A year of uncertainty, but one thing is for sure. If someone has made a dinner reservation, don't worry you'll know about it.
Setting our alarms at 6am on a saturday to get in line for a pastry has been great, but from april 12th? The glow of a terrace heater? The security of a table and chairs? The comfort of a waiter shredding our parmasan from a height over our cacio e pepe? Yeah, pastry and a walk can sit this one out.
When boris first announced the roadmap out of lockdown, we had a mild panic at the thought of being thrust into sudden normality. Then we remembered being around other people and the warmth of a meal we haven't had to cook and we knew the fomo would be real if we didn't at least consider future us and get booking. You know what they say, kris jenner works hard but that fear of missing out works harder (people say it).
From april 12th until may 17th, much like the crusty free runs that haven’t been brought in off the front step since the run 5 nominate 5 challenge, boris is keeping us firmly outside until it's safe. It may seem like the big day has slipped our minds but you better believe we've spent the last six weeks deep diving into a restaurant rabbit hole, scanning for outdoor seating updates anywhere from a patch on the patio to expansive 300-cover gardens. We've had to stop ourselves or we'd never be done, such is london.
We've booked some old favourites along with some quirkier spots because while we love the street dining in soho and the open-air food stalls of boxpark and vinegar yard, we thought we'd stand a better chance booking places a bit less done. Scroll down to see where we're booking. Some cute, some boozy, some boujee. Top tip, take a shot every time you see seasonal and small plates, you'll be stumbling to your nearest garden terrace in no time.
Find more all-weather al fresco spots in our COVERED OUTDOOR DINING list.
CUTE
chilled places to ease us in to life outside the bubble
CAROUSEL | MARYLEBONE
alfresco style: courtyard | covered
best for: lunch
Right then...Like many over lockdown, we found love. We haven't met yet but we are well into the stage where their name sit firmly in our recent searches and we've now taken it to the turn post notifications on, and stories too while we're at it level. We're not missing a thing thomas straker posts, we can't afford to! The ex-casa cruz chef has been keeping us going with his unfiltered, uncomplicated recipes on his insta (@thomas_straker) that make you think you too could be whipping up this paccheri with cavolo nero, guanciale, amalfi lemon and pamesan on a tuesday night.
While he's set to launch his own restaurant acre ~ which has been halted due to the pandemic ~ he joined forces with the guest-chef restaurant carousel, releasing a weekly-changing menu of simple crowd-pleasers via instagram stories that sold out instantly ~ hence the need for notifications! Named after his cooking video intros, his right then residency has been extended, and with outdoor dining now a thing we can enjoy it all in the intimate courtyard garden. We will have to remember he doesn't know us like we known him and we definitely shouldn't fan girl...
KISS THE KOALA | MUSWELL HILL
alfresco style: patio dining | covered | heated
best for: brunch
Pretty sure we have these guys to thank for our just-about triple figure daily step count. Just down the road from us, their window made a nice change from the window we spent all day looking at and it gave us korean chicken waffles and a chai to go, win win. (Note: this may not work with any old window in the neighbourhood).
Now that lockdown is lifting, they have been busy prepping the patio with more seating, giant planters and a canopy so we can enjoy their plates of art outside in peace ~ expect fluffy french toast, loaded waffles and smoothie bowls sprinkled with flower petals and love.
26 GRAINS | COVENT GARDEN
alfresco style: courtyard
best for: brunch
Despite porridge having a pretty permanent residency at home, we've been craving the restaurant-grade stuff more than ever, where the liquid:oat ratio is an art form and the temperature never drops a degree. Technicality aside, we are dreaming of any flavours beyond banana and honey, and the nordic spice and cocoa crumb at 26 grains sounds like it could be it. So extra yet so essential.
Tucked away off one of the seven dials, this neal's yard breakfast spot is one of the cutest little nooks to take a breather from theatre land and tourists stopping every five steps to take a photo (only we can do that!). They have a finely-tuned menu of grains, oddly enough ~ think seasonal topped oats, smoothie bowls and muesli. Also find them at stoney street in borough market if a busier atmosphere is what you're after.
EMILIA'S CRAFTED PASTA | ST. KATHERINE DOCKS
alfresco style: marina | covered | blankets
Since sipping pale rose, ip dip doing between superyachts and grazing on local tarte tropezienne is off the cards, st. katherine docks is a welcome substitute. Located along the marina, emilia's crafted pasta is a peaceful spot for incredible fresh pasta and feels a million miles from london.
CRISPIN | SPITALFIELDS
alfresco style: patio dining
best for: lunch
Normally reason to avoid at all costs pre-covid, the city has always been notoriously dead at weekends as the suits flock home to recharge for another week of debauchery...but in 2021 it's the perfect stomping ground for those us not quite ready for the old-normal crowds just yet. Sandwiched between bishopsgate and commercial street, this tranquil limbo space is home to a striking origami pavilion with a 30-cover outdoor terrace. Another all-day spot boasting a menu of low intervention wines, brunch classics, mediterranean small plates and sourdough pizzas.
VARDO | CHELSEA
alfresco style: rooftop + patio dining | covered
best for: lunch
You can't not feel a vision of health eating mung beans, spiced freekeh and other grains in an organic roundhouse of natural woods and stones and floor-to-ceiling wrap-around windows. Vardo, from the people who brought us caravan, is set back in the trees just off the king's road and allows the perfect space to get lost aimlessly people-watching, making up for lost time.
PAVILION ROAD | CHELSEA
alfresco style: pedestrianised mews | covered
best for: lunch
Stumbling across a pretty mews is one thing, but sprinkle in a row of seemingly undiscovered eateries and we'll just about lose it. Just round the corner from vardo you can find just that down the beautiful pavilion road for the european feel of pedestrianised soho without the stress. Head to granger & co. for a classic aussie brunch, plant-based wulf & lamb, the sea, the sea for a champagne and seafood bar vibe and hans' bar and grill for a leisurely, and potentially very liquid, lunch given their extensive cocktail list.
ALBIE AT THE HOXTON | SOUTHWARK
alfresco style: patio dining
best for: lunch
The hoxton southwark joins holborn and shoreditch as the third london ~ and ninth global ~ location for the stylish neighbourhood hotel group. On brand with its exposed brick, deep velvets and vintage rattans, and framed by floor-to-ceiling crittal windows and grand potted plants, albie looks very members-only without the membership. No surprise when the member's club big dogs soho house helped with their artistic flair. Stylish interiors aside, it was their eggbreak and pecking order residencies that sealed the deal. Sadly we can't see our go-to nutella french toast on the menu but it's a good excuse to try the rest of eggbreak, or go wild with hot fried chicken a la pecking order.
HOPPERS | KING'S CROSS
alfresco style: patio dining | covered
best for: dinner
Runny nose, hiccups, the sweats. No we've not confused this for webmd, we're just sharing our checklist for a successful curry experience. Our first taste of the sri lankan heat was at kingly street's kolamba in summer ~ who also have an outdoor dining terrace worth checking out here ~ and we've been dreaming of the spice ever since. Eponymously named after the native crispy bowl-shaped crepe, their egg hoppers are must-orders for the table as the perfect edible mops.
To the untrained eye, a menu of karis and burianis may completely throw you. But the two taste of hoppers menus ~ one vegetarian and one meat ~ are hoppers' way of letting you feel like you are single-handedly pioneering these flavours rather than piggybacking the tour guide in front, clutching a book of common phrases in hand. And that's okay, you're still going out there. These menus are £35 per person and expose you to a selection of short eats, hopper of your choice, kari of your choice and extras including pol sambol. Don't be fooled the ground coconut here, pol sambol delivers a hefty kick with those chillies.
Obsessed with the easy atmosphere of king's cross, we had to book here but their other outdoor terraces can also be found in soho and marylebone.
ECCLESTONE YARDS | BELGRAVIA
alfresco style: courtyard terrace
best for: lunch
Home to the lovely ecclestone yard sunday market where independent food, jewellery and homeware makers come together with live music for a wholesome sunday well spent. Bordering the market are the permanent courtyard restaurants including seasonal cafe/deli/restaurant/events space wild by tart and colombian all-day brunch spot morena. Morena has everything a millennial could need and want, with bright acai bowls and naturally gluten-free latin arepas delivered on pretty pastel plates while the bright open space is fronted with floor-to-ceiling crittal-windows.
WESTERNS LAUNDRY | HIGHBURY
alfresco style: garden terrace | heated | covered
best for: dinner
It doesn't get more neighbourhood than eating out of an old north london laundrette garage, or whatever it used to be. Now it's a seasonal small-plates (double shot) restaurant and it's opened up a covered courtyard to satisfy our outdoor dining needs, with low candlelight, daily-changing blackboard menus and communal benches (although not sure how communal these are mid-covid).
We came to know of the westerns laundry hype during the period of our lives in which we came to navigate london via our viennoisserie senses only and therein discovered their sister bakeries first, stoke newington's jolene and finsbury park's big jo. But they are more than their lockdown pastry provisions; they are a british-meets-spanish seafood restaurant-meets-natural-wine bar whose ethos centres around regenerative farming processes and ethically-sourced day-boat fish in order to reduce their agricultural strain on the planet. Simple.
ROCHELLE CANTEEN | OLD STREET
alfresco style: garden courtyard | heated | covered
best for: lunch
Behind the school bike shed, where all the fun happens. Or in our case where the rude gals could be heard and a really subtle cloud of smoke above could be seen. No, this is a sweet old bike shed in an old school courtyard dotted with rustic canteen benches and folding garden chairs that prepare you for the no-fuss menu but not for the high quality farm-to-fork seasonal produce they're known for. This is where we'd take the person who thinks they've done london because while it's been here a good 12 years, it still harnesses an air of mystery. It is understated and relaxed with a hint of exclusivity, despite it only taking a booking and finding the place to get in. London is so demanding...
COMMON GROUND | FINSBURY PARK
alfresco style: garden terrace
best for: brunch
The casual friend's back garden dining terrace through the back of this café gives us rochelle canteen vibes but with a slightly friendlier bill. The cute garden space feels familiar and is just what we need to ease ourselves back into socialising again. Find brunch classics from turkish eggs to smashed avos or chonky focaccia sandwiches from the counter. They also ferment their own common cultures ~ water kefir drinks famed for outdoing the superfood a-lister, kombucha, in probiotic goodness. Apparently.
Their back garden will open from april 16th initially for walk-ins only. They are also busy working on a weekend dinner menu from mid-may so chilled summer evenings here are pending.
PANTECHNICON | VICTORIA
alfresco style: rooftop terrace | heated | covered
best for: drinks
It is hard to say what was stronger, our waiter's game or the nordic-inspired cocktails. This rooftop oasis is serene and almost spa-like in its bright, airy and green nature but peggy gou playing overhead was enough to tell us this place had a little something about it.
On our first visit, we are handed a list with beef short rib and goat's curd and we amateurly ask for the drinks list. Of course these are drinks, what do we know. They are high-tech, fat-washed cocktails to achieve a savoury flavour sensation. As enthusiastically as our waiter described these, we had no desire to try them but the rest of the menu is a sea of light botanicals. Our waiter said we wouldn't be able to handle the strength of the seaweed martini. Naturally we ordered the seaweed martini and naturally, as soon as the coupe was in sight, legs draping down the glass, we regretted everything. In fairness it was extremely smooth and surprisingly easy to drink despite the apparent fire trickling down our chest.
SANTO REMEDIO | LONDON BRIDGE
alfresco style: patio dining | covered
best for: dinner
Definitely off the beaten track, this family-run mexican sits on a quiet corner of tooley street but santo remedio is anything but dull, boasting a focused menu of vibrant tacos, tequila cocktails and a colourful service to match. They also have the option to add bottomless margharitas, cava or mexican beer for 90 minutes at £30 per person to really get the juices flowing. In a when in rome fashion, we ordered the guac with grasshoppers and found we couldn't stop reaching back for more to give each mouthful a satisfying salty crunch. Tuna tostadas were by far the heroes of the eve but we couldn't fault a thing.
LA GOCCIA AT PETERSHAM NURSERIES | COVENT GARDEN
alfresco style: courtyard terrace | covered
best for: lunch
A little taste of italy in central london, the romantic hidden courtyard tucked away between king street and floral street in the heart of covent garden is the place to accidentally spend all afternoon sipping botanical cocktails with girlfriends or getting swept up in the terracotta tuscan romance for date night.
KUDU | PECKHAM
alfresco style: garden terrace
best for: dinner
We couldn't keep away any longer. There are too many new openings popping up in peckham to keep turning a blind eye, so to make the trip worthwhile we've booked a couple of places to make a day of it. Starting with this family-run neighbourhood restaurant kudu, which focuses on seasonal south african small plates. Inside, it is minimal and distressed but not in the overdone greys and neutrals that we know and do still love. They've kept the patchwork of exposed brick walls and cracked plaster and warmed it up with dusky rose-brown paint, jewel velvet banquettes and bar stools and parquet flooring. More importantly for now, outside is a dainty back garden filled with an eclectic mix of metal wire chairs and wooden benches.
FORZA WINE | PECKHAM
alfresco style: rooftop terrace | heated | covered
best for: drinks
Down the road towards peckham rye, we've booked forza wine for some post-dinner rooftop drinks and expansive views. Head downstairs to their ground level italian restaurant forza win serving up seasonal fare in an old warehouse, featuring a big open kitchen, exposed brick and long communal tables.
BOOZY
places with a bouncy atmosphere
ST. FELIX PLACE
alfresco style: beer garden
best for: drinks
This is a new one from the guys at flat iron square next door and goods way in kings cross. Opening april 14th, we can expect live music, a mix of texas bbq and mexican street food from texas joes abode and loaded focaccia pizza slices from the good slice who provide a meal to people affected by homelessness for every slice sold.
BARGE EAST
alfresco style: beer garden
best for: drinks
Hackney wick can be a funny space with an end-of-the-line eeriness despite being very much not end of the line. But know where to look and you'll find quirky cafes, dreamy canal walks and easy waterside hangouts including barge east which you hear before spotting the beacon of festoon lighting.
SAGER + WILDE
alfresco style: garden terrace
best for: bottomless brunch
Bottomless brunch? For a birthday? Ground-breaking.
May is birthday month and the only thing dry about birthday month should be the weather, so we had to book a liquid lunch at this old railway arch. We found this one on our way to mama shelter and the large pub-garden aesthetic, complete with low-slung festoon lights, drew us in. They do a decent bottomless ~ 1.5 hours £23 bottomless prosecco or bloody mary ~ and we look forward to making that last minute panic decision between 'nuja scrambled eggs, wild boar ragù paccheri and apple and cinnamon french toast already.
BAR DOURO | LONDON BRIDGE
alfresco style: patio dining
best for: dinner
Railway arch, tick. This one wraps itself in the buzz of flat iron square and the spirit of porto and lisbon. With marble counter-top dining, authentic white and blue tilework and a focused menu of grilled portuguese small plates and regional wines, bar douro does everything it can to make us feel like we've escaped the borders without the £5k fine. The wine-barrel seating out front is relaxed enough for a casual evening meal or just a wine, or just a wine that leads to a small plate that leads to another five and before you know it you've sampled the whole of the douro region and beyond.
DAISY GREEN | VARIOUS LOCATIONS
alfresco style: patio & barge-top dining
best for: bottomless brunch
Think loud prints, flower walls and potted plants, this vibrant aussie micro chain has its eggs in many london baskets, each bringing something a little different but ultimately, they're a girls brunch dream. Book bottomless brunch at the outdoor terraces at ziggy green, timmy green, bondi green or darcie and may green. Darcie and may green take top spot both in our hearts and atop the canal boats in paddington with their unique top-deck experience. Clearly something in the water, bondi green overlooking the canal comes in a close second and is kitted out with about as many moods as we have.
For a relaxed affair where you can actually catch up with a friend on their last 365 days, head to any of daisy green, barbie green or the beany greens.
THE NEST AT TREEHOUSE | MARYLEBONE
alfresco style: roof terrace | covered
best for: dinner + drinks
Fronted with a tired grey office block ~ hear us out ~ inside it is anything but. Draped in forest foliage, rattan and exposed wood, this playful treehouse hotel is the perfect escape from oxford street below. The nest is their rooftop bar and terrace where they have curated a brand new spring menu featuring small plates, charcuterie boards, stone-baked flatbreads and a long list of burgers and sandos for something meatier.
While we're here, their mexican restaurant madera is seriously not to be missed. Sadly there's no outdoor terrace but you may as well get going on your indoors bookings now seeing as making reservations have . The food and cocktails are insane and when the sun goes down you may as well be sipping cocktails at scorpios beach bar; with bouncy music and stunning skyline views it's a great spot for date night or a semi bouj girls' night. Go cute and casual for the nest but for madera you could afford a cheeky heel.
BOUJEE
places worthy of your dry-clean onlys
SEABIRD AT THE HOXTON | SOUTHWARK
alfresco style: rooftop terrace | covered
best for: lunch
The hoxton can't get rid of us. Unless you're an influencer promoting lullabelle hair extensions and car fresheners, it's unlikely you'll be getting abroad any time soon either, so to get that mediterranean coastal fix we've booked this one in with more notice than any of our holidays. The sky-high raw bar serves up portuguese seafood and panoramic views, framed perfectly by the large tropical plants. Even the sheer mozzy nets draping either side are a welcome nod to vacay at this point.
AQUA SPIRIT | SOHO
alfresco style: roof terrace | heated | covered
best for: drinks
Above the busiest street in london, aqua spirit somehow manages to set the scene for a relaxing sundowner with cocktails inspired by their japanese and spanish restaurants, aqua nueva and aqua kyoto. Being one of the first bars we discovered beyond the world of watford oceana, it sometimes falls off our radar but as far as rooftops go, this sleek roof terrace ranks very highly for post-work drinks. They aren't taking reservations for the terrace, walk-ins only, which seems very pre-pandemic but if you or a pal work nearby it's worth logging off early to secure a spot.
JIN BO LAW | CITY
alfresco style: roof terrace | covered
best for: drinks
What melts sensually over a gherkin, a cheese grater and a walkie talkie? Only the late summer sun at jin bo law, duh. This roof terrace in the city has become a second home to us; whether we are already out and it's not quite cutting it or we are in need of 100%-fun guaranteed, the bouncy beach bar sounds, glitzy city skyline and the friendliest bar staff keep us coming back every time.
JOLIE JARDIN | CHELSEA
alfresco style: garden terrace | covered
best for: drinks
The chelsea funhouse is opening up a fun champagne garden by worlds end, offering the same french fare from their ground floor jolie restaurant that has been spruced up for our entertainment, with a promise of flamingos, fizz, hotel costes sounds and more flamingos.
JUREMA AT THE MANDRAKE | FITZROVIA
alfresco style: garden terrace
best for: dinner + drinks
Okay, okay. This one also doesn't open up for bookings until may 19th but we couldn't not include the ultimate garden terrace in our round-up. We've been dying to visit here so as soon as booking was available we reserved a spot on the terrace for some sunny (universe, please note) afternoon drinks. There's something about those low bamboo loungers, hanging jasmine and the sun-soaked terrace that calls out for a relaxed pastel trouser suit.
STANLEY'S | CHELSEA
alfresco style: garden terrace
best for: lunch + cocktails
If we didn't spend so much time in this courtyard picking up a phat phuc laksa, we wonder if we'd have ever found this hidden beauty. Despite it only opening last summer 2020, stanley's gives off an old school vibe that feels as though it was never not here. A familiar, relaxing space now with screens between the garden booths to make it more comfortable, sheltered with parasols that have been subtly disguised with blossom. The fact that head chef olivia burt is in her mid-twenties and competed in masterchef: the professionals only makes us more keen to dine here. The limited menu focuses on british produce which, you've guessed it, changes with the seasons (read: seasonal) and cocktails are light and botanical to complete the english country garden feel.
CHA CHA X SISTER JANE | NOTTING HILL
alfresco style: garden terrace
best for: brunch
The latin american bar and restaurant cha cha teamed up with vintage clothing label sister jane to tantalise our taste, travel and fashion buds. The food takes you from day to night with latin-inspired small plates like huevos rancheros, black truffle wagyu empanadas and peruvian-style sashimi while fringe trims, velvet panels and fabulous scalloped banquettes exude a playful, retro glamour all the way out to the roof terrace. If you can't have fun with your outfit surrounded by fash-huns when can you! Clash your prints. Mix those textures. Now is not the time for plain jane.
WHAT WE'LL WEAR
Arguably most exciting of all is having a reason to put together outfits that don't involve bed socks, joggers and a hair mask. Despite being that guy who chills in jeans around the house, over lockdown I did dabble in some loungewear and it was wild! But from tomorrow there will be less time for lounging and more time for smart layering.
Being someone who rarely leaves the house on time ever, layering has always been there to save me from becoming a melting mess on the floor. A stressful game of buckaroo mixed with the floor is lava ensues each journey into work as I peel off items of clothing one by one, balancing them so as not to let a thing touch the tube floor. And with each unlayering, a whole new outfit is unveiled to keep things exciting. Now it will be key so that losing all feeling in our toes is not the reason we are leaving the restaurant early.
5 WAYS TO STAY WARM IN STYLE
BLANKET SCARVES
First thing I did when the roadmap was announced was consider my lack of scarf situation. I figured this would be my biggest downfall in the upcoming alfresco dining scene because not all restaurants can provide a blanket like the petersham. Zara usually have these in abundance each year but I couldn't find any online, so I turned to ASOS and NA-KD and they have some great oversized options to wrap around the whole bod once or twice when the sun goes down.
ROLL NECKS
Adding a roll neck can instantly open up your wardrobe. That summer dress you're saving for that two-week window where it's just warm enough? Layer it over a cream roll neck, now's not the time to be sleeping on your prettiest pieces. Works well under shirts, denim mini dresses, cardis and jumpers. Really loving a roll neck under a crew jumper for a nod to the alpine life we all missed out on this year. Also loving layering a chunky jumper over a midi dress. Opt for a structured jumper to give it shape without looking frumpy.
LEGGINGS
Weird to think leggings were allowed to make a comeback after the trauma of the 2009 jegging, but we all somehow found it in our hearts to give in to the split-front legging all right. But here we're talking about the bog standard legging, preferably 3/4 length and thick. A gym legging. They are ideal for layering up under midi skirts and dresses so on the outside you look cute and stylish, but underneath it all you've got your shit together.
TALL BOOTS
Another way to add layers without adding bulk to your look is with a pair of over-the-knee boots or knee-highs. They would also be a perfect pairing with leggings under a midi dress/skirt or layer over jeans for double-whammy warmth.
BLAZERS
Last but by no means least. The humble blazer. Eaten too much? Blazer. Going to eat too much? Blazer. Not cold enough for a coat? Blazer. Cold even with a coat? Blazer! You get the idea. They look best over a white t and straight leg jeans, but equally harden up anything too twee. A staple blazer needn't be black either, any colour can work as a staple if everything else is kept neutral. My hardest working piece at the moment would have to be this mint green blazer ~ it works with all denim, white, washed-black, blue, leather, light greys, etc.
That's pre-drinks done. See ya out there x
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