Mentioned by House & Garden
The best outdoor restaurants in London to book now
"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."
"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."
"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."
"The Michelin starred restaurant is the jewel of Moorgate’s South Place Hotel, thanks to the exquisite touch of Executive Chef, Gary Foulkes. Foulkes’ way with fish and seafood is one of the best you’ll find in the capital, from the Japanese take on turbot – it’s served with Japanese mushrooms, salsola and an unami-fuelled bonito dashi to the tongue tingling raw Orkney scallops served with blood orange, citrus yoghurt and Greek basil. The tasting menu is a must-try for any special occasions and did we mention the restaurant has a gorgeous sweeping terrace too?"
"Restaurants British Moorgate. Bordered by lavender bushes and olive trees, Michelin-starred Angler’s chic outdoor terrace has a retractable roof that shields diners from summer rain and winter chills. Sip premium cocktails while scoffing big-money seafood snacks – Porthilly oysters, Cornish sea-bass tartare, Alaskan king crab cromesquis."
"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"
"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 restaurant group also sells wholesale and has its own oyster farm in Cornwall. While the original Borough Market site is cosy and charming — though often packed — the newer South Kensington venue comes complete with the elegant downstairs Mermaid cocktail bar. Because the oysters are fairly good value, you’ll be able to consume more of their aphrodisiac goodness."
"It’s international status as a pillar of British cooking may be slightly overblown, but fish and chips is still a longstanding Friday night favourite. Poppies’s founder Pops has been honouring it for quite some time: he’s been working in the chippie business since 1952. The rockabilly-themed restaurants get their chunky fish fillets daily from a third-generation Billingsgate fishmonger, fry them until the batter is crunchy but yielding, and serve them with fabulously fluffy proper chips."
"Restaurants British Spitalfields. Poppies’ pick ‘n’ mix assortment of British kitsch (a jukebox, newspaper cuttings, model aeroplanes, wartime memorabilia) makes it look like some nostalgic fantasy trip, but eating here is still a treat for young and old alike – they even have a dedicated children’s menu (cod bites, fishcakes or sausages, all with chips for £6.50). Soak up the nostalgia, just don’t mention the war!"
"This legendary family-run fish and chip shop might have multiple venues now, but at each outlet the ethos remains the same: top-class fish and chips served with a smile. With a dedicated fishmonger in the team, you can expect the freshest fare and expert handling resulting in combinations like a classic cod and chips or something more adventurous such as calamari, scampi or even a seafood platter. With starters, puds and kids’ meals, too there’s truly something for everyone here."
"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."
"Head inside Tramshed in East London and you’ll be whisked away into a world of Damien Hurst art, delicious food and an intimate gallery downstairs all created by the London-based chef, Mark Hix. Their menu is meat-heavy but they do have a vegetarian menu, too. Make sure to try their ‘bang bang’ chicken and their ‘cock and bull’ croquettes."
"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."
"Brought to you by the Goodman Restaurant Group, the people behind the Burger & Lobster restaurants, this restaurant champions the beasts of land and sea – the finest beef and Norwegian Red King Crab. The crab comes from the Norway King Crab company in Bugøynes, a small town on the Northern Norwegian/Russian border that benefits from the behemoths of crustacians. While the meat is handpicked from around the globe – everything from USDA Nebraska’s 150-day corn fed Chateaubriand to A5 Grade Japanese Wagyu Sirloin."
"What:Beast is the kind of pricy restaurant only people with serious money frequent. Vast wooden tables, which stretch the length of the dining room, ensure that any meal at Beast feels like a banquet. Steaks are the main draw but don’t overlook the seafood."
"Violet Cakes is a bakery in East London that’s fast become famous for its American-style cupcakes with seasonal buttercreams as well as its whoopie pies, birthday cakes, and quiches. Owner and head baker Claire Ptak used to work as a pastry chef for Alice Waters at Chez Panisse in California and has brought all her years of experience with her to… Dalston, of all places. Boy, am I glad that Claire made the move, though."
"East London hotspot Violet Cakes serves the best American-style bakes around, which is why Prince Harry and Meghan Markle asked her to create the cake for the Royal Wedding (Meghan is a huge fan and had already interviewed the owner, Claire Ptak, for the website, The Tig). The rustic café feels a bit like stepping into your cool auntie's kitchen. We could quite happily while away an entire Sunday afternoon here."
"In 2018, baker Claire Ptak got her big break when she was asked to create the wedding cake for Harry and Meghan. This put her organic Hackney bakery, Violet Cakes, firmly on the map. All cakes are baked with organic and low intervention ingredients, with limited edition buttercream icings that change with the seasons."
"Restaurants Ice-cream parlours King’s Road. Delight in dairy at this London branch of a US chain, where your Italian ice-cream comes shaped like a flower. At least it does if you ask for a cone on which ice-cream slabs, rather than scoops, are formed into ‘petals’ atop a crispy waffle."
"Being given a rose is cool and all, but have you ever been given a rose you can eat?. You’ll never be happy with a basic rose again. Global ice cream chain Amorino has spots dotted all over London, over 20 flavours to choose from, and gives you the freedom to pick as many as you want."
"22 Catherine Street | Herts, St. Albans AL3 5BX, EnglandTakeout, Reservations, Seating, Waitstaff, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Free Wifi, Highchairs Available, Accepts Credit CardsAmerican, British, Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free OptionsLunch, DinnerHK$110 - HK$165+44 1727 833707"
"A rapidly expanding American mega chain somehow beats most homegrown burger restaurants in London. One just needs to know what to order, or rather, how to order the trademark Shack Burger. It’s pretty simple (if emulating classic fast food burgers is the goal.) To best complement the beautifully and aggressively griddled American cheese-covered patty, which is sandwiched between a sliced, squidgy Martin’s potato roll, order sliced raw onion and add pickles."