Mentioned by finedininglovers.com
The Best Outdoor Dining in London
"It's part of London's vast culinary mythology, and it feels a bit like stepping back in time to Covent Garden's theatrical heyday. J Sheekey offers a cornucopia of the city's freshest seafood in a darkly lit, brass embellished ambience which is perfect for highbrow romancing or laid back business dealings. Start with scallops in a halfshell with garlic and chilli for £17.50, and move on to a grilled Dover sole with bearnaise for £39.50."
"Restaurants British Covent Garden. J Sheekey lures lovers in with its red canopies on St Martin’s Court. What could appeal more than the chance to knock back a plate of native oysters overlooked by photos of the finest stars of stage and screen?"
"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."
"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."
"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..."
"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."
"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 Wright Bros. chain is one of our favourites, as they serve seafood of consistently high quality. They also have an oyster happy hour period from 3pm-6pm every day when you can guzzle oysters for £1 each (farmed on their own Cornish Duchy oyster farm), which is the best way to spend an afternoon we can think of right now. We enjoyed a full fruit de mer platter at the Spitalfields branch and have never felt happier."
"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"
"While not specifically American, this famous steakhouse is arguably one of the best in London, serving an exquisite selection of steaks and sensational drinks in an amazing atmosphere. Each steak is cooked to perfection on an authentic charcoal grill. The original Hawksmoor which best encapsulates their ‘Hawksmoor spirit’ can be found in Spitalfields and also happens to be an A-List partner of our Liverpool Street hotel, so members can receive a complimentary round of drinks when ordering from the a la carte menu."
"While steak clearly is a BIG thing at Hawksmoor, in many respects eating at one of their restaurants is much more than a carnivore's delight. From the cocktails (the Full-Fat Old Fashioned is one of our favourites in London) to the steaks and some amazing desserts - the salted caramel "rolos" are unmissable - Hawksmoor is the very epitome of the excellent all-rounder. We've picked the original here, but you can be sure of a good time at any of their London establishments."
"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."
"Mark Hix’s plush and moody Brewer Street restaurant wouldn’t be the first place that would come to mind to take a child. But given the chef himself has campaigned for better food in restaurants for children, it’s actually rather apt. It’s not the cheapest restaurant in town, most items on the children's menu cost around £7, but there is a 'kids under 10 eat free' special that pops up on a regular basis."
"Though it's unlikely to spring to mind immediately, Mark Hix’s Soho is a very welcoming to families dining in London. The regular menu is packed with fantastic seafood and great steaks and the hearty kids’ menu is full of great options too, meaning no compromise is necessary for parents and children alike. Well worth a try the next time you’re eating out."
"This is a unique example of a celebrated gourmet restaurant…with a kids’ menu!. HIX Mayfair is the perfect balance between a nice sit-down meal and an experience kids will actually enjoy. The beautiful interior is accented by different pieces of artwork, which gives the place a unique feel."
"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"
"Unit K, Ivory House, East Smithfield, St. Katherine Docks, London E1W 1AT Why should you care?. This seafood restaurant in the docks is all about serving up sustainably caught seafood from around the British Isles. There'll be ever-changing sharing plates as well as grilled, poached or fried whole fish on the menu."
"What: All three outposts of London’s Fishworks (Marylebone, Soho and Covent Garden) manage to seamlessly blend the maritime charm of the English coastline with the sophistication of central London’s dining scene. The biggest selling point at Fishworks is its onsite fishmongers which allow you to choose from the catches of the day. Dishes on the menu range from seafood and samphire linguini to a whole steamed lobster.Where: 89 Marylebone High Street, W1U 4QW; 7-9 Swallow Street, W1B 4DE; 2-4 Catherine Street, WC2B 5JY"
"With all there is to see at Kew Gardens, you might easily miss the attractive red brick building housing the Marianne North Gallery. But don’t hesitate to take a look inside — the exquisite interior, which incorporates different kinds of wood and stenciled floor tile, is home to more than 800 works of botanical art. Marianne North was a wealthy, single Victorian woman who traveled the world solo in pursuit of interesting plants to paint."
