The best outdoor restaurants in London: 15 summertime stunners

It is a thrilling moment when the maître d’ at the River Café shows you to one of the white-clothed tables on the terrace. Short of having a standing reservation throughout the summer, you’ll just have to keep your fingers crossed. But when the stars align, it’s a supreme treat. The number of Italian families sitting in the garden attests to the extraordinary, authentic, and inventive food coming out of Ruth Rogers‘ open kitchen. Huge plates of roasted wild sea bass and thick veal chops fly out of the kitchen with precision, while smaller, zesty pasta and risotto bowls make for a great lighter option. Opt for a starter and a primi dish, and you’re more likely to have room for some of the restaurant’s homemade gelato. Even if you live East, this, above all others, is the restaurant to go west for.

Address: The River Café, Thames Wharf, Rainville Road, London W6 9HA
Website: rivercafe.co.uk

15. The Maine, Mayfair

Best for: Uncovering a sleek secret

Within a hidden courtyard, just metres from Hanover Square, Maine’s summer terrace is a quiet haven away from the heaving streets of Central London. Somewhere between a stately home and a French Brasserie, the restored Georgian townhouse – with beautiful period features – wouldn’t be amiss in a romantic film. Serving Champagne and fresh seafood at its raw bar, including some of the best oysters in the capital, this romance is further reflected in the menu. It’s a great place for after-work drinks and snacks, thanks to two-for-one happy hour drinks.

Address: The Maine, Unit 6, Medici Courtyard Back Entrance of, 20 Hanover Square, London W1S 1JY
Website: themainemayfair.com