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London's rooftop spaces are open for an alfresco season like no other. Here's where you can dine outside and get a great view at the same time.
Central
Capri in The City at The Berkeley
Where: Belgravia - The Berkeley, Wilton Pl, London SW1X 7RL
Once again, The Berkeley rooftop (and pool) has been given a makeover that's inspired by Capri.Usually reserved for hotel guests only, it's once again open to everyone (with a reservation) this summer. They're serving Capri-inspired cocktails (like their negroni that features O’ndina gin, Amalfi lemon, Campari, dry vermouth, chamomile and fig leaf). The food also looks to Italy for inspiration, with pizzas made in an oven installed on the roof and platters with focaccia, Calabrian anchovy fillets, mortadella, prosciutto and more. On a fine day, will there be any better rooftop experience than being on a sunlounger up here, spritz in hand?
Follow them on Instagram @the_berkeley
Hanover Bar
Where: Mayfair - 22 Hanover Square, London W1S 1JP
Right at the top of the Mandarin Oriental Mayfair, this rooftop spot is a very handy space to know about if you're shopping in the West End. On the menu, you'll find sushi and sashimi as well as a premium caviar offering. As for the cocktails, there's an Icons of Mayfair list, inspired by local institutions. So you'll find drinks like The Arcade (after Burlington Arcade), which is Beluga Gold Line vodka infused with saffron & gold leaf, chamomile cordial, sauternes and Champagne.
Follow them on Instagram @mo_mayfair.
Sabine
Holborn - 50 - 60 Southampton Row, London WC1B 4AR
This is the second opening from the folk behind the rooftop bar Sabine beside St Paul's and it gives Holborn a rare rooftop spot to eat and drink. Very usefully, it's an all-weather venue thanks to a huge electronic retractable roof. On the food and drinks front, it's a cocktail and small plates offering with sharing plates like salt and pepper calamari fries and spicy sumac chicken skewers.
Follow them on Instagram @sabinerooftop
1864 Rooftop Bar & Kitchen
300 Oxford Street, London W1C 1DX
If you find yourself stuck on Oxford Street, exhausted by shopping and desperate for a break then head up to the rooftop at John Lewis where the folks at Benugo run the bar and restaurant space here. There's a large open air terrace, private greenhouses if you fancy booking somewhere for a group outing. Food-wise it's a crowd-pleasing global offering so there's mushroom shawarmas, crispy fried chicken and seasonal salads to choose from. At the weekend, things ramp up with DJ sets.
Follow them on Instagram @1864rooftopbar
The Devonshire
Where: Soho - 17 Denman St, London W1D 7HW
Obviously, when The Devonshire unveiled its third-floor roof terrace, it immediately became the place to be seen at in the heart of town. Where else would you find Jon Bon Jovi and Ed Sheeran dining out there at the same time? You can't book it specifically, but given there are 40 tables out there (weather permitting, of course), you've got at least a fighting chance when you arrive of there being space.
Follow them on Instagram @devonshiresoho
Amano Rooftop Bar
Where: Covent Garden - Drury House, 34-43 Russell St, London WC2B 5HA
There really aren't that many rooftop bars in central London, making the one on top of the Hotel Amano in Covent Garden a rare spot that's worth knowing about. Fancy cocktails with a backdrop of Big Ben or the London Eye? Then you're in the right place. The tapas menu here has more of a global flavour profile, so there's pan con tomate alongside Baharat patatas.
Follow them on Instagram @amanocoventgarden
Kioku by Endo
Where: Whitehall - The OWO. 7 Horse Guards Ave, London SW1A 2EX
Endo Kazutoshi's Japanese restaurant takes the prime rooftop place at The OWO, so it has some pretty spectacular views of some of London's most iconic buildings in the heart of town, including a bird's eye view of the London Eye. Even the terrace that looks down on the inner courtyard is a pretty good spot. Soak up the sun and views with some of the best sushi in town.
Follow them on Instagram @kiokubyendo
Brooklands
Where: The Peninsula, 1 Grosvenor Pl, London SW1X 7HJ
As London’s only two Michelin-starred restaurant to also feature a capacious rooftop terrace, Brooklands by Claude Bosi at The Peninsula London stands out from the crowd. There’s room for 26 diners on the terrace with great views across Hyde Park and it’s open for dinner. Enjoy Bosi's classic fine dining menu - think French techniques and great British produce - along with a picture postcard view of the whole of London.
