Better late than never – now that we’re free to socialise again, and can finally shrug off our heavy winter coats, lofty al fresco dining is well and truly back on the cards. Take your pick from our spring and summer hotspots and hit the capital’s sun-soaked rooftop bars and restaurants to catch up with friends and loved ones over cocktails, food and gorgeous city views.
Please note that rooftop dining is extremely popular and are booking up fast – become a member to book a table.
London’s best rooftop bars and restaurants
SUSHISAMBA City
38th and 39th floors, Heron Tower EC2N 4AY
SUSHISAMBA is the proud owner of Europe’s highest outdoor dining terraces – with 360-degree city views that are hard to beat. Whether you book a table on the Tree Terrace, featuring the restaurant’s iconic orange tree, or the East Terrace with views of north and east London, you can expect brilliant vistas and consistently excellent Japanese-Brazilian-Peruvian cuisine.
SUSHISAMBA Covent Garden
35 The Market, Covent Garden WC2E 8RF
SUSHISAMBA has a knack for creating the best al fresco dining spots, and its Covent Garden branch is no exception – feast on Japanese tempura, Brazilian churrasco and Peruvian anticuchos while gazing across the piazza from your prime position at the famed Opera Terrace atop the historic Grade II-listed Market Building.
Roof Garden at Pantechnicon
Third floor, 19 Motcomb Street, Belgravia SW1X 8LB
Designed by Finnish horticulturalist Taina Suonio, Pantechnicon’s all-season Roof Garden is one of London’s prettiest outdoor spaces. Serving an all-day Nordic food menu, the garden offers beautiful views of the city and, thanks to an expansive retractable roof, is a great al fresco option no matter how fickle the weather.
Bisushima
8 St. Martin’s Place WC2N 4JH
Bisushima’s perfectly interpreted modern Japanese cuisine is a big draw – but its biggest USP is two huge roof terraces with views over Trafalgar Square and Covent Garden. Having taken over the entire sixth floor of the recently renovated Page8 hotel, this newcomer is set to be one of the capital’s hottest dining destinations this summer.
Aviary Rooftop Restaurant & Terrace Bar
10th floor, The Montcalm Royal London House, 22-25 Finsbury Square EC2A 1DX
Located on the 10th floor of the upmarket The Montcalm hotel, this rooftop terrace serves enviable City vistas, and excellent fish and meat cooked over charcoal. Hang around until dusk to watch the sun bathe London in a gorgeous glow, all while sipping one of the bird-themed cocktails.
Aqua Kyoto
Fifth floor, 240 Regent Street W1B 2EH
Sitting high above Oxford Street atop the former Dickins & Jones department store, you’ll find plates of fresh sushi and grilled delicacies at this trendy spot. The romantically lit rooftop terrace is perfect for balmy summer evenings while sampling one of the many excellent sakes and wines on the menu.
Rooftop Bar & Grill at Boundary London
2-4 Boundary Street, Shoreditch E2 7DD
Overlooking the City and East London, this semi-sheltered rooftop bar is open no matter what the British weather throws at it. Expect grilled fish and meat on the menu, alongside Southern France-inspired delicacies such as olives, tapenade, and bottles of the finest Provençal rosé.
The Culpeper
40 Commercial Street, Spitalfields E1 6LP
Framed by lush plants, the rooftop spot at this cosy pub offers a verdant escape from the city centre. Guests can tuck into seafood platters and barbecue feasts, prepared with fresh ingredients grown on the pub’s own roof space.
Jin Bo Law
14th floor, Dorsett City Hotel, 9 Aldgate High Street EC3N 1AH
Occupying the 14th floor of the Dorsett City Hotel, this elegant rooftop bar offers outstanding views of London’s skyline and iconic buildings, including Tower Bridge, The Shard and The Gherkin. The cocktail menu is a fascinating study in mixology, resulting in some surprising and zingy flavours.
Radio Rooftop
10th floor, ME London, 336-337 Strand WC2R 1HA
A dedicated express lift will take you straight up to the rooftop bar, lounge and terrace area on the 10th floor of the ME London hotel, where you’ll find exceptional views across the River Thames and the London skyline. The breakfast, brunch and all-day dining menus feature fresh, seasonal and locally sourced cuisine.
Seabird
14th Floor, 40 Blackfriars Road SE1 8NY
This rooftop outpost treats you to panoramic London views and impeccable seafood. Our members highly rate the oyster menu – one of the most exhaustive in the capital – and we’d advise rounding off your visit with the Manchego cheesecake.
if you’re ready to start planning ahead to when dining returns to normal, check out our list of London’s best restaurants to discover our members’ favourite spots and which exclusive benefits we offer when dining there.
