Perhaps you think you’ve become something of a pro at picnics over the last couple of years, but London’s best delis and restaurants are here to prove you wrong – and, often, it’s best to leave it to the experts. If your idea of a great picnic is a pot of hummus, a supermarket French baguette and a slowly warming bottle of prosecco, we have news for you: picnics in the park can now be as decadent a culinary experience as dining in your favourite restaurant. These are the best ready-made picnic deliveries in London to order now.

Soutine

This summer, Soutine – the Parisian-style restaurant in St John’s Wood – has collaborated with English artist and designer Olivia Sewell to launch a beautiful tote bag filled with picnic fare: think cheese, chunky chutney, freshly baked in-house French baguette, Perello olives and pickles, crisp Rose de Triennes wine. Designed to be enjoyed in nearby Regent’s Park, Primrose Hill, or beyond, the keepsake tote is adorned with gorgeous illustrations inspired by Matisse and Chagall and can be ordered and collected from Soutine everyday. Linger a little longer at the restaurant to discover beautifully dressed tables adorned with Sewell’s bespoke tablecloths and dine on delicious dishes such as goat’s cheese tart with rocket and a pickled walnut dressing, and dressed Dorset crab with mango, chilli and lime.

From £40, visit soutine.co.uk

Le Deli Robuchon

Le Deli Robuchon is bringing a touch of French flair to the picnic scene thanks to its collection of hampers filled with a selection of carefully-sourced artisanal products from across France, England, Spain and Italy – many of which Joël Robuchon loved and championed himself. Expect treats such as J Robuchon Royal Earl Grey tea and Laurent-Perrier Brut, Seggiano biscotti, and Valrhona Dulcey Chocolate or create your own bespoke hamper to feature homemade patisserie, filled baguettes and salad bowls. Available for nationwide delivery, shop via the website or in store at Le Deli’s outpost in Piccadilly.

From £50, visit robuchonlondon.slerp.com

Brindisa

Filled with the finest Spanish fare, Brindisa’s hampers celebrate the authentic ingredients and flavours the brand serves across its six London restaurants, spanning Richmond to Soho. From the paella kit to the Brindisa Celebration box, all hampers are bursting with delicacies hand-selected by Brindisa founder Monika Linton. For al fresco dining in one of London’s parks, we’d recommend the No Cook Tapas box, allowing you to build your very own tapas spread with acorn-fed Iberico ham, artisan manchego, chorizo, cured anchovies and two tins of Perello olives. 

From £45, visit brindisa.com

Gail’s

Breakfast hotspot Gail’s is famous across the capital for its flat whites and sourdough, but now you can take a curated selection of its best sweet and savoury bites to the park with ease thanks to its array of hampers. For breakfast dates (and when you really want to impress), opt for the Breakfast Box (£89) featuring croissants, pains au chocolat, and cinnamon buns alongside Greek yogurt, and blueberry and blackcurrant compote pots. All-out celebrations, meanwhile, call for the Cream Tea Kit (£25). Catering for up to four people, tuck into freshly-baked sultana and plain scones – topped with Rodda’s Cornish clotted cream and Gail’s homemade strawberry jam – and you’ve got yourself an easy quintessential British experience. 

From £25, visit gailsbread.co.uk

Dukeshill

If you are planning the perfect picnic, al fresco dining in the garden or sitting down to a street party, allow Royal Warrant holder Dukeshill to do the hard work for you and perhaps even try one of the award-winning hams (a favourite of the late Queen Elizabeth). Pick from an array of hamper combinations, such as the Apple Cider and Cheese, Afternoon Tea or the classic Meat Lover's selection, to try the best of Dukeshill's celebrated deli, but, strictly for park picnic situations, we'd recommend the Savoury Delights hamper. Packaged in a honey wicker basket – both functional and stylish – indulge in the Isle of Mull cheddar, honey-baked ham and venison rilletes alongside piccalilli, pistachio sables and mackerel pate.

From £60, visit dukeshillham.co.uk

Melrose & Morgan

Melrose & Morgan’s store at Brityard on Regent Street, which brims with artisan produce and local, seasonal ingredients, became meccas for Londoners trying to recreate restaurant-quality food at home during lockdown. Now it's casting its net a little wider with a range of ready-to-eat picnic hampers available for nationwide delivery. The range is truly vast, spanning everything from elevenses and aperitifs to selections inspired by Gloucester and Sweden. For an all-out picnic experience, however, we recommend putting together your very own cheese and charcuterie combination. From classics such as Sussex blue and French camembert, to speciality cheeses such as truffled brie paired with plenty of charcuterie from Cobble Lane Cured, there's simply something for everyone – happy feasting!

From £30, visit melroseandmorgan.com

Provisions

Provisions has been importing wine, cheese and artisan foods from Italy and France since 2015, and its deli selection of cured meats, olives and breads make for excellent picnic fodder. Resistance is futile in this Islington boutique, where you’ll find cheese such as comté, Ossau-Iraty and manchego alongside French Basque chorizo and mortadella. Assemble your own hamper or opt for the store’s pre-chosen selection, including black olive tapenade, Crottin de Chavignol goats cheese, Trentino ham, artichoke hearts, olives, almonds and much more, all complete with a tablecloth, cutlery and jute bag to carry it in. The large selection of wine, sourced from small, organic and biodynamic producers, is not to be missed.

From £39, visit provisionslondon.co.uk

Panzer’s

Panzer’s deli in St John’s Wood has been providing north Londoners with epicurean summer treats and picnic hampers since 1944 (its modern celebrity fans include Harry Styles, Yotam Ottolenghi and Nigella Lawson) so it’s an old hand at the outdoor dining game. Now delivering nationwide, its seasonal selection offers a smorgasbord of al fresco options. Each comes packed in a classic Panzer’s hessian bag, with fully vegetarian options available, but for a really decadent day out we’d recommend the deluxe picnic. Available with either charcuterie or smoked salmon, further treats include challah rolls, hummus bowls, spinach, nutmeg and potato rolls, chicken drumsticks, fruit salad and a bottle of house wine.

From £69, visit panzers.co.uk

Read more: The best restaurants for outdoor dining in London