Outdoor Dining In London
When the weather is nice, there is nothing better than sitting down to a nice meal in the open air. There are many restaurants in London that offer outdoor dining - here are just a few of the best. For great deals on hotels in London, visit the Millenium Hotels website.
Amphitheatre Bar Restaurant & Terrace, Royal Opera House
This third floor terrace at the Royal Opera House may not be particularly familiar to most Londoners, but it is open to the general public most days, although it is always worth calling ahead to check. There are two areas - a bar, where you can eat delicacies such as marinated olives and artichokes, cured meats, and terrines, and a restaurant that specialises in British cuisine. The food is supplied by renowned caterers Company Of Cooks, and a three-course lunch will set you back £24.50.
Caravan
This restaurant in Exmouth market has an outdoor seating area for up to 30 diners. On hot days, these seats are often filled very quickly, so it can be worth getting there early as outdoor seats cannot be booked in advance. There are seven tables in all - three of them are located under a retractable awning, so if the weather turns you do have a degree of protection from the elements, but if you get one of the others you will just have to hope that the sun stays out. There is a large selection of small plates, and most diners tend to go for a combination of these, although there are a few full-size main courses available. The service here has an excellent reputation, and you can be guaranteed a warm reception whatever the weather.
Coq d’Argent
The large rooftop terrace at Coq d’Argent offers stunning panoramic views of the capital’s skyline, with landmarks such as the Gherkin, the Shard, and St.Paul’s in clear sight. On a clear day, you can even see out as far as Crystal Palace. They offer two menus - a formal restaurant affair with dishes such as rack of lamb and mustard-pickled mackerel, and a brasserie selection, including char-grilled tuna with ratatouille and snails in garlic butter. There are two covered seating areas, each with a seated capacity of 50, and two exposed seating areas that can each accommodate 70 diners each.
The Modern Pantry
This restaurant in Clerkenwell is owned and operated by renowned super-chef Anna Hansen. It is situated in a stunning Grade II-listed Georgian building, with 13 outdoor tables set out on St John’s Square. All the tables feature parasols to provide some shade and protection from the rain when required. The menu has a strong international flavour, with dishes such as sugar-cured prawn omelette and current and coriander laced okra and feta fritters with sweet tomato yogurt.
