Sun’s out, and in the world of food and drink, that means it’s time to go all-out on terraces. With many partnering with famous champagne and wine maisons, launching a brand new cocktail list, or even promising to transport guests to idyllic climes, London’s best terraces have been completely overhauled for summer – so what better excuse to go out and enjoy them? You’ll find no rooftops here (we’ve covered that already), but chic cobbled courtyards and Parisian-style street-side spots that will cater for post-work drinks, casual catch-ups and romantic rendezvous alike. Here are the best summer terraces to book in London. 

La DoubleJ x The Dorchester, Mayfair

You may be surrounded by the hustle and bustle of Park Lane, but it certainly doesn’t feel like it at The Dorchester’s gorgeous summer terrace. Launched in partnership with La DoubleJ – the vibrant Italian fashion and homeware brand known for its joyful use of colour – the collaboration brings brilliant maximalism to the heart of Mayfair in an extension of the hotel’s opulent Vesper Bar, available to book until September. Layered textiles, expressive table settings, and abundant floral moments – look out for the kinetic sculptures by American sculptor Lyman Whitaker – make you feel like you’re whiling away the hours in a quintessential English garden. 

The menu is no less impressive, designed by culinary director Martyn Nail to reflect relaxed European dining. Graze on an array of small plates including courgette flower fritti with grilled prawns and morsetti di lasagne, before tucking into crisp focaccia sandwiches (available to dine in or take away) with fillings of bresaola with sun-dried tomato, mozzarella and pesto, and gorgonzola with pistachio, tomato and rocket, as well as heartier mains including spicy spaghetti aglio, and chicken paillard with homemade caponata. The Dorchester’s full drinks selection is available; I recommend the mango and elderflower bellino. Finally, don’t skimp on the gelato trolley, where generous scoops of pistachio, strawberry, chocolate and vanilla ice cream are available to enjoy at the terrace or take away for a walk through nearby Hyde Park.

Open now, visit dorchestercollection.com 

Bar Antoine at Four Seasons Park Lane, Mayfair

The most decorated Michelin-starred chef, Yannick Alléno, has brought his native Gallic touch to Mayfair in the most authentic fashion with a new pétanque terrace at Bar Antoine. Sitting adjacent to his lauded Pavyllon restaurant, this is one of the few places in the capital where you can dine on Michelin-approved small plates and cocktails, while enjoying the traditional French pastime that sees players compete to land metal boules closest to a small target ball.

Whether stepping up for a game or spectating from the sidelines, enjoy cocktails from the new Savoir-Boire menu, which translates to the ‘art of drinking well’. Inspired by the flavours of France, signature serves include the croissant old fashioned, cornichon martini, and, two personal favourites: the peach and Dijon mustard margarita and fig paloma topped with a comté crisp, nodding to the cheese traditionally served with eponymous fruit. Curated by Alléno himself, bar bites include a delectably light and fluffy Carabineros prawn toast, signature CFC – Bar Antoine’s indulgent take on caviar fried chicken – and a rotating selection of artisan French cheese and charcuterie boards, served with lashings of butter, date chutney and freshly-baked sourdough. Santé, indeed. 

Open now, visit pavyllonlondon.com 

J Sheekey x Vivienne Westwood, Covent Garden

It’s a big year for one of London’s most iconic restaurants. Celebrating its 130^th anniversary, J Sheekey has long been a destination for well-heeled Londoners looking to dine on some of the best seafood in town and soak up charming old-school hospitality. Guided by the belief that luxury should have wit and charm, it seemed fitting, then, for the restaurant to mark its milestone with a unique collaboration with one of Britain’s most famous fashion houses: Vivienne Westwood. 

With both partners boasting long-standing connections to culture, creativity and London life, the summer terrace has been reimagined through the world of Vivienne Westwood. At the centre of the collaboration is Westwood’s seminal Evolution of Man archive print, first shown in the 1996/97 Man collection, and now appearing across window vinyls, menus, linens, illustrated coasters, engraved glassware and custom ceramics. Guinness and Tanqueray No Ten have curated a drinks menu to be paired with J Sheekey’s siganture oyster platter, and a bespoke Vivienne Westwood dessert: the Mascarpone Panna Cotta, with jasmine-compressed English strawberries, basil sorbet, and a white chocolate Westwood orb motif disc, served alongside warm madeleines.

