Dining
The 5 Best Rooftop Restaurants in London
Dinner with a skyline: the London rooftop restaurants where the view earns its place on the bill.
In short: our top picks are Aqua Shard, Oblix and Coq dArgent. 5 places in total, chosen on merit, with the full reasoning below.
A rooftop restaurant has to earn its view, because too many coast on it. The best in London match the skyline with cooking worth the trip and a room you would happily sit in at ground level. These are the ones where the height is a bonus, not the whole act.
| Place | Area | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Aqua Shard | London Bridge | ££££ |
| Oblix | London Bridge | ££££ |
| Coq dArgent | Bank | £££ |
| 14 Hills | The City | £££ |
| Searcys at the Gherkin | The City | ££££ |
-
Editor’s choice
Aqua Shard
Why we pick itModern British cooking on level 31 of The Shard; the three-storey atrium is the view.
-
Oblix
Why we pick itA grill and rotisserie high in The Shard; live music and one of the best terraces in town.
-
Coq dArgent
Why we pick itA rooftop garden above the Bank junction; long a City favourite for warm-evening dinners.
-
14 Hills
Why we pick itA plant-filled room with wraparound City views; polished cooking and a real sense of occasion.
-
Searcys at the Gherkin
Why we pick itDining at the top of the Gherkin; the dome and the skyline do a lot of the work, beautifully.
Before you book
Book a table near golden hour and check the forecast, as most have an indoor plan but the terrace is the point. Ask for the view side when you reserve. And dress a touch warmer than you think; London rooftops turn cool the moment the sun drops.
Common questions
What are the top picks in this guide?
Aqua Shard is our editor's choice: Modern British cooking on level 31 of The Shard; the three-storey atrium is the view. Aqua Shard, Oblix and Coq dArgent 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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