The best beer gardens and alfresco dining in London

From flower-filled pub gardens to riverside fine dining, there is no end of wonderful places with outdoor areas to eat and drink in London. Together with some of my fellow bloggers I’ve brought together this list of our favourites. Each one offers something a little different. Each has its own unique atmosphere. And each one is a great spot for a drink or a bite to eat alfresco. Read on to discover the best outdoor dining terraces and beer gardens in London.

The best beer gardens and alfresco dining in London

The Summerhouse

Fabulous riverside fine dining

Blomfield Rd, London W9 2PA
Tel: 020 7286 6752
Website: TheSummerhouse.co

With a delectable menu and a magical waterside setting, The Summerhouse in Little Venice is hard to beat. Their tempting à la carte menu specialises in seafood with a few meat and vegetarian dishes also on offer. At the weekend, pop by for a glass of Bucks Fizz and Eggs Benedict, a Full English or perhaps their Vanilla and Cinnamon French Toast with banana and maple syrup. Now that does sound good!. They also offer a great range of cocktails and mocktails, bottled beers and cider, hot and cold soft drinks and an extensive wine selection.

Open Monday to Saturday 10 am to 11 pm and Sunday 10 am to 10.30 pm. Brunch is served Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays, from 10 am to 1 pm.

Images courtesy of The Summerhouse

 

Ora Brewery

Fabulous Italian craft brewery with plenty of outdoor seating

Unit 16a, Rosebery Industrial Park, N17 9SR
Website: OraBeer.com

For something more down to earth, try this fabulous, independent Italian craft brewery in Tottenham, North London. Their beer selection is incredible featuring the finest of Italian ingredients. Try their  Limoncello beer, an IPA with lemons from Sorrento, or Balsamic beer, a milk stout with aged balsamic vinegar and vanilla, or even their Tiramisu beer with dark espresso and cocoa powder.

The brewery was founded in 2016 in Modena, Italy by Daniele, Pietro, and Emanuele. Having started home brewing their passion grow as they developed their first beer to sell in Emilia Romagna and then Milan, before expanding to London.

They have a huge outdoor seating area which you don’t have to pre-book in advance. Inside, you can see the brewery and buy beers to take home. Each week they offer rotational food stalls and live music.

Ora Brewery is currently open every Saturday from 12 noon to 9 pm but they soon hope to open from Thursday through to Sunday. If you want a taste of Italy right in London, this is the place to be.

by Jackie, joujoutravels.com

 

Dalloway Terrace

One of the most Instagrammable cafes in London

16-22 Great Russell St, London, WC1B 3NN
Tel: 0 20 7347 1221
Website: DallowayTerrace.com

With its flower-covered walls, beautifully presented food and colourful cocktails, Dalloway Terrace, is dressed to impress. This trendy outdoor restaurant takes its name from the novel by Virginia Woolf, Mrs Dalloway. You will find it inside the Bloomsbury Hotel in the vibrant area of Bloomsbury, in London’s West End, not far from Oxford Street and Soho.

Offering an intimate setting with a seasonally evolving décor, whatever time of the year you visit Dalloway Terrace, you will discover a charming and flowery environment, reminiscent of a secluded garden. Fairy lights each evening add a magical touch! It’s very photogenic, making it one of the most Instagrammable cafes in London!

The fully retractable roof and walls allow patrons to enjoy the terrace come rain or shine, with heaters and blankets provided if needed.

You can visit Dalloway Terrace for brunch, lunch, afternoon tea or dinner or for one (or more) of their fabulous cocktails.

Dalloway Terrace is open Monday to Wednesday, from 12 noon to 11 pm and  Thursday to Sunday from 10 am to 11 pm (lasts orders 9 pm). Brunch is served from Thursday to Sunday, from 10 am to 2 pm. Afternoon Tea is served daily from 1 pm to 4 pm.

 

Coppa Club-Tower Bridge

Stunning terrace overlooking the Thames to Tower Bridge

3 Three Quays Walk, Lower Thames Street, London EC3R 6AH
Tel: 020 8016 9227
Website: CoppaClub.co.uk/TowerBridge

Located on the banks of the Thames, Coppa Club-Tower Bridge is the perfect place to enjoy a drink while taking in the views of the river and Tower Bridge, especially at sunset. Whether you’re looking for a pint of beer, a quick snack or dinner with wine, the extensive food and drinks menu has it covered. Light bites include fried chicken, crispy fried squid or arancini. If you’re looking for something a bit more substantial the fresh pastas are all superb and go great with a glass of fine wine.

The best part about Coppa Club, however, is the location. The views of the Thames and the Tower Bridge are stunning. And it is also the perfect spot for people-watching.

The outdoor area is very spacious and has plenty of seating. In the winter, clear sided ‘igloos’ are available where you can still enjoy the views and outdoor ambience in the comfort of a heated pod. They do get booked up quickly so you’ll need to plan ahead, sometimes months in advance. If you are flexible you can always try your luck at getting a last-minute reservation following a cancellation.

