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London's rooftop spaces are open for an alfresco season like no other. Here's where you can dine outside and get a great view at the same time.
Central and City
The Devonshire
Where: Soho - 17 Denman St, London W1D 7HW
Obviously, when The Devonshire unveiled its third-floor roof terrace it became the place to be seen at in the heart of town - where else would you find Jon Bon Jovi and Ed Sheeran dining out there at the same time? You can't book it specifically, but given there are 40 tables out there, you've got at least a fighting chance when you arrive of there being space.
Follow them on Instagram @devonshiresoho
Kioku by Endo
Where: Whitehall - The OWO. 7 Horse Guards Ave, London SW1A 2EX
Endo Kazutoshi's Japanese restaurant takes the prime rooftop place at The OWO, so it has some pretty spectacular views of some of London's most iconic buildings. Even the terrace that looks down on the courtyard is a prime spot. Soak up the sun and views with some of the best sushi in town.
Follow them on Instagram @kiokubyendo
Brooklands
Where: The Peninsula, 1 Grosvenor Pl, London SW1X 7HJ
As London’s only two Michelin-starred restaurant to also feature a capacious rooftop terrace, Brooklands by Claude Bosi at The Peninsula London stands out from the crowd. There’s room for 26 diners on the terrace with great views across Hyde Park and it’s open for both lunch and dinner.
Follow them on Instagram @brooklands.london
Yasmin
Where: 1 Warwick St, London W1B 5LR
Originally for members only, the tucked-away rooftop space at the top of 1 Warwick is a very useful place to know in Soho. Chef Tom Cenci is behind the menu here which focuses on Middle Eastern sharing dishes and features a must-try baklava ice-cream sandwich. Enjoy a sundowner cocktail here, or two.
Follow them on Instagram @yasminsoho
Los Mochis City
Where: 9th Floor, 100 Liverpool St, London EC2M 2AT
Instantly one of the City’s most glamorous new rooftop spaces, Los Mochis City boasts a whopping 3,000 sq. ft outdoor terrace with panoramic views of the city. The space is also fully covered and heated and - most importantly - has a decently late-night licence. Come here for cocktails and food from the restaurant’s crowd-pleasing Mexican/Japanese menu.
Follow them on Instagram @losmochislondon
Sparrow
Where: 1-3 Avery Row, London W1K 4AJ
Totally tucked away and hidden from the street the Sparrow’s Nest at this high-end Mayfair spot is one of the city’s cutest rooftop spots. There’s room for just 20 diners up here, but if you’re after a rooftop fine dining experience with proper glassware and tablecloths this is just the place for you. Enjoy bowls of lobster pasta, or maybe a fillet mignon - ideally on someone else’s tab.
Follow them on Instagram @sparrowitalia
Broadwick Soho
Where: 20 Broadwick St, London W1F 8HT
Newly-opened boutique hotel Broadwick Soho has a top-floor bar and restaurant, Flute, which has one of Soho's biggest rooftop terraces, wrapping around two sides of the building. The food here is designed for sharing, whether that's a plate of tuna tostadas or a dozen oysters with kombu dressing.
Follow them on Instagram @broadwicksoho
Market Hall Victoria
Where: 191 Victoria St, Westminster, London SW1E 5NE
Super handy for both commuters and locals, the rooftop space at this food hall right opposite Victoria station has had quite the refurb for the summer. The space now has plenty of new seating along with a very useful retractable roof to cope with the London weather. Pick up food from traders like Gopal’s Corner or Black Bear Burger and head up here with a spritz.
Follow them on Instagram @markethalls
Angler
Where: South Place Hotel, 3 South Place, London EC2M 2AF
Come the summer, this Michelin-starred restaurant comes into its own with the launch of its terrace space. This year it’s been taken over by Charles Heidsieck Champagne which you can enjoy paired with gourmet popcorn flavours like miso, strawberries and cream or salted caviar and seaweed from the Angler kitchen team. There’s also a removable roof, making this a good place to come whatever the weather.
Follow them on Instagram @angler_restaurant
Clap London
Where: 12-14 Basil St, London SW3 1AJ
There aren't many rooftop spots in Knightsbridge, making Clap a rarity in this part of town. Taking over the sixth and seventh floor of its building, the Japanese restaurant has a lovely rooftop terrace on its top floor where you can enjoy a Sakura Spritz and bar food like wagyu beef tartare and Biwa caviar on sando bread and rock shrimp tempura.
Follow them on Instagram @claplondon
Coq D'Argent
1 Poultry, London EC2R 8EJ
Taking up a huge space on the top floor, this is one of the City's most famous alfresco spots. If you can grab a space here on a busy weekday lunchtime, you've done a good job. Also, make sure to find your way onto the lawn out at the back with great views of the City.
Follow on Instagram: @coqdargent
Florattica
Canopy by Hilton London City, 11-15 Minories, London EC3N 1AX
Right at the top of this City hotel, you'll find a rooftop terrace with spectacular views leading down towards St Paul's. Food-wise, there's a pretty good value set brunch with options like smoked salmon eggs royale on the menu and the cocktails are very on point too. It's also quite beautiful inside, with the whole roof covered in floral arrangements.
