Hey Londoners, so we are finally out of our Lockdown! If like me, you are all craving a catch up in a divine city setting with gorgeous cocktails and delicious food, not made by yourself, finally, then you are in the right place. In this blog post I will be sharing the my hit list of London Restaurants with Alfresco dining options. As of the 17th of May that is all we can hope to dine in, however please go and check out my London Gorgeous Restaurant Interior 2021 Hit Lit for all your post 17 May bookings. Now, let’s get down to it with a list of my ultimate London dining spots that will make you remember why this city is a place you fell head over heels in love with in the first place.

*disclaimer – as this is a wish list, it features a few places I have not visited yet (or not in a while) so most images will be sourced from others, but as usual credit will go to the photographer 🙂 Also I will include a short review of places I have been to and will slowly add my reviews to this list as I visit. Thanks and happy eating! xx

Seabird

Top of my list and my latest lil date night spot, Seabird near South Bank offers gorgeous views of London in their terrace of the 14th floor of the Hoxton Hotel. Pop yourself into a cushy lil table amongst all the ritzy business men and well dressed couples and it feels like this is really what living in London is all about. The menu is on the pricier side, but you’re not only paying for the fresh (and extremely well made) seafood, but also for the impeccable service and the premium of having a rooftop view in central London. I must say some dishes, though sublime, are not for the faint hearted in the purse strings department, one I might not order again is the Carabinero Prawn at a whopping price of £19 for a singular, albeit rather large and sinfully delicious, prawn. Must orders include the Octopus Roll, which is a deliciously creative take on a Lobster Roll, the Fried Squid, the Seafood Rice, and the Oysters. My favourite of the Oysters were the Carlingford from Louth, but to be completely honest here you can’t really go wrong with their selection as each Oyster in their selection is fresh, plump and sweet. Finish off with a glass of Nyetimber English Sparkling and the Manchego cheesecake and you really have a quintessential London night out.

14th Floor, 40 Blackfriars Rd, South Bank, London SE1 8NY – Book a Table

Frescobaldi

Nothing says Al Fresco better than a gorgeous outdoor space paired with delectable dishes of pizza and gorgeous pasta. There is just something so luxurious about dining outdoors on a table lined with crisp white linens. Super cute neutral tones for the gram as well as drool worthy plating for the foodie in you. One of my top picks for a Lunch date with the gals and somewhere I am booked in to visit soon. Will update on if it lives up to the hype!

Frescobaldi, 15 New Burlington Pl, London W1S 2HX – Book a Table

Lina Stores King’s Cross

Our favourite Soho joint known for its fresh pasta is back with the most beautiful ‘Piazza style’ outdoor dining space in Kings Cross. From what I remember, this is absolutely gorgeous food paired with some delicious wines. Not sure about you but I will 100% be getting a cute pic for the gram in those tiffany blue chairs, all the while sipping on some crisp white wine with a side of fresh truffle pasta. Can’t get much better than this really.

Lina Stores Kings Cross, 20 Stable Street, King’s Cross, London, N1C 4DR – Book a Table

Scotts

Gorgeous decor and a restaurant where fresh Seafood reigns, what a dream Scotts is! I have been meaning to go for a while now but what really sold it to me was how divine those scallops look… Absolutely drooling now and cannot wait for an Al Fresco treat meal here. Feel like this is a good one for a boozy (because who eats seafood without a chilled glass?) but classy lil Lunch date and I am here for it. Rumour has it that getting a table is ridiculously hard, so if you manage to book, props to you and… is there room for one more?

20 Mount St, London W1K 2HE – Book a Table

Harry’s Dolce Vita

Upscale Italian dishes complete with gorgeous pizzas and handmade Pasta, Harry’s Dolce Vita is the place to be for a beautiful Italian lunch Al Fresco. Think bold colourful plates and deep orange spritzes, this place just makes me feel like summer has come. Oh and its close proximity (opposite I believe) to Harrods means that it is the perfect spot to walk off your lunch with a bit of a luxury shop. Perfect day out no?

