Alfresco Dining in London…

on 21/07/2014 at 10:53 pm

There is nothing Londoners love more than alfresco dining…

Whether we are drinking craft in a beer garden, taking coffee and pastries outside a café or fine dining in a terrace restaurant, most of us can’t wait for the sun to come out so we can grab our sunglasses and ‘do like the Italians’. Do you blame us? For most of the year we are either hiding from the cold or sheltering from torrential rain, so when the sun finally decides to peep through the clouds, only the foolish amongst us ignores it.

Despite the weather, London is not short of options for those who like to dine outside, and hotels are not a bad place to start when looking for an outdoor experience. There is the elegant Angler at South Place Hotel, the scenic Vista at the Trafalgar and even the Ham Yard Hotel in Soho, with it’s modern sculptures and designer drinking fountain. In fact, when it comes to alfresco dining in London, there really is something for every taste…

The Terrace at Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel

For those who are looking for a chic yet relaxed space, a trip into Belgravia could see you dining at The Terrace at Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel. Elegant and a tad feminine, The Terrace is a great choice for anything from after work drinks to afternoon tea.

Despite being located in central London, The Terrace can feel both quiet and secluded, making it a wonderful spot to escape the bustle of London and relax with good food. Open throughout the summer months, the venue offers a variety of globally inspired dishes – rotisserie spiced whole baby chicken, grilled farmers’ pork, salads with asparagus or mango chicken – and almost everything in between.

You won’t have to worry about the weather when dining at The Terrace, outdoor heaters and overhead umbrellas mean you will be well protected from any impromptu downpours.

The Terrace is located amongst a number of Michelin Star restaurants in the area and there is a real cosmopolitan feel about the place. That said and despite the location, the food here is decidedly more affordable and the atmosphere much less formal than you would expect.

The Rib Room, Jumeirah Carlton Tower

If cigars and a traditional gentleman’s club style venue ( including leather chairs, dark wood and old mirrors) is more your bag, a visit to Jumeirah Carlton Tower could be just what you need. The Rib Room is located in the hotel and is an elegant space. There is also a small terrace for those who want to smoke or prefer to eat outside.

With overhead heaters and a high hedge sheltering diners from the rest of the world, The Rib Room provides an outdoor space which feels both intimate and private. This is the ideal place to come for an alfresco meeting with clients or post shopping dinner and drinks.

The staff and service at The Rib Room is amongst the best you will find anywhere, and the food is pretty exceptional. In fact, The Rib Room is renowned for more than just it’s extensive range of cigars. The steak and of course the lobster burger (literally the best burger I have ever eaten!) are favourites with those who frequent the restaurant and bar. This coupled with a fantastic wine list and delicious choice of desserts makes The Rib Room hard to beat.