Open now, visit j-sheekey.co.uk 

Cut at 45 Park Lane, Mayfair

Cut at 45 Park Lane’s culinary director Elliott Grover always conjures up something fun for summer – and this year’s terrace is no different. Imagined as a fish and chip pop-up, Cut Out captures the spirit of the classic British chippy and pairs it with the sophistication that is synonymous with Wolfgang Puck’s only London restaurant. Available to dine on the terrace or to take away, expect a line-up of comfort food classics including fried haddock and monkfish with all the trimmings – mushy peas, triple-cooked chips, homemade curry sauce – alongside playful takes on nostalgic favourites, including fish finger sandwiches and battered sausages. For those looking for lighter options, the menu also features signature seafood; pick from seared Orkney scallops with garlic and chilli butter, and Wolfgang Puck’s signature crab and lobster roll.

Fancy something sweet? Cut Out will happily oblige, with an indulgent dessert menu featuring strawberry and champagne ice lollies, Eton mess with British strawberries and Jersey cream, and vanilla ice cream cookie sandwiches, alongside a refined cocktail list. Our top pick? The Our Way Martini, featuring Belvedere 10 vodka and Cocchi extra dry vermouth, served extra cold (of course). 

Open now, visit dorchestercollection.com 

Le Jardin Minuty ​at Dovetale, Mayfair

A summer extension of Michelin-starred chef Tom Sellers’ Dovetale restaurant at 1 Hotel Mayfair, Le Jardin Minuty offers a sun-soaked escape inspired by the French Riviera. Adorned with handcrafted paper flowers by Pom Pom Factory, don’t miss the Minuty Rosé Trolley offering rosé spritzes and wines, as well as three unique cocktails designed specifically for the occasion: slow berry highball, Provencal blush and sunlit margarita. Feeling peckish? A selection of small plates, such as tempura courgette flowers with aged parmesan, garden crudites and ranch dressing, and salted anchovies and smoked tomatoes on rostis, are enough to tempt anyone. 

Open now, visit dovetalelondon.com 

Hyde Park Garden at the Mandarin Oriental, Knightsbridge

One of London's most fashionable al fresco dining spots, Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park has reopened its beautiful Hyde Park Garden for another season. Situated in the hotel’s private garden with views over London's most famous park, menus have been devised by the team behind two Michelin-starred restaurant, Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, and feature signature dishes including the iconic Meat Fruit and indulgent Tipsy Cake. Following the announcement that Blumenthal will be concluding his residency in January 2027, this year offers diners their final opportunity to enjoy Hyde Park Garden. Run, don't walk.

New for this season is the Chippy Tea – a generous feast of two beer-battered haddock fillets, Heston’s signature triple-cooked chips, a fresh lemon salad, pickled onions and quail eggs, alongside an array of dips, sauces and sides, and a refreshing lemon posset to finish. For those dining in the afternoon, the kitchen offers a refined afternoon tea selection in a truly idyllic outdoor setting. Complementing the menu, Château d’Esclans, the vineyard behind Whispering Angel, introduces a curated wine list, while an elegant array of spritz cocktails and refined non-alcoholic options complete the offering.

Open now, visit mandarinoriental.com

Minuty Summer Terrace at The Landmark London, Marylebone

Until 31 August, The Landmark will be serving ice-cold Provence rosé on tap thanks to a new partnership with Minuty. Designed as a Mediterranean escape celebrating the effortless elegance of the Côte d’Azur, go hungry and dine on French fare such as pissaladière, melon salad and serrano ham, caramelised goat cheese salad and a refined take on the classic salad Niçoise.

Save room for two special ummer desserts: the signature Provençal Sundae and a strawberry, lemon and mint vacherin. All dishes have been designed to be paired with a selection of Minuty wines, including Minuty Prestige Rosé, Château Minuty Rosé et Or and the award-winning Château Minuty 281. More of a cocktail connoisseur? Order the Pink Atrium – Beluga Vodka Cointreau, passoã, elderflower liqueur, lemon juice and cranberry juice topped with Minuty Prestige Rosé. Chin-chin. 

