10 of the Best: London Terraces to Visit During the HeatwaveBy Alicia Grimshaw
Even with all the aircon in the world, during a heatwave, the inside of a pub just doesn’t cut it. London isn’t short on beers gardens, but we all know that a terrace is where it’s at. We’ve handpicked ten of our top terraces to see out the hot weather in style.
1. For a New Terrace: Booking Office 1869
What: Booking Office 1869’s summer terrace RoofGarden is a verdant and secluded space in the heart of King’s Cross. The embodiment of a secret garden, RoofGarden serves a snack-style menu from its indoor counterpart (think cured salmon on potato rosti with sesame, citrus and seaweed), and cocktails aplenty.
Must Order: Salt cod croquettes with romesco.
Where: Euston Rd, London NW1 2AR
2. For Small Plates: Bermondsey Larder
What: The Robin Gill’s Bermondsey Larder recently launched a brand new 40-seater terrace with live music and DJ sessions every weekend. For eats, the summer menu features fried courgette flowers with goats curd; Salt Marsh Lamb, Nutbourne Tomatoes and green olive vinaigrette and Gariguette strawberry Eton Mess alongside refreshing summer cocktails and natural wines.
Must Order: “Sweet Promise” Lobster Beignet with Furikake.
Where: Bermond Locke, 153-157 Tower Bridge Rd, London SE1 3LW
Photocredit: Emma McGettrick
What: Mama Shelter London Shoreditch’s Garden Bar is a hidden gem in the centre of the hotel. The alfresco courtyard (with a retractable roof) is perfect to enjoy the summer weather and the slightly chillier evenings. Get your chops around the homemade dishes, snacks, sandwiches, desserts and delicious drinks, like Mama’s signature cocktails, beers on tap, Mama’s Jugs, and an extensive wine list.
Must Order: The Bramble cocktail – Malfy Con Limone Gin, lemon juice, crème de cassis, sugar, raspberry garnish.
Where: 437 Hackney Rd, London E2 8PP
4. For a Rosé Inspired Terrace: Yauatcha x Whispering Angel
What: Yauatcha has joined forces with rosé brand, Whispering Angel, to create an elegant, playful and whimsical, pink summer terrace at Yauatcha City. On hand to compliment the rosé’s smooth finish and delicate notes is the lobster dumpling with ginger, shallot and Tobiko caviar, and the scallop shui mai with prawn and Tobiko caviar.
Must Order: Wagyu beef puffs.
Where: Broadgate Circle, London, EC2M 2QS
Photo credit: Justin De Souza
5. For a Terrace with Views: Boundary Rooftop
What: East London’s favourite neighbourhood residency has just relaunched the rooftop orangery restaurant with a brand-new impressive menu overlooking the key sites of Shoreditch. The new menu focuses on quality seafood, meat and vegetables from the British Isles with beef from small farms in Ayrshire, fish from Brixham, pork from Hampshire and all main courses cooked over charcoal on the robata grill.
Must Order: Hampshire-Duroc pork chop, lemon and watercress.
Where: 2-4 Boundary St, London E2 7DD
6. For an Italian Oasis: Fiume
What: The riverside terrace at Fiume, Francesco Mazzei’s Battersea restaurant, has been transformed into a southern Italian oasis this summer in partnership with Ortigia Sicilia and Malfy Gin. Francesco’s menus have been inspired by Ortigia’s classic scents of bergamot, orange blossom, lime and fig. It’s all about light sharing dishes here: octopus, calamari, red prawns and stuffed courgette flowers.
Must Order: Polpo alla Piastra – Octopus, spicy papa al pomodoro, capers, olives and pomegranate.
Where: Battersea Power Station, Circus West Village, London SW8 5BN
What: The Standard’s Rooftop has returned for 2022 with an all-new food concept, taco truck Decimiño. Think tacos, nachos and Maldon oysters, best enjoyed alongside mango margarita slushies and espresso martinis on tap. Stretching over the 11th floor of the iconic building, The Rooftop is the perfect hangout for sundowners, late-night frivolities and Sunday sessions against one of the best backdrops in the city.
Must Order: Stewed chicken tacos with pico de gallo and avocado.
Where: 10 Argyle St, London WC1H 8EG
8. For Street Food and Views: Vinegar Yard
What: Vinegar Yard’s outdoor garden is the place to head to for al fresco drinks with friends during the heatwave and beyond, and it’s handily located in the heart of London Bridge. Street food is available from the likes of burger legends Nanny Bill’s, Baba G’s, Sugo 82 and Nik’s Kitchen. This place is no secret, so book if you can.
Must Order: Bad Boy Pizza Society’s Notorious P.I.G Pizza.
Where: 72-82 St Thomas St, London SE1 3QX
9. For a Hidden Terrace: Coqbull Soho
What: Coqbull’s 47-seat terrace is hidden at the top of the 4-story building in the middle of Soho boasting a part-covered pergola overflowing with seasonal foliage and fairy lights, making it an excellent afternoon spot to sip on cocktails and an ice-cold beer from day to night.
Must Order: Hot Coq free-range wings. Grab some napkins, these babies are saucy.
Where: 17-19 Denman St, London W1D 7HW
10. For Wine and Nibbles: Vagabond Shoreditch
What: Located in Principle Place on Bishopsgate, and just a five-minute walk from Liverpool Street Station, Vagabond Shoreditch’s open-air rooftop garden is the place to enjoy a glass of vino (or three). The unique, self-pour wine dispensers give you the option to try a taster glass of any of the 100+ wines, with tasting notes available to guide your selection.
Must Order: Steak Sharer for two – Hanger steak served medium rare with parsnip crisps, roasted shallots and rocket.
Where: Principle Place, London EC2A 2BA