Coppa Club – Tower Bridge is open seven days a week from 11 am to 11 pm (10 am at the weekends)

 

The Waterway

Lovely position over the canal

54 Formosa St, London, W9 2JU
Tel: 020 7266 3557
Website: TheWaterWay.co.uk

Tucked away in an off the beaten path part of Little Venice, The Waterway enjoys a unique atmosphere. As soon as you enter, some pubs envelop you with the warmth of life, they make you feel at home as if in your own living room, you arrange to meet friends at the pub as you would invite them to your own house. Other pubs are modern and trendy with a vibrant atmosphere, but The Waterway is the perfect mix of both, a place to enjoy every time you visit London.

Upon arriving, the first thing you see is the fantastic terrace overlooking the Grand Union Canal, and when you enter you are greeted by warm interiors, brick walls, leather sofas, and fireplaces that are always alight. The atmosphere is lively and casual but sophisticated. The terrace is large and divided into two areas.

The menu features British pub classics such as burgers and pork ribs, as well as Mediterranean-influenced dishes such as a mezze platter with hummus, halloumi, olives, bruschetta, pita bread and tzatziki (with quite generous portions that make it perfect to share), grilled sardines on toasted brioche, or arancini.

To drink, as well as a good selection of beers and wines, The Waterway offers excellent cocktails.

The Waterway is open seven days a week from 10 am to 11 pm (10.30 pm on Sundays)

By Clotilde, APrincessTravellingWithTwins.com

Images courtesy of The Waterway

Madison

Gorgeous views over London’s skyline and St Paul’s Cathedral

New Change, London, EC4M 9AF
Tel: 020 3693 5160
Website: MadisonLondon.net

Madison Restaurant is located on the top floor of the New Change with breathtaking panoramic views of London. The restaurant’s concept takes its cue from the New York dining scene, focusing on steaks and international-inspired starters – the speciality of the restaurant is the grilled British tomahawk, lobster and garlic butter! If you look inside from the terrace, you can see the cooks making their magic in the kitchen.

The lounge and bar of Madison, which are on the terrace, are always lively, often with DJs or musicians entertaining the guests.

The cocktails at Madison are pretty special as well, featuring three signature drinks: The Barrel-Aged Rum Old Fashioned, the Peachy Mule and the St Paul’s Sunset. The latter is pretty spectacular, with the top decorated with an image of St Paul’s Cathedral at sunset. On the drinks menu, you will also find wine, beer or spirits.

The terrace at Madison is open year-round with umbrellas and heaters, for when the weather is not warm or sunny enough. In summer, in particular, this terrace is the place to be for guaranteed good vibes.

Madison is open seven days a week, from 12 noon to 1 am.

By Joanna, TheWorldInMyPocket.co.uk, View above by Jiayi, TheDiaryOfANomad.com, Images below (and featured image) courtesy of Madison.

 

The Aeronaut

Craft beer, cabarets and comedy in a circus-themed garden

264 High St, London W3 9BH
Tel: 020 8993 4242
Website: Aeronaut.pub

The Aeronaut is one of West London’s most exciting pubs. Set on the edge of Acton, it is within easy reach of Acton, Chiswick and Ealing. The name is a testament to George Lee Temple, the first aviator to fly a plane upside down. His fun exploits evolved into this circus-themed drinking den.

The Aeronaut hosts crazy themed brunches, circus shows, cabaret and comedy, drag shows and a lovely bit of bingo. Along with the wide variety of entertainment comes a decent food menu and a drinks menu that includes some unique craft beer brewed by the pub. There really is something for everyone, and when the sun comes out, punters head out back to the large beer garden.

After The Aeronaut experienced a devasting fire on New Year’s Eve 2016, the pub was rebuilt with even more flair. The onsite micro-brewery was scrapped (their brewing continues down in Sussex) and new decorations graced the walls.

Along with the redesign inside, the garden was expanded and now reaches far behind the pub. The garden is divided into two sections. The first is surrounded by small wooden huts with the jaunty circus theme (as well as one large dark den with lovely heaters). This extends into a large lawn (currently covered to protect outside diners/drinkers from the showers). This summer, one of these will be removed for sunseekers.

The Aeronaut is open seven days a week, from 12 noon to 11 pm (11 am on Saturdays).

By Rosie, FyingFluskey.com

Crate Brewery

Great beer and pizzas by Regent’s canal

Unit 7 Queen’s Yard, Hackney Wick, London, E9 5EN
Tel: 07547 695841
Website: CrateBrewery.com

Crate Brewery is located in Hackney Wick, a hipster area of East London with a fun vibe. With a vast outdoor seating area located right by the canal, this is the perfect spot for soaking up the sun while people watching and supping your pick of their great range of craft beers or cider. There’s even a rowboat out of the water you can sit in while enjoying your beer.

For food, they offer fabulous stone-baked pizzas which definitely go well with a beer in hand. On the weekends, a DJ creates a fun party scene that the locals in the area flock to. If you love craft beer, this is a great place to visit.

Crate Brewery is open seven days a week, from 12 noon to 11 pm (1 am Friday and Saturday)

by Jackie, joujoutravels.com

Where to stay in London

Booking.com