Open now, visit landmarklondon.co.uk

Automat, Mayfair 

Discreetly tucked away behind Tanner Krolle on Mount Street, Automat brings a refined take on American dining to one of Mayfair’s most prestigious addresses – and, since opening earlier this year, is one of London’s hottest tables. While the restaurant is known for its intimate, speakeasy-style interiors, its outdoor seating offers a rare opportunity to enjoy Mayfair in a more relaxed, open-air setting while dining on favourites such as the Automat Burger with homemade fries and lobster roll with brown butter and lemon, alongside a curated selection of wines and expertly made cocktails.

Open now, visit automatdining.com 

Fowl, Piccadilly 

Just a stone’s throw from Piccadilly Circus, Fowl, the sister restaurant to Fallow, boasts an expansive terrace on a quiet enclave off Haymarket. The only dedicated chicken shop to feature in the Michelin Guide, it’s known for its well-sourced birds from Sutton Hoo, beer towers and pool table – and don’t miss the £20 set lunch menu, available Tuesday to Friday. With the terrace open everyday of the week, we’d recommend kicking Sunday lunch off with the tropical Fowl Colada, before ordering the chicken or maitake mushroom roasts – the perfect way to while away a balmy spring weekend. 

Open now, visit fowlrestaurant.com 

Bentley’s Oyster Bar & Grill, Mayfair

Since renowned Irish chef Richard Corrigan took over Bentley’s – one of London’s most iconic seafood restaurants, having been a seafood and oyster purveyor since 1916 – two decades ago, a seat on the terrace has become one of the London dining scene’s hottest tickets. Situated a hop and a skip away from Regent’s Street on the quaint little Swallow Street, you’ll find a timeless terrace with elegant tables draped in white and topped with silverware. The full á la carte is available year round, from rock oysters, to shellfish platters, to native lobster thermidors and, for those inclined, there’s even a menu dedicated to cigars. 

Open now, visit bentleys.org 

The Royal Horseguards Hotel, Whitehall

Fancy dining on a terrace that has played host to the likes of Winston Churchill and Lloyd George? Head to The Royal Horseguards Hotel, which opened the doors to its quintessentially English and dog-friendly terrace last month. Complete with soft wicker seating, cosy throws and an abundance of lush greenery, guests are treated to sweeping views of the London Eye and the surrounding skyline from every corner.

For 2026, the refreshed menu features oak smoked salmon, burrata with heritage beetroot, and crispy squid to start, followed by comforting classics such as chicken, ham hock and leek pie, and beer-battered fish and chips, alongside lighter dishes of superfood quinoa salad and pan-fried salmon. Wash it all down with a selection of spritzes, including a signature serve blending Beefeater gin, elderflower tonic, cloudy apple juice and mint, or the Raspberry Fizzante: Belvedere vodka, cranberry juice, sparkling wine topped with fresh English raspberries. 

Open now, visit royalhorseguardshotel.com

Carbone, Mayfair

Finding it impossible to book into the much-lauded Carbone restaurant in Mayfair? Luckily for you, the New York-inspired establishment has just extended its covers with the opening of its seasonal terrace overlooking Grosvenor Square. The space features white-tablecloth seating alongside custom banquettes and rattan chairs, set among lush greenery and framed by a grove of olive trees, and is open for both lunch and dinner service, weather permitting.

The menu features a selection of seasonal dishes, including pea and pecorino salad (delicious), spring pea cappellacci (well worth ordering) and celebrated signatures such as spicy rigatoni vodka and carpaccio Piemontese. A daily crudo selection uses only the finest locally sourced seafood, while desserts include delicate sorbets, gelatos, and Carbone’s famed dessert tray featuring lemon cheesecake and carrot cake. There’s plenty to whet your whistle too, thanks to Carbone’s exceptional wine cellar of more than 10,000 bottles, alongside classic cocktails and alcohol-free refreshers.

