Top Outdoor Dining Restaurants in London

Summer is finally here and there has never been a better time to enjoy outdoor dining in the capital. Luckily, London is home to many fantastic al fresco spots where you can enjoy refreshing drinks, cutting edge food and unforgettable views of the city. At TheFork, we love eating good food in the great outdoors just as much as the next person. So, to welcome the summer weather, we’ve compiled our Top 10 restaurants with outdoor dining in London. Read on!

Bala Baya, Southwark

Indulge in the finest Tel Aviv cuisine from the Levant region at Bala Baya, a modern Middle-Eastern restaurant tucked away beneath the railway arches of Southwark in South London. With a chic ambiance and a contemporary menu, Bala Baya offers outdoor dining, allowing you to soak up the sun while you soak in the delicious flavours of their Chef Eran Tibi’s dishes. From Kebab dumplings to Tunisian Tartare, expect only the finest regional ingredients.

TheFork Rating: 8.9 Opening Hours: Monday - Friday 12:00PM - 03:00PM, 05:00PM - 10:00PM, Saturday - Sunday 11:00AM - 03:30PM, 05:00PM - 10:00PM

BOOK Bala Baya, Southwark

The Dutch House Cafe, Sidcup

There is a generous amount of outdoor space to be found at The Dutch House Cafe in the sunny London suburb of Sidcup. With a great menu packed full of breakfast and brunch classics, book a table in the great outdoors on TheFork. Try breakfasts like The Big Dutch, consisting of Two Cumberland sausages, two back bacon, Clarence court eggs, Fruit Pig black pudding, bubble, mushrooms, Heinz beans and grilled tomatoes. The Med features Pasirma, halloumi, Clarence court eggs, cucumber, tomato, black olives from Cyprus, and toasted bread from Turkey.

TheFork Rating: 9.3 Opening Hours: Monday - Saturday 08:00AM - 04:00PM, Sunday 12:00PM - 08:00PM

BOOK The Dutch House Cafe, Sidcup

Aviary, Finsbury

Aviary is a new name on the restaurant map that offers city skyline views from its rooftop terrace restaurant. Bringing together refreshing drinks with an upscale approach to dining, you can be the early bird to this new spot when you book on TheFork. Dishes here showcase rare and luxurious ingredients. The Beef tartare is served with a duck fat potato terrine, gherkins, Arenkha caviar and Sriracha mayo. The Aubergine is served with tabbouleh, cucumber and tomato salad and a tahini dressing.

TheFork Rating: 8.1 Opening Hours: Monday - Sunday 06:30AM - 12:00AM

BOOK Aviary, Finsbury

Foley’s, Fitzrovia

Head Chef Jude Sangsida's culinary vision takes center stage at Foley's Restaurant, where his expert fusion of Asian cuisines has garnered widespread critical acclaim. Don't miss the chance to savour his creations firsthand, and reserve a sunlit table through TheFork to experience the menu for yourself. From the Ginger Calamari with Coriander to the Aromatic duck buns with hoisin, cucumber and onion, his food is a journey through Asia’s finest dishes.

TheFork Rating: 9.1 Opening Hours: Monday - Thursday 12:00PM - 10:00PM, Friday - Saturday 12:00PM - 10:30PM, Sunday 12:00PM - 09:00PM

BOOK Foley’s, Fitzrovia

Galvin La Chapelle, Spitalfields

Galvin La Chapelle is an exquisite French fine-dining destination nestled in the heart of Spitalfields that has earned the distinction of a Michelin star. Boasting beautiful outdoor terrace seating options, this gem serves as the perfect getaway from the busy Central London streets. Start with decadent dishes like the Foie gras “Bonbon”, with smoked eel, colonnata lardo and oscietra caviar. Move onto mains like Canard De La Dombes, served with honey glaze and carrot ketchup - that is a generous enough size for two.

