Alfresco Dining in London

Le Coq d’Argent

1 Poultry, Bank, EC2R 8EJ
The City does many things well, but green space is not one of them. So, when summer strikes the suits roll up their sleeves and head to Conran’s Le Coq d’ Argent. The huge roof terraces at this fabulous French eaterie makes it the most sought after alfresco spot on the square mile.

The menu is tailored to suit the City’s distinctly conservative tastes. Dishes such as traditional Coq au Vin and Sea bass fillet with ratatouille and shellfish are so scrumptious that they even distract from the fantastic views. All dishes are exceptionally well made if somewhat on the pricey side and there is plenty of caviar for those seeking to impress either a date or client. Over summer there will be a jazz trio on the terrace for Sunday lunchtimes.

London comes alive in summer, the heady smell of flowers, barbeques and cut grass fills the air as the city is bathed in warm sunshine. The capital is in full bloom and pavements are crowded with outdoor tables and chairs. While away a sunny afternoon drinking in an atmospheric pub or dine under the stars in an exclusive venue. Follow the LondonTown.com guide to London’s top outdoor tables.

La Famiglia

7 Langton St,The Worlds End, SW10
Alvaro Maccioni is credited with bringing the concept of the modern trattoria to London and is one of the capital’s best known restauranteurs. Fabulous food, a family atmosphere and glittering clientele are at the heart of La Famiglia’s success. The menu bears witness to Alvaro’s Tuscan roots. Celebrate summer with a starter of the creamiest Buffalo Mozzarella with fresh tomatoes, basil and exquisite olive oil or their fabulous Strawberry Risotto.

Choose one of their 15 classic pasta dishes, the riccioli with Sicillian tuna and aubergines in a rich tomato sauce is deliciously fresh and the parpadelle with wild boar sauce will charge your palatte with potent perfumes. Fish is also a specialty, with fresh sardines that melt in your mouth and chopped monkfish that floats in a delicate lemon, garlic and parsley sauce. Come and sample the ingredients of La Famiglia’s phenomenal success.

The Belvedere

Holland Park, High Street Kensington, W8
The Belvedere is the most sophisticated of West London’s celebrity hangouts. Set inside a beautiful building in the heart of Holland Park, it is the perfect place for secluded summer dining. Regulars include Madonna, Lord Linchfield and Michael Winner and owner Marco Pierre White was famously married there.

The menu is classically French with Modern European influences. House specials include Smoked Haddock Monte Carlo, risotto of caramelised calamari and Sea Bass with tomatoes and olives. On Sundays, sumptuous traditional roasts are served. Sit outside on the heated terrace and enjoy spectacular views over one of London’s top beauty spots.

Fishworks Seafood Café

6 Turnham Green Terrace, W4
Take a trip to fish heaven this summer. The fantastic Fishworks group have finally brought their award winning mix of fresh produce and friendly service to London. Take home a live lobster, dine in the relaxed setting of the restaurant or enjoy a cookery class with celebrity chef and owner, Mitchell Tonks.

Savour the taste of the sea with their fabulous seafood platter, featuring everything from winkles to fresh Fleur de Lys Oysters. Choose from a selelction of innovative yet simple dishes. Whet your palatte with a starter of diver caught scallops or succulent Barcelona Prawns. Digest with a bottle from their accessible and impressive wine list and move onto the main event. Try the delectable roast monkfish with a potent anchovy and rosemary butter or cod fillet with a miraculously light parsely sauce and beautifully fluffy mash. Push the boat out with a meal at Fishworks.

Babylon at the Roof Gardens

99 Kensington High Street, W8
Babylon is the ultimate in exclusive alfresco dining. Richard Branson’s millions have transformed this former members club into a stylish and romantic location for a summer rendezvous. Feast your eyes on the city’s stunning skyline, the famous flamingoes and the fashionable clientele.

