Mentioned by Absolutely.London
Outdoor Dining: 40 of London's Best Al Fresco Restaurants
"Tucked behind the heart of Theatre Land on St Martin’s Court, the red facade of J Sheekey’s fish, shellfish and seasonal game restaurant is nothing short of iconic. Sheekey’s is as famous and as much a part of the West End as the actors and theatregoers who frequent it pre- or post-show and it’s been top of its game for over 100 years. Devour seafood platters or pop in for oysters and a glass of Champagne or head next door to the more casual, but just as loved, J.Sheekey Atlantic Bar."
"It’s a piece of prime gastronomic real estate, but M&Ms aside, there isn’t much to eat in Leicester Square itself. A claw-cracker’s throw from the neon, though, is some of London’s best seafood, courtesy of J."
"Sitting atop the South Place Hotel, Angler makes apparent early on its elegantly versatile nature. With "sustainable seafood from British waters, paired with the best seasonal and local produce", as well as world-renowned sommelier Benoit Allauzen, Angler is a double-hitter, and might just be the wine-enthusiast's seafood paradise. Their tasting menu includes everything from smoked eel to minestrone, and they offer a Sunday BBQ which reinvents the form: mackerel-squid sliders, prawn and pork belly skewers, and Cornish cod goujons."
"Perched atop South Place Hotel, Angler’s 40-seat west-facing roof terrace boasts lovely views of the city. Chef Gary Foulkes heads up the Michelin-starred kitchen, which serves up a fish-focused menu of dishes like Cornish turbot with scallop stuffed courgette and Dorset crab with bouillabaisse sauce. anglerrestaurant.com"
"South Place Hotel, 3 South Place, Moorgate, London, EC2M 2AF. The proud holder of a Michelin star, Angler in The City also boats an outdoor terrace and a stunning seafood-focused menu. Don’t skip a tartare to start and go all in on lobster for mains."
"Rub shoulders with the A-listers on Scott’s terrace – many a celeb has been papped dining al fresco at the Mayfair institution. The food lives up to the hype with a menu dedicated to the finest traditional fish and shellfish dishes alongside meat and seasonal game favourites, all paired with some seriously good cocktails – we’re big fans of the crisp Green Apple Bellini. Food-wise, the menu is decadent to say the least (come with deep pockets), from caviar to oysters, lobster to whole dover sole, but it’s without a doubt one of those places you have to tick off the list."
"What: Owned by the people behind The Ivy, Scott’s has earned its place as a London institution and rightly so. Come here for service that will make you feel like a VIP and, decadent seafood dishes, and Champagne by the magnum. Once you’ve made the decision to go to Scott’s it would seem wrong to order anything other than a whole lobster, or at minimum a whole fish on the bone to share.Where: 20 Mount Street, Mayfair, W1K 2HE"
"Restaurants Seafood Mayfair"
"The seas surrounding our little island are home to some of the best oysters on the planet – a fact Wright Brothers knows only too well. This crop of London restaurants began life as a Borough Market seafood merchants, and it still supplies oysters and seafood to more than 300 restaurants across the capital. Inside its own five restaurants, Wright Brothers serves a seasonally changing selection of oysters from across England, Ireland and occasionally France, which punters can enjoy dressed, smoked and cooked with variations including tempura fried with bonito flakes and sweet miso, or ceviche-style with lime and chilli."
"The seafood experts of Spitalfields (shown in lead image) focus heavily on responsible sourcing. And, having their own wholesale branch, they are heavily involved in how they get their produce. Fresh and sustainable seafood is key, ensuring the menu is always changing, depending on what was caught that day."
"Not everyone has an appetite for oysters and shellfish, sometimes all you fancy is a decent fish and chip supper. Hook in Camden has its favourites - famous tacos, nibbles and specials - but it’s the “new school” plates that will definitely fill a gap. There’s the Classic (fresh cod or haddock in panko breadcrumb with homemade seaweed salted chips and homemade tartar sauce on the side); the Cajun Fresh (cod/haddock in panko breadcrumbs and cajun spices with homemade seaweed salted chips and homemade cajun sauce on the side); or the Lemon & Basil (fresh cod/haddock in lemon and basil tempura with homemade seaweed salted chips and homemade garlic truffle sauce on the side)."