TheFork Rating: 9.2 Opening Hours: Monday 06:00PM - 09:00PM, Wednesday - Thursday 12:00PM - 02:00PM, 06:00PM - 09:15PM, Friday - Saturday 12:00PM - 02:15PM, 06:00PM - 09:30PM, Sunday 11:45AM - 02:30PM, 06:00PM - 09:00PM

BOOK Galvin La Chapelle, Spitalfields

Mielo, Marylebone

Located in London’s Marylebone, Mielo is a restaurant and bar specialising in Mediterranean-inspired tapas. With an expert menu, exceptional service and a cosy ambiance, expect a unique and unforgettable dining experience. Lovers of the raw food diet will be pleased to know there’s a raw section to the menu, offering Salmon Tartare, Seabass Ceviche and Beef Carpaccio. For something more hot and hearty, try Fried albarino rice balls with meat arancini, or Batter-coated sauteed squid rings served with tartare mint sauce.

TheFork Rating: 9.4 Opening Hours: Monday - Friday 11:00AM - 11:00PM, Saturday - Sunday 09:00AM - 11:00PM

BOOK Mielo, Marylebone

Wagtail Rooftop Bar, Monument

Experience luxury rooftop dining this summer with panoramic views of the City of London, at the new Wagtail Rooftop Bar & Restaurant. With a menu that focuses on classic dishes and showcases hand-selected ingredients from Britain and beyond, book your table on TheFork now. Start with familiar fine-dining dishes like Burrata with roast beetroot salad, or Beef tartare with soy cured egg yolk, capers and shallots. Enjoy rare plates of game that complement the British weather, like the Roast guinea fowl breast with green lentils and red wine jus.

Opening Hours: Monday - Tuesday 11AM–12AM, Wednesday - Saturday 11AM–1:30AM, Sunday 11AM–11PM

BOOK Wagtail Rooftop Bar, Monument

Leicester Square Kitchen, Leicester Square

Popular spot Leicester Square Kitchen is a trendy eatery located in the heart of London, offering a welcoming outdoor space and a menu that specialises in delightful South American-inspired cuisine. Try a range of Mexican dishes, or platos emblemáticos, like the Habanero Matchstick Chicken, or the Crispy duck and pomegranate with papaya chilli dressing. Classic Peruviann dishes like the Sea bass ceviche comes served with diced avocado, corn and red onion.

TheFork Rating: 9 Opening Hours: Monday - Friday 5PM–10PM, Saturday 1PM–10PM, Sunday 1PM–7PMScheduled

BOOK Leicester Square Kitchen, Leicester Square

El Pirata, Mayfair

With a high-end menu that is friendly to vegetarians and vegans, and boating outdoor space that makes this a perfect summer spot, El Pirata in Mayfair is yours to book now on TheFork. Showcasing sizzlingly hot Spanish cuisine through tapas and small-plates, try dishes like the Buñuelos de gambas, crispy prawn fritters with garlic aioli. Pan con tomate topped with fresh tomato, olive and garlic, and Croquetas de jamón ibérico are sure to hit the spot.

TheFork Rating: 9.2 Opening Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 12PM - 10:45PM, Sunday - Monday Closed

BOOK El Pirata, Mayfair

Arepa & Co, Bethnal Green

In the famous area of Bethnal Green is a lauded restaurant that brings the exotic flavours of Venezuela to East London diners. Arepa & Co has proved highly popular with diners for its outdoor dining area, and is now available to book on TheFork. The menu here showcases the very best of the region’s cuisine. Try Crispy fried chicken with chipotle and guava glaze, spring onions and aji amarillo sauce. Or, the Toston, a twice-cooked green plantain crostini topped with pico de gallo, picante mayo and succulent shredded beef.

TheFork Rating: 9.2 Opening Hours: Monday - Tuesday 12:00PM - 10:00PM, Wednesday - Thursday 12:00PM - 10:30PM, Friday 12:00PM - 11:00PM, Saturday 10:00AM - 11:00AM, Sunday 10:00AM - 09:30PM

BOOK Arepa & Co, Bethnal Green