Top, Best & Fun Rooftop Bars in Barkingside

"The ferns, fig trees and purple African lilies that clamber up the final three storeys of the 'Walkie Talkie' skyscraper are mere wallflowers at this 155m-high rooftop garden – it's the rather extraordinary 360-degree views of London (the best in the City) that make this vast, airport-terminal-like space so popular (advance booking recommended). Located on the 35th floor of 20 Fenchurch St, the Sky Garden has front-row seats for the Shard and vistas that gallop for miles east and west."

"Day 1: Arrive in London, Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour, the London EyeDay 2: Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Whitehall, Covent GardenDay 3: Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Borough Market, Tate Modern, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Sky GardenDay 4: National Gallery, Greenwich, Prime Meridian, Up at the O2Day 5: British Museum, Portobello Road Market, Victoria and Albert Museum, Harrod’s"

"Sky Garden is on top of one of the skyscrapers found in London. You can visit levels 35 through 37 of the "Walkie Talkie" for free—just make sure to book a ticket in advance."

"Occupying what used to be the headquarters of Christian Dior, Sketch is chic, glamorous and trendy. In the Michelin Guide 2020, it was elevated to the maximum three stars, putting it in an elite group alongside Restaurant Gordon Ramsay and Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester. The Lecture Room & Library, at the top of the Grade II listed building, offers haute-cuisine by the extraordinary chef Pierre Gagnaire in a plush setting of studded ivory leather walls, ornate plasterwork ceilings, and rich furnishings in purple and crimson."

"Sketch in Mayfair boasts not only the most Instagrammable bathroom in town, but a stellar food menu – which you can now enjoy at home. Its new delivery service, sketch at home, offers either a four-course meal (with a vegetarian option) or a decadent Sunday roast, featuring a sharing côte de boeuf with all the trimmings. Each comes with instructions advising on how best to reheat and present the dish, plus paired wine."

"If the convivial atmosphere of a bistro or elegance of a fine-dining French restaurant leaves you as cold as a steak tartare, Sketch: The Gallery might just be the answer. A feast for all the senses, this unique concept has an emphasis on bold, progressive ‘new French’ food from chef Pierre Gagnaire and even bolder design from Fourth Plinth commissioned artist David Shrigley. Book a table at a French restaurant now."

"We love the classic schmoozy charm of this place, set in the heart of Theatreland. The food is a little like very upmarket pub food, so think half pints of prawns, fish pies, lobster thermidor (what do you mean you've never seen that down the King's Head?), and platters of shellfish galore. There’s an oyster bar next door, too, which made it onto our list of the best oyster bars in London"

"Sheekey has been a firm favourite for the wealthy and well-known ever since, with the likes of Keira Knightley, Sienna Miller and Bradley Cooper recently spotted dining there. Located in Covent Garden, the fuss-free, deliciously fresh fish menu makes it a faultless dining experience."

"Three summers ago, a group of friends somewhat inexplicably sailed a traditional Dutch Barge from Holland to Hackney Wick and converted her into a floating restaurant and bar. The riverside views across Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and seasonal British menu quickly caught on, and the barge became something of a destination. They've now sprawled into a giant beer garden which seats 300, one of the largest outdoor dining areas in East London."

"Located along the River Lee, Barge East is a great outdoor restaurant in London. Housed in an old Dutch boat, the kitchen also has an extensive canalside terrace with heaters and an indoor ceramic BBQ which give a delicious smoky flavour to dishes."

"Moored along the River Lee in Hackney Wick is the De Hoop, a 100-tonne barge that sailed from Holland to offer seasonal fare and delicious drinks with waterside views. Small plates like nduja scotch eggs with... Top ChoiceIsraeli in The West End"

"Madisons Rooftop Bar, located on the rooftop of One New Change, has some beautiful views over the rooftops of London and St Paul’s Cathedral. Madisons is a very cool bar, however as you would expect given the view and location, it can be very pricey. If you’re only looking to get some Instagram worthy shots to make your friends jealous, you can ignore the bar and head straight to the viewing platform."

"Step out onto Madison's rooftop bar and be dazzled by some of the most Instagrammable views of London. Savour a glass of bubbly as you gaze on neighbouring St Paul's Cathedral, or chill on a day bed with a classic cocktail revisited. Open daily, year-round"

"Madison Roof Terrace is a 6th-floor restaurant that offers stunning views of London from above. It’s just across from St Paul’s Cathedral and offers unobscured views of this Baroque beauty in all its glory. It’s open from midday till late at night."

