So, the clouds have finally parted and the sun is shining on the capital! Alfresco season is well and truly here – and the timing couldn’t be better.
No need to reach for the picnic basket, wine cooler and fight for a good spot in Hyde Park on this occasion! Restaurants across London have been opening up their gardens, patios and terraces for a few weeks of outdoor dining ahead of indoor seating restrictions lifting on May 17th.
There’s no shortage of top-tier alfresco dining spots in London, of course – but here are a few of DDW’s favourites.
Bluebird
The alfresco vibe at Bluebird isn’t limited to the outdoor dining area itself, with the interior of this stylish King’s Road eaterie featuring a vast conservatory roof and an oasis of plants throughout.
However, head out into the courtyard and you’re greeted with a luscious Mediterranean-inspired space – the perfect spot to enjoy a few drinks and a bite to eat with friends as you watch the world go by.
Coppa Club Tower Bridge
There are few views in London more iconic than the one from Coppa Club’s Tower Bridge location, which allows you to soak up the atmosphere in one of the very best spots along the River Thames.
Even better, Coppa Club’s riverside terrace area features several igloo-inspired pods, where you can enjoy a more private, intimate vibe as you dine with friends or family. Head over to the website and you’re greeted with a message from Coppa Club reading ‘Let’s celebrate spring!’ – and in this spot, it’s an invitation that’s particularly hard to refuse.
The Ivy Chelsea Garden
Naturally, expectations are high when it comes to an afternoon of dining at The Ivy – and these expectations are exceeded during a visit to The Ivy Chelsea Garden.
The vibe in the leafy terrace area is as relaxed and chilled out as can be, with the atmosphere transitioning beautifully from day to night. Daytime diners can expect a bright and botanical feel as they enjoy the sun, whilst those who are still raising a toast as the sun goes down will be greeted with the introduction of fire pits and cosy blankets. This is one spot where guests can keep the good times going long after night falls.
Angler
Michelin-star dining within one of London’s most chilled-out terrace spaces? Don’t mind if we do.
There’s something beautifully rustic and chic about the alfresco area at this high-end seafood spot, with diners surrounded by bushes of lavender and lush green olive trees. The menu features a range of ocean-fresh dishes to suit all tastes, too, including Porthilly oysters, Alaskan king crab and even the finest oscietra caviar – all served alongside a range of premium cocktails, of course.
River Cafe
This is one restaurant where, even putting aside the small matter of an apocalyptic global pandemic rendering indoor dining impossible, the alfresco seating was always the real jewel in the crown.
The River Cafe’s gardens are an oasis of fruit trees, herb bushes and a variety of edible flowers – some being ingredients within the dishes on River Cafe’s charming Italian-inspired menu – where diners can relax amidst the heated terrace. Bright, chilled and always complete with a wonderfully warm atmosphere, we can’t imagine a better place to spend an afternoon.
Wherever you choose, better get those tables booked!
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