These are the best restaurant terraces in London

After what felt like the longest ever winter, Londoners are finally being rewarded for their patience with blue skies and warm weather. To celebrate, we’re trading basement bars and cosy pubs for sun-soaked terraces that epitomise the art of al-fresco. From urban hideaways to breezy riverside destinations, these are the best outdoor restaurant terraces in London.

Escape from the hustle and bustle of central London at one of London's most exclusive al fresco dining destinations, Mandarin Oriental's Hyde Park Garden. Nestled within the lush greenery of London's finest Royal Park, it offers stunning views and world-class cuisine, courtesy of the hotel's two Michelin star restaurant, Dinner by Heston Blumenthal.

Despite its tourist-trodden Strand location, the raised Toklas terrace feels worlds away from the hustle and bustle of central London. Potted plants and colourful chairs transport diners to sunnier climes – which is fitting given the restaurant’s Mediterranean-leaning menu, which features summery staples such as scallop crudo and Amalfi lemon sorbet.

A recent addition to Chiswick's dining scene, the Hound is a contemporary gastropub built within the walls of a Victorian police station. During the summer months, the pub's outdoor courtyard, complete with a retractable glass roof is the place to be, or else nab a spot on its sunny south-facing front terrace.

This summer, you wouldn’t be mistaken for confusing the Scotts Richmond Terrace with a botanical garden, as a partnership with Silent Pool Gin has brought the traditional English garden to your riverside dining table. There is no better way to enjoy a dozen Jersey oysters, yuzu-dressed yellowtail sashimi, or an array of shellfish bathing in garlic butter than framed within a sheltered nook of wisteria-draped pergolas, citrus trees, and wildflowers. It is the suntrap we are all desperately searching for, and with its retractable roof, it offers a slice of the outdoors even on slightly dubious weather days. The Thames below offers ample people-watching opportunities and can be paired with an equally floral concoction such as The Bee’s Knees or The Silent Bloom Spritz for the ultimate enjoyment of Richmond’s offerings. It provides all the shelter without sacrificing a glimpse of the British summer, because, as we all know, if you blink, you’ll miss it.

The much-loved terrace and al fresco dining experience isn’t something reserved only for the summer months. In the heart of the City, you’ll find The Outpost at Brigadiers, the newest and most stylish winter terrace to enjoy those autumnal evenings. There’s no need for woollen layers, as the covered and heated Outpost caters for up to 28 seated guests, come rain or shine. To mark its recent launch, Brigadiers has unveiled a bold new winter drinks menu to complement its signature Indian barbecue and warming spices. Expect generous servings of Masala Mulled Wine, poured tableside from a traditional samovar urn, or indulgent cups of Indian Coffee topped with masala-spiced chai cream. Don’t let the colder seasons stop you from enjoying the city’s outdoor splendour, ideally with a warm drink in hand.

Over 125 years since it was established, J. Sheekey remains one of London’s best-loved seafood restaurants. But the West End institution refuses to rest on its laurels, regularly upping the ante to entice regulars and visitors alike. This season, it has unveiled a striking new summer terrace in collaboration with English sparkling wine pioneer Nyetimber. Enjoy Nyetimber’s award-winning sparkling alongside classic British seafood dishes, from fresh Jersey Oysters to a generous shellfish platter brimming with prawns, mussels and more.

On a sunny London day, there are few better places to be than The River Cafe’s iconic Thames-side terrace. Its white tableclothed tables are unreservable, making the thrill of securing one all the more satisfying. Start with a chilled glass of frizanti and no matter which of Ruth Rogers’ pared-back Italian dishes you order, be sure to leave room for the famous Chocolate Nemesis.

This summer, Mayfair is in full bloom as Nyetimber celebrates the launch of its English Summer Rosé with a sparkling terrace takeover at 34 Mayfair. The ‘Sparkling Mayfair Summer’ terrace transforms South Audley Street into a floral oasis, complete with pink canopies, blossoming trees and cascading roses, bringing the charm of an English garden to one of London’s most elegant postcodes. At the heart of the collaboration is Nyetimber’s beautifully illustrated English Summer Rosé bottle, which pairs perfectly with 34 Mayfair favourites, including Tuna Crudo, Yellowtail Sashimi and the restaurant’s iconic Lobster Mac & Cheese. It's the ideal setting for long lunches, golden-hour drinks and making the most of the fleeting British summer.

Rumour has it that the French Riviera has arrived in Mayfair this summer at none other than Mediterranean eatery Dovetale. In partnership with Minuty, the terrace has been transformed with blush-pink paper florals and a dedicated Minuty Rosé Trolley, evoking the long, sun-soaked evenings of Provence. Settle in beside the trolley and work your way through a trio of Minuty cocktails, including the Slow Berry Highball, Provençal Blush and Sunlit Margarita, for the ultimate summer sips. To accompany the drinks, a selection of small plates is available to keep the evening going well into the night. Think delicate courgette flowers, salted anchovies and smoked tomatoes scattered over a crisp rösti, bringing a taste of the Riviera directly to Mayfair. Minuty is synonymous with summer, so order a Rosé Spritz, sit back and do exactly what the season calls for.

With its mirrored ceiling and punchy interiors, Daroco’s 120-seat dining room is a maximalist’s dream. But outside on the foliage-fringed terrace, the vibe is more laidback, perfect for long, languorous lunches that will make you forget you’re in central Soho. Gather your closest friends and settle in with a selection of fresh pastas and wood-fired pizzas to share – plus a bottle or two of rosé, and don’t dare leave without sampling Daroco’s signature tiramisu.

