Kudu
119 Queen’s Rd, SE15 2EZ
For South African-inspired sharing plates in the sun, head through Kudu’s interior to their back garden. We weren’t expecting the pastel-painted maple-filled garden, but we loved it. We’ll be spending a few summer evenings eating their home-made bread with seafood butter here, that’s for sure.
Chucs Serpentine
Serpentine Sackler Gallery, West Carriage Drive, W2 2AR
Sometimes a restaurant’s ‘terrace’ ends up being more like ‘a few tables on the street’, but it’s safe to say this isn’t the case with Chucs Serpentine. Inspiring architecture by Zaha Hadid on one side, and a vista of Hyde Park and the Serpentine on the other make for an Italian feast with a view.
The Petersham Covent Garden
27-31 King Street, Covent Garden, WC2E 8JB
Central courtyards are one of the few things London doesn’t do all that often, so when you do find a good one, it’s worth noting. Petersham Nurseries’ Covent Garden courtyard has just the right mix of central London atmos and unashamedly romantic aesthetics – all inspired by the Boglione family’s famous eye for design.
The Coach
26-28 Ray Street, Clerkenwell, EC1R 3DJ
The second pub Henry Harris opened, The Coach might look like an old-school Clerkenwell boozer outside, but ask for a table on the back terrace – or ‘bear garden’ – it’s far more elegant than the name suggests and a tucked-away favourite for aperitivo hour (order a Kir Royal – you don’t need an excuse, it’s a house special).
Mare Street Market
117 Mare Street, Hackney E8 4RU
Let’s face it, we’ve all spent more time in Hackney pub gardens than we’d care to admit. Thankfully, Gizzi Erskine’s louche Mare Street Market brings something different to the Hackney Central mix, and the outdoor terrace feels like it was custom made for languid Saturday lunches with the best fare from what’s on sale inside, or sundown cocktails on weeknights – #UJLoves.
Lifestyle: Lists
Top 5: Al Fresco Dining
Some new spots to soak up the sun
