Mentioned by Time Out London
London’s best outdoor dining
"This West End institution takes its name from market trader Josef Sheekey, who, in the 1890s, was granted permission by Lord Salisbury to serve fish and seafood in St Martin’s Court provided he supply after-theatre meals to Salisbury’s guests. More than a century on, it remains an established favourite with the capital’s glitterati, who you can often spot slurping oysters or tucking into the famous fish pie post performance. In 2008 it expanded to include the J Sheekey Atlantic Bar next door for a slightly less formal experience, featuring a buzzing open kitchen and ample outdoor seating for relaxed al fresco dining."
"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."
"J Sheekey, aka “Sheekey’s,” has been a major player on the West End fish and shellfish scene since the 1890s. It is as dependable as it is theatrical, and the exemplary fish pie’s velvety cream sauce over cod, salmon and haddock makes it a comfort-food superstar."
"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"
"Perched at the top of South Place Hotel, Angler is a Michelin-starred restaurant with a beautiful rooftop terrace, showcasing sustainable seafood from British waters with the best seasonal and local produce."
"A seasonal delight at Angler, on top of the South Place Hotel, is the rooftop terrace with views across the city. A retractable roof extends the availability of coveted terrace sea..."
"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"
"This Mayfair institution has long been famed for its glorious terrace, where the tables have always been suitably distanced and heaters keep you warm as you sup oysters and crack into the freshest seafood around. For the reopening, the team has collaborated with Perrier-Jouët Champagne, so guests can rest assured the finest cuvees will be on offer."
"Scott’s is a London restaurant that holds fast against its glamour and quality fading, with its terrace still one of the most coveted reservations in the city and its seafood cookery still some of the most outstanding."
"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."
"At its best, seafood relies on unpredictability, freshness trumping all, so calling this shoal of restaurants across London “dependable” might come across the wrong way. That said, a reliable supplier is a good one, and Wright Brothers — which gets much of its catch from its own wholesale operation — offers up daily specials alongside dishes served everyday. Whether fish soup and rouille, a pint of Atlantic prawns, or Cornish sardines on toast, it’s quality fish treated well."
"The Wright Brothers have made seafood many things: sustainable, curated, and very cool. Embedded in Spitalfields Market within a stone's throw of folksy menswear boutiques and the vintage racks, The Wright Brothers seem to have absorbed the identity of the east for their latest addition to their set of restaurants and oyster bars. But all that brassy, stylish veneer hasn't distracted from the Wright Brothers's commitment to taste and sustainability."
"The food at Italian seafood restaurant Baccalà is precisely the kind of food you want to eat outside, ideally in a sun soaked piazza surrounded by Baroque architecture, though its London location is pretty lovely too. Baccalà is on Bermondsey Street and the pavement tables look out onto the classical architecture of the area, with a particularly captivating house and pretty chapel directly opposite. The food, however, is most certainly the main focus, as the talented chef chooses the best fish of the day or season and prepares a menu to showcase it."
"In a nutshell: Italian seafood and wine for Bermondsey Where is it?. Unit B3, 194-204 Bermondsey Street, London SE1 3TQ Why should you care?. Two Italian friends are behind this new seafood restaurant and wine bar on Bermonsey Street where the Italian wine selection is every bit as important as the fresh and raw fish being served up."
"What: There is something captivating about dining in a market, and Chamberlain’s position in the atmospheric labyrinth of Leadenhall is no different. The longstanding restaurant, which has been open since 1947, serves a menu of impeccable fish dishes, all of which come beautifully presented. Opt for classic combinations such as Orkney scallops with lardo or treat yourself to the most indulgent of dinners and order the turbot with truffle.Where: 23-25 Leadenhall Market, EC3V 1LR"
"Located right in Diagon Alley – better known to muggles as Leadenhall Market – is this behemoth of a restaurant. It spans three floors, has its very own outdoor terrace within the historic market, and boasts a total of four private dining rooms. Moreover, as it’s owned by the prestigious Billingsgate wholesaler Chamberlain & Thelwell, it has access to the very best seafood in town."
"What: For those who like to feel transported to coast when indulging in seafood, The Melusine is as close as it gets in London. On a nice day in St Katharine Docks, the lapping water and tinkle of boat rigging could lull you into feeling like you’re somewhere on the Med. Add in a glass of white wine and a few plates of The Melusine’s wonderfully fresh seafood and you’re practically there.Where: Unit K, Ivory House, E1W 1AT"
"On a nice day in St Katharine Docks, the lapping water and tinkle of boat rigging could lull you into feeling like you’re somewhere on the Med. Add a glass of white wine and a few plates of the freshest seafood and you’re practically there."