Harry’s Dolce Vita, 27-31 Basil St, London SW3 1BB – Book a Table

Claridge’s

Mm sunshine, champagne and Claridge’s. Has a nice ring doesn’t it? I have always loved a late night drink in their Cigar room but have never realised just how inviting their terrace looked until recently. Food looks vivid with colours that pop off the plate, not to mention that seafood platter looks to die for next to a glass of chilled bubbly. I have this one booked for a lush little double date in a month’s time – fingers crossed for sunshine for the perfect little eve. Ooh, make sure you book in for the Claridge’s Bar Terrace, as you could easily be at their other terrace which is the Davies and Brook bit for hot dogs but equally fun and more causal bits.

 Claridge’s, Brook St, London W1K 4HR – Book a table

The Berkeley Beach Huts

Bringing a bit of the classic English seaside to London, the Beach Huts are chic little things and definitely something I have my eye on. Rumour has it that it’s quickly selling out so if you fancy sipping your wine whilst pretending you’re hearing sea waves instead of traffic, better get your reservations at The Berkeley before its too late.

The Berkeley, Wilton Pl, London SW1X 7RL – Book a Table

Sushi Samba Covent Garden

We all know about Sushi Samba deep in the City on Heron tower, you know that one that boasts gorgeous city views and a fab place to catch a sunset under the golden ever autumn tree. But, the one I have my eye on this summer is in fact right in the heart of Covent Garden. The leafy chic interiors are absolutely stunning so it’s definitely somewhere to visit once we can eat indoors again (and take photos of en route to the loos and back), but there’s something about having sushi in the sunshine al fresco that just appeals to me and the Sushi Samba in Cov Garden is excatly what I’m after. In fact, I have a booked table coming up and I cannot wait – shall report back but I’m sure it will please.

Sushi Samba Covent Garden, 35 The Market, London WC2E 8RF – Book a Table

La Goccia

A more hidden kind of gem, this gorgeous leafy terrace is tucked away in Soho near Covent Garden and definitely one to put on your summer al fresco list. The food is fresh and inspired by Italian Aperitivos, which makes it perfect outdoor dining cuisine really. They have a wood fired oven and a huge grill. Oh and as you can expect from a restaurant associated with Petersham Nurseries, they have extremely fresh fruit and veg. It’s the perfect little spot to spend a lazy Saturday afternoon enjoying Dolce Far Niente, The beauty of doing nothing… except wine and dine.

La Goccia, 1 Floral Court, Charing Cross, London WC2E 9FB – Book a Table

Alto by San Carlo

A staple on top of our beloved Selfridges, this little beauty is another Italian gem in London and extremely well known purely for the fact that it was decked out in Lemons last year and extremely popular on the gram. I would know, I fell into that trap and booked a table and had the best little boozy lunch with my gal. This year, out with the lemons and in with the flowers but with equal effect. Food wise, think gorgeous Amalfi style fare with seafood pastas, plump tomatoes and fresh fish. All this paired with some crisp white wine and a frosty glass of Amalfi Lemon Limoncello and you have yourself a little Positano wrapped up in a cute little floral package right here on Bond Street.

Alto by San Carlo, 400 Oxford St, London W1A 1AB – Book a Table

Ivy Chelsea Garden

A personal favourite as a Chelsea Fuham based gal, the Ivy Chelsea Garden is practically synonymous with a gorgeous eve to the locals. Its huge garden dining area is complete with plush printed cushions, bubbling fountain and of course, blooms everywhere. Extremely romantic at night too if you’re dining under the candlelight and moonlight in the garden. I spent my 28th birthday dinner date here and loved every second. Only thing is, as they really do get quite busy, the service can be a bit slow, but I say all the more time to sip your wine and chat to your friend whilst you wait. Food is modern European and price wise is really quite reasonable for such a beautiful spot right in the centre of the King’s Road. Definitely book in advance as this place is packed with a never ending stream of champagne filled locals and celebs.

Ivy Chelsea Garden, 195 – 197 King’s Rd, Chelsea, London SW3 5EQ – Book a Table

Chicama

One of my all time faves, I first visited Chicama during their original soft launch a few years ago and have been hooked since. Another Chelsea favourite peppered on the King’s Road, Chicama is a cute little restaurant that does Peruvian food very well. Think beautiful ceviche, fresh grilled fish, gorgeous cocktails, the works. They also have an extremely chic terrace complete with beautiful pastel blankets in case you get cold. Just a gorgeous little find in London and one I am always in the mood to visit.

