Outdoor terraces to visit in London for al fresco dining in 2025
As summer arrives in London, there’s no better time to embrace the city’s vibrant outdoor dining scene. Whether you’re after a peaceful escape on a floral terrace, a lively rooftop setting, or a riverside spot, London offers endless options to enjoy the sunshine while indulging in great food. Here is our guide to the best outdoor terraces to visit in London in 2025 for an unforgettable al fresco experience.
Frank’s Café at Bold Tendencies
Frank’s Café at Bold Tendencies, Peckham. Image credit MTotoe.
#FLODown: This iconic rooftop café, located on top of a multi-storey car park in Peckham, offers stunning views of the London skyline. Part of the Bold Tendencies arts project, Frank’s Café is the perfect spot for a laid-back afternoon of drinks and casual bites. Open May to September, it provides an artistic atmosphere and tasty food.
Location: 95a Rye Lane, London SE15 4ST. Website: boldtendencies.com.
The Towpath Café
Image: The Towpath Café
#FLODown: Known for its wholesome dishes and unpretentious atmosphere, this treasured East London gem is the perfect place for relaxed dining in the sunshine. Towpath Caféalong the Regent's Canal, operates out of a charming hole in the wall, showcasing how simplicity can result in exceptional meals. Despite being renowned for its delicious and straightforward dishes, this café exceeds expectations every time! Whether you chance upon it while strolling along the canal or purposefully seek it out, we guarantee you'll have one of the most memorable experiences and meals this summer.
Location: 42 De Beauvoir Cres, London N1 5RY. Website: towpathlondon.com
The Holland Park Café
The Holland Park Café.
#FLODown: The Holland Park Café, brought to you by the team behind the Daisy Green Collective, offers a relaxed Aussie vibe and a mouth-watering brunch menu. Dishes include sweetcorn fritters, poached eggs with smashed avocado and salmon, or the indulgent Dirty Daisy – a hearty stack of crispy tater tots, chorizo, and chipotle sour cream. Don’t miss their signature Lamingtons, available in various flavours. The café also hosts rotating art exhibitions in the arches.
Location: Ilchester Pl, London W8 6LU. Website: daisygreenfood.com.
Rochelle Canteen
Image: Rochelle Canteen. Photo by Emma Louise Pudge.
#FLODown: Tucked away in the old bike shed of Rochelle School in Shoreditch, Rochelle Canteen has solidified its reputation as a beloved dining destination in East London. Renowned for its relaxed atmosphere, this charming eatery offers a delightful alfresco dining experience during the summer months. With a keen focus on seasonal ingredients, Rochelle Canteen’s menu embodies a celebration of flavours, showcasing carefully curated British dishes available for both lunch and dinner. Since its establishment in 2004, this cherished gem has won the hearts of locals and Londoners alike!
Location: Rochelle Canteen, 16 Playground Gardens, London E2 7FA. Website: rochellecanteen.com.
Brutto
Brutto, Clerkenwell. Image credit MTotoe.
#FLODown: This cosy Italian restaurant features a charming outdoor terrace tucked away in its quiet corner of Clerkenwell – ideal for a little Mediterranean escape in the city. Whether you’re stopping by for a laid-back lunch or dinner, Brutto’s terrace is the perfect spot to enjoy classic Italian dishes and their famously strong Negronis.
Location: Brutto, 35–37 Greenhill Rents, London EC1M 6BN. Website: brutto.co.uk
The Orangery at Number Sixteen
Image: The Orangery at Number Sixteen. Image Courtesy of Number Sixteen Hotel, Firmdale Hotels
#FLODown: Tucked away in the heart of South Kensington, The Orangery and Garden at Number Sixteen is a hidden oasis, perfect for drinks or intimate dinners. The menu offers a relaxed mix of British and European dishes, served in a peaceful tree-filled garden with pastel green furniture. It’s an ideal spot to unwind and enjoy a refreshing meal in tranquil surroundings.
Location: The Orangery at Number Sixteen, 16 Sumner Place, South Kensington, London SW7 3EG. Website: firmdalehotels.com
Luca Restaurant
Image: Luca Restaurant. Courtesy of Luca
#FLODown: Luca in Clerkenwell has a charming outdoor terrace surrounded by olive trees and jasmine, offering a peaceful escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. Whether you’re visiting for lunch or dinner, the terrace provides an intimate setting to enjoy Luca’s Italian-inspired menu. Don’t miss their hugely popular parmesan fries — widely considered some of the best in London.
Location: 88 St John Street, EC1M 4EH. Website: luca.restaurant
Toklas Restaurant
Toklas Restaurant. Courtesy of Toklas
#FLODown: Toklas is a beloved restaurant renowned for its simple yet exquisite cuisine, particularly its exceptional breads and pastries. Situated discreetly on a side street just behind 180 The Strand, the terrace at Toklas offers a sense of tranquillity and spaciousness, making it an ideal spot for lunch, dinner, or post-work drinks. The menu is inspired by Mediterranean flavours and emphasises fresh, seasonal ingredients, with dishes that change throughout the year.