Follow them on Instagram @brooklands.london
Yasmin
Where: 1 Warwick St, London W1B 5LR
Originally for members only, the tucked-away rooftop space at the top of 1 Warwick is a very useful place to know about in Soho. The menu here focuses on Middle Eastern dishes, with sharing dishes like charred flatbread with whipped sheep’s cheese, hot honey and isot biber alongside kebabs and skewers (with group feasting menus available too). There's a good cocktail selection here too (which has some decent non-alcoholic options).
Follow them on Instagram @yasminsoho
Broadwick Soho
Where: 20 Broadwick St, London W1F 8HT
Boutique hotel Broadwick Soho has a top-floor bar and restaurant, Flute, which has one of Soho's biggest rooftop terraces, wrapping around two sides of the building. The food here is designed for sharing, whether that's a plate of tuna tostadas or Jamón Serrano croquettes. The hotel's been a magnet for celebrities ever since it opened so there's also a good chance of doing some star spotting here too.
Follow them on Instagram @broadwicksoho
Market Hall Victoria
Where: 191 Victoria St, Westminster, London SW1E 5NE
Super handy for both commuters and locals, the rooftop space at this food hall right opposite Victoria Stationis one of the best rooftop spaces in Victoria. After a recent refurb, the space now has plenty of seating along with a very useful retractable roof to cope with the London weather. Pick up food from traders like gourmet kebabs from Le Bab, tacos from CDMX, amazing rotis from Gopal’s Corner or a Black Bear burger and head up here with a spritz.
Follow them on Instagram @markethalls
Madera and Nest at Treehouse London
Where: 14-15 Langham Pl, Marylebone, London W1B 2QS
This is a two-for-one. On the fifteenth floor, you’ll find Madera - a Mexican restaurant and bar with a terrace perfect for enjoying tacos and more. But head upstairs and there’s another bar, The Nest, which does cocktails, small plates and sharing boards.
Follow on Instagram: @maderalondon.
Clap London
Where: 12-14 Basil St, London SW3 1AJ
There aren't many rooftop spots in Knightsbridge, making Clap a rarity in this part of town. Taking over the sixth and seventh floor of its building, the Japanese restaurant has a lovely rooftop terrace on its top floor where you can enjoy a Sakura Spritz and bar food like wagyu beef tartare and Biwa caviar on sando bread and rock shrimp tempura.
Follow them on Instagram @claplondon
City
Los Mochis City
Where: 9th Floor, 100 Liverpool St, London EC2M 2AT
Hands-down one of the City’s most glamorous rooftop spaces, Los Mochis City boasts a whopping 3,000 sq. ft outdoor terrace with panoramic views of the city. Ask nicely and you'll get a table with a very Insta-worthy St Paul's in the background. The space is also fully covered and heated and - most importantly - has a decently late-night licence. Come here for cocktails and food from the restaurant’s crowd-pleasing Mexican/Japanese menu.
Follow them on Instagram @losmochislondon
Angler
Where: South Place Hotel, 3 South Place, London EC2M 2AF
Come the summer, this Michelin-starred restaurant comes into its own with the launch of its terrace space. There's also a new chef on board this year, Craig Johnston, who was the youngest-ever winner of MasterChef: The Professionals and was previously head chef at Marcus Belgravia, so you'll want to come and try his food even without the excuse of the rooftop terrace. In more good news, the terrace also has a removable roof, making this a good place to come, whatever the weather.
Follow them on Instagram @angler_restaurant
Coq D'Argent
1 Poultry, London EC2R 8EJ
Taking up a huge space on the top floor, this is one of the City's most famous alfresco spots. If you can grab a space here on a busy weekday lunchtime, you've done a good job. It's a classic French menu kind of place, so order some escargots and maybe a platter of fruits de mer to share. If there's time, make sure to find your way onto the lawn out at the back with great views of the City.
Follow on Instagram: @coqdargent
Florattica
Canopy by Hilton London City, 11-15 Minories, London EC3N 1AX
Right at the top of this City hotel, you'll find a rooftop terrace with spectacular views of the City. From here, you've got a great vantage point through the high-rise spaces leading down towards St Paul's. Food-wise, there's a pretty good value set brunch with options like smoked salmon eggs royale on the menu and the cocktails are very on point too. It's also quite beautiful inside, with the whole roof covered in floral arrangements.
Follow on Instagram: @floratticarooftoplondon
Mercer Roof Terrace
Where: Vintry & Mercer, 19-20 Garlick Hill, EC4V 2AU
This London rooftop space boasts quite the City view, taking in everything from The Shard to St Paul's. The food here is all about the best meat and fish from the British Isles with good examples being the Cornish lobster & monkfish Wellington or the Dorset lamb shank shepherd’s pie. Cocktails feature their own house-infused spirits and there's a good value set lunch deal here too.
