Sunny days are made for al fresco dining. Now that spring is well underway, here’s our guide to some beautiful spots to eat outdoors in London and beyond.
Toklas, London, WC2R 2ND
Toklas on the Strand is home to one of central London’s largest and most peaceful terraces.
Designed by Miria Harris, the garden’s green foliage and elevation over street level means diners can enjoy a secluded and spacious dinner with a specially curated al fresco menu from Head Chef Yohei Furuhashi.
Drinks-wise, expect natural, low-intervention wines and a cocktail list of reimagined favourites.
Think Fritto misto, topped and expertly baked Strecci, alongside the daily changing restaurant menu. With a retractable awning, an outdoor bar and heaters too, the 3000-sq. foot terrace is a comfortable space for any occasion or weather eventuality. Book here.
Padella, Shoreditch, EC2A 4PS
Padella Borough’s Shoreditch sibling is home to a 26-cover, all-year-round heated terrace that is covered in the rain, and uncovered in the sunshine.
The retractable glass barriers come down in the warmer months, giving diners a ‘summer in the city’ vibe as they munch on arancini, plates of the hype dish Pici cacio e pepe and a curated list of cocktails from the indomitable Mr. Lyan Studio.
Plus, from Monday to Friday between 5pm and 6.30pm, Padella Negronis can be enjoyed for £2 with every plate of pasta purchased. Book here.
St. John, Marylebone, W1U 2JE
Tucked away from busy Oxford Street, St. JOHN’s first opening in a decade serves up all of the synonymous flavours you’d expect from St. JOHN plus a list of their revered own-label wines and cocktails.
St. JOHN Marylebone is the perfect spot to people-watch as the day goes by, or to enjoy long lunches with friends in the sunshine, or beneath the awning when the weather isn’t as kind.
With 4 street-facing tables, diners and drinks can enjoy everything from a morning pastry to an aperitivi and Deep fried Welsh Rarebit as the restaurant moves with the day. Book here.
Ottolenghi, Chelsea, SW1X 0BP
Newly installed for Spring, Ottolenghi’s latest opening in Chelsea is home to a 12 cover, picturesque terrace on the peaceful foodie thoroughfare of Pavillion Road. With a brand new cocktail menu, the space is designed for multiple purposes; a quick coffee to begin the day, a sun trap to sit and enjoy lunch, or an al fresco cocktail to toast the weekend. Walk-in only.
Dishoom, Canary Wharf, 13 WATER ST, E14 5GX
The retractable awning outside Dishoom Canary Wharf on the Verandah, makes it the perfect outdoor dining experience for all weather. Dishoom’s newest café can be found nestled in a corner of Wood Wharf overlooking the water. C
anary Wharf patrons are also able to delight in a brand-new Chef’s Special, created exclusively for this new opening: Malai Lobster, which is marinated in a creamy malai sauce, with tail meat simply grilled and finished with a generous pat-down of butter, lime and chili or the special mini martini flight.
Reservations are available for groups of any size until 5.45pm. At dinner, a limited number of reservations are available for parties of six or more guests. Walk-ins are always very welcome.
Zahter, Soho, W1F 7PS
Acclaimed Turkish chef Esra Muslu’s first London restaurant, Zahter challenges expectations of Turkish cooking in the capital, providing a fresh perspective and flavours. Dishes are influenced by Istanbul’s vast ethnic heritage and look to history as a source for innovative new dishes. Book here.
This restuarant will be reopening its French doors behind bustling Oxford Street, with outdoor sun-trap seating to enjoy outside the wine bar.
Pophams London Fields, E8 3NJ
Customers who bag a much-desired spot outside on Richmond Road can enjoy pastries in the morning, and freshly-made pasta accompanied by natural wine in the evening on the spacious terrace.
Barnaby’s at trevibban mill, Padstow, PL27 7SE
The award-winning team behind Prawn on the Lawn have announced the brand new location for their second Padstow restaurant, Barnaby’s for Summer 2023.
The focus is still on fish but with the addition of locally sourced meat and veg dishes, influenced by Mediterranean and middle eastern flavours.The 45-cover restaurant will pop up this coming May to September at Trevibban Mill Vineyard and Orchard with both indoor and al fresco seating options and sweeping views of wildflower fields and vineyards.
POTL Padstow’s current Head Chef Eddie Thompson will head up the kitchen working closely with executive chef/owner Rick Toogood.