Location: Toklas, 1 Surrey Street, WC2R 2ND. Website: toklaslondon.com
Scott’s Mayfair and Richmond
Scott’s Mayfair. Courtesy of Scott’s.
#FLODown: Scott’s offers two outdoor dining experiences in London—one in Mayfair, where you can dine in a sophisticated setting surrounded by olive trees, and another in Richmond, where you can enjoy seafood while looking out over the River Thames. Both locations are known for their high-end seafood dishes and elegant atmosphere.
Location: Scott’s Mayfair, 20 Mount Street, Mayfair, W1K 2HE; Scott’s Richmond, 4 Whittaker Avenue, Richmond, London TW9 1TH. Website: scotts-richmond.com
Jurema Terrace
Jurema Terrace. Mandrake Hotel, June 2023. © MTotoe.
#FLODown: Jurema, the luxurious terrace at the Mandrake Hotel, is a hidden urban oasis just moments from Oxford Street. Draped in lush greenery and dotted with stylish touches like rattan armchairs, it offers a serene, laid-back setting to escape the city’s buzz. Guests can relax with refreshing cocktails and enjoy South American-inspired modern European small plates from the hotel’s YOPO restaurant.
Location: Jurema Terrace, Mandrake Hotel, 20-21 Newman Street, W1T 1PG. Website: themandrake.com
Forza Wine
Forza Wine at National Theatre.
#FLODown: Located in of the National Theatre, Forza Wine features a large outdoor terrace overlooking the South Bank. With stunning views of the river and a cosy atmosphere, it’s a great spot to enjoy small plates and an extensive wine list while soaking up the sun.
Location: Upper Ground, London SE1 9PX. Website: forzawine.com
Sessions Arts Club
Sessions Arts Club.
#FLODown: Tucked inside a grand Grade II listed building in Clerkenwell, Sessions Arts Club is one of London’s most atmospheric dining spots. The space is effortlessly cool — think faded opulence meets art gallery energy — with hidden terraces, roaring fireplaces, and a rooftop garden that feels like a secret escape above the city. Expect seasonal, Mediterranean-leaning plates that are elegant but unfussy.
Date: 24 Clerkenwell Green, London EC1R 0NA. Website: sessionsartsclub.com
Double Standard
Double Standard. Image credit Charlie McKay
#FLODown: Double Standard is a stylish and vibrant restaurant nestled on the first floor of The Standard Hotel. With its distinctive retro design, it provides a casual and inviting ambiance for drinks and dining al fresco. Indulge in finger-licking food, complemented by cool cocktails and a fine wine selection. Don't miss their legendary bottomless brunch on Sundays, featuring a variety of delicious dishes and the option to build your own Bloody Marys or enjoy free-flowing fizz.
Location: The Standard Hotel, 10 Argyle Street, Kings Cross, WC1H 8EG. Website: standard hotels.com
The Ivy Chelsea Garden
The Ivy Chelsea Gardens, Image courtesy of The Ivy Collective.
#FLODown: The Ivy Chelsea Garden has long been a go-to for al fresco dining in London, with its flower-filled terrace, elegant furnishings, bubbling fountain and cosy fire pit. Whether you’re stopping by for a relaxed brunch, dinner, or afternoon tea, this charming outdoor haven proves that classics never go out of style. Don’t skip the Salted Caramel Espresso Martini – a standout from their extensive cocktail list.
Location: The Ivy Chelsea Garden, 195 -197 King's Road, Chelsea, London, SW3 5EQ. Website: theivychelseagarden.com
Seabird Rooftop Restaurant
Image: Seabird Rooftop Restaurant, Hoxton Hotel Southwark. Image Courtesy of Seabird
#FLODown: Perched on the 14th floor of the Hoxton Hotel in Southwark, Seabird is a glamorous seafood restaurant with a delightful blend of Spanish and Portuguese influences. They offer hearty seafood platters and mouthwatering dishes, all set against the backdrop of panoramic views of the city skyline.
Location: Seabird, 40 Blackfriars Road, London SE1 8NY. Website: seabirdlondon.com
The Culpeper Rooftop
The Rooftop at The Culpeper.
#FLODown:The Rooftop at The Culpeper is an East London gem, offering a rustic rooftop at a cool pub. With great pub grub, drinks, and impressive views of the Square Mile skyline, it’s the ideal spot to unwind, socialise, and enjoy the vibrant energy of East London.
Location: The Culpeper, 40 Commercial Street, London E1 6LP. Website: theculpeper.com