"The first thing to be said about this homely, two-room East Sheen venue is that, although it is vegetarian, it uses some cheeses with animal rennet, including Parmesan — chef-proprietor Emerson Amélio de Oliveira strongly believes these have a superior flavour. That said, the eco-friendly venue, with sustainability at its heart, has by far the most inventive vegetarian menu in London. Oliveira comes from a Brazilian-Italian background; and this is reflected in dishes such as hand-made pastas and risottos, alongside the use of Amazonian fruit and veg."
"A post shared by Rita Platts (@ritaplattsphoto) on Oct 5, 2014 at 3:11am PDT. It’s hard to miss the bright pink front of Rasa N16 when walking down Stoke Newington Church Street. Be treated to Kerala’s fragrant spices – think cardamom, ginger, turmeric and black pepper – as the chefs weave together intricate flavours."
"Whether you’re there to buy flowers or not, Columbia Road is a worthwhile Sunday excursion. Each week, this morning market fills the small street with flourishing plants and shrubs, from English roses to exotic orchids and banana trees. While you’re there, call into Columbia Road’s independent shops for stylish homewares and coffee."
"Columbia Road Flower Market is a must-visitSunday market in London. Beloved by locals and visitors alike, it’s not hard to see why this is a real favourite. After all, shopping for armfuls of blooms and perhaps a house plant or two is a pretty lovely way to spend part of your weekend."
"When you’re looking for a floral fix, Columbia Road Flower Market makes for a great day out. Just make sure to visit on a Sunday as it’s only open then. Best shot: take your pick from any of the colourful floral displays."
"A bustling market with some of the best food stalls in London, the Southbank Market is a definite must-visit for food lovers in London. It’s tucked around the back of the famous Southbank Centre, so is the perfect stop to refuel whilst exploring the area. As one of London’s best food markets, the competition to get a spot here is fierce – with the end result that the stalls are absolutely brilliant."
"The Southbank Centre Market could be classed as a slightly more upmarket street food spot in London, but that’s just what makes it one of the best. Greek souvlaki, a whole stall for beautiful bruschetta, Shrimpy’s shrimp burgers plus a variety of alcoholic beverages you could go around tasting all day. This open-topped market sets up every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in the Southbank Centre Square."
"There’s a food market behind the Royal Festival Hall on the South Bank, with a good mix of food from all over the world alongside local produce and plenty of cakes. It’s open until 8pm on Friday and Saturday. Perfect for a cheap bite to eat in the evening."
"The Horniman Museum in Forest Hill (South London) is similar to the Natural History Museum but on a much smaller scale, with collections spanning natural history and anthropology. The museum is particularly known for its elaborate taxidermy exhibition as well as the large 16 acres of gardens with a conservatory, nature trail, animal enclosure, butterfly house and sound garden with giant musical instruments you can play. With its smaller size and fun interactive exhibitions, Horniman is one of the best free museums in London for kids."
"There are costumes to try on, musical instruments to play and stuffed animals to investigate at this treasure trove of a museum in Forest Hill. The collections of objects from all over the world include a torture chair, African and Mexican masks and over 1,300 musical instruments. There are activity packs and trails for most of the rooms and interactive sound tables for you to listen to music and try making some of your own."
"The Horniman Museum really excels in its child-friendly nature with 16 acres of child-friendly places to play. Toddlers will fall in love with its outdoor areas that includes a nature trail and hands-on object touching exhibits. There’s also an aquarium which will keep them mesmerized as well as a nature base with interactive ways to explore the natural world."
"Sir Christopher Wren’s baroque masterpiece in Greenwich and indeed Britain’s largest ensemble of baroque architecture, the Old Royal Naval College contains the neoclassical Chapel of St Peter and St Paul and the extraordinary Painted Hall. The entire Old Royal Naval College, including the chapel, the visitor centre, and the grounds, can be visited for free. Volunteers lead free 45-minute tours throughout the day from the visitor centre."
"Old Royal Naval College This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Greenwich. It once served as a naval hospital and later as a naval college. Now, this site is being used as a filming location for many famous movies such as The King’s Speech, Patriot Games, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Four Weddings and a Funeral, The Avengers, and The Dark Knight Rises."
"The Old Royal Naval College is a set of buildings designed by Christopher Wren whose original purpose was to serve as a place to care for and house retired seamen. Later the large building complex was used as a naval training college and today is used for a number of functions, and many of the buildings are open to the public."
"A post shared by Himanshu Sharma (@the.mockturtle) on Apr 25, 2017 at 11:17am PDT. Created by architect William Butterfield, the All Saints Margaret Street church boasts a stunningly ornate High Gothic Revival design. Take a moment to admire the striking exterior made using a mixture of red and black brick; but it is the inside of this London church that makes it worth a visit."
"Of course, it’s famous for the Canterbury Tales, being the headquarters of the Church of England and it’s largely still intact architecture. It’s not too far from the city of London, roughly an hour and a half if you plan on taking the trains."
"All Saints’ was built in the 1850s as an early example of Victorian Gothic. It has the second-highest church spire in the whole of London"