Open now, visit carbonelondon.com 

Kitchen At Holmes x Hackney Gelato Ice Cream Terrace, Marylebone

Offering a different type of terrace, but one that is no less delicious, is Kitchen at Holmes on Baker Street. With temperatures set to heat up, guests are invited to cool down with a scoop of gelato on the new ice cream terrace, created in collaboration with Hackney Gelato. The space has been transformed with floral displays inspired by gelato flavours, welcoming a branded trike serving innovative flavours, alongside a menu of unique frozen serves; expect brioche ice cream sandwiches, a signature sundae, and DIY affogatos, as well as Hackney Gelato cocktails for a unique seasonal experience.

Open now, visit kitchenatholmes.co.uk

Black Lines Aperitivo Spritz Bar, Southbank

Open until late September, Black Lines – purveyor of pre-mixed cocktails crafted with fresh ingredients and quality spirits – is hosting an al fresco pop-up bar at the National Theatre overlooking the River Thames. The Aperitivo Spritz Bar will be pouring ice-cold cocktails adjacent to Kerb’s street food market, and is the perfect spot for after-work drinks, golden hour catch-ups and long evenings by the water, while also being home to a series of summer moments, including an open-air Summer Solstice celebration with DJs and live performances spilling out from the Understudy bar. Expect spritzes, spicy margaritas, palomas, negronis – plus, on Thursdays and Fridays between 4pm-6pm, get two for £20. 

Open now, visit instagram.com 

Garden Room at The Lanesborough, Hyde Park

Tucked away in Hyde Park Corner and surrounded by lush greenery, The Garden Room at The Lanesborough offers one of the most charming places to spend an afternoon in SW1. Boasting a covered outdoor terrace open daily from noon until the wee hours for cocktails, champagne, and a menu designed by executive chef Shay Cooper, The Garden Room serves a selection of light seasonal dishes. Highlights include sea bass ceviche with yuzu, ginger and miso aioli, a native lobster roll with kimchi and fennel, and a grilled pepper steak sandwich with caramelised onion. For night owls, a late-night menu is available from 10.30pm until midnight including a classic Caesar salad, French fries and The Lanesborough’s signature club sandwich. 

The drinks list ranges from signature cocktails, among them The Dalmore Sour and Port Wood Manhattan, to an extensive champagne selection from Laurent-Perrier and a carefully chosen wine list. For those drawn further in, a remarkable collection of rare Cuban cigars awaits, alongside one of London's most exceptional assemblies of aged cognacs and armagnacs, with certain expressions dating to the 18^th century. Chin, chin, indeed. 

Open now, visit oetkerhotels.com

Colbert, Chelsea

Colbert, the Parisian café on Sloane Square, has partnered with Pommery Champagne and artist, Rosanna Corfe, to celebrate this year’s Chelsea Flower Show with a gorgeous terrace. Opening on 18 May, the space has been reimagined to mirror the famous gardens of Paris, showcasing a floral haven in the heart of Chelsea, adorned with vibrant soft furnishings that capture the elegance and free-spiritedness of Paris.

Jardin De Paris will offer a limited-edition menu of floral-infused cocktails devised in collaboration with Pommery Champagne – expect the elderflower and grapefruit Chelsea in Bloom, and Fleur with fizz, Suze and noilly prat – as well as a new floral dessert in the form of a gariguette strawberry and elderflower pavlova with chantilly cream, offered as an homage to French patisserie. 

From 18 May 2026 until late summer, visit colbertrestaurant.com 

Lavo at The BoTree, Marylebone

This summer, Lavo, the coastal Italian restaurant at The BoTree, will launch a Riviera-inspired terrace in partnership with Grey Goose. Running from 22 May to 30 August, the experience puts roaming martini cocktail trolleys and a new coastal Italian menu centre stage, just a stone’s throw from Oxford Street. The existing terrace will be transformed into an Italian hideaway complete with large parasols, crisp white linens and a relaxed Riviera feel, with DJs setting the tone every Friday from 5-10pm throughout the season with the ultimate summer soundtrack.

The roaming drinks trolley on the terrace will serve limited edition Grey Goose martini cocktails and spritzes tableside, including a basil and truffle martini, as well as a Mediterranean and limoncello spritz. The new summer food menu will feature an indulgent selection of seasonal seafood dishes, including a hero platter of oysters, salmon and tuna tartare, mussels, clams and prawns, designed for sharing. Other menu highlights include whole seabream, served tableside and designed to be shared, and tempura baby courgette flower with ricotta seirass, Amalfi lemon and honey.

