London's best alfresco dining
-
By Time Out Editors
Posted: Tue Jun 16 2009
Central | North | South | East | West
East-
The Boundary Rooftop
2-4 Boundary Street, Shoreditch, E2 7DD
The Conran-backed Boundary Project has a fine rooftop with panoramic views of London. There are tables and chairs for diners, seating 48, plus a lounge bar area with wicker sofas surrounded by shrubbery, heaters and a wood-burning fire. A £1 cover charge includes unlimited sparkling and still water, and they also supply sunscreen, should you need it. The menu is based around grills, including lobster, trout and rib-eye steak. Freshly baked bread, serrano ham and asparagus are delivered from the deli downstairs. The Twitterati will be pleased to discover you can follow the Rooftop’s weather conditions and opening hours via its Twitter site (www.twitter.com/boundaryrooftop) - though be warned: it’s not updated every day. Read more
-
Curve
London Marriott, West India Quay, 22 Hertsmere Road, Docklands, E14 4ED
On Curves separate alfresco menu, you can expect to find the likes of oysters and pan-fried red snapper, and freshness is pretty much guaranteed: fish comes from Billingsgate Market, on the far side of the dock. The views are perhaps more overbearing than overwhelming, sitting at the foot of giant buildings rather than up among them on a higher floor, but Curve gives a great close-up of what the money men have done with London’s industrial heritage - although it’s an experience best enjoyed on somebody else’s expenses. Heaters cater for cool evenings; inside seating is provided for alfresco bookings that catch those unseasonal showers. Read more
-
The East Room
2a Tabernacle St, EC2A 4LU
The East Room is a members’ club that also welcomes non-members for lunch or dinner, providing you have a reservation… and don’t expect to get access to every part of the building. Sadly, one of the bits that is off-limits is the roof garden, though content yourself, instead, with the terrace. This bijou area, heated and under retractable awnings, is nearly as lovely as its upstairs counterpart. Nibble on boquerones and serrano ham, or chow down on salt marsh lamb cutlets and Cornish crab linguine. Groups of more than eight can make a booking; otherwise, it’s first come, first served. Non-members can enjoy brunch, lunch or drinks on Sundays from 11am to 11pm.
-
The Narrow
44 Narrow Street, Limehouse, E14 8DQ
Riverside restaurants east of Tower Bridge are rare, but The Narrow makes the most of its situation on the Thames with a bright, open conservatory and outdoor seating area overlooking the wharves of Rotherhithe. The handful of alfresco tables can’t be booked, so turn up early for perfectly executed takes on pub grub: crisp, battered hake with hand-cut chips; herby bangers with colcannon; or light treacle pudding with frothy, vanilla-speckled custard. The Narrow is a great spot to simply sit by the river and watch a summer sunset sparkling off the towers of Canary Wharf – and you don’t need to eat here to enjoy the superior wine list or real ales. Read more
-
Rochelle Canteen
The Canteen, Old School Building, Arnold Circus, Shoreditch, E2 7ES
Where once there were school bike sheds, now you’ll find the unassumingly excellent Rochelle Canteen. The owners have solved the perennial question of alfresco eating in Britain (‘What do we do if it rains unexpectedly?’) with an elegant solution: take the (16) tables back indoors. Dishes might include cuttlefish and potato stew, foie gras parfait and pickled prunes or grilled ox tongue, radishes and pickled walnut from a daily changing menu. It’s all very informal: if you need some shade, just shuffle the table to where there is some. Read more
-
Pavilion Café
Victoria Park, Crown Gate West, Victoria Park, E9 5DU
Tea merchant Rob Green and Aussie chef Brett Redman’s transformation of the Victoria Park café has been a roaring success - so much so, they’ve doubled the number of outside seats to 100. Looking out at the fountain in the middle of the huge pond, the coots chasing each other about, you feel happy and virtuous: Green and Redman are almost neurotically careful about sourcing fresh and artisanal produce. The breakfast menu - bacon and eggs, pancakes - is still the major draw, though their zingy salads are perfect for summer lunches. Assuming the good weather persists, they’ll be bringing back the barbecue again this year, probably once a month. Read more
-
Wapping Food
Wapping Hydraulic Power Station, Wapping Wall, Wapping, E1W 3ST
This lovely, ivy-clad former Victorian pumping station is a contemporary arts venue-cum-restaurant. In summer, 20 of the plastic chairs are moved with their tables from beside the industrial machinery indoors to beneath the trees outside. You can’t book to sit outside and there are no outdoor heaters. The daily changing restaurant menu is served alfresco, and includes the likes of creamy foie gras with toasted almonds and toast, lamb with potato, parsnip and an anchovy parfait and purple truffled potatoes with swordfish, perhaps matched with a tipple from the all-Australian wine list and followed by balsamic ice cream with berry compote. From late June, Fridays and Saturdays will see a barbecue served outside instead, probably in conjunction with summer screenings (think ‘Strictly Ballroom’ rather than ‘Raining Stones’). Read more
Central | North | South | East | West
Feature continuesAdvertisement-
|
|
More ways to enjoy Time Out
-
Weekly London newsletter
The best of London in your inbox
-
Time Out Widgets
|
|
4 comments
Yep...interesting places but far from best alfresco fine dining...
I'd suggest Coq D'Argent (Bank tube) - amazing beautiful terrace and great food...Check out 'In the Park' - lovey there! (St James) ....The Salt House (Abbey Road)...+ many more
NW - NW- NW- NW
Wow, Glad that North London is getting typical comprehensive coverage...
Good Job to be honest,
But I am pretty sure that N4, N16 and N5 exist.... but not in the ultra cool world of Timeout...
Just how do you get a job as a Timeout reviewer?
I'm sure I could do it, as long as I had my imagination removed.
I also do not see the RIBA restaurant and cafe's gorgeous terrace on the list. I was there yesterday and it is like a grand oasis on a hot day.
I can't believe you've overlooked the Tree House in your dining outside piece. It's easily the best food in easily the best setting.
Please send someone and do a proper review if you don't believe me.