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These are our top spots for outdoor drinking in London ¨C we suggest booking tables as fast as you can.
Please keep an eye on our article ‘When will we travel? What the latest post-lockdown rules mean‘ and gov.uk for further updates, and always check opening times before travelling.
Gold, Notting Hill
Best for: views of Notting Hill
Neighbourhood hangout Gold¡¯s elaborate exterior is well known ¨C but the third-storey rooftop?is still something of an insider secret. This secluded terrace has views of St Peter¡¯s church spire and the higgledy-piggledy rooftops of Notting Hill ¨C but, somehow, you won¡¯t hear a peep from the busy Portobello Road below. It¡¯s a tiny place with a limited number of tables, which fill up quickly on a warm day. Nab a cosy private corner or set up under the parasols, surrounded by plenty of foliage and mirrors that finish off the space.
FOOD
Seasonally sourced produce is wood roasted, charred or slow cooked over fire?¨C the flavours are rich, while the ingredients are simple and honest. And it¡¯s all about the sharing plates. The menu is split into five sections ¨C raw, charcuterie and cheese, salads, vegetables and plates; order five or so dishes between the two of you, including the not-to-be-missed braised pork meatballs, chargrilled hispi cabbage and courgette ravioli.
DRINKS
A mix of organic and natural wines, beers to suit everyone and cocktails made with minimal fuss. If the sun is shining, we recommend the refreshing Thalassa cocktail, made with gin, Aperol, mastiha, pink peppercorn, honey, basil and lime. Sophie Knight
Address: Gold, 95-97 Portobello Road, London W11 2QB
Website: goldnottinghill.com
Hicce, King’s Cross
Best for: all-evening sunset views
If you haven¡¯t visited Coal Drops Yard ¨C the redbrick Victorian railway depot that¡¯s been transformed into an urban oasis ¨C by now, Hicce is a good reason to go. This secluded King¡¯s Cross spot is full of young Londoners looking for a little respite after a day in the city. Hicce restaurant was opened by former Murano chef Pip Lacey in 2018, above the Wolf & Badger lifestyle shop. It¡¯s a great suntrap for a long afternoon tea or evening of drinking and alfresco snacking on summer plates. Looking for things to do in London at the weekend sometime soon? weekend DJ sessions ¨C funk, rare groove, reggae and soul ¨C take place each summer. Tables are small and space is limited, and on a warm day it fills up quickly, so make sure you grab a seat in time for sunset.
EAT
There¡¯s a choice of three buns all cooked on an open fire ¨C a lamb patty with cucumber, gremolata and yogurt; a bavette steak with mushroom, red onion and miso mustard; and a sweetcorn one slathered with avocado, tomato and chilli jam. Patties are served alongside a generous helping of slaw and kimchi dressing. We¡¯d also recommend ordering a side of Hicce victory chips or the house salad to share.
DRINK
Bar manager Anton Ruschev has used natural ingredients for a terrace menu that will keep you coming back all summer: six sugar-free spritz cocktails ¨C that means no Aperol ¨C including the house favourite, a refreshing mix of cucumber and elderflower. As shocking as it sounds, there¡¯s also Espresso Martini on tap, and, yes, it¡¯s delicious.