From 22 May until 30 August 2026, visit thebotree.com 

Franco’s, St James’s

Franco’s, established in 1945 in the heart of St James’s, provides an ideal setting for al fresco dining on its charming terrace. Bask in the warmth of the London sun while savouring authentic Italian food made with the finest ingredients, including burrata with peas, broad beans and Sardinian artichokes, linguine with lobster and fresh seabass with herb gnocchi, mussels & ‘barba di frate, alongside cocktails or a selection of rosé wines. 

Open now, visit francoslondon.com

Novikov, Mayfair

This spring, visit Novikov's beautiful terrace in the heart of Mayfair for leisurely afternoons, business lunches, or relaxed celebrations. Overlooking bustling Berkeley Street yet feeling worlds away, the terrace offers a calm, sun-dappled setting to savour a selection of dishes from the Asian restaurant, including dim sum, sushi, sashimi and robata, or dishes from the Italian restaurant such as fresh pastas, grilled fish or meats. To complement the al fresco experience, guests can choose from Novikov’s artfully crafted cocktails, including the yuzu and elderflower spritz, sakura negroni or Thai basil smash.

Open now, visit novikovrestaurant.co.uk 

La Môme at The Berkeley, Knightsbridge

Take a trip to the Côte d'Azur without leaving London thanks to the gorgeous La Môme terrace at The Berkeley. Providing a sun-drenched haven just moments from Knightsbridge station, this leafy 30-seat terrace has been adorned with red and white furnishings, in keeping with the interiors of the expansive ground-floor restaurant.

La Môme's menu celebrates the vibrant flavours of Provence. Lunch begins with warm bread served with lashings of European olive oil and fragrant thyme snipped tableside. The menu doesn’t follow a traditional three-course format but is split into sharers, salads, pastas, meat and fish, and a selection of sides (there's an impressive array to choose from). Start with the smoked cod tarama topped with orange trout roe and served with warm blinis, before moving onto decadent pastas including the black truffle macaroni and veal tagliatelle. Signatures come in the form of Black Angus tomahawk and flame-grilled octopus alla Luciana, which are also prepared tableside to add to the theatrics.

The cocktail list also embraces the joie de vivre of the Riviera, encompassing serves of the Maquis Berry, mixing Tanqueray 10 gin infused with raspberry and hibiscus, and the sophisticated Smoked Ember: Chivas 12 whisky, Amaro Nonino, orgeat syrup and cacao bitters. Oh, and don’t forget to indulge in the tiramisu – you certainly won’t regret it. 

Open now, visit the-berkeley.co.uk

Wildflowers, Belgravia

Wildflowers, a restaurant and wine bar in the heart of Belgravia, has opened its inaugural courtyard terrace for summer. Nestled in Newson's Yard, the covered and floral courtyard is serviced by Mediterranean-inspired dishes cooked over coals. Informal but delectable, the courtyard's lunch small plates include red prawn tartare with stracciatella, pistachio and blood orange and fior di latte gelato with olive oil and grape balsamic, while in the evenings, the terrace shifts to a more relaxed offering of wine and snacks, including Iberico paleta, Wildflowers’ focaccia, and Cantabrian anchovy with Manchego and honey. This is the perfect place to catch up with friends, whether over a leisurely weekend lunch or post-work dinner.  

Open now, visit wildflowersrestaurant.co.uk

The Ninth, Fitzrovia

Images: We The Food Snobs

This Michelin-starred neighbourhood restaurant, fringing the hustle and bustle of Fitzrovia's Charlotte Street, opens a sun-drenched, street-side terrace during London's summer season – and it does not disappoint. Helmed by acclaimed chef Jun Tanaka, the 18-seater terrace is perfectly situated for leisurely lunches, sophisticated business meetings and al fresco dinners, serviced by fresh, seasonal Mediterranean-inspired sharing plates, from seabream carpaccio, rhubarb, pickled kohlrabi and lemon dressing to Iberico pork, tomatoes and Tropea onion salad.