Chicama, 383 King’s Rd, Chelsea, London SW10 0LP – Book a Table

Grosvenor House Terrace

Mm nothing quite like a gorgeous terrace overlooking one of the most classic streets in London. Pair that with a to die for JW Steak and a glass of deep red wine and you have yourself quite the evening. The terrace looks like quite the sun trap as well, absolutely perfect for basking in the vit D with some good company and even better food. I am set to go next week, shall report back and let you know my thoughts!

JW Marriott Grosvenor House London, 86-90 Park Ln, London W1K 7TN

Colbert Chelsea Pop Up

The lovely Parisian style Colbert offers both an outdoor restaurant table as well as this lovely new pop up right in the middle of Sloane Square. It is in collaboration with Lillet and features gorgeous cocktails, a game of Petanque, Cheese and Charcuterie and even a Crepe stand too. All sounds like the perfect combination for a lovely outside drinkie, oui? Oh and if you get peckish, grab a table at their restaurant for the most gorgeous French Bistro food. A baby Paris right in the middle of London, sign me up.

Colbert Pop Up, 50-52 Sloane Square, London SW1W 8AX – walk ins for the pop up but you can try book a table here

Parrillan

Beautiful sunny terrace and a Korean BBQ style but Spanish Tapas place, what’s not to like? This is one of the newer ones on my list and comes from the creators of Barrafina. Think gorgeous fresh meats and delicious side plates, all grilled by you with a glass of wine in hand. Sounds like a pretty sweet day out to me! The Guardian did write a pretty scathing review about the prices being steep for a small plate of meats only to have to cook them yourself, which fully made me chuckle as not going to lie, that would put me off too. That said, I am reserved but undeterred and willing to give this place and concept a try. Would you go here?

Parrillan, Coal Drops Yard, Stable St, London N1C 4AB – Book a Table

Golden Pheonix Chinatown

Ahh my little fave here in Chinatown, I mean, what’s an al fresco list without including one of the best things to come out of summer 2021, the al fresco Dim Sum lunch? Golden Pheonix is one of my faves, just really decent dim sum at such affordable prices. You just know that you’re going to have a great time for not a lot and I am fully here for that. No need to book (but you can for bigger parties), just show up and enjoy. Just remember dim sum is really only for lunch, and then they serve more classic Chinese and Cantonese dishes for dinner which they do equally well. Oh and if you fancy it, their roast duck and bbq cha siu is delicious to take home too. Mmm thinking of this is making me hungry, who’s up for a trip to Chinatown?

Golden Pheonix, 37-38 Gerrard St, London W1D 5QB – err no online booking so call this number to book – 020 7439 9123 –

Kibou Clapham

This one is more a favourite because I had some lovely summery afternoons here last year. Kibou is right in the middle of Clapham’s Northcote road and is the perfect spot for a bit of sun and some glorious sushi. The vibe here is just so good and the food is even better, anywhere that does decent sushi paired with the best Dengaku (miso glazed) tofu and takoyaki automatically has my heart to be honest. Come here for that eat where the locals eat vibe.

Kibou, 175 Northcote Rd, London SW11 6QF – Book a Table

No 197 Chiswick Fire Station

I completely forgot about this one but oof what a pretty little place this is. It has a gorgeous terrace that reminds me of sunny dining terraces in LA and the interiors are extremely chic as well (for when we open up again in a month). Food is decent with the usual Modern European fare, it;s a gorgeous little coffee and brunch hot spot to visit with the girls. Not to mention that all white vibe is super cute for the gram too – defo will try get a table here for the summer!

No 197 Chiswick Fire Station, 197-199 Chiswick High Rd, Chiswick, London W4 2DR – Book a Table

Stanley’s Chelsea

Oop another little Chelsea based resty but what can I say, I do love something local, especially when it looks like Stanley’s. Inspired by the classic English Garden, Stanley’s is a hidden oasis in the heart of bustling London. Beautiful food, cocktails and interiors, it’s a bit of a no brainer really and one I have had on my list to visit since last year. Have you been yet?

Stanley’s Chelsea, 151 Sydney St, Chelsea, London SW3 6NT – Book a Table