Yes, springtime formally sprung back in March – but only now is the season really coming into its full shirt-sleeved glory, awaking distant memories of venturing outdoors just for the sensation of breathing in that fresh, crisp air.
Logically, the only thing that can surpass such a simple pleasure would be to share it with friends. And while you’re all out there, why not stir in a few cocktails and sweeping, lofty eyefuls of one of the world’s iconic cities?
And this is why pure springtime logic leads us to our selection of London’s finest restaurants with outdoor drinking, rooftop destinations. Prepare for a change of altitude:
The Skyline London
The name only hints at the true magnificence of the views from Tower Suites’ outdoor terrace. Choose the right table here, and you’ll enjoy a close-up look at the Tower of London, while Tower Bridge and landmarks like The Shard are just a slight turn of the head away. A great list of modern cocktails, wines and beers caters to thirsts of any variety, while the peckish will undoubtedly find plenty to graze in the food menu’s selection of pizzas, pasta and tantalising appetisers.
Open Mon-Sun, noon-10pm
100 Minories, Tower Hill
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(Views from The Skyline London)
Cento Alla Torre
Imagine The Skyline London, but with available indoor seating and a strong emphasis on classic Italian fare. That’s Cento Alla Torre – Tower Suites’ flagship eatery – in a nutshell. Fresh, authentic ingredients and traditional recipes prepared with an imaginative original twist ensure that you’ll want to linger over the food as much as the knockout views from the outdoor terrace. You can also be sure of an excellent drinks list, which mirrors that of The Skyline.
Open Mon-Sun, 8am-10pm
100 Minories, Tower Hill
Alto by San Carlo
Head up to Selfridges London’s roof and you’ll find this acclaimed restaurant’s romantic Italian garden-style terrace – and an ideal place to eat in London for afternoon or evening drinks with a bit of flair. Should you feel hungry (or should the food aroma simply overwhelm you), simply head indoors to experience alto’s superb range of seafood, pasta, salads and grilled specialities. It’s truly a world away from the bustle of the streets below – a world you won’t be in a hurry to leave.
Open Mon-Sat, 11.30am-11pm; Sun store opening-10.30pm
400 Oxford Street, W1
The Culpeper
It’s fitting that one of the city’s top pubs should have one of its most original and enjoyable rooftops. As emphasised by its eight-foot gherkin sculpture, The Culpeper’s rooftop is an actual working garden devoted to seasonal pickling. Guests can get a literal taste by trying out a special menu of herb-laden cocktails, complemented by an interesting selection of seasonal pickle-themed dishes. And of course, there’s the view of central London’s skyline – a striking contrast to the miniature countryside feel of the rooftop itself.
Open Mon-Thurs, noon-midnight; Fri-Sat, noon-1am; Sun, noon-9pm
40 Commercial Street, Spitalfields
Aviary
This upscale restaurant-bar certainly squeezes every drop of potential from its Finsbury Square rooftop. The views over London are just the beginning; guests can enjoy them from a conventional table, or (for groups of up to six), from inside one of its famous transparent ‘igloos’. The fare is almost as entrancing, using top-notch, locally sourced seasonal organic ingredients in ways that combine traditional, familiar tastes with imaginative contemporary flair.
Open Mon-Sun, 11am-midnight
22-25 Finsbury Square, EC2
London Bar Bus
Why settle for one location and one perspective for your alfresco interludes? If you are the restless sort – and have a lot of friends of a similar disposition – the classic London Bar Bus may be for you. The open top deck offers a truly intimate taste of the city, putting you up close to passing sights, sounds and smells – but with the added bonus of a generously stocked cocktail bar. Tour lasts approximately 90 minutes; tickets as low as £27 per adult.
Chapel Bar Granted
This Islington bar’s alfresco option is more of a first-floor terrace than a rooftop, but such technicalities will be forgotten once you settle into your seat amid artfully arranged plants and hedges, with heaters nearby to take off the evening chill. As well as a drinks list that includes delicious Sicilian-inspired cocktails, you can also satisfy your appetite with selections from the Arenella resident restaurant. Bottomless brunch is also available Saturday afternoons.
