It’s a sign of the times that people have started to go back to restaurants and are searching for places with outdoor seating in order to avoid possibly catching the virus. But on a more positive note, this gorgeous heatwave that we’re having most definitely calls for al fresco dining! Here’s a few restaurants that I’ve been to recently, or long been a fan of, that offer outdoor dining. These are also great choices with the current Eat Out to Help Out scheme running.
1. Ziggy Green, Daisy Green Collection.
Ziggy Green is the Mayfair branch of the Daisy Green Collection restaurants. These restaurants of antipodean origin offer relaxed dining and super tasty food with gorgeous individually designed restaurants. Ziggy Green (formerly Little Green) on Heddon pays homage to Ziggy Stardust as the location appears on the David Bowie album of that name. I was invited along to try the restaurants new ‘Ziggy Nights’ with two blogger friends on a deliciously warm night that was perfect for outdoor dining.
Ziggy Nights, also known as Ziggy’s Taqueria features a Tulum-inspired menu available Tuesday-Saturday from 5pm and includes a whole Watermelon magarita fountain which allows you to pour your own drinks from the tap of a watermelon! We had a spread of delicious starters including popcorn prawns, yellowtail tuna ceviche and house guacamole and followed with a selection of tacos using tortillas house made on site.
There’s loads of great options but we loved the Baja fish with avocado, mango and spiced sour cream, the buttermilk fried chicken and the lamb barbacoa. Dessert is the restaurant’s famous Mars Bar cheesecake and tres leches cake. If you’re partial to a tequila there’s a large array on site (mezcal too) with a focus on Mexican family distillers.
My local Daisy Green Collection restaurant, Timmy Green also has outdoor seating and offers a bottomless brunch with free-flowing prosecco.
2. Colbert
Colbert is a French restaurant in Sloane Square that is part of the Corbin & King family of restaurants. With inspiration from French pavement cafes you’d expect top form outdoor dining from this Chelsea-gem. All year round there are tables just outside the restaurant where you can munch on French classics such as Croque Monsieur, Escargots à la Bourguignonne and Soupe à l’Oignon along with a glass of champagne!
For the summer months they are also holding a pop-up ‘Pétanque in the Square,’ a totally open air bar with the option to play French-style boules. The cocktail bar is in association with Lillet and is serving Lillet spritz cocktails such as the ‘Lillet Pamplemousse Spritz’, Lillet blanc with pink grapefruit juice, a dash of honey and rose water, topped with crémant and the classic ‘Lillet Blanc Spritz’, Lillet blanc with tonic water along with light snacks.
The bar is open Wednesday to Friday from 12.00-9.00pm and 12-9:30pm on Saturdays and 12-8pm on Sundays.
3. Wright Bros, Battersea Power Station
I’m probably extremely late to the party here but I recently ‘discovered’ Battersea Power Station which is kind of crazy as it’s only a ten minute drive from me. Right on the River Thames, Circus Village West is a bustling complex of restaurants, bars and shops in the shadow of this repurposed landmark. There’s plenty of lovely restaurants here (I loved Meghan’s too) but
Wright Bros is perfect if you’re a seafood lover, like me! The Battersea Power Station branch is one of five restaurants in the group and serves the most amazing Mediterranean seafood as well as classics from the Wright Bros fold.
We ate the most delicious prawns, mussels and clams and Oscar loved it too!
4. Hush
I’ve been a fan of
Hush in Mayfair for years and recently attended at event with JJ Whittley Gins and Vodka. The terrace is a gorgeous place to enjoy a cocktail or lunch from the brasserie-style menu.
5. Wild By Tart
Wild by Tart in Belgravia has become a firm favourite with me and my mum friends. It’s located in Eccleston Yards which an outdoor courtyard and wellness hub with plenty of space for our babies to scamper around. Wild by Tart itself has large restaurant space located in a former power station and serves small plates of fresh seasonal ingredients. At the moment they have a summer pop up which allows for plenty of social distancing.
6. The Ivy Chelsea Garden
Few restaurants in London allow the luxury of dining in a beautiful garden, but the
Ivy Chelsea Garden is one of the best in town! The Ivy group have become famous for their consistently good food served all day and priced very reasonably. I would definitely recommend taking a seat here for the famous shepherd’s pie or lobster spaghetti!
7. Chiltern Firehouse
Still one of London’s coolest hangouts, I stopped by there for a frosé the other day! The menu is great for brunch and there is a gorgeous outdoor terrace to enjoy the sunshine.
8. The Thomas Cubbitt
Parisian pavement cafes have fully made their way to London as restaurants and pubs expand their capacity onto the street in front. One of my favourite pubs,
The Thomas Cubbitt is doing just that! You can find this gastropub on the famous Elizabeth Street in Belgravia where a menu of locally sourced seasonal food is served. They have a great kids menu too!
9. The Garden Terrace Dinner by Heston Blumenthal at The Mandarin Oriental London
This two Michelin-starred restaurants has opened up the dining room, spilling on an al fresco terrace over looking Hyde Park. Expect top level cuisine from the king of Molecular Gastronomy and be sure to try the famous Meat Fruit and the Tipsy Cake.
Read my full review here.
10. Sushi Samba, Covent Garden
When one of my favourite restaurants opened a branch in Covent Garden, I was delighted. Even better,
Sushi Samba have now expanded the central London restaurant to include a beautiful outdoor terrace. Dine here for top notch sushi and views of the Piazza.
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