7 Must-Try London Restaurants With Outdoor Spots To Enjoy All Summer
As the sun graces us and temperatures continue to rise, there’s an undeniable allure to enjoy culinary experiences in the open air. From hidden gardens and charming rooftops to riverside spots, London offers a myriad of restaurants that provide welcoming outdoor seating areas. We’ve pulled together a list of 7 restaurants on our must-visit list – whether you’re looking for a casual lunch for yourself or planning a larger gathering with friends, this is the ultimate guide to revolve summer plans around.
Helmed by the talented team behind Berber & Q and Shawarma Bar, Carmel is a relaxed all-day restaurant and bar nestled in the heart of Queen’s Park. The menu is influenced by co-founder and chef Josh Katz’s travels in the Eastern Mediterranean and North Africa, bringing visitors an accessible yet refined all-day menu. The spacious 30-seater terrace is the perfect al fresco spot for guests to indulge in Carmel’s unique menu. The restaurant’s offering evolves throughout the day, with diners able to enjoy Challah French toast in the morning, grilled harissa-marinated prawns at lunch, or indulge in a slow-grilled chicken with curry-pickled radicchio and apricot glaze in the evening. As for drinks, Carmel has a wine list consisting of 60 selections and thoughtfully crafted cocktails.
EDIT brings us a vegetarian fine dining destination with a commitment to ethical production in London Fields. Created by the former architect-turned-restaurateur Ellu Ward, it offers menus focusing on hyper-seasonal ingredients, focusing on challenging wasteful practices in the traditional food industry. Chemical-free and endemic, the fresh fruits and greens have been grown with minimal intervention and are carefully decorated on the plates. The philosophy of sustainable production is also reflected in the restaurant’s space; the building is a former factory and warehouse transformed into a welcoming venue using recycled and reclaimed materials. Edit’s large courtyard is nestled in between Morris & Company and the restaurant is a quiet refuge from the bustling Hackney. It’s teeming with greenery and the perfect place to enjoy long summer days and languid evenings.
Located nearby the artsy 180 studios, Toklas opens its door to anyone looking for a somewhat relaxed, peaceful atmosphere. The vast urban surroundings are replaced by flourishing potted plants and warm wooden furniture, and the side windows are opened during warmer days so even inside space is filled with fresh air. A weekly changing menu is inspired by Mediterranean cuisine and is recommended to share.
Ambling along the canal on a sunny weekend is a simple pleasure. Set on the canal banks with outdoor seatings overlooking the water shimmers and bikes wheezing by, Towpath offers a warm, intimate space during summertime. Stop by in the morning for grilled cheese sandwiches or try peppery radishes with whipped taramasalata and comforting stew dishes. This is the perfect place to visit on weekends before wandering over to the flower market and London Fields area.
Rochelle Canteen was founded by the female duo Melanie Arnold and Margot Henderson in the peaceful neighbourhood of Arnold Circus in Shoreditch. Sitting in the converted bike shed of the Rochelle school and looking out over the beautiful garden, it’s the perfect place to enjoy a seasonal, daily changing menu that celebrates simplicity and quality to serve all appetites. There’s no better place to spend summer afternoons than here with a bottle of sparkling wine.
Named after the old English word for Turbot, Brat first opened in Shoreditch and expanded with the outdoor space at Climpson’s Arch during the pandemic. Although it opened initially as a pop-up, it became so well-loved by East Londoners that the founder Tomos Parry, decided to keep it permanently. Inspired by the cooking styles in Basque, the best dishes are meant to be shared, including the whole turbot and T-bone steaks grilled over the hot charcoal – robust in flavour yet addictive.
Nestled into the railway arches in Bermondsey and renowned for its rustic yet cosy brick walls and arched ceilings, 40 Maltby Street serves exceptional natural wines by the glass and unique bottles from small-scale producers. It’s a charming spot to visit on weekends for delicious takeaway sandwiches when the market is on or for a romantic, intimate dinner with sharing plates and seasonal desserts.
