Mentioned by Hot Dinners
The very best restaurants in London for eating alfresco
"One of London's properly iconic restaurants, Sheeky's have been serving up seafood to Londoners for over 100 years. The setting, tucked in an unassuming passageway linking Charing Cross Road to St Martin's Lane, means it's always been popular with London's theatre folk, popping in here post-performance as well as other A-listers. Here's where you'll find local thespians enjoying the restaurant's classic fish pie and oyster platters."
"Restaurants British Covent Garden"
"The Michelin-starred seafood restaurant specialises in all kids of fishy food options, turning your garden variety cod into something spectacular. For lunch, you’ve got to go for their set menu for two courses from £30 or three courses from £34, with an optional wine pairing from £20. That’s super affordable for Michelin-star dining."
"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."
"The terrace at this Mayfair establishment has long been a spot where you'll find yourself sitting downwind from unrepentant smokers like Ronnie Wood or Charles Saatchi and getting your photo taken by passing paparazzi."
"As one of the oldest restaurants in London—it started out as an oyster bar in 1851—Scott's Restaurant has certainly proved its ability to evolve with the ever-changing trends of co..."
"Not to be confused with the American aviation specialists, these guys are all about seafood, in fact they are the self-professed “seafood experts.”. We’re not disagreeing having popped into many of their London outposts (they boast five from Battersea to Borough) for a glass of bubbles and a plate of oysters on many occasions over the years. Check out their daily changing specials showcasing the best of British seafood straight off the boats at Brixham Market or order the Full House seafood platter for the perfect long lazy lunch."
"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 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."
"Randall and Aubin’s resplendent window display on Brewer Street in Soho fixates onlookers in the way that the neighbourhood’s sex shops once did. The restaurant remains one of central London’s most reliable restaurants to eat fresh shellfish — a full platter costs £44.50 per person and can be upgraded with a half lobster for an additional £22.50. Its white tiling and chess board floor recalls a seafood bar of yesteryear, which, in a changing and increasingly homogenised Soho, is something that should be cherished."
"What:Randall & Aubin has been a stalwart of the London seafood scene ever since it opened in 1996. This Soho haunt is decked out with marble counters for old world glamour while the food menu consists of a mixture of English and French seafood favourites. Choose from the beautiful shellfish-on-ice display or opt for a classic such as bouillabaisse or linguine vongole.Where: 16 Brewer Street, W1F 0SQ"
"Originally London’s first butcher’s shop, this place has been transformed over the years in to a popular seafood eatery while keeping its original Victorian features. With high marble tops and stools it has an informal and friendly feel – especially thanks to the giant glitter ball above. Go classic with the the creamy moules marinieres, French fries and crusty baguette to mop it all up with."
"There’s no menu on walking in to this Jamaican seafood restaurant in Herne Hill, except the one stuck up on the far wall near a fridge. Actually, there’s no real indication of what to do. So here it is: walk directly to that fridge, and pick a fish — red snapper, bream, and sea bass among others."
"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."
"Restaurants Contemporary European Tower Bridge. The jazzy soundtrack, cool interior, sizzling steaks and sustainably sourced fish might scream ‘grown-up’ but this London Bridge offshoot of Brighton’s Coal Shed also does the business for kids, with a mini menu that’s free for under-sevens before 7pm. Otherwise, £10 pays for a minute steak, grilled fish and chips or mac ‘n’ cheese, plus doughnuts or ice cream to finish."
"Although not solely a fish restaurant (pun both intended and regretted) and despite its steakhouse aesthetics, The Coal Shed has plenty to lure in the serious lover of seafood. Starters include market oysters, chalkstream trout, grilled gurnard fillet and scallops in shell. While whole black bream and roasted sussex cod feature on the main course menu."
"What: Based in the heart of Crouch End, Lyon’s Seafood & Wine Bar is all about championing sustainable seafood. The brainchild of front-of-house aficionado Anthony Lyon, the restaurant also adopts a fin-to-tail approach to seafood cookery, meaning that you’ll often find some less glamourous, but just as beautifully cooked, parts of the fish on the regularly changing menu.Where: 1 Park Road, N8 8TE"
"Whilst isolation has got you calling fish fingers lightly-crumbed cod digits, Lyon’s has started delivering for the first time. This seafood specialist is delivering things like crispy softshell crab burgers and a very casual whole chargrilled plaice with seaweed butter, straight to your door."
"Marble Hill House is a beautifully proportioned Palladian villa overlooking the Thames at Twickenham. It’s in a fine location, just across the river from one of the main entrances to Richmond Park. It’s also one of the loveliest visitor attractions in London, and one of several things to see in Richmond and around."
"A pristine, open space, Cob is home to a cohort of up and coming influential artists. Provocative, distinctively and shockingly modern, Cob offers a diverse range of talent to peer at. Casper Sejersen’s photography exhibition is exemplar of Cob’s uniqueness."
"A gallery for those who are more inclined to contemporary art, Hales Gallery is best known for exhibitions which present the artworks in dynamic ways. “John Jones did the framing for the amazing Sebastian Bremmer show open this month,” says Matthew. “Our long relationship with Hales gallery is what started our whole interest in building our own collection of contemporary art, with the artists they represent such as Danny Rolph, who was the first work we bought."
"This international chain of galleries lands its London branch on Saville Row, spread across two exhibition spaces: the North Gallery and the South Gallery. Enjoy a range of engaging events with Hauser & Wirth; from artist talks, film screenings and workshops, to their dynamic exhibition programme that showcases modern art from emerging and established artists around the world."
"With multiple locations across the city and an impressive range of flavours rotated daily, Crosstown’s handmade fresh doughnuts are not to be missed. For a seasonal snack, the Pumpkin and Nutmeg Custard Doughnut is full of wintry flavour, including pumpkin sourdough, cream cheese icing, pumpkin seeds, and orange zest. Similarly, the Spiced Apple and Pear Crumble Doughnut is bursting with the taste of maple, pecan, and autumn fruits."
"One doughnut spot that’s on every Londoner’s lips is Crosstown Doughnuts, known for their wild and wacky flavour combinations. From cinnamon scrolls to matcha tea, peach and nectarine to yuzu and passionfruit, there’s a doughnut to fit every taste bud. You’ll know when you spot someone munching into one of their doughnuts because you can spot their trademark ‘x’ piped onto the corner."
"For something fresh and unique, we suggest trying one of Crosstown Doughnuts’ multiple locations. The bakery makes its doughnuts with rising sourdough bread and leans heavily towards fruit flavoring. Some of the options you can get there include Peach & Nectarine, Homemade Raspberry Jam, and Yuzu & Passionfruit."
"If you love doughnuts, you need to try Longboys in BOXPARK Wembley. Their artisan finger doughnuts are a whole new player in the game, challenging the humble glazed ring, their menu is full of delicious flavour twists and perfect pastries, as well as soft-serve ice-cream. Their menu is always changing but one classic that remains is there Lemon Meringue Pie doughnut and we say try it!"
"Longboys are all about gorgeous doughnuts, excellent coffee, and soft-serve ice cream delights, bringing their joy and passion for food to BOXPARK Wembley. Their doughnuts are made from a light brioche base and gourmet fillings that give them just enough sweetness and a complex flavour profile. These treats are next level decadent without the extra calories."