Address: Hicce, Coal Drops Yard, 102 Stable Street, London N1C 4DQ
Telephone: +44 20 3869 8200
Website: hicce.co.uk
Open: Monday 12 April 2021
Hush, Mayfair
Best for: West End aperitivo hour
Just a few steps from the labels of New Bond Street is a little warren of traffic-free lanes known to Mayfair regulars but off the map to many London visitors. It¡¯s just behind the Handel and Hendrix Museum ¨C set in the house where the two musicians lived, in different eras ¨C and it¡¯s nice to think of the two wandering around here in search of inspiration, one in a powdered wig, the other in a satin blouse. On one such courtyard here is Hush, a tucked-away bar set around a Georgian townhouse with an outside space that¡¯s set designed each year. For 2021 it is conjuring the spirit of the Amalfi Coast, accessed by a lemon-draped vine-and-blossom canopy, with faux grass, white linen, green cut-diamond glasses and smart caf¨¦ chairs ¨C along with a fair few Italian accents among the staff (we think they¡¯re genuine). It¡¯s been created in collaboration with Malfy Gin, whose original recipe uses Sicilian and Amalfi lemons as a botanical. There aren¡¯t many places with outdoor spaces in Mayfair, so Hush is a treasured spot for many, particularly as a pit stop after a Bond Street shopping trip ¨C perhaps a pair of Capri sandals and diva sunglasses for those wistful for a sun-drenched week in Positano.
EAT
Plenty for a light snack to chaperone a couple of drinks, but also enough to make a whole evening of it. The menu has a few nods towards the Italian coast with Cantabrian anchovies and olives, a plump burrata on a bed of peas and tapenade, and a tagliatelle with a courgette, ricotta and lemon sauce, but there¡¯s also freekeh, Wiltshire truffle and Cornish crab too, with several mains such as an Asian-style stonebass and flat-iron chicken. For pudding it’s difficult to avoid the lemon meringue pie with its little waves of caramelised surf; though the rhubarb and custard doughnuts are delicious, too.
DRINK
Lots and lots of Malfy gin, shaken up with other Italian serves such as Campari and vermouths for a range of summery light cocktails, occasionally dressed with a dried orange slice or two. The classic Corpse Reviver is given an Amalfi twist with limoncello in the mix for a fragranced, nuanced cocktail; the Fros¨¦ Italiano is a lipstick-pink bowl of ros¨¦ with Malfy¡¯s Gin Rosa, Aperol and a fruity combination of hisbiscus, strawberry, lemon and grapefruit ¨C if a cocktail could wear a straw boater and go punting, this would be it. For slightly sterner stuff, there¡¯s the Sunset Sbagliato ¨C the lighter version of the Negroni made with Malfy Con Arancia and topped with prosecco. By Rick Jordan
Address: Hush, 8 Lancashire Court, London W1S 1EY
Telephone: +44 20 7659 1500
Website: hush.co.uk
Open: Until Sunday 4 July 2021
Sea Containers London
Best for: Champagne sundowners with Thames views
Sea Containers London has teamed up with Laurent-Perrier to create a plant-filled summer oasis, with plenty of flowing Champagne. The terrace is themed around British flora, taking inspiration from species that spring to life during the warmer months with cascading vines, and plants and trees such as field maple, hazel, barrenwort and coral bells dotted about. Book into the outdoor area (with cover, blankets and heaters for any wet or freakish cold days), or stay even warmer inside until the sun decides to come out ¨C tables are next to floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Thames and St Paul’s.
EAT
Try the bite-size ceviche tacos with coriander salsa for a fresh, zingy start, or the lobster and celeriac toast topped with sprigs of dandelion. Larger plates include cod with sweetcorn and fennel puree and Chardonnay vinaigrette, and a dry-aged ribeye with watercress, grilled shallots and a peppercorn sauce.
DRINK
Sip Laurent-Perrier Cuv¨¦e, paired with a new Sea Containers Restaurant summer menu, including fresh seafood small plates and sustainably sourced, seasonal dishes topped with British hedgerow-foraged herbs. Olivia Morelli
Address: Sea Containers London, 20 Upper Ground, South Bank, London SE1 9PD
Website: seacontainerslondon.com
Open: Until September 2021
Solas at The Savoy
Best for: show-stopping seafood, single malts and people-watching
The Savoy is no stranger to pulling out the stops when it matters. For one birthday party in 1905, the ballroom was flooded to create the impression of the Grand Canal in Venice, with dinner served on a gondolier, a baby elephant pulling the cake and swans a-swimming. So when outdoor dining was allowed once more, the hotel set about turning its forecourt ¨C the bit where the taxis usually turn around in coming in off the Strand ¨C into an alfresco dining space for the first time in its 132-year history. It¡¯s an incredible transformation, worthy of the set-design team at the Savoy Theatre a few feet away. Set above the central Lalique fountain is an Art Deco burst of flowers, branches and feathery grasses in whites, purples and golds, dangled with crystal whisky decanters ¨C an unmissable organic chandelier with something of a Liberace feather boa about it, surrounded by lagoon-blue leather chairs. It¡¯s a place to step out of a vintage limo (or gondolier if it¡¯s been raining) and do your best Liza Minnelli impression, sashaying to your table.
EAT
There¡¯s the raw seafood bar to hand, with a platter the obvious choice ¨C though those who¡¯d rather spend less time shucking and wheedling out Dorset crab meat and winkling out whelks may consider the lobster roll, which is substantial enough to chaperone a cocktail or two, or the clam chowder (in case the heaters aren¡¯t warming enough). Caviar if you really want to put on the Savoy. And take the chance to experiment with matching an oyster (Maldon, Jersey or Carlingford) to a dram of whisky ¨C the pop-up has been created with Bowmore, and the briny slurp of the crustacean swishes well with the smoking honeys of the distillery¡¯s 12-year-old. Your waiter will explain the oyster luge ritual, in case this isn¡¯t something you do at home of a weekend.
DRINK
The two teams from the Savoy¡¯s two bars have been busy concocting new cocktails using Bowmore. Now, whisky cocktails aren¡¯t to everyone¡¯s taste but they¡¯ve made sure the spirit never overwhelms. Golden Eye and the Timeless are properly grown-up, the former a Bond-inspired Negroni spin with chocolate bitters bringing out the whisky; the latter an Old Fashioned style drink using Bowmore¡¯s 15-year-old single malt and aquavit. Lighter are the Offspring, a zesty mix with grapefruit soda and St Germain, and Pursuit for Perfection adds rosebud cordial and Champagne to Haku vodka. Rick Jordan
Address: The Savoy, The Strand, London WC2R 0EZ
Website: thesavoylondon.com
Open: Until 4 July 2021
Between the Bridges
Best for: spreading out, this is reportedly London’s biggest beer garden
Catering to London’s keen demand for outdoor spaces, Between The Bridges has created the city’s largest beer garden. Offering 4,000 square feet of street-food stalls, drink stands and live music performances, the terrace is located in Southbank, opening just in time for the summer season and lockdown restrictions easing. Plus, the venue is packed with sunny-day activities, including mini golf, weekly themed markets, drag brunches (with Ru Paul¡¯s Drag Race winner Lawrence Chaney and Baga Chipz, Tayce and Ginny Lemon).
EAT AND DRINK
Feast on patties from Burger & Beyond, tacos from Club Mexicana and pasta served straight from a giant Parmesan round at The Cheese Wheel with views of the river.
Website: betweenthebridges.co.uk
Where: Between the Bridges, Queen’s Walk, South Bank, London SE1
When: from Thursday 27 May 2021
The Rooftop at The Standard, London
Best for: Post-work pick-me-ups, pretend meetings and architectural appreciation
It¡¯s always good to get a different viewpoint on places, isn¡¯t it? Some people still associate King¡¯s Cross with all the seediness of its Eighties reputation, but we know that¡¯s long gone ¨C just take a stroll around the restaurants and boutiques of Granary and Coal Drops Yard. Ten floors up, this newly unveiled rooftop bar at The Standard ¨C one of London¡¯s most thrilling new hotels ¨C presents a whole different perspective on the area. Is it cocktail hour yet? Just check the time on the soaring clocktower opposite, part of Sir Gilbert Scott¡¯s fabulous Gothic concoction, a vision of redbrick loveliness. With its green swathe of faux lawn (tempting to tee up a golf ball and send it hurtling into space) and bright pink and yellow seating, this is certainly not a Standard rooftop, by any means.
EAT
Just a snacking menu here ¨C you’ll need to head to Decimo or the ground-floor Double Standard for more substantial bites, but there are truffle chips and classic or vegan hotdogs, best customised with onion crumble and a fiery dollop of sriracha.
DRINK
There¡¯s Rum Punch, Elderflower Collins and Spicy Tommy¡¯s Margarita on tap ¨C you may prefer a pitcher ¨C with fizz and ros¨¦ by the glass and bottle, along with beers such as the local Five Points pale. Rick Jordan
Address: The Standard, 10 Argyle Street, London, WC1H 8EG
Website: standardhotels.com
The Terrace, Alexandra Palace
Best for: city views, gigs and retro grooves
Where better to drink and dine than on top of the world ¨C or London, at least, outside imposing Victorian landmark Alexandra Palace, the first home of the BBC. While its Phoenix Bar alone has not always been quite strong enough to entice large crowds up the very steep hill, the city¡¯s largest beer garden with room for 400 people is (although it now faces some competition, size-wise, from 4,000-square-foot Between the Bridges bar on the Southbank, which opened on Thursday 27 May), and it¡¯s taken weeks since its reopening in April 2021 ¨C now with no entrance fee ¨C to be able to get a table booking. The place has many, many pub-bench-style tables and umbrellas, a couple of speakers playing a surprisingly varied soundtrack (we heard everything from Lisa Stansfield to Groove Armada on our visit) and a raised pergola-like area surrounded by faux grass. The main lure here is all that space and the sunset views, as well as the planned events ranging from comedy nights and street-food festivals to gigs. Tip: wrap up ¨C there are no heaters and chilly-willy winds all the way from South London can reach you up here once the sun dips below a certain point.
EAT
The menu will keep changing as different street-food vendors pick up the baton ¨C on our trip we tucked into a couple of just-heavy-enough Swiss Browski Burgers served in brown paper bags; on other evenings you might get to try something by Last Night a Vegan Saved My Life.
DRINK
Just like your favourite local, the bar here is well stocked and quite traditional, but ranges from craft beers such as Pin-Up Session IPA to local cocktails ¨C try the East London Vodka Moscow Mule on for size. Becky Lucas
Address: The Terrace, Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace Way, London, N22 7AY
Website: alexandrapalace.com
Open: Monday 12 April 2021
London Fields Courtyard
Best for: barbecues and natural wine
Following a stonkingly successful pop-up in summer 2020, Andrew Clarke of St Leonards in Shoreditch and Orasay in Notting Hill and Daniel Watkins, Clarke¡¯s partner at St Leonards, are back stoking the fires of this sunshiny London Fields spot. Set in a sheltered courtyard just off thrumming Mare Street, the joint is strung with fairy lights and filled with picnic benches to create a space that can seat up to 180 weekend revellers.
EAT
Plates are separated into naans, buns and mains from the fire, and are limited in number each day. Buttery naans are topped with crispy sausage and wild garlic or celeriac and mushrooms, while plump buns are packed with thick slices of short rib with beef-fat crema and Mexican chilli or pork belly and apple jalape?o kraut. Bigger dishes include a half chicken with Tropea onions, whole mackerel and a beef chop with anchovy mayonnaise. We want to go back for Sunday lunch, with an eye firmly on the juicy rump of beef with crushed potatoes.
DRINK
House cocktails are perfectly made ¨C order the spicy Mezcal Margarita ¨C and the wine list is short but smart, with whites, reds and ros¨¦s by the glass, as well as a funky orange. Sarah James
Address: London Fields Courtyard, 2-16 Bayford Street, London E8 3SE
Website: courtyard.london
Open: Monday 12 April 2021
Rochelle Canteen, Shoreditch
Best for: long slow lunches
Housed in a repurposed bike shed in Arnold Circus, a quiet slice just five minutes from Columbia Road and Shoreditch High Street, is East London favourite Rochelle Canteen. It¡¯s tricky to find the entrance to this British seasonal spot (find the small metal buzzer on the blue door to be let in) but inside ¨C amid the herbal garden and florals ¨C is this unassuming, almost country-house-like terrace. They¡¯ve updated the outdoors with a covered top and heaters for chilly spring days but given that nabbing a table outside before the pandemic was almost impossible, it¡¯s worth booking in as soon as you can.
EAT
As a powerhouse in the kitchen, Margot Henderson turns out seriously simple and fresh daily rotating dishes. It¡¯s similar in ethos to neighbouring St John (Henderson is in fact married to the brains behind that joint, Fergus) so expect to find dishes such as slabs of ham and parsley terrine to start followed by brown shrimp with white cabbage and chervil or grilled mutton chops with turnips and a green sauce. Don¡¯t skip a side of the delicately dressed new potatoes and a scoop of sweet clementine ice cream for pudding in the summer.
DRINK
Juicy glasses of whites, pinks and reds are mandatory with lunch. Ask your waiter to recommend what might go best with the meal but the menu isn¡¯t short of crisp Chardonnays and bold Burgundy Pinot Noirs. Katharine Sohn
Address: Rochelle Canteen, 16 Playground Gardens, Shoreditch, London E2 7FA
Telephone: +44 20 3928 8328
Website: arnoldandhenderson.com
Open: Monday 12 April 2021
HEADS + TAILS, WEST HAMPSTEAD
Best for: clever cocktails
North-west London¡¯s bars don¡¯t get as much hype as those found east or south. But this little spot just off buzzy West End Lane draws a steady trickle of locals looking to elevate Friday (or, honestly, Thursday, Wednesday or Tuesday) night drinks, as well as curious cocktail seekers who have travelled from further afield. The peaceful courtyard at the back is where those in the know book a table on sunny evenings.
EAT
Carefully thought-out bar snacks include sourdough flatbreads with za’atar and smokey sundried tomatoes, and a homemade hummus platter. If you go too heavy on the cocktails, sober up with thick-cut grilled cheese: Cheddar, mozzarella and Monterey Jack, smoked-chilli jelly and cornichons.
DRINK
Menus change seasonally but always include clever inventions such as the spring-inspired Shoot From The Rosehip (vodka, soda, rhubarb and rosehip cordial), as well as low- and no-alcohol creations. Or go classic with one of the signature drinks ¨C we like the excellent, slightly sweet Maple Old Fashioned. Sarah James
Address: Heads + Tails, 175 West End Lane, West Hampstead, London NW6 2LH
Telephone: +44 7926 968335
Website: headsandtails.bar
Open: Monday 12 April 2021
Towpath, Haggerston
Best for: an evening with the locals
This much-loved Haggerston gem has served East London folk delicious seasonal plates since its early days in 2010. It¡¯s since lured in cross-city cyclists and joggers making a pilgrimage for the food of founder Lori De Mori and chef Laura Jackson (formerly of Rochelle Canteen). With some of the best people watching ¨C plus bobbing canal boats and the odd swan ¨C it¡¯s easy to lose all sense of time while spending a long summer¡¯s evening here with the locals of the area. Do note, they don¡¯t take reservations so head here early.
EAT
Dishes of the day are scribbled on the restaurant’s blackboard but some past favourites include taramasalata with crunchy radishes and toast, fresh asparagus with Sicilian trapanese, or beetroot with rainbow chard, braised lentils, anchovy and just-soft boiled eggs. For breakfast expect to find a crispy cheese toastie with sweet quince jelly and a perfect cup of coffee.
DRINK
It¡¯s expert flat whites in the morning and small glasses of wine at supper. Katharine Sohn
Address: Towpath, 42 De Beauvoir Crescent, De Beauvoir Town, London N1 5SB
Website: towpathlondon.com
Open: Thursday 15 April 2021
40 Maltby Street, Bermondsey
Best for: British ingredients and some of the best sandwiches in London
Blink and you might miss this unfussy wine bar in a railway arch in Bermondsey¡¯s Maltby Street Market ¨C in normal times, it can be hard to even get to due to the crowds. The team behind this South London spot has led the pack since its opening in 2011, in dishing out interesting sharing plates mixed with natural and organic wines (the restaurant is housed inside wine importer Gergovie¡¯s bricks and mortar). It also quickly adapted to the pandemic, and loyal followers have beelined here to stock up on provisions, wine, and the famously overstuffed sandwiches (check its Instagram for weekly specials). It¡¯s sticking with its no-reservation policy too, so it¡¯s recommended to line up early for a table outside but bring a coat and an umbrella as there will be no heaters and limited cover.
EAT
This is another London joint that changes its menu weekly but past starters include devilled brown crab toast, pork rillettes or a crisp salad of bitter leaves, pear, stilton and walnuts, while bigger dishes range from warm roast chicken with pumpkin and russian kale to fish stew with roasted peppers and aioli. Pudding is equally exciting ¨C blackcurrant bakewell tart with jersey cream, marmalade sorbet and rose meringue parfait with rhubarb have all been spotted on the blackboard.
DRINK
The wines (plus fizz and beer) of the week go up on a scribbled board too, with options for a glass or bottle ¨C expect independent, lesser-known makers and bottles that pack punchy flavours. Katharine Sohn
Address: 40 Maltby Street, 40 Maltby Street, Bermondsey, London SE1 3PA
Telephone: +44 20 8076 9517
Website: 40maltbystreet.com
Open: Wednesday 14 April 2021
River Cafe, Hammersmith
Best for: seasonal Italian menus with river views
¡®Who needs a restaurant? Well, cities do,¡¯ says Ruthie Rogers, founder of legendary Thameside restaurant the River Cafe. ¡®They are places of comfort where people come to be looked after.¡¯ In spite of the restaurant¡¯s dedicated efforts to provide loyal customers with high-quality takeaways throughout lockdown, many are desperate to return to the riverside terrace. With its manicured gardens, blue chairs at linen-covered tables and some of London¡¯s best pasta dishes, the restaurant never fails to deliver its guarantee of comfort in its most elevated form.
EAT
Throughout its 34-year history, the River Cafe has been home to some of Britain¡¯s top chefs. Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Ben O’Donoghue, Theo Randall, April Bloomfield and Jamie Oliver have all concocted Italian-inspired dishes in the River Cafe¡¯s kitchens. Now, under the helm of head chef Sian Wyn Owen, the menu is as creative as ever. Antipasti include carciofi alla Giudia (deep-fried whole Roman artichokes with Amalfi lemon) and mazzancolle al forno (Scottish langoustines wood-roasted with parsley and garlic). Primi pasta dishes major on fresh, seasonal ingredients ¨C the spring-menu ravioli is stuffed with courgettes and their flowers, buffalo ricotta and mint ¨C while secondi courses of meat-centred recipes make you wish you hadn¡¯t eaten so much pasta.
DRINK
The River Cafe¡¯s wine list is an homage to Italy¡¯s vineyards from around 20 different regions, including a Curtefranca Bianco-Chardonnay from Lombardy and a Barolo-Ravera from Piedmont. Olivia Morelli
Address: River Cafe, Thames Wharf, Rainville Road, Hammersmith, London W6 9HA
Telephone: +44 20 7386 4200
Website: rivercafe.co.uk
Open: Monday 12 April 2021
Westerns Laundry, Highbury
Best for: farm-fresh plates and funky natural wines
When lockdown part three hit, the team behind this Highbury neighbourhood gem quickly shifted its focus to a weekly farmers¡¯ market ¨C offering quality ingredients from its sustainable and regenerative suppliers and farmers for north London residents. It was so popular that the queue stretched hungrily down Drayton Park on Sundays and the flaky pastries (some from Jolene and Big Jo nearby), breads and colourful jars of preserves sold out by midday. Part of the same family as the beloved Primeur and Cornwall destination restaurant Fitzroy, Westerns Laundry has long stood as one of the best restaurants in the city.
EAT
There is a slight Spanish influence on the menu and whether you¡¯re dining on larger sharing plates or small nibbles in the olive tree-filled courtyard, it¡¯s definitely worth spending a large chunk of an afternoon here. You might find thinly sliced lardo on toast, salted sardines, creamy langoustines with classic marie rose sauce or flaky salt cod with peppers. Dishes run on the smaller side so save room for the rum baba for two ¨C a delicious sultana-packed piece of fluffy yeast cake.
DRINK
Natural, organic, biodynamic, and low-intervention wines are the speciality. It can be overwhelming to know what to pick so speak to the team and get their suggestions on a zingy Italian or bold Austrian ¨C or something completely new. Katharine Sohn
Address: Westerns Laundry, 34 Drayton Park, Highbury East, London N5 1PB
Telephone: +44 20 7700 3700
Website: westernslaundry.com
Open: Tuesday 13 April 2021
Circolo Popolare, Fitzrovia
Best for: a sunny Sicilian supper
All foodies have heard about this Fitzrovia spot, the second London launch from France¡¯s Big Mamma Group that drew round-the-block queues when it opened in summer 2019. We named its ivy-and-wisteria-clad dining room one of the most beautiful in London, but slightly less-known is the terrace out back on peaceful Rathbone Square.
EAT
Both Circolo and its Shoreditch sister Gloria are known for their oversized, maximalist dishes ¨C pizzas come as a giant one-metre stretch of Napoli-style dough made to share, while the famous carbonara is tossed in a giant wheel of Parmesan at the table. For something lighter, small plates of burrata with a bright pesto heart and golden courgette flowers with saffron dip hit the antipasti spot.
DRINK
Classic Italian cocktails are given an over-the-top twist in keeping with the rest of this restaurant ¨C the Limoncello Spritz is a tart take on the better known Aperol version, while the Punch-Drunk Love (sloe gin, apricot brandy and Lambrusco) comes in a giant, strawberry-shaped punch bowl to share. There¡¯s also a menu of Italian-spiced G&Ts ¨C we like the Amalfi-inspired Malfy’s, made with lemons and elderflower. Sarah James
Address: Circolo Popolare, 40-41 Rathbone Place, Fitzrovia, London W1T 1HX
Website: bigmammagroup.com
Open: Monday 12 April 2021
Milk Beach, Queen¡¯s Park
Best for: natural wines on a surprisingly buzzy North London mews
Antipodean hangout Milk Beach is one of a handful of interesting names on Lonsdale Road, a Queen¡¯s Park mews that¡¯s making a name for itself. Its neighbours include a Bread Ahead outpost, local brewery Wolfpack and smart women¡¯s co-working space The Hearth. In 2020, the team renovated the restaurant ¨C inside there¡¯s whitewashed walls, rattan lights and plenty of wood, as well as a chef¡¯s table countertop set up by the open kitchen ¨C but it¡¯s the shady terrace on the largely pedestrianised street that draws people once the weather warms up.
EAT
This spot goes big on brunch ¨C crayola-coloured a?ai bowls sprinkled with nutty granola; thick, fluffy pancakes; banana bread dolloped with espresso cream cheese. In the late afternoon, the sheltered terrace shifts gears as families enjoying a sunny breakfast make way for locals who come for the small plates of golden potato gems and sea bream crudo. In summer 2020, the team put on barbecue suppers during the weekends, flipping next-level burgers to a chilled-out soundtrack wafