London’s best terraces and outdoor dining spots for spring 2026

As London shakes off the last of winter, the city’s restaurants and bars are opening their doors – and their terraces – for the season ahead. From rooftop perches with skyline views to tucked-away garden hideaways, the capital’s outdoor dining offer in 2026 is notably varied in character: neighbourhood pubs newly opened, long-established delis, and destination restaurants alike have invested in their al fresco spaces. The selection here spans central London to East London, with stops in Holland Park, North Kensington, and the City, covering a range of price points and occasions. What unites them is a considered approach to both food and setting – places worth seeking out as the evenings lengthen and temperatures, eventually, begin to climb.

 

The Mandrake, Fitzrovia

The Jurema Terrace at The Mandrake offers one of central London’s more distinctive outdoor drinking experiences. Suspended jasmine and passion flowers form a canopy overhead, creating a sense of enclosure that softens the surrounding city considerably. The cocktail list leans into the botanical setting: the Flores Sana (£23) combines white truffle-washed Grey Goose vodka with passion fruit, lime, and lion’s mane mushroom – a savoury, considered drink that rewards attention. It is primarily a drinks destination rather than a dining one, but the atmosphere is sufficiently well-constructed to justify a visit on its own terms. Best suited to early evening, when the light through the greenery is at its most effective.

For further information on The Mandrake and to book visit here.

Fallow, St James’s

Fallow has established itself as one of London’s more talked-about restaurants since opening, and its wrap-around terrace in St James’s adds a useful outdoor dimension to the offer. Chef-owners Will Murray and Jack Croft built their reputation on sustainability-led cooking and dishes that have, on occasion, gone viral – the Smoked Cod’s Head and Mushroom Parfait among them. The terrace is equipped with heaters and blankets, making it functional beyond the warmest days, and it is lined with greenery that provides some visual separation from the street. The Oyster Shell Martini is the signature drink order. Available for lunch and dinner, it suits both a quick after-work stop and a longer, more considered meal.

For further information on Fallow and to book visit here.

Panzer’s, St John’s Wood

Panzer’s has been a fixture of St John’s Wood for eight decades, and its terrace has evolved into something considerably more animated than the deli format might imply. The food offer is broad: Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese Bagels and Rotisserie Chicken sit alongside London-style pizzas from Circus Pizza’s head chef Kit Delamain. Beyond the menu, the space operates as a venue in its own right, hosting supper clubs, live jazz evenings, and fermentation workshops as part of a rotating events programme. It has long attracted a loyal and well-known clientele, though the terrace’s appeal is democratic enough. A useful option for St John’s Wood and for visitors to the area looking for something with more character than the standard neighbourhood offer.

For further information on Panzer’s, visit the website here.

Umbrella Cider House, Bethnal Green

Umbrella Cider House occupies a particular niche: it is, by its own account, London’s only working cider house, producing its own presses on-site from Dabinett apples and single-origin British fruit juices. The team behind it – also responsible for The Sun Tavern and Discount Suit Company – brings an established track record in considered East London drinking venues. The cider range includes a clean rhubarb expression made with dessert apples and freshly pressed rhubarb, and a blackcurrant and cherry blend with a notably sharp finish. Beyond cider, the venue serves local beers on tap, wine, and bottled cocktails. A 60-capacity al fresco terrace, live entertainment, and guest food from local traders complete the offer for summer.

For further information on Umbrella Cider House and reservations, visit the website here.

The Refinery Bankside, Southwark

The Refinery Bankside is relaunching its terrace this summer in partnership with Italian aperitivo Sarti Rosa. The terrace itself has been redesigned around the collaboration – florals, soft furnishings, and fairy lights – though the underlying location, a short walk from Southwark station and Borough Market, remains its most straightforward selling point. The drinks menu covers the Sarti Spritz in several variations alongside Campari and Aperol options, and an alcohol-free Crodino Spritz for those not drinking. The food menu from Drake & Morgan includes Monkfish Satay Skewers, Crispy Prawn Tacos, and Grilled Tuna with Tamarind Dressing – a range broad enough to support an evening rather than just drinks.

For further information on The Refinery Bankside, visit the website here.

Galvin Bistrot & Bar, Spitalfields

Galvin Bistrot & Bar is launching a dedicated summer terrace on the 8^th of May, developed in partnership with Château Sainte-Marguerite Cru Classé de Provence. The collaboration puts Provençal rosé at the centre of the outdoor offering, with the Symphonie and Fantastique expressions available by the glass, carafe, or bottle, alongside a Rosé Spritz made with Mancino Vermouth and rhubarb and raspberry tonic. The terrace food menu is designed for sharing: House-marinated Gordal Olives, Chorizo Croquettes, Brie on Toast with truffle honey, and a selection of cured meats. Head Chef Fabio Portaluri’s broader Mediterranean menu, rooted in seasonal British produce, is available throughout. The location, just off Spitalfields Market, makes it well-placed for both after-work visits and longer weekend lunches.

For further information on Galvin Bistrot & Bar, visit the website here.

The Royal Horseguards Hotel, Whitehall

The Terrace at The Royal Horseguards Hotel has recently reopened, occupying a position alongside Whitehall Gardens with views of the London Eye and the surrounding skyline. The hotel’s history is well-documented – Churchill and Lloyd George among its former guests – and the terrace draws on that heritage without being defined by it. The 2026 menu has been refreshed with seasonal British ingredients: Oak Smoked Salmon, Burrata with Heritage Beetroot, and Crispy Squid among the starters, with Chicken, Ham Hock and Leek Pie and Beer-Battered Fish and Chips as more substantial options. The drinks list includes several seasonal cocktails, among them a Terrace Spritz with Beefeater 24 gin and elderflower tonic. The terrace is dog-friendly, which, in practical terms, is a meaningful distinction for many visitors.

For further information on The Royal Horseguards Hotel and reservations, visit the website here.

Food Desk