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The Resy Guide to London’s Best Heated Terraces

By Resy Staff October 20, 2020

Looking forward to a socially-distanced catchup outdoors, but want to take some insurance against London’s unpredictable springtime weather? We’ve got you. Each of these restaurants is a welcoming third space, replete with excellent food, wine, and hospitality — and protection from the elements. From bounteous seasonal cooking to some of the city’s cosiest hideaways, here are London’s best heated terraces and restaurants to dine outdoors.

Kitty Fisher's

Kitty Fisher's

Mayfair
British
$$$

Rochelle Canteen

Rochelle Canteen

Shoreditch
British
$

Quo Vadis

Quo Vadis

Soho
British
$$

Casa & Plaza Pastor

Casa & Plaza Pastor

Kings Cross
Mexican
$$

SMOKESTAK

SMOKESTAK

Shoreditch
British BBQ
$

Quality Wines

Quality Wines

Farringdon
European
$$

Parrillan

Parrillan

Kings Cross
Spanish
$$

Sager + Wilde Paradise Row

Sager + Wilde Paradise Row

Bethnal Green
European
$

Hicce

Hicce

Kings Cross
International
$$

Barrafina Dean Street

Barrafina Dean Street

Soho
Spanish
$$

Elliot's

Elliot's

London Bridge
British
$$

HWK

HWK

Hackney Wick
Californian
$

Fallow Restaurant

Fallow Restaurant

Mayfair
Gourmet
$$

Fare

Fare

Old Street
Italian
$

Albertine Wine Bar

Albertine Wine Bar

Sheperd's Bush
European
$$

Kudu

Kudu

Peckham
European
$$$

Koya City

Koya City

City of London
Japanese
$

Canton Arms

Canton Arms

Stockwell
British
$

Peckham Cellars

Peckham Cellars

Peckham
Wine
$$

Brunswick House

Brunswick House

Central London
British
$$

The Clarence Tavern

The Clarence Tavern

Stoke Newington
European
$$

Ombra

Ombra

Hackney
Italian
$$$

Stoney Street

Stoney Street

Borough Market
British
$$

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Kitty Fisher's

Mayfair

There are few places better for an intimate dinner on a spring evening than at this Mayfair standout, tucked away on a quiet backstreet. Elevated British classics (like potted crab on toast, or grilled Middlewhite pork chop with treviso) and punchy cocktails make it one to savour.

Rochelle Canteen

Shoreditch

One of London’s most beloved restaurants for its thoughtful take on seasonal British fare and understated, serene surroundings, this Shoreditch classic now has a covered terrace by its garden. Tables have filled fast, so hit that Notify button if you’ve set your heart on dinner here.

Quo Vadis

Soho

A sheltered row of heated, elegantly arranged tables on Dean Street allow the Quo Vadis experience to shine outdoors. Chef Jeremy Lee’s seasonal cooking, shot through with generosity and wit, cossets on the briskest of spring nights; here, simple soups and roasts are outstanding, while a smoked eel sandwich and seasonal pies are some of the best things you can eat in the capital.

Casa & Plaza Pastor

Kings Cross

Easily one of the city’s best locations for an outdoor get-together, Plaza Pastor’s spacious terrace has always been covered and heated — here, it’s business as usual. Sharing plates here are excellent (accompanied with punchy salsas and freshly made tortillas), but it’s just as fun to drop in for some of London’s best tacos and margaritas.

SMOKESTAK

Shoreditch

One of London’s best restaurants for southern-style barbecue, David Carter’s Shoreditch institution has a spacious covered outdoor area, with plenty of benches for groups and heaters to keep things toasty on cool nights. The Texas-style brisket and plenty of bourbon cocktails won’t hurt, either.

Quality Wines

Farringdon

Generous, pitch-perfect pours and some of the best cooking anywhere in the city make the handful of seats outdoors at this wine bar-cum-bistro some London’s most sought-after. Nick Bramham’s food is finessed but unpretentious, thoughtful yet nourishing — in short, a light at the end of the tunnel.

Parrillan

Kings Cross

From the same team behind Barrafina, Parrillan’s showstopping terrace – complete with heaters, sheepskins, blankets and plenty of warming Spanish arroz, soups, and stews – is an idyllic place for a gathering outdoors. Sangria and negronis with a shot of sweet Pedro Ximénez round it out.

Sager + Wilde Paradise Row

Bethnal Green

One of the city’s most distinctive terraces is now heated and covered — gather a small crew to drink natural wine and aperitifs, and go deep on the restaurant’s outstanding French and Italian-style sharing plates.