The Ninth also serves one of the best value set menus in London, available at lunch and dinner (at 6pm) from Monday to Saturday, featuring the likes of crispy primavera risotto, mushroom ragu and marinated courgette, and the signature pain perdu (think creme brulee, French toast and bread and butter pudding in one).

Open now, visit theninthlondon.com

The Courtyard at Ham Yard Hotel, Soho

Looking for a terrace in Soho? The Courtyard at Ham Yard Hotel offers the perfect setting, with a bronze sculpture by Sir Tony Cragg at its centre and a sweeping terrace dotted with oak trees. It’s ideal for a long lunch, celebratory catch-up or evening date night, where guests can enjoy seasonal dishes including grilled south coast octopus with romesco, charred peppers and basil, and linguine alle vongole alongside a selection of spritzes, cocktails and wines. The hotel’s famous oyster cart returns this month to serve coupes de crevettes and Portland dressed crab – we recommend heading here from 5pm-6pm, Wednesday to Sunday to indulge in half-price, freshly-shucked oysters. You heard it here first. 

Until September 2026, visit firmdalehotels.com

Theo’s on the Terrace at InterContinental London Park Lane, Mayfair

A summer-long celebration of Mediterranean flavours courtesy of trattoria-style classics by chef patron Theo Randall, Theo’s on the Terrace returns to InterContinental this month. Decorated in bright, colourful awnings inspired by Sicilian majolica tiles and styled with ceramics sourced from the Amalfi Coast village of Vietri, head here for a slice of la dolce vita in the city. The menu has been designed with Italian feasting in mind, featuring arancini, bruschetta and seafood tagliatelle allo scoglio. For an aperitivo, guests can enjoy a cocktail in the early evening sun, including Dolce Vita and Melinda, created with Della Vite Prosecco.

Until September 2026, visit parklane.intercontinental.com

The Maine, Mayfair

One of London’s most coveted summer spots, you’ll need to book in advance to get a seat at The Maine. Located just off Hanover Square, the dog-friendly, 100-cover terrace was redesigned in collaboration with artist and designer Gergei Erdei, who transformed it into The Orangerie; a secret Mediterranean garden where the balmy scent of orange trees extends the long days of summer. The New England-inspired menu includes classics from the raw bar – oysters, shrimp cocktails and fish platters – followed by sticky short rib in a honey mustard glaze, Caesar salads and lobster rolls. Don’t miss the terrace’s champagne and cocktail bar, where martinis, spritzes, and an unrivalled rosé selection flow late into the evening. Plus, every Saturday will see live performances from The Sunshine Boys on the terrace and in the drawing room, playing a mix of Motown, soul, and everything in between.

Open now, visit themainemayfair.com

Dalloway Terrace, Bloomsbury

Adorned by a canopy of beautiful floral arrangements, dining at The Bloomsbury’s Dalloway Terrace is one of London’s chicest al fresco dining experiences. To celebrate the arrival of spring, the terrace has unveiled a new floral installation draped in floral cascades inspired by untamed spring meadows and the beauty of the natural world. The menu has also received a spring refresh, now including plates of brown crab brioche, asparagus risotto with black truffle and venison ragu.

Open now, visit dallowayterrace.com

The Garden at Corinthia, Whitehall

The Garden at the Corinthia is delightfully verdant throughout the year, changing its colour palette each season. Dine among the flowers and enjoy Mediterranean-inspired comfort dishes, such as Morcombe Bay potted shrimp, lobster brioche roll and garden quiche which can be paired with a sophisticated wine and cocktail menu. Our favourite serve? The Kent Believe It, combining Sipsmith vodka and sloe liqueur topped with Kent's finest Gusbourne blanc de blancs.

Open now, visit corinthia.com 

108 Brasserie, Marylebone

When taking a break from perusing the galleries, boutiques and designer stores of Marylebone High Street, there’s no better spot to soak in the warmth of summer than the covered terrace of 108 Brasserie. Named La Terrasse on the Lane – a rosé terrace inspired by the Côtes de Provence and created in collaboration with Château La Coste – the terrace features a floral installation inspired by the rolling hills, wildflower plateaus, and olive and cypress landscapes surrounding the vineyard, alongside magnums of rosé poured tableside, an exclusive selection of Château La Coste cuvées and signature rosé spritz cocktails.