"Katharina Grosse, 'This Drove my Mother up the Wall', 2017|© Andy Keate. Known for its cutting-edge exhibitions, installations and live art and film events, SLG, which dates back to the 19th century, showcases established British and international figures, as well as emerging artists. In 2016, Gabriel Orozco redesigned the gallery’s rear garden, and in September 2018, SLG expanded across the road into the Fire Station, a converted Grade II-listed Victorian building that provided additional galleries, education rooms, a community kitchen and an archive space."

"What we love about South London Gallery (SLG), a contemporary yet historic art space in Peckham, is that it endeavours to ‘bring art to the people of South London’. Not only does it do this by showing work from never-before-exhibited artists; it hosts educational and immersive art workshops for young people and adults too. Although the gallery is based in its original Peckham Road building, SLG has spread its wings into the old Peckham fire station, and Sceaux Gardens estate, a local artist-designed garden called Art Block for families to enjoy."

"With a reputation for its programme of contemporary art exhibitions, film and performance events, the South London Gallery is an internationally acclaimed contemporary art space. Over the past decade the South London Gallery has featured solo exhibitions by established international figures, as well as those by younger and mid-career artists."

"However, today visitors can still see one remaining section of the palace complex, the Banqueting Hall (fee*) designed by famous architect Inigo Jones with a ceiling painted by Peter Paul Reubens. Today Whitehall is the center of the Government of the United Kingdom and you’ll pass a number of buildings home to various departments and ministries, including the Ministry of Defense and the Cabinet Office. Along this street you’ll also find The Household Calvary Museum (fee*), located in the 18th century stables of the Horse Guards, which gives information on the history of the Household Cavalry and displays a small collection of uniforms and weapons."

"Where: Notting Hill, Fulham, West Hampstead, Camberwell, Selfridges Food Hall. In normal times, you can even learn how to make your own hand rolls with Feng Sushi’s classes - but for delivery, you’re in the hands of their chefs who turn out well-priced sushi. They offer regularly changing specials - like nori tacos or a seaweed tiger roll - alongside more recognisable options."

"Restaurants Chinese Mayfair. Pink cherry blossoms, swathes of rich red velvet and taffeta, a jazz quartet playing – welcome to Park Chinois, Mayfair’s sumptuous take on a 1930s Shanghai speakeasy. It’s a long way from spaghetti and meatballs, but you can indulge your deepest ‘Lady and the Tramp’ fantasies here by ordering the udon ‘carbonara’– an Asian ode to Italian trattoria richness that’s perfect for the restaurant’s slinky boudoir glitz."

"Dripping in decadence, the takeaway menu from Park Chinois is every bit as luxurious as the restaurant’s signature over the top interiors. Kick things off with a whole crispy duck or go all-in with one of the three choices of caviar (although you’ll have to have a spare £100-300 spare for that). Mains include Wagyu beef, Iberico pork, black cod, lobster and king crab."

"The first thing to know about Alan Yau's Mayfair restaurant, inspired by the golden era of French chinoiserie and with more than a nod to old Hollywood glamour, is that it's beautiful. The second is that the live jazz is so good, the vibe so smoochy, it should have an X certificate - the world's first X-rated restaurant. And the third is the food."

": A cross between a Sunday roast and modern Indian cuisine, with live cooking stations offering traditional Indian favourites. Choose from a huge selection of starters, mains, sides and dessert – all of which are included in the set price."

"London’s poshest kebab shop, Sesame comes from the genius Ottolenghi group of deli’s and restaurants dotted around the city. Showing just how good Mediterranean street food can be, there’s no fatty meat rotating on spits here, just gorgeous chunks of spiced lamb and paprika and cardamon chicken, stuffed into fresh, fluffy pittas with hummus and zhoug – a Yemenite green chilli sauce. If kebabs aren’t your thing, the salads give as good as they get too, with swirls of courgette mixed with bulgar wheat, lemon peel and feta, and beetroot decorated with honey, orange and labneh (a strained yogurt)."

"P. F. Chang's blends Asian and American influences to create one unparalleled dining experience. Found in Leicester Square, the bustling restaurant serves plates such as lo mein noodles with chicken, crispy prawns and Mongolian beef with an extensive list of cocktails."

"P.F. Chang's Asian Table is a stunning spot in Leicester Square, cooking up a lip-smacking array of Pan-Asian dishes. On the menu, you'll find red chilli buttery shrimp, sesame chicken and spring rolls to keep you happy throughout lockdown."