Along with having some of the best restaurants in the world, we think London's also blessed with some of the best high-rise dining options too. Every once in a while it's important to rise above pavement level and look out at this great city of ours.
Fenchurch at Sky Garden
Level 37, Sky Garden Walk, 1, London EC3M 8AF
In a nutshell: Kerth Gumbs looks over the City
How high? 37th floor
What to expect: This restaurant is right at the top of the "walkie talkie" building in the City and sees former Great British Menu chef Kerth Gumbs in charge of the kitchen. So alongside the vista, you'll have a menu that combines British ingredients with Caribbean flavours with dishes like jerk beef tartare and johnny cakes. There are also Caribbean-inspired cocktails to go with all that.
Joia
15th Floor, 1 Electric Boulevard, Nine Elms, London SW11 8BJ
In a nutshell: Portuguese by Battersea Power Station
How high? 15th floor
What to expect: The signature restaurant of the Battersea Power Station redevelopment, this has some of the very best views of the iconic London landmark (and looks out across all of west London). As for the food the impressive Portuguese menu is by Michelin-starred chef, Henrique Sá Pessoa. The double-height bar here is well worth a visit too.
14 Hills
120 Fenchurch St, London EC3M 5BA
In a nutshell: Indoor forest in the City
How high? 14th floor
What to expect: This D&D restaurant in the City is near the top of 120 Fenchurch Street and the inside is just as impressive as the view. The restaurant is fully decked out in foliage, with trees appearing to grow throughout the room. Take a look outside and there are amazing views over to the river and Tower Bridge. Head to the rooftop garden for their food-to-go deli during the day.
Allegra
Olympic Park, 20-22 International Way, London E20 1GQ
In a nutshell: Patrick Powell in Stratford
How high? 7th Floor
What to expect: This restaurant is led by chef Patrick Powell and he's been wowing the critics since his arrival in Stratford (the pistachio choux stuffed with liver parfait are an absolute must). The front of the restaurant may only overlook Westfield but the extensive, wrap-around terrace is one of the best places to be in Stratford when the weather gets warm.
Angler
3 South Pl, London EC2M 2AF
In a nutshell: Michelin-starred seafood at the top of the City's South Place
How high? 7th Floor
What to expect: Bang in the centre of the city, this may not be quite as high as others on the list - but there's still a great rooftop terrace at the end of this restaurant at the top of the South Place Hotel. It also gets a special mention as one of the Michelin high-rise dining experiences in the capital. Exec chef Gary Foulkes leads a high-end seafood offering here.
Aqua Shard
The Shard, 31 St Thomas St, London SE1 9RY
In a nutshell: High rise bar and restaurant at The Shard
How high? 31st floor
What to expect: Billed as a British restaurant, the menu here definitely roams into international waters. But they do make a lot of sourcing top-class British produce such as venison from the Rhug Estate and smoked salmon from Lambton & Jackson in Maldon. The afternoon tea is also particularly popular.
Find out more about Aqua Shard
Bokan
40 Marsh Wall, Isle of Dogs, London E14 9TP
In a nutshell: Not one - but three floors overlooking Canary Wharf
How high? 37-39th floor
What to expect: This bar and restaurant is at the top of the Novotel Canary Wharf - with the restaurants on 37, bar on 38 and terrace on 39. In charge of the kitchen is Executive Chef Robert Manea, previously of L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon whose team serves up a modern European menu.
City Social
Tower 42, 25 Old Broad Street, London, EC2N 1HQ
In a nutshell: Jason Atherton joins the high-rise dining scene with this spot more than halfway up Tower 42.
How high? 24th Floor
What to expect: Atherton's Social restaurants are known as much for the cocktails as the food, so you know you'll get a decent drink from the bar. The menu here is all about showcasing the best of British ingredients with superb views over many key London landmarks.
Coq D'Argent
1 Poultry, London EC2R 8EJ
In a nutshell: City institution
How high? 7th Floor
What to expect: Up on the seventh floor of 1 Poultry you'll find this popular D&D restaurant and bar. To be fair, the best City vista is from their massive heated terraces. But the bar (which has its own separate menu) also has decent views too.