Open Tues-Thurs, 5pm-11am; Fri, 5pm-2am; Sat, noon-2am
29 Penton Street, Islington
Gaucho Tower Bridge
Two open-sided terraces and two weatherproof ‘dining pods’ at a location nestled between London Bridge and Tower Bridge make Gaucho Tower Bridge a truly outstanding spot for scenic drinking and dining. So devoted is this institution to its alfresco options that the pods come with their own speakers, private servers, a complimentary bottle of Chandon (The Argentinian version of Moet), and niceties like sheepskin throws, blankets and hot water bottles.
Open Sun-Thurs, noon-11pm; Fri-Sat, 11.30am-11pm
2 More London Riverside, SE1
Coq d’Argent
By day or night, this French eatery’s rooftop is what dreams are made of – an elevated, immaculately kept, cosily heated modern garden amid the glittering towers of the City. The Garden Bar menu isn’t the most extensive, but it is exceedingly refined, with everything from its beers to wines and spirits curated for quality and diversity, complemented with a snack menu that ranges from the expected mixed salted nuts to surprises such as snails in garlic butter.
Open Mon-Sat, noon-midnight
No 1 Poultry, EC2
Circolo Poplare
This relaxing trattoria’s 60-seat terrace is yet another reason among many to explore Fitzrovia, one of the most interesting among London districts. The scenery is just as impressive indoors, thanks to a dining room lined from floor to high ceiling with an endless variety of bottles. The look doesn’t deceive; the menu serves up a tempting variety of cocktails (including ‘Italian G&T’) to complement a changed-monthly menu of Sicilian-style dishes.
Open Mon-Sun (lunch and supper)
40-41 Rathbone Place, Fitzrovia
12th Knot
Venture 12 floors up at Sea Containers London and you’ll find this excellent rooftop bar with a small but worthwhile outdoor terrace. Why worthwhile? The venue’s altitude plus its proximity to Blackfriars Bridge
on the South Bank afford heart-stirring views of the Thames and the city skyline. The stirring continues as you sample 12th Knot’s intriguing range of British and American cocktails – all set to a backdrop of live music on Wednesdays, live DJs from Thursday to Saturday.
Open Tues-Sat, 5pm-1am
20 Upper Ground, South Bank
Sushisamba
If maximum altitude is your preferred cocktail ingredient, it’s hard to beat this restaurant-bar’s terrace at Heron Tower, one of London’s tallest buildings. Nearly 40 floors above the streets, you’re guaranteed stunning, unobstructed views to go along with pricey-but-well-made drinks and palate-stimulating dishes that combine the traditions of Asian and South American cuisines.
Open Sun-Wed, noon-1.30am; Thurs-Sat, noon-2.30am
Heron Tower, Bishopsgate
Skylight
Located on the top three levels of a former carpark at Tobacco Dock, Skylight offers something more playful-casual and less sultry than most rooftop bars in London. During summer, visitors can play croquet and watch sports on big screens, or dive into a summer party with live DJs while they dig through a varied menu of drinks and street foods. Winter months sees the venue transformed into a unique rooftop ice rink.
Open Thurs-Sun, noon-11pm
Tobacco Dock, Wapping
Madison
The dome of St Paul’s Cathedral dominates the view from the rooftop of this central London restaurant-bar. While the indoor restaurant is all about the steaks, the rooftop menu is lighter to perfectly complement a wide range of Manhattan-inspired cocktails. Frequent entertainment and live DJ performances contribute to the festive atmosphere.
Open Mon-Sun, noon-1am
One New Change
Queen of Hoxton
Home to a spectacular rooftop garden and BBQ kitchen, Queen of Hoxton’s unique space is also a bar, club and art gallery. Referred to as, ‘the ultimate youth club for adults,’ this quirky east side bar is located in
the heart of vibrant Hackney – just a ten minute walk from Liverpool Street station.
Open Tue-Fri 4pm-9.30pm, Sat 2pm-9.30 and Sun 1pm-7pm
1 Curtain Road, EC2
Contact us at
hello@centrallondonalliance.com