Thrill your tastebuds with any of the mouthwatering Modern European dishes on the eclectic menu. Try the marinated Cornish Squid, sesame seeds and tomatoe chilli oil or Peppered Blue- Fin Tuna, Avruga Caviar and spinach salad to start. Choose from among ten delicious main courses including tagine of red mullet, couscous and chorizo sausage and fillet of Aberdeen Angus with a morrel jus and fondant potato. Dinner at Babylon will be a night to remember.

Thai on the River

15 Lots Road, Chelsea Wharf, SW10
This fabulous riverside restaurant is Chelsea’s best kept secret. Feast on authentic Thai food in stylish surroundings with spectacular views of the River Thames. Spend a summer's evening on the open air terrace and watch the city sparkle before your eyes.

The extensive menu recreates the aromas and flavours of the Orient. Mieng Gai-Kung is their famous signature dish, a medley of lightly spiced prawn or chicken with ground peanuts, shallots, peppercorns and garlic wrapped in fresh Thai spinach leaves. The set menus take the pain out of the decision process and even parking is not a problem as their valet service takes care of everything.

The Dove Inn

19 Upper Mall, Hammersmith, W6
The Dove is one of London’s best loved riverside taverns. This charming seventeenth century inn is tucked away down a tiny alley and features Britain's smallest snug bar. The picturesque conservatory is covered with creepers and is a popular place to watch the famous Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race. Former regulars include the poet James Thomson who lived upstairs and wrote Rule, Brittania! in the bar.

The Dove is not just famous for its history, it offers some of the best traditional pub food in West London. Try their fresh fish and chips or exotic Spanish Chicken in a tomato sauce with chorizo sausage. Vegetarians are well catered for with rotating specials including tasty spinach and aubergine pastry parcels with cottage cheese. Come and tuck in and lap up the views at this charming spot.

Ransome’s Dock

35-37 Parkgate Road, London, SW11 4NP
Head south of the river this summer and enjoy the biggest and best value wine list in London at this riverside eaterie. Soak up the relaxed atmosphere and linger over your meal on the picturesque terrace of this converted warehouse. The modern European menu uses only the freshest organic ingredients, with the emphasis firmly on seasonal British dishes. Fresh fish is supplied daily by Scottish scallop divers.

Owner Martin Lam sources his food and wine with equal care. Try the char-grilled pigeon breast with blood orange, baby spinach and apple salad for a light lunch or starter. Main courses range from a succulent chicken breast with pumpkin risotto croquettes and spinach to the more hearty fare of Beef and Guinness pie with mashed potato and braised Savoy cabbage. Visit at the weekend when it comes alive as a top Chelsea brunch spot.

Canyon

Riverside, nr Richmond Bridge, TW10
Richmond’s top restaurant offers the best in riverside dining. Board the Canyon buggy at Richmond Bridge and be transported along the towpath in style. Enjoy spectacular views over the Thames from their heated terrace and feast on authentic Southern American food with an innovative twist. The décor and menu are inspired by the region’s intense colours and flavours and the garden is designed to look like an American desert.

Their award winning brunch menu features traditional full and vegetarian breakfasts and more adventurous options such as smoked duck salad with pineapple and red pepper salad. Recommendations from the seasonal dinner menu include the chargrilled tuna steak with egg noodles and soya chilli dressing and leg of lamb with chickpea and feta salad. Famillies are welcome and there is a half-price children’s menu.

Strada

8-10 Exmouth Market, London, EC1 4QR
Strada has started something of a pizza revolution and knocked Pizza Express off its perch. This stylish chain has reinvented the concept of affordable Italian dining for the London market. Traditional ingredients, funky interiors and gargantuan wood-fired pizzas combine to bring the best in contemporary design and cuisine to the high street.

Escape the buzz of the capital in this Exmouth Market branch. Sit outside in one of London’s prettiest pedestrianised streets and watch the city bankers mingle with the area’s more artistic inhabitants. Their pizzas show their true expertise, each one is hand spun and toppings range from the classic Bufala, buffalo mozzarella with vine tomatoes and basil to the mouthwatering Salami, fennel flavoured salami with marinated artichokes, mascarpone and wood roasted tomatoes. An alfresco taste sensation.