Follow on Instagram: @floratticarooftoplondon
Madera and Nest at Treehouse London
Where: 14-15 Langham Pl, Marylebone, London W1B 2QS
This is a two-for-one. On the fifteenth floor, you’ll find Madera - a Mexican restaurant and bar with a terrace perfect for enjoying tacos and more. But head upstairs and there’s another bar, The Nest, which does cocktails, small plates and sharing boards.
Follow on Instagram: @maderalondon.
Mercer Roof Terrace
Where: Vintry & Mercer, 19-20 Garlick Hill, EC4V 2AU
This London rooftop space boasts quite the City view, taking in everything from The Shard to St Paul's. The food here is all about the best meat and fish from the British Isles with dishes including Cornish crab cakes and Colne Valley lamb Barnsley chop. Cocktails feature their own house-infused spirits and there's a good value set lunch deal here too.
Follow on Instagram: @vintryandmercer.
North
The Standard
Where: 10 Argyle St, London WC1H 8EG
Up on the 11th floor of The Standard hotel at King’s Cross, their rooftop is a lively space come the summer months. It’s always been a good place to enjoy a cocktail, with views over St Pancras, but this year there’s a new food truck to try out. New York pizza slices are the order of the day with everything from Cobble Lane pepperoni to sweet pepper and red chilli as toppings. Look out for live performances monthly.
Follow them on Instagram @thestandardlondon
Big Chill
Where: 257-259 Pentonville Road, London, N1 9NL
Food at this King's Cross rooftop bar is courtesy of residency Chuck Burger who use meat from ex-dairy cows for their excellent burgers. The bar also does a very popular weekend bottomless brunch. The good news is there's also a retractable roof here should it be needed.
Follow on Instagram: @bigchillbar
South
Joia Rooftop
Where: 16th Floor, 1 Electric Boulevard, London, SW11 8BJ
This large rooftop terrace has great views overlooking Battersea Power Station and comes from the same people behind Joia, the Portuguese restaurant by Henrique Sá Pessoa just a few floors below. Alongside cocktails, there are snacks, petiscos and tapas on offer, including croquetas, Iberico ham, tuna tartare and a prego steak sandwich.
Follow on Instagram: @joiabattersea
Bussey Rooftop Bar
Where: Fifth Floor Roof, Unit B, Bussey Building, 133 Rye Lane, London SE15 4ST
Bussey's rooftop scene matches a big cocktail list featuring all the classics alongside their no-alcohol counterparts. Alongside the drinks, you'll find great pizzas from Share A Slice who are back for 2024 (with lots of plant-based and gluten-free options on there too). Events at the Peckham bar include a regular rooftop club and film nights.
Follow on Instagram: @busseyrooftopbar
CLF Art Lounge
Where: 4a Station Way, Peckham, London SE15 4RX
The rooftop bar at this Peckham bar and lounge features live music, cabaret and comedy sessions and, handily, is also weatherproofed for the British summer. The food is traditional Caribbean - they do excellent Dominican-style fried chicken and baked plantain stuffed with either pulled beef or oyster mushrooms. The terrace bar is sponsored by Hennessy and offers table service only.
Follow on Instagram: @theclfartlounge.
Forza Wine
Where: The Rooftop, 133 Rye Ln, Peckham, London SE15 4BQ
Forza Wine vie with Bussey over who has the highest rooftop space in South London. Food is a range of snacks and small plates with options including grilled flatbreads and cauliflower fritti. Given the name, the wine list is carefully put together with a focus on natural wines (and with some on offer for a fiver a glass). Classic and house cocktails are available, including a frozen picante.
Follow on Instagram: @forzawine.
Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden
Where: Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, London SE1 8XX
This secret rooftop garden at the top of the Queen Elizabeth Hall on the South Bank is a real hidden-away gem. Open from lunchtime to early evening there's a cafe and bar which serves up cocktails and has a particularly interesting gin collection that covers the whole of the UK. It's also a partnership with The Eden Project so there's a big focus on native plants up here.
Seabird
Where: 14th Floor, 40 Blackfriars Rd, South Bank, London SE1 8NY
If it wasn’t for the London backdrop, this rooftop terrace would look like a little slice of Miami in the sky. They have some particularly tropical drinks on offer along with a strong list of interesting wines. Look out for the oyster happy hour as well as their classic dishes like the octopus roll.
Follow on Instagram: @seabirdlondon.
East
TT
Where: 17b Kingsland Road, London E2 8AA
Once home to residencies, the rooftop at TT (formerly TT Liquor) has recently had a big revamp, which included setting up a permanent restaurant. Under the retractable roof they're serving a menu with a big focus on wood-fired dishes, including some excellent slow-cooked smoked meats, and the cocktails are notably on point.
