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Whilst a selection of decadently, rich, pungent dishes - pot roast and lamb stew, we’re looking at you - may have seen us through the desolate, bleak nights of winter, there’s nothing quite like the arrival of those long-awaited summer days, and the promise of al fresco dining that they hold.
Whether we’re presented with the opportunity to sip on some bubbles from the AllBright Members Club’s meticulously curated Perrier-Joüet Champagne menu, or follow our noses to Newington Green’s Jolene Bakery and Restaurant for a bite from their delectable, ever-changing menu. Needless to say, the choices are endless and whilst we could go on about them all day, making ourselves salivate in the process, we’ve dug our metaphorical forks into the best ones London has to offer.
1) LUCA
Scented by olive trees, meandering jasmine and illuminated by the sun rays which soak through a glass tarpaulin, it’s LUCA’s imperturbable milieu, paralleled only by Chef Robert Chamber’s overseeing of an Italian enthused menu, from parmesan fries to burrata with Italian peas, paired together with punctiliously chosen alcoholic beverages and concluded by an offering of piquant desserts, that makes it one of London’s most applauded dining rooms.
Address: 88 St John St, London, EC1M 4EH | Website: luca.restaurant | Phone: +44 020 3859 3000 | Email: hello@luca.restaurant | Instagram: @luca.restaurant | Facebook: @Lucarestaurantlondon
2) Sabine
Having thrown open its doors in the spring of 2021, this rooftop bar is one which has risen to prominence over the years and left its own indelible signature on the gastronomy scene, the electrifying perspectives of St Paul’s Cathedral, which could be appreciated from its two outdoor terraces, one with a retractable roof, aside. On the menu, expect to encounter an array of impressive cocktails accompanied by a delectable offering of snacks to enjoy with friends.
Address: 10 Godliman St, London, EC4V 5AJ | Website: sabinelondon.co.uk | Email: sabinestpauls@leonardhotels.co.uk | Instagram: @sabinerooftopbar | Facebook: @SabineRooftopBar
3) Chiltern Firehouse
Whilst situated outdoors, it’s the imposing redbrick fireplace, and variegated cover that plays host to an array of suspended plants and lanterns which gives Chiltern Firehouse an understated but appreciable helping of pizzazz. Helmed by Executive Chef, Richard Foster, the menu places an emphasis on seasonality and reinvention, making it the perfect place to sink your teeth into a wood-fired Margarita pizza or indulge in Roasted Native Lobster.
Address: 1 Chiltern St. London, W1U 7PA | Website: chilternfirehouse.com/restaurant | Phone: +44 020 7073 7676 | Email: RESTAURANT@CHILTERNFIREHOUSE.COM | Instagram: @chilternfirehouse
4) Petersham Nurseries Richmond
With its waterfalls of brilliantly hued flora and fauna, rustic homespun wooden tables and buttery-soft bohemian cushions, this is a restaurant which is right at home in Richmond, a small, idyllic town just south-west of London. Be sure to round off your afternoon spent feasting on lightweight dishes such as pumpkin gnocchi and roasted cauliflower, by stepping into their tranquil nursery before heading to Richmond Park for a stroll.
Address: Church Lane, off Petersham Rd, Richmond, TW10 7AB | Website: petershamnurseries.com/restaurants/#petersham-nurseries-restaurant | Phone: +44 020 8940 5230 | Email: res.richmond@petershamnurseries.com | Instagram: @petershamnurseries | Facebook: @petershamnurseries
5) The Garden at Corinthia London
The English capital comes alive in summer and whilst there’s nothing quite like it, hours spent navigating bustling sidewalks, neatly walking through throngs of people and coming to terms with the always head-spinning underground, can make even the most steadfast Londoner fatigued and crave a moment of peace and quiet. That’s where this outdoor slice of heaven, with a menu comprised of a host of mouth-watering dishes and refreshing beverages, comes in handy.
Address: Whitehall Place, London, SW1A 2BD | Website: corinthia.com/london/restaurants-bars/the-garden | Phone: +44 20 7930 8181 | Email: london@corinthia.com | Instagram: @corinthialondon | Facebook: @corinthiahotellondon
6) Dalloway Terrace
Offering everything from salmon carpaccio to seared tuna niçoise with both serving as one of the many dishes that seem like the perfect accompaniments to the créme brûlée and fondant also on the menu for dessert, Dalloway Terrace is a staple on the al fresco gastronomy scene. Its ethical and sustainable philosophies have also translated into a collaboration with Neals Yard Remedies, which has seen the space permeated with the sights and scents of summer.
Address: 16-22 Great Russell St, London, WC1B 3NN | Website: dallowayterrace.com | Phone: +44 020 7347 1221 | Email: reservations@dallowayterrace.com | Instagram: @dallowayterrace | Facebook: @DallowayTerrace
7) Daphne's
Over the course of its 59 years, Daphne's has cultivated its reputation as one of the most applauded Italian restaurants around thanks to its delectable menu which pays homage to its roots, whilst offering culinary delights catalysed by both land and sea, think Spaghetti Alle Vongole and Summer Chanterelle Risotto. If that’s not enough motivation to run, not walk to this subtly elegant restaurant, punctuated with white tablecloths, rattan chairs and fringed lampshades we don’t know what is!
Address: 112 Draycott Ave, London, SW3 3AE | Website: daphnes-restaurant.co.uk | Phone: +44 020 7589 4257 | Instagram: @daphneslondon | Facebook: @daphneslondon