A curated menu hones in on with Provençal flavours, with highlights including brioche lobster sub rolls, Caesar salad for two with white anchovies and golden frites and the 108 seafood platter of hot smoked salmon rillettes, prawn cocktail, dressed white crab and peppered mackerel. Bon appétit.

From 15 May until September 2026, visit 108brasserie.com

Applebee’s, Borough Market

Applebee’s first launched its terrace last summer and, having been such a hit with the Borough Market crowd, is returning for another year. With a refreshed look and an excellent menu curated by executive chef Frankie van Loo, Applebee’s sources the freshest seafood from Devon and Cornwall’s day boats via Brixham Fish Market, which can now be enjoyed al fresco with a glass of wine in hand. Applebee’s menu is complemented by a standout cocktail list, including the Gilda Martini, infused with oyster shell and foraged botanicals, served alongside a traditional Gilda skewer. Whether stopping by for a selection of seafood, a post-market snack, or a sundowner spritz, Applebee’s summer terrace offers a front-row seat to the vibrant energy of Borough Market. You’d be a fool to miss it. 

Open now, visit applebeesfish.com

Acme Fire Cult, Dalston

Outdoor dining and barbecues go hand in hand – so, naturally, live-fire restaurant Acme Fire Cult boasts one of London’s best al fresco dining spots. The terrace allows guests to watch the chefs at work at the grill, while sipping beers from sister brewery 40FT and tucking into the famed coal roast leeks with pistachio romesco, Highland Bavette with seaweed-peppercorn sauce and the famous weekend meat platter. 

Open now, visit acmefirecult.com

Sushisamba, Covent Garden

While away the hours at Sushisamba Covent Garden’s newly transformed Sakura Spring Terrace, launched in collaboration with Moët Hennessy. Offering a curated selection of champagne cocktails and sorbets, within an enchanting summer setting complete with blossom‐draped archway, expect seasonal serves including Blossom Royale, featuring Mandarine Napoléon Liqueur, rum, lemon verbena cordial and cherry notes, as well as the Haru Breeze: rum, coconut liqueur, watermelon, lime, agave, and a dash of plum bitters.
For something slightly more substantial, enjoy crispy lobster taquitos and seafood ceviche alongside signature samba rolls and sushi.

Open now, visit sushisamba.com

The Hari, Belgravia

Tucked away in the heart of Belgravia, The Hari's indoor-outdoor terrace offers an oasis in the heart of the capital all year round. But as the weather gets warmer, and the roof retracts, there's never a better time to sample its extensive cocktail list, including classics such as a bramble or paloma, or more inventive serves like the Charlie Chaplin featuring sloe gin, apricot brandy and lime. No terrace is complete without a decadent food menu, and The Hari's takes its cues from its fan-favourite Il Pampero’s Italian kitchen downstairs. Expect light bites such as chicken goujons, juicy tiger prawns with sweet chilli sauce, and the classic Hari Club sandwich.

Open now, visit thehari.com

La Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels, Covent Garden

Tucked away in Neal’s Yard sits La Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels, the chic French wine bar boasting a Parisian-style terrace all summer long. With an enviable list of more than 400 handpicked wines, this is the ideal setting for a romantic dinner à deux or drinks with friends. Let the in-house wine connoisseurs lead the way, and don’t miss the restaurant’s roster of regular events and wine tastings.

Open now, visit compagniedesvinssurnaturels.com

The Laundry, Brixton

Images: Jack Lewis Williams

Those looking for an al fresco option south of the river need look no further than The Laundry, Brixton’s favourite neighbourhood bistro and wine shop. Outside, the Parisian-inspired terrace is kitted with rattan chairs and bistro tables, with blankets and heaters to take guests from day into evening. Order cocktail jugs of rosé sangria or Pimm's, alongside house cocktails including margaritas, negronis and mules. Our favourite? The pineapple gin fizz: Brixton gin, pineapple and a hint of basil.

Open now, visit thelaundrybrixton.com

Read more: The most exciting new restaurants opening in London in 2026