"What: Hook doesn’t put on any airs and graces, but instead offers up solid seafood cookery in tried and tested classics, with the odd contemporary twist. The go-to choice here is the classic fish and chips, which gave Hook its name, but we suggest giving the Cajun-style version a go; it comes battered in panko breadcrumbs and Cajun spices and is accompanied by seaweed-salted chips.Where: 65 Parkway Road, NW1 7PP"
"Serving anything in a skillet pan and offering the option of grilled bone marrow (don’t knock it till you’ve tried it) screams splendour, but the food here is also well sourced and great-tasting. Already hailed (by us) as one of the best fry ups in town, their breakfast for twoincludes smoked bacon chop, short rib bubble and squeak, meaty grilled bone marrow, trotter baked beans and trademark HP gravy. It’s the mightiest, meatiest brekky there is."
"One of London’s best steakhouses (if not THE best), this place is also famous of one of the best desserts in London. You’ll find one of the best desserts in London behind its doors. The sticky toffee pudding at Hawksmoor is delectable and something you have to try."
"Restaurants British Seven Dials"
"Covent Garden — London’s tightly packed, brightly hit hub of pubs, cobbles, and theatres — is about as far from coastal tranquility as it’s possible to get. That’s before stepping into Parsons, accurately self-described as unassuming — the kind of unassuming that betrays quiet, rigid confidence in the seafood offer. Squid with inky rice, honking potted shrimp croquettes, and a whispering sea trout tartare with brisk Bloody Mary jelly: start here, and continue."
"What: If there was one word to describe Covent Garden’s Parsons, it would be unassuming. It would be easy to miss the small seafood joint, owned by the team behind The 10 Cases over the road, but venture inside and you’ll be treated to some delightful cookery. Setting the scene with green and white fishmonger-style tiles, Parsons has a jolly persona."
"Restaurants Seafood Covent Garden"
"Lose yourself amongst the stone pines, olive trees, and cypresses of this typical Mediterranean landscape. The King William's Temple stands in the middle of the garden, lending a sense of grandeur to the vibrant landscape."
"Amazing Kew Gardens in the southwest neighbourhood of Kew is one of London’s most picturesque parks; 132 hectares of gardens and botanical glasshouses that that house the world’s most diverse collection of living plants. Kew Gardens was founded in 1840 and is today London’s largest UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with beautiful glasshouses, including the iconic Palm House and its exotic rainforest. There’s a magical children’s garden, the fantastic Treetop Walkway that soars into the tree canopy at a height of 18 metres, and Kew Palace, the former summer residence of King George III."
"12 km from city center 9 out of 40 places to visit in London. A World Heritage Site, London’s Kew Gardens is famous for its sprawling landscape and an impressive collection of flora and fauna. It is home to the world’s most diverse and enchanting species of flora, spread over 121 hectares, and in existence for more than 250 years."
"Whether you’re a fan of gardens or not, Kew Gardens is one of the most beautiful places in London. The Hive is a unique new structure exploring the story of the honey bee, and children will love the Treetop Walkway. Best shot: the Waterlily House or the spiral staircase make for superb captures."
"The restaurant has been around for 38 years — possibly the oldest Japanese restaurant in the UK. Kenichi Ikeda, the second-generation owner, acts as restaurant manager, with his brother supporting the operation as chef. The menu is wide reaching, traditional but top-notch and full of seasonal wow moments."
"The ultimate in rustic charm, complete with a real meadow on its doorstep, Petersham Nurseries and its magical hothouse café provide perfect balm for frazzled urbanites. Sit at one of the rickety tables and enjoy some seasonal Italian-inspired food against a backdrop of palm trees, scented jasmine, antique mirrors and Indian blinds. Richmond’s ‘ladies who lunch’ wisely book well ahead for the chance to eat here."
"Church Lane, off Petersham Road, Richmond, Surrey, London, London, TW10 7AB. Prices are high at this remote café/teahouse/shop, but it’s a unique spot worth visiting at least once. Many of the ingredients used in the seasonal Italian dishes are sourced from the beautiful walled garden of Petersham House, so seasonality and up-the-the-minute freshness are guaranteed."
"A celebrated destination in the well-heeled London suburb of Richmond, Petersham Nurseries mixes internationally renowned horticulture and cuisine inspired by the garden's best available produce. By supporting small farmers and artisan producers…"
"Cay Tre is a Shoreditch institution, having been doing its thing since 2001. It’s one of the top authentic and traditional Vietnamese restaurants in east London and it’s a cheap eat that rocks. We love the charm of the place, which is a polite way to say it’s a little rough around the edges, but that doesn’t seem to affect its popularity at all."