Dining
The 5 Best Outdoor Dining in London
Terraces, gardens and riverside tables: where to eat outside in London when the weather turns.
In short: our top picks are Coq dArgent, The Ivy Chelsea Garden and Petersham Nurseries. 5 places in total, chosen on merit, with the full reasoning below.
London earns its summers, and the city eats outside the moment it can. The best terraces, courtyards and riverside tables turn a good meal into a proper occasion. These are the places to book the moment the sun comes out, chosen for the cooking as much as the setting.
| Place | Area | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Coq dArgent | Bank | £££ |
| The Ivy Chelsea Garden | Chelsea | £££ |
| Petersham Nurseries | Richmond | £££ |
| Rochelle Canteen | Shoreditch | £££ |
| Coq d'Argent | The City | ££££ |
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Editor’s choice
Coq dArgent
Why we pick itA rooftop garden above Bank; long a City favourite for a warm-evening dinner outdoors.
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The Ivy Chelsea Garden
Why we pick itA pretty year-round garden room and terrace; the prettiest al-fresco lunch in Chelsea.
Worth knowingThe garden is the reason to book rather than the kitchen: standard Ivy Collection staples done competently, and the indoor room is far less special.
-
Petersham Nurseries
Why we pick itDining among the plants in a glasshouse nursery; an idyllic, unhurried afternoon out west.
Worth knowingThe Covent Garden branches closed for good in 2025, so this means Richmond; glasshouse dining lets the weather in, at prices high for a rustic setting.
-
Rochelle Canteen
Why we pick itA walled former bike shed turned courtyard restaurant; seasonal British cooking under the sky.
Worth knowingAn unmarked door, limited hours and a menu that changes daily, so there is no knowing what is on before you arrive and no dropping in on spec.
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Coq d'Argent
Why we pick itA rooftop garden restaurant above Bank with City views.
Before you book
Outdoor tables are the first to go in good weather, so book early and ask specifically for the terrace or garden. Have an indoor fallback in mind, and bring a layer; London evenings cool fast once the sun drops. Lunch is often the better bet for the sun.
Common questions
What are the top picks in this guide?
Coq dArgent is our editor's choice: A rooftop garden above Bank; long a City favourite for a warm-evening dinner outdoors. Coq dArgent, The Ivy Chelsea Garden and Petersham Nurseries lead the guide, with 5 places in total, all chosen on merit.
How does Lamplit London choose its recommendations?
Every place is chosen on merit, after first-hand visits where possible, with no pay-for-placement. Read our full method at https://www.lamplitlondon.com/how-we-choose/.
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