Follow them on Instagram @t.t_london
Llama Inn
Where: 1 Willow St, London EC2A 4BH
Having opened over the winter, this is the first season for popular Peruvian restaurant Llama Inn to be able to showcase its outdoor terrace. With a mix of sofas and banquettes and fabulous views over the City, this large, south-facing terrace is a great place to enjoy one of their Pisco Sours and a plate of zingy ceviche.
Follow them on Instagram @llamainnldn
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Bōkan
Where: 40 Marsh Wall, London E14 9TP
Running over three floors at the top of a Canary Wharf tower, Bōkan's rooftop terrace is on the 39th floor. There's a covered bar inside for cooler times but when the temperatures heats up the terrace, with its amazing views over the city, is where the action is at. Up here there's a specialist gin bar, rooftop daybeds and a food menu that includes British cheese and charcuterie along with a Rhug Estate burger and Hereford salt beef brisket tacos.
Follow on Instagram: @bokanlondon
Boundary
Where: 2-4 Boundary St, London E2 7DD
The rooftop space here is beautifully done with topiary and full-grown 100-year-old olive trees to transport you from Shoreditch to somewhere closer to the Med. Head chef Roberto Branca's Mediterranean menu features grilled meats and fish cooked over charcoal, including grilled koftes with roasted cauliflower or a 45-day aged 850g T-bone steak.
Follow on Instagram: @boundaryldn
The Culpeper
Where: 40 Commercial St, Spitalfields, London E1 6LP
The Regen rooftop space in this City pub is all about sustainable and regenerative farming which is what inspires the menus here - and there are some great set lunch options. After 3pm, it's for walk-ins only for drinks and bar snacks. The drinks list continues the theme with a focus on biodynamic winemakers.
Follow on Instagram: @theculpeper.
Jin Bo Law
Where: 14th floor Dorsett City, 9 Aldgate High Street, London EC3N 1AH
High on the 14th floor of the Dorsett City Hotel, this bar has properly jaw-dropping views over the City of London. It’s all about drinks here - there are a few snacks - so choose from an interesting cocktail list or go with the magnums section of the drinks list. Weekends feature DJ sessions and parties.
Follow on Instagram: @jinbolaw_skybar.
Netil 360
Where: 1 Westgate St, Hackney, London E8 3RL
If you're not the most organised person, then the good news is that unless you're a group of six or more you can't book ahead for this marvellous rooftop, as it's a first-come, first-served affair. As a rooftop bar and pizza restaurant the food menu is all about their Neapolitan-style pizzas made with 48-hour fermented dough. For drinks, there’s a strong leaning towards local beer and liquor. They do have heaters and some cover, so it's good too when the weather isn't all that great. There are also, randomly, four Finnish saunas up on the roof too.
Follow on Instagram: @netil360.
West
Studio Frantzen
Knightsbridge - 5th floor, Harrods, 87-135 Brompton Road, SW1X 7XL
The arrival of Björn Frantzén's restaurant at the top of Harrods brought with it something the store has never had before - a rooftop bar and restaurant. The outside space here is probably the most impressive part of the restaurant, overlooking much of west London. You can either have a full meal here or cocktails and snacks. If it's the latter, then you definitely want the croissant-style milk bread and miso butter.
Follow on Instagram: @studiofrantzenlondon
Harvey Nichols Fifth Floor
Knightsbridge - 109-125 Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7RJ
Long a refuge of a tired Knightsbridge shopper, the terrace on the Fifth Floor of Harvey Nichols is an oasis in the store. The look and feel of the terrace changes with the seasons. Right now you can enjoy their Spring set menu with Mijenta Tequila so this is a perfect pitstop for a summer cocktail along with one of their classic Caesar salads or wagyu cheeseburgers.
Follow on Instagram: @harveynichols
The Broadcaster
White City - 89 Wood Ln, London W12 7FX
This White City bar comes from the same people as another great alfresco space, The Lighterman in King's Cross. With a retractable roof, this offers views across White City and the old Television Centre. Food includes snacks, flatbreads and larger dishes and there's a brunch up here at the weekend. Look out for their rooftop parties on Saturdays during the summer.
Follow on Instagram: @thebroadcasterlondon
Skylark Roof Garden
Where: 10th Floor, 4 Kingdom St, London W2 6BD
Are you in West London or Miami? This rooftop bar is aiming to make you feel like the latter, although the views over Paddington and Notting Hill might suggest otherwise. The food is crowd-pleasing mix of tacos, burgers and loaded fries while the cocktail list heavily leans towards the margarita.
Follow them on Instagram @skylarkroofgarden
See also:
The Rooftop of The Hippodrome Casino on Leicester Square is a good way to escape the crowds in this busy part of town and it's made even better with Max Halley's sandwiches.
Amano Covent Garden is the first UK branch of a German boutique hotel chain. Their Skybar features an inside bar along with a decent-sized roof terrace.
Sabine rooftop bar has an excellent view across to St Paul's.
More alfresco
The Hot Dinners guide to summer
Royal Festival Hall photo: India Roper Evans
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