Mentioned by Hot Dinners
The very best restaurants in London for eating alfresco
"One of the undisputed leaders of the craft beer movement, Camden beer is becoming increasingly easy to find away from the capital (great for us country folk), but it’s best enjoyed in Camden itself. Completely unpretentious and genuine about their passion for brewing and quest for the perfect pint, if you want to experience them at their best head to their Brewery Bar (home of the original Hells lager). Best Brew– Hells, 4.6% – The original and still their best work."
"See how top beers including Camden Hells Lager and Camden Pale Ale are brewed by joining a tour of the Camden Town Brewery in Kentish Town. Either drop in on a Saturday between 1 and 2 p.m. for a 30-minute informal tour or book a tour in advance on Thursday or Saturday for a more in-depth look at brewing techniques and the chance to taste several beers straight from the tank."
"To call Mercato Metropolitano a food hall is really to do it a disservice – this is one of London’s best foodie spots, with an emphasis on urban farming and community. Featuring two huge halls of street food stalls, you can pretty much eat your way around the world just by meandering between Mercato Metropolitano’s food offerings.In particular, don’t miss the authentic Spanish tapas of Abel or the to-die-for ice cream at Badiani. Opening Hours: Monday to Friday between 8am and 11pm (12am on Fridays), 11am to 12am on Saturdays and 11am to 10pm on Sundays."
"London’s popular Italian food halls—found in Mayfair and Elephant & Castle—are back with their brilliant street food offerings Wednesday through till Sunday, for takeaway and deliveries only. Meanwhile, MM Grocery will continue to stay open throughout the week. Hand sanitisers will be out in both venues and social-distancing measures will apply."
"Venture over to Mercato Metropolitano and you'll find a great atmosphere, craft drinks aplenty and a treasure trove of dining stalls to choose from. As one of the city's ultimate food halls, this Elephant & Castle beauty is guaranteed to be busy all-year-round with regulars and newcomers alike."
"Fourpure’s location at the back of a fairly unlovely trading estate would be — otherwise — the last place you’d choose to spend a Saturday afternoon. However, read the tap list on the monitor behind the bar, and you’ll know you’re in the right place. The bar carries 16 lines, dispensing the brewery’s core range, many more of their somewhat leftfield beers, and the odd guest draught."
"Fourpure's stylish industrial taproom is nestled within their brewery site in Bermondsey, offering 40 taps of fresh craft beer from the taps. If you fancy taking home a souvenir, they sell takeaway cans and plenty of merch for craft beer fans."
"Founded in 1666, Truman's is one of London's most prolific breweries. After a brief hiatus. the brand is back and it's got grand plans, including this incredible outdoor space in Walthamstow."
"Drink authentic German-style beer from German KRAFT Brewery, straight from the tank and locally brewed in Mercato Metropolitano. Pick from the all-year-round Pale Ale, Helles Lager and German wheat beer, or try a seasonal one full of character – all beers are unfiltered and unpasteurised which makes them suitable for vegans."
"While the name sounds more like a 19th-century American railroad company than a Notting Hill eatery, make no mistake: there's little that isn't cutting-edge about this Pan-Asian fave. Indeed, culinary innovation and well-planned gambles pay big dividends at e&o, thanks to portions of dim sum, tempura, sashimi, curry, and the now-legendary black cod - all artfully presented and sinfully delicious. The restaurant's atmosphere is defined by its dark-stained furniture, Asian aesthetics, and celebrity sightings."
"Another Notting Hill favourite, E & O is a sought after eatery renowned for its Pan-Asian plates and cool dining atmosphere. For gourmet dishes of Chinese and Japanese persuasion, enjoy the vibrant cuisine of E & O and maybe even brush shoulders with some famous faces. Fronting an informal dining physique you never know, you could enter a whole new friendship circle."
"It does a wonderful dim sum brunch, and, by night offers tasty sushi and tempura. E&O can also be booked for special events like private dinners and parties."
"Raffles is the epitome of exclusive and VIP London clubbing. Extremely restrictive, Raffles is for the fortunate and the privileged of London. Founded in 1967, it is one of the oldest London members clubs on the scene, and has enjoyed success for almost half a century."
"Fulham Palace is a site dedicated to tracing its own history. Items found on the palace's grounds date all the way back to prehistoric times; the archaeological finds are part of the museum's impressive collection of artifacts and objects. The site has been a residence of the Bishops of London since 704 and played a major role as a hospital during World War I and a refugee spot during World War II."
"A beautiful open garden, glasshouses, flowers in bloom, and brick walls, all in a place less visited by tourists which make for one great location for a photo shoot or a private event. And if you’re looking for some diversity, just walk a few steps out of Fulham Palaceand you’re right on the shore of river Thames."
"The Davies Alpine House is a somewhat different greenhouse, it is quite long (16m) and high (10m) and was designed to provide ideal conditions, fresh with natural wind for the best conditions the mountain plants. The collection features a wide range of campanulas, dianthus, small ferns, helichrysum, small lavenders, primulas, saxifrage, thymus, tulips and verbascums along with lesser known species."
"Many of the plants at Kew couldn't survive in Britain's grey, damp climate. The Davies Alpine House supports those that thrive in dry, cool, windy conditions of mountainous areas such as succulents and campanulas,"
"A recent opening in south west London's Balham is the Red Duck, a quaint eatery off the main high street with a terrace outside and casual seating inside. Priding itself on expertly sourced ingredients (duck from Northern Ireland, British beef), the contemporary menu offers a a modern twist on classic Chinese dishes. Must tries include the aubergine and tofu in black bean sauce, the three mushroom fried rice, char siu pork and panko prawn balls snack starter."
"The Red Duck officially opened in the pre-Christmas period when the long winter lockdown was imminent. As a result, the majority of its growing customer base have only been able to sample its modern Cantonese specialties via home delivery. The Balham restaurant is the first solo venture of chef Chi San, who has worked in the industry for 30 years with a stint under the formidable British-Chinese restaurateur Alan Yau."