Hicce

Kings Cross

A chic, covered terrace overlooking Coal Drops Yard is an appropriate place to knock back a few drinks (with over 60 natural wines and espresso martinis on tap) while experiencing chef Pip Lacey’s bold, creative cooking.

Barrafina Dean Street

Soho

This classic Soho tapas restaurant has a covered, heated terrace on Dean Street for crisp croquetas, unimpeachably fresh seafood, and a daily-changing blackboard of Iberian specials.

Elliot's

London Bridge

Ever prepared, this Borough Market standout continues its al fresco run with a covered, heated terrace on Stoney Street. San Sebastian-inspired dishes like Basque cheesecakes and ceps with cured egg yolk are outstanding (as are crisp, fluffy pizzas), but pretty much anything on the menu is a winner.

HWK

Hackney Wick

Just a few minutes from Victoria Park, this hidden gem boasts a cosy outdoor area that also happens to be covered and heated. Brunch is a staple, and evenings see a strong lineup of cocktails paired to comforting dishes like smoked haddock chowder, tuna poke, and chorizo scotch eggs.

Fallow Restaurant

Mayfair

Tucked away in a pretty mews off Piccadilly, this sustainably minded fine-dining restaurant has serious pedigree — two of its founders met at Dinner by Heston. Tuck into innovative and delicious dishes like smoked confit leek, lemon peel pudding with caramel sauce, or a slow-grilled cod’s head with sriracha.

Fare

Old Street

Nitro cocktails, a fantastic lineup of wines by the glass, and excellent pizzas make for the best nights. Michael Sager’s Clerkenwell gem also boasts a sheltered terrace out back, which now comes with the added benefit of full coverage and heaters.

Albertine Wine Bar

Sheperd's Bush

Four precious covered tables outside (and two set aside for walk-ins) keep things warm at this locally-adored Shepherds Bush wine bar and restaurant. Some excellent selections by the bottle and glass form the foundation of a superb night out here, with a small-but-sparkling menu of warming springtime dishes.

Kudu

Peckham

A local favourite — well worth the trip to Peckham — this Queen’s Road staple is one of South London’s finest. Refined but homely, chef Patrick Powell’s takes on classic bistro dishes draw subtle influences from his South African background; outside, two tables for three for walk-ins only — blankets upon request if it gets nippy.

Koya City

City of London

Sheltered from the elements by virtue of its location in the airy Bloomberg Arcade, this acclaimed Japanese restaurant has few drawbacks in terms of the current restrictions. More importantly, traditionally made udon noodles and a startling range of broths make it a worthy choice, while comforting rice bowls (yes, there’s curry) and a rotating cast of specials kick things up a notch.

Canton Arms

Stockwell

One of London’s finest pubs for dining, this Stockwell boozer’s heated terrace is an appropriate meeting place for good old-fashioned bonhomie, along with deftly executed classics from the kitchen. Anything slow-cooked or on toast is a highlight, as are puddings designed to enliven on brisk nights.

Peckham Cellars

Peckham

After pivoting to a nationwide wine delivery service par excellence, this friendly neighbourhood bistro and wine bar reminded their regulars what they were missing when they reopened for dinner. As well as indoor dining, they’ve added heaters to their outdoor terrace on a wide expanse of Queens Road pavement – perfect for knocking back a few drinks with friends.

Brunswick House

Central London

Already in possession of one of London’s most idyllic outdoor spaces, a table in Brunswick House’s garden – both covered and heated – feels worthy of an occasion. Set in the grandeur of a faded Georgian mansion, chef Jackson Boxer’s seasonal British fare both comforts and excites.

The Clarence Tavern

Stoke Newington

This excellent Stoke Newington local has plenty going for it – elegant, uncomplicated cooking, superb ales and cocktails, and best of all for those meeting outside their bubbles, a new roof and heaters for their garden. Roasts and pies are spot-on, and a spread of smaller dishes – smoked haddock croquettes, delica pumpkin soup – provide ample sustenance for drinkers.

Ombra

Hackney

A new trellis and heaters are to be expected of a restaurant that’s led the pack in anticipating how to provide superb hospitality to guests, safely. The set menu is excellent value for those looking to try a bit of everything, while Mitshel Ibrahim’s cicchetti, handmade pastas, and desserts remain exemplary.

Stoney Street

Borough Market

Seasonal comforts abound at this restaurant and wine bar in busy Borough Market. A spacious roadside layout on its namesake street and extra tables beneath the cover of the market itself make for an ideal place to enjoy beautiful salads, comforting braises, and specials like vegan or lamb Turkish manti, courtesy of resident chef Tom Cenci.

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