British summertime is nothing without the obligatory barbecue, yet with the often unpredictable weather and the failings of so-called grill connoisseurs, it can frequently fall short of expectations. Parrillan, however, offers a welcome alternative, as the terrace reopens with an exciting new menu of seasonal dishes designed around the essence of Mediterranean summer and sociable cooking. Graze upon your selection of para picar, whether that be Padrón peppers or the croquette of the moment, before the tabletop grill appears and the cooking begins, without the complications. Perhaps you’ll try your hand at squid with ajillo, simple yet essential green asparagus, or the must-order Lagarto Ibérico with mojo verde. It is everything dining should be: fun, flavourful, and entirely on your own terms. Bulk it out with one of their seasonal arroz dishes, but enjoy it all with a side of cava, patatas bravas, and a terrace lined with olive trees.

What’s better than sipping champagne and slurping oysters in the sunshine? Not much, if we’re honest. Do just that at Bentley’s Oyster Bar and Grill, a stalwart of Piccadilly’s Swallow Street since its inception in 1916. The covered terrace is open year-round, but come in the spring or summer to experience it in all its glory. Settle in with a bottle of something crisp and white and tuck into some of the capital’s best wild seafood, from Cornish fish stew to Lobster Thermidor.

Tucked away in the back streets of Dalston, Acme Fire Cult is a live-fire restaurant (sorry, cult) centred around the art of barbecue. The kitchen is situated on the outdoor terrace, allowing guests to watch the chefs at work on the grill, while sipping beers from next-door brewery 40FT and enjoying dishes like coal roast leeks with pistachio romesco and Highland Bavette with seaweed-peppercorn sauce.

For a slice of the Mediterranean smack bang in the centre of Battersea, make your way to JOIA Rooftop, where panoramic views of the city serve as a backdrop for enjoying Iberian small plates and sunset cocktails. This season will also see the return of JOIA’s popular slushies, including the Zircao Margarita and Amestista Caipirinha – essential summer sipping.

Hidden away in the backstreets of Shoreditch and accessible only by ringing a buzzer on the garden gate, Rochelle Canteen gives off a distinctly in-the-know vibe, yet remains understated and unpretentious. Its charming terrace is the sort of place that makes you feel as if you’re on holiday – even if you’ve only travelled 30 minutes on the Overground. The menu changes daily but expect simple and unfussy veg-forward dishes like violet artichokes with peas and lardo.

If you are looking for exquisite seafood and crisp glass of white, those in the know are heading a stone's throw from Sloane Square, down the Pavilion road, and arriving at the almost fisherman's outpost The Sea, The Sea. The infamous pearl of Chelsea has jumped across the street, opening its doors as a larger bistro and continuing their loved fish shop. Trusted with supplying some of London’s favourite restaurants, and preserving its comittment to seafood straight from the source, everything loved form the previous location remains but upstairs s symphony of light envelopes the 40 dinning room which envies any Salcombe seafood stop. Utilising low impact methods delivering you hand dived scallops to line caught bass, the menu invited you to explore from each section whether that is a Langoustine and crab consommé, a Cuttlefish ragu or delicacies from the grill including a whole plaice with wild garlic caper. However with the sunshine peeking its head, there is no where better to be than outside on the terrace, spilling out from the becoming the late night seafood bar, and pairs perfectly with a dozen oysters or a seafood platter and watch the best of Chelsea go by.

In search of a little Mediterranean charm, one might stumble across the quaint terrace at LAVO, where parasols and crisp white linens blur the line between indoors and outdoors. With seafood platters and a roaming drinks trolley serving martinis and spritzes, the spirit of the Amalfi coast has arrived. This little slice of Italy in the heart of Marylebone comes courtesy of LAVO's summer partnership with Grey Goose, featuring a menu of coastal-inspired tipples served in one of London's most enviably sun-soaked terraces. For the indecisive or peckish, a trio of mini martinis paired with accompanying bites offers the perfect tasting experience. On the menu is a Bergamot Martini with an oyster and limoncello mignonette, the Truffle Dirty Martini with truffle arancini, and the Basil Martini with a mini 20-layer peanut butter cake: effectively a three-course meal for those on the move. There is of course an array of more substantial dishes and full-sized martinis, welcomed as the terrace comes alive with DJs and you establish your spot in the evening sun.

Everybody’s favourite city-centric manor has found another way to elevate its appeal this summer with the unveiling of its new terrace. Like a hidden piazza, the space exudes Mediterranean charm and has partnered with community-focused pizzeria Dinner for One Hundred to create a European-inspired destination in the heart of London. The secluded alcove offers a welcome escape from the bustle of the city, inviting guests to linger over a crisp St-Germain Spritz or a Basil Smash as golden hour light filters through the courtyard. Begin with the vitello tonnato or grilled peach burrata before your pizza, topped with fior di latte, emerges from the Gozney Dome oven. Crowd-pleasing dishes including indulgent lobster linguine and chicken Milanese further enrich the menu, before an affogato tempts even the fullest of diners.

Everyone’s favourite London institution has taken note of the changing seasons and responded with the opening of its Garden Room on the doorstep of Hyde Park Corner. Hidden away amongst lush greenery, you may need a porter to guide you there, but once discovered, the covered retreat offers respite from the frenetic pace of London, from noon cocktails through to late-night drinks. Settle into an armchair for a lunchtime grilled steak sandwich accompanied by a Port Wood Manhattan, or take your pick from a collection of rare Cuban cigars paired with an aged Cognac. There’s even a club sandwich served post-10:30pm, making it one of the capital’s best-kept secrets for settling in for the evening without sacrificing the pleasures of a terrace.

Prefer a night in? Here's how to make the ultimate negroni...