Decimo
10 Argyle St, Kings Cross, London WC1H 8EG
In a nutshell: Top-drawer Mexican/Spanish food
How high? 10th Floor
What to expect: Decimo takes up the 10th floor of The Standard hotel in King's Cross - it's their signature restaurant and one that's popular with celebs too (it's a regular afterparty venue). The restaurant has amazing views across London and specifically St Pancras but the food is also a huge highlight. Peter Sanchez-Iglesias's menu is a high-end mix of Spanish and Mexican food. You'll see the caviar-topped tortilla all over Instagram but the whole of the menu is impressive and there's a great party vibe to the room.
Duck & Waffle
Heron Tower, 110 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4A
In a nutshell: 24-hour restaurant right at the top of the Heron Tower
How high? 40th Floor (with a very impressive lift ride on the way up)
What to expect: This is one of two restaurants in the Heron Tower, the other being the equally popular Sushisamba, which has a slight edge due to its outdoor terrace. Now one of London's favourite dining destinations for its food just as much as its elevated location, its USP is being open 24 hours, so it's worth popping in at any time for either the signature duck and waffle, or an impressive weekend brunch.
Also try: Downstairs from Duck and Waffle is the Japanese-Brazilian-Peruvian fusion restaurant Sushisamba - more of a party venue than Duck & Waffle.
Galvin at Windows
London Hilton on Park Lane, 22 Park Lane, London W1K 1BE
In a nutshell: French dining with impeccable service overlooking Hyde Park.
How high? 28th floor.
What to expect: The Galvins have many successful restaurants around town - but this is certainly one of the jewels in their crown. Enjoy classic French dishes and the best service in town (the folk here were trained up by none other than TV's Fred Sirieix). A perfect restaurant for a special occasion and it's also well worth popping in for a drink at the bar.
Hutong at the Shard
The Shard, 31 St. Thomas Street, London SE1 9RY
In a nutshell: Aqua does fiery Chinese food in the Shard
How high? 33rd floor
What to expect: Hutong was one of the first batch of restaurants to open in the Shard and has been the best-reviewed. Expect Chinese food on the spicier side, with the soft shell crab Red Lantern dish and the whole Peking duck (carved at your table) being signature dishes. There's a bar in Hutong itself, but the one downstairs at Aqua Shard is more fun (and you can still visit if you're going to Hutong).
Maya at The Hoxton
The Hoxton Shoreditch, 1 Willow Street, London EC2A 4BH
In a nutshell: Soho House does Mexican with a view
How high? 7th floor
What to expect: This restaurant at the top of the Hoxton is a team-up with Soho House, who originally started it as a pop-up in Los Angeles. Maya focuses on Baja Mexican food, made with local produce. The view's great and don't forget to call over the guacamole cart for tableside guac making.
Min Jiang
2-24 Kensington High Street, London W8 4PT
In a nutshell: Mid-rise Chinese with a great view.
How High? 10th floor
What to expect: With a window that stretches the length of the restaurant, Min Jiang has incredible views right across Kensington Gardens. The food at this Chinese restaurant is always on point, particularly the Peking Duck. If you like your sake, it's well worth popping along to one of their regular sake-pairing dinners.
Seabird
40 Blackfriars Rd, South Bank, London SE1 8PB
In a nutshell: Seafood with an NYC spin
How High? 14th floor
What to expect: This is the restaurant at the top of the Hoxton Hotel in Southwark and has some fantastic views looking towards the river. The food is primarily seafood. The octopus roll is one of the standout dishes but look out for the burnt Basque cheesecake which is covered with grated Manchego.
Skylight Peckham
120 Peckham Hill Street, London SE15 5JT
In a nutshell: Seafood with an NYC spin
How high? Top floor
What to expect: From the people behind Skylight Tobacco Dock this is now a key part of the Peckham rooftop scene. As well as being a handy workspace for freelancers during the day, there's also a buzzy cocktail spot by night with an extensive outside terrace. Food is a mix of small and sharing plates and they do a popular bottomless brunch at the weekend.
London's high rise dining mapped
Here's where the restaurants with a view can be found
Subscribe to hear the latest from Hot Dinners