"Another attraction in Kew Gardens, this gallery is dedicated to the work of Marianne North, a Victorian artist who specialised in botanical paintings. The walls of the gallery are covered in her stunning and colourful designs, which show off her incredible natural talent."
"London’s West End is pretty good for celeb spotting, but the easiest place to do it is probably at the National Portrait Gallery. It’s home to kings, queens, cultural juggernauts and sporting heroes – all in portrait form, of course – with a collection spanning over five hundred years of painting history. You can find Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn in the Tudor galleries, Mary Jane Seacole and the Bronte sisters in the Victorian galleries, right up to Amy Winehouse and the Queen in the contemporary galleries."
"National Portrait Gallery / Self-Portrait As A Soldier By Ludwig Kirchner. Before there were selfies, you basically had to hire someone to paint you in order for your face to be immortalised for all to see. Next door to the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square, the National Portrait Gallery houses a collection of portraits of historically famous British people."
"A post shared by National Portrait Gallery (@nationalportraitgallery). In art, there’s nothing more intimate than a portrait, and at this landmark London art gallery, you can get intimate with some very famous faces. From Queen Elizabeth I to Queen Elizabeth II, The National Portrait Gallery displays portraits of the United Kingdom’s most important monarchs."
"I was looking for a spa hotel mini-break for an anniversary celebration (last minute due to personal schedules). Everything was so booked up, over-priced (in my opinion), or not suitable. I then found a too-good-to-be-true offer on the Richmond Habour Hotel Spa website (whilst searching all their Harbour Hotel sites) which was worth taking a risk for."
"The Gates Restaurant at the Richmond Gate Hotel serves fresh, imaginative food in a relaxed dining room. The menu is packed with rich flavours showcasing British and Mediterranean influences, using carefully sourced produce to create elegantly presented…"
"After an energetic swim alfresco at the beautifully-restored Thames Lido, the chances are you’ll want to eat; luckily in the restaurant you’ll find a most appealing menu on offer. Thanks to strong connections with local producers the menu is tailored to suit the seasons and delivered with sustainability in mind. We’d whole-heartedly recommend the scallops and wood roast hake if you’re in the mood for fish; but check with the team to see what’s looking good for the day."
"The recently restored Grade II swimming pool located by the River Thames, first opened in 1902 as the Ladies Swimming Bath. Now offering Spa packages or a great dining experience."
"((Just a note that we don’t visit in on the regular HP Tour, but it’s included in the Audio Guide and on our web pages so I”ve noted that at the bottom.)). Located in the City of London, Leadenhall Market is a true treasure. Leadenhall is a covered market and the ornate rooftop, as well as the cobbled floors, were designed in 1881 and are nearly all original, although there was some redecoration done in the 1990s."
"Discovered this place purely by chance, as I was trying to hide from rain one day. When I got in, I was completely mesmerized.Leadenhall Market is one of the oldest markets in London, dating from the 14th century, and is located in the historic center of the City of London‘s financial district. It’s still very much in use as a local market, which I find absolutely amazing."
"Quick Tip: Harry Potter fans may recognize Leadenhall Market from the movies, as it was also the filming location for some of the exterior Diagon Alley scenes."
"A bastion of old Soho, 300-year-old Berwick Street Market is a strip dotted with shouty fruit-sellers, florists and fabric merchants in among the 20 or so street food vendors. Snaking lunchtime queues are a daily sight with local workers, tourists and shoppers hankering for goodies from the likes of Afghan Delights, Greek2Go, Paella Fellas, Savage Salads and The Jerk Drum. There’s no seating and not all the food traders are open every day, but Soho’s still swell for wandering."
"Berwick Street Market is a small but much-loved market in Soho. As well as some scrumptious street food, there’s an assortment of other stalls selling items like jewellery and clothing. One of the most loved stalls is Savage Salad, selling dishes that are both healthy and delicious."
"Source: Photo by user Tarquin Binary used under CC BY-SA 2.5. Berwick Street Market has been around since the 18th century. Located in the neighbourhood of SoHo, this street market is now full of trendy stalls with plenty of greet food to try."