Follow on Instagram: @vintryandmercer.
The Culpeper
Where: 40 Commercial St, Spitalfields, London E1 6LP
The rooftop space in this City pub is all about sustainable and regenerative farming, which is what inspires the menus here, with seasonal dishes like grilled half Soanes chicken with chanterelles and black garlic. There's also a new cocktail list this year, inspired by Nicholas Culpeper’s work as a herbalist and astrologer and with drinks like a rosemary-infused Collins made with herbs grown on the rooftop.
Follow on Instagram: @theculpeper.
Jin Bo Law
Where: 14th floor Dorsett City, 9 Aldgate High Street, London EC3N 1AH
High on the 14th floor of the Dorsett City Hotel, this bar has properly jaw-dropping views over the City of London. It’s all about drinks here - there are a few snacks - so choose from an interesting cocktail list or go with the magnums section of the drinks list. Weekends feature DJ sessions and parties.
Follow on Instagram: @jinbolaw_skybar.
North
The Standard
Where: 10 Argyle St, London WC1H 8EG
Up on the 11th floor of The Standard hotel at King’s Cross, their rooftop is a lively space come the summer months. It’s always been a good place to enjoy a cocktail, with views over St Pancras. This year, the food truck is back, and this time it's all about hot dogs like the Chilli Cheese Dog topped with chilli beef, cheese sauce and pickled onions. They've also teamed up with Papa Salt gin for the cocktails and they'll also have a Frozen Papa Paloma, from their slushy machine.
Follow them on Instagram @thestandardlondon
Big Chill
Where: 257-259 Pentonville Road, London, N1 9NL
Food at this King's Cross rooftop bar is courtesy of their residency Chick n Sours, with their fantastic fried chicken burgers, not to mention one of our favourites, the crispy Szechuan aubergine. The bar also does a very popular weekend bottomless brunch. The good news is there's also a retractable roof here, should it be needed.
Follow on Instagram: @bigchillbar
South
Joia Rooftop
Where: 16th Floor, 1 Electric Boulevard, London, SW11 8BJ
This large rooftop terrace has great views overlooking Battersea Power Station and comes from the same people behind Joia, the Portuguese restaurant by Henrique Sá Pessoa just a few floors below. Alongside cocktails, there are snacks, petiscos and tapas on offer, including croquetas, Iberico ham, tuna tartare and an octopus brioche sandwich.
Follow on Instagram: @joiabattersea
Bussey Rooftop Bar
Where: Fifth Floor Roof, Unit B, Bussey Building, 133 Rye Lane, London SE15 4ST
Bussey's rooftop scene matches a big cocktail list featuring all the classics alongside their no-alcohol counterparts. Alongside the drinks, you'll find pizzas and loaded fries. Events at the Peckham bar include a regular rooftop club and film nights.
Reopens 30 April 2026
Follow on Instagram: @busseyrooftopbar
CLF Art Lounge
Where: 4a Station Way, Peckham, London SE15 4RX
The rooftop bar at this Peckham bar and lounge features live music, cabaret and comedy sessions and, handily, is also weatherproofed for the British summer. The food this year comes courtesy of one of London's best pizzerias, Patio Pizza, which is a mix of New York and Neopolitan-style pizza.
(Reopens later in Spring 2026)
Follow on Instagram: @theclfartlounge.
Forza Wine
Where: The Rooftop, 133 Rye Ln, Peckham, London SE15 4BQ
Easily one of South London's best rooftop spaces, like all the Forzas this mixes an Italian small plates menu with a natural wine list. Food at the time of writing includes the always-excellent cauliflower fritti & aioli or a grilled flatbread with preserved aubergine, tomato & chilli. Given the name, the wine list is carefully put together with a focus on natural wines (and with some on offer for as little as £6 a glass). Classic and house cocktails are available, including a frozen picante.
Follow on Instagram: @forzawine.
Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden
Where: Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, London SE1 8XX
This secret rooftop garden at the top of the Queen Elizabeth Hall on the South Bank is a real hidden-away gem. Open from lunchtime to early evening, there's a cafe and bar which serves up grilled BBQ dishes and as for cocktails, it has a particularly interesting gin collection that covers the whole of the UK. It's also a partnership with The Eden Project so there's a big focus on native plants up here.
Seabird
Where: 14th Floor, 40 Blackfriars Rd, South Bank, London SE1 8NY
If it wasn’t for the London backdrop, this rooftop terrace would look like a little slice of Miami in the sky. They have some particularly tropical drinks on offer along with a strong list of interesting wines. The food here is mainly a mix of Spanish and Portuguese, and at the moment, there's a particular focus on coastal dishes, adding some Cornish influences. There's an extensive oyster menu here which is also worth a look.
