrival, Los Mochis pairs Mexican spirit with Japanese precision, and its terrace makes the most of London’s skyline. It’s a striking space of sleek lines and candlelit tables, designed for long evenings of tacos, tiraditos and tequila-led cocktails. Signatures like miso-glazed cod tacos or wagyu sashimi tostadas show off the restaurant’s inventive edge. The drinks list celebrates mezcal and rare agave spirits, perfect for pairing with the fire-and-freshness of the food. For City dining that feels both international and indulgent, this terrace is essential.
Bob Bob Ricard
Bob Bob Ricard’s City site offers a terrace that feels every bit as decadent as its interiors. Plush seating, gleaming accents and the famous “Press for Champagne” buttons migrate outdoors, making this an al fresco space for indulgence rather than casual sipping. Expect classics like beef wellington and caviar alongside an exhaustive Champagne and vodka list. It’s a terrace for celebrating — whether with oysters and martinis or a three-course dinner. Even in the open air, Bob Bob Ricard’s terrace keeps its trademark air of glitz and theatre.
Hera Stratford
Hera brings rooftop glamour to East London, sitting high above Stratford with sweeping views across the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. The terrace is modern and minimal, dotted with loungers and sleek tables, making it a suntrap by day and a glittering destination by night. Cocktails are bold, playful and perfect for sipping against sunset skies, while the menu brings a Greek touch with small plates designed for sharing and larger meaty show-stoppers. With DJs on weekends and plenty of space for groups, Hera has fast become Stratford’s most stylish terrace.
Kapara Soho
Think pink this summer as Eastern Mediterranean hotspot Kapara launches its limited-time rosé terrace, running until 21 September. Tucked into Soho’s James Court, it’s made for sun-drenched lunches and golden-hour dinners, complete with soulful tunes. On the menu: chilled glasses of Minuty Côtes de Provence, bottles of Lady A and La Coste Rosé d’une Nuit, plus two new spritzes — Thelma and Louise — sparkling with both rosé and sass. Pair your pour with bold sharing plates like date and miso aubergine, black and gold baby squid, hummus and short rib chickpea, and ancient wheat tabouleh freekeh. Sundays bring a collab with Milk Beach and The Little Scarlet Door, with DJs from 1pm courtesy of Playlister FM. Served with flair and a side of sunshine, Kapara’s terrace is pure Tel Aviv energy, guaranteed to unleash good vibes all summer long.
BAM Karaoke, Victoria
This summer BAM Karaoke Box is turning up the heat with a sun-soaked 818 Tequila Terrace Takeover, running from 30 June until mid-September. The playful Parisian-style townhouse in Victoria is already known for its 22 wildly designed private karaoke rooms and decadent basement bar, but the terrace is where the party is this season. Expect a menu of bold tequila-forward cocktails, from frozen Tommy’s Margaritas to Palomas with Maldon salt – all priced at £14, plus elevated packages that bundle cocktails, food and karaoke into one easy plan.
Farzi, Haymarket
Farzi’s terrace puts a modern spin on Indian dining, blending bold flavours with polished presentation, and this summer it’s all about lighter, brighter plates. Led by head chef Nikhil Mahale and his long-time sous chef Santosh, the duo have created a flavour-first summer menu inspired by a recent research trip to North India. Expect British ingredients, applied with modern techniques, to spotlight the breadth of Indian cuisine on a global stage. The à la carte menu includes playful reimaginings like Wagyu beef kadak seekh kebab in a blue corn taco, royal Awadhi lamb shank korma, and Gupta Ji’s dahi bhalla tokri chaat, a Delhi street food classic given the Farzi twist. For quicker dining, the weekday Summer Thali (£18.95pp) serves a choice of mains alongside kale chaat, rajma masala, samosa, rice or naan, and finishes with Farzi’s signature Parle G cheesecake.