Because when the weather does improve (and it will) you're going to want our guide on London's loveliest spots to eat outdoors.
Central London
Barrafina Drury Lane
Barrafina Drury LaneWhere: 43 Drury Ln, London WC2B 5AJ
USP: the great joy of summer is that your chances of getting a seat at Barrafina increases exponentially. And if you're out eating on the terrace here in Covent Garden you really could believe you're on holiday in Spain somewhere..
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Bentley's
Bentley'sWhere: 11-15 Swallow St, London W1B 4DG
USP: Squeezed in down Swallow Street, this is one of those alfresco spots the weather can't spoil (and we know - we've had pre-Christmas drinks here and been as warm as toast). But it's better still when the sun's out and you've a platter of oysters in front of you.
Boulestin
BoulestinWhere: 5 St James's Street, London SW1A 1EF
USP: Where to start? The fact that it's the largest private courtyard in central London? The fact that the last pistol duel in England was fought here? Or that those boards you see around the outside actually come from Henry VIII's tennis courts?
Chiltern Firehouse
Chiltern FirehouseWhere: 1 Chiltern St, London W1U 7PA
USP: The huge courtyard is not only wonderfully warm and snug (with an open fire to take the chill off on colder days) but there's also an oyster cart serving up rock and native oysters here. A cracking place for a fruits de mer platter or weekend brunch.
Dalloway Terrace
Dalloway TerraceWhere: 16-22 Great Russell St, London WC1B 3NN
USP: Probably one of London's most instagrammable outdoor spaces, the terrace here is redesigned every season to keep it looking as fresh as a daisy. Afternoon teas are popular and there's even a separate juice menu if wellness is your thing.
Dominique Ansel Bakery
Dominique Ansel BakeryWhere: 17-21 Elizabeth St, London SW1W 9RP
USP: If you want to try top patisserie chef Dominique Ansel's afternoon tea, there's only one place they serve it - in their sun trap of a terrace.
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Ham Yard
Ham YardWhere: 1 Ham Yard, Soho, London W1D 7DT
USP: A rarity in central London, the titular 'yard' here is an oasis tucked in away from the traffic of Soho and Piccadilly. Created by the bombing during The Blitz it's now a super place on a summer's afternoon or evening - if you can get a table...
Hush
HushWhere: 8 Brook Street, London W1S 1EY
USP: Even though this tucked away courtyard makes you feel as if you've stumbled on a secret garden, it's about the worst kept secret in London. You'll have to fight hedge funders and other Mayfair folk for your chance to nab a coveted table on a sunny day.
The Orrery
The OrreryWhere: 55 Marylebone High St, London W1U 5RB
USP: While there is special terrace menu of small dishes upstairs at this Marylebone restaurant, what you're really after with your chilled glass of wine is a cheese plate from Orrery’s famous trolley.
The Ritz Restaurant Terrace
The Ritz Restaurant TerraceWhere: 150 Piccadilly, St. James's, London W1J 9BR
USP: John Williams cooking is great any time, but we can't think of a more beautiful spot for a lunch than overlooking the gardens at The Ritz. And don't worry - there are plenty of parasols to go around if you're not after a suntan.
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Scott’s
Scott’sWhere: 20 Mount St, London W1K 2HE
USP: The terrace at this Mayfair establishment has long been a spot where you'll find yourself sitting downwind from unrepentent smokers like Ronnie Wood or Charles Saatchi and getting your photo taken by passing paps.
Selfridges rooftop
Selfridges rooftopWhere: 400 Oxford St, Marylebone, London W1A 1AB
USP: The retractable roof up on the top floor of Selfridges' flagship Oxford Street shop means that the minute the British summer decides to make an appearance, you can enjoy the full benefit.
East London
The Coach
The CoachWhere: 26-28 Ray Street, London EC1R 3DJ
USP: The very newness of this spot is what might make it a useful place to try for a table when the weather's good. The sheltered courtyard is set at the back of the ground floor dining room.
The Marksman
The MarksmanWhere: 254 Hackney Rd, London E2 7SJ
USP: The terrace leading off the upstairs dining room at this East London gastropub could feel a bit like climbing out on to your flat roof, were it not for how beautiful it looks with all the greenery.
Modern Pantry
Modern PantryWhere: 47-48 St John’s Square, London EC1V 4JJ
USP: Enjoying Anna Hansen's fusion brunch out on this terrace in the heart of Clerkenwell is a weekend goal for Londoners.
Rochelle Canteen
Rochelle CanteenWhere: Rochelle School, Arnold Circus, London E2 7ES
USP: Once you've found your way in, which is harder than you'd expect, nabbing a table out in the walled garden at the original Rochelle Canteen feels like a total blessing.
Smokestak
Where: Redchurch Street, Shoreditch, E1 6JJ
USP: There's only one way to avoid having to dry clean your clothes after a trip to Smokestak and that's by eating outside. Happily there's a large terrace here to enjoy their punchy cocktails and that beef brisket bun.
West London
Chucs at the Serpentine
Chucs at the SerpentineWhere: Serpentine Sackler Gallery, West Carriage Drive, London W2 2AR
USP: The first Chucs to do takeaway, the real draw here - other than their great Italian food - is the marvellous backdrop of the late, great Zaha Hadid's Serpentine Sackler Gallery.
Number Sixteen
Number SixteenWhere: 16 Sumner Place, London SW7 3EG
USP: The tree-filled garden at the back of this South Kensington hotel (part of the Firmdale group) is a super place to enjoy afternoon tea, or a sundowner.
Ognisko
OgniskoWhere: 55 Exhibition Rd, Knightsbridge, London SW7 2PN
USP: It's hard to think of a more pleasant way to spend a summer's evening than downing ice-cold shots of vodka under the billowing canopy of Ognisko's terrace, looking out over Prince's Gardens, while pondering what kind of pelmeni to have
The River Cafe
The River CafeWhere: Thames Wharf, Rainville Rd, Hammersmith, London W6 9HA
USP: As long as you don't think about the bill, sitting out on the banks of the Thames enjoying super Italian food here really is a case of life doesn't get much better than this.
South London
Fiume
FiumeWhere: Circus West Village, Battersea Power Station, London SW8 5BN
USP: Enjoy cracking riverside views at Francesco Mazzei's outpost at Battersea Power Station and watch out for weekend yoga and brunch sessions.
The Lido Cafe
The Lido CafeWhere: The Lido Cafe, Dulwich Road, London SE24 0PA
USP: There aren't many (if any) other spaces in London that you can sit out by a pool and drink negronis with your smashed avo and eggs for brunch.
Peartree Cafe
Peartree CafeWhere: Lakeside Cafe, Battersea Park, London SW11 4NJ
USP: This park cafe punches way above its weight - the owners here are ex-Petersham Nurseries and Spring with Skye Gyngell, via stints at Chez Panisse and more. With beautiful views over the Thames, this is a top spot for a steak sarnie or squash salad.
San Lorenzo
San LorenzoWhere: 38 Wimbledon Hill Road, London SW19 7PA
USP: When you're not spotting the world's top tennis stars enjoying dinner during the tennis championships the garden at this longstanding neighbourhood restaurant is just lovely. There's a retractable roof if the weather's iffy and when the lights go on at nighttime it's quite magical.
Trinity
TrinityWhere: 4 The Polygon Clapham, London SW4 0JG
USP: Adam Byatt's Clapham restaurant is a neighbourhood favourite and, come summer, tables looking out towards the common are the perfect spot to try his Michelin-starred, seasonal food.
North London
The Lighterman
The LightermanWhere: 3 Granary Square, London N1C 4BH
USP: Apparently one of the most profitable spots in KX and it's not hard to see why - the first floor has a wrap-around terrace, the ground floor pub has a lovely terrace overlooking Granary Square and there's a canalside bar terrace too.
Michael Nadra
Michael NadraWhere: 42 Gloucester Ave, London NW1 8JD
USP: The sunken garden area at Nadra's Primrose Hill restaurant is totally protected from any nasty draughts. Perfect for trying one of the 30+ martinis on their Martini Bar menu.
Oldroyd
OldroydWhere: 344 Upper Street, London N1 0PD
USP: The paucity of seats inside this tiny Islington restaurant means it makes a big difference when the weather's good enough to sit at one of the two tables on the west facing pavement outside, bathed in sunshine.
Smokehouse
Where: 63–69 Canonbury Rd, London N1 2DG
USP: In London's least green borough, the pretty garden squeezed into an intersection between two roads at an Islington BBQ restaurant is super popular come summer.