Follow on Instagram: @seabirdlondon.
East
45th and 7th
Shoreditch - 5 Curtain Rd, London EC2A 3PT
This rooftop space in the heart of Shoreditch has been through various different incarnations. Now owned by Virgin Hotels, this cafe and bar beside their rooftop pool is an all-day operation so just as good for sunrise working breakfasts as it is for weekend brunches and evening cocktails. British produce comes to the fore in the menu with everything from Brixham seabass ceviche to braised Suffolk pork belly on offer. If you like fizz, focus on the Cava-led section of the cocktail menu.
Follow them on Instagram @amanocoventgarden
Solaya
Hoxton - 25th Floor, 1-3 Rivington St, London EC2A 3DT
With a Michelin-starred chef, Kenny Atkinson, behind the food here, Solaya is definitely a rooftop spot where the food is going to be as good as the views. And as we're on the 25th floor here the views are pretty good. The chef's first solo venture in London serves up a Mediterranean-focused menu using top tier British produce. So the cod that comes with the romesco sauce is from Cornwall and asparagus is served with Scottish mussels, wild garlic and bottarga. There's a proper bar here too with DJs on the weekend..
Follow them on Instagram @solayalondon
Llama Inn
Where: 1 Willow St, London EC2A 4BH
At the top of the Hoxton hotel in Shoreditch, this Peruvian restaurant has a suntrap of an outdoor terrace at the back. With a mix of sofas and banquettes and fabulous views over the City, this large, south-facing terrace is a great place to enjoy one of their Pisco Sours and a plate of zingy ceviche.
Follow them on Instagram @llamainnldn
Bōkan
Where: 40 Marsh Wall, London E14 9TP
Running over three floors at the top of a Canary Wharf tower, Bōkan's rooftop terrace is on the 39th floor. There's a covered bar inside for cooler times but when the temperatures heats up the terrace, with its amazing views over the city, is where the action is at. Up here, there's a specialist gin bar, rooftop daybeds and a food menu that includes dishes like butterflied monkfish, a seafood platter and slow-braised lamb as well as British cheese and charcuterie.
Follow on Instagram: @bokanlondon
Boundary
Where: 2-4 Boundary St, London E2 7DD
The rooftop space here is beautifully done with topiary and full-grown 100-year-old olive trees to transport you from Shoreditch to somewhere closer to the Med. Once you've secured that all-important table in the sun, enjoy a menu which covers everything from small plates to a Boundary Burger, chicken Milanese and a whopping salt-aged T-Bone steak that's just made for sharing.
Follow on Instagram: @boundaryldn
Netil 360
Where: 1 Westgate St, Hackney, London E8 3RL
If you're not the most organised person, then the good news is that unless you're a group of four or more you can't book ahead for this marvellous rooftop, as it's mainly a first-come, first-served affair. As a rooftop bar and pizza restaurant, the food menu is all about their Neapolitan-style pizzas made with 48-hour fermented dough. For drinks, there’s a strong leaning towards local beer and liquor. They do have heaters and some cover, so it's good too when the weather isn't all that great.
Follow on Instagram: @netil360.
West
Harvey Nichols Fifth Floor
Knightsbridge - 109-125 Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7RJ
Long the refuge of a tired Knightsbridge shopper, the terrace on the Fifth Floor of Harvey Nichols is an oasis in the store. There's usually an interesting collaboration going on. The latest collab is yet to be announced, but you can still grab a bit and a drink up there.
Follow on Instagram: @harveynichols
The Broadcaster
White City - 89 Wood Ln, London W12 7FX
This White City bar comes from the same people as another great alfresco space, The Lighterman in King's Cross. This offers views across White City and the old Television Centre. Food includes yellowfin crudo with crispy potato and gochujang aioli and the Sunday roasts are always popular. Look out for their rooftop parties on Saturdays during the summer.
Follow on Instagram: @thebroadcasterlondon
Skylark Roof Garden
Where: 10th Floor, 4 Kingdom St, London W2 6BD
Are you in West London or Miami? This rooftop bar is aiming to make you feel like the latter, although the views over Paddington and Notting Hill might suggest otherwise. The food is a Mediterranean mix of skewers, stuffed mushrooms and tuna tartare, while the cocktail list features their takes on classic cocktails. Note that at the moment, it's only open on Saturdays.
Follow them on Instagram @skylarkroofgarden
More alfresco
The Hot Dinners guide to summer
Royal Festival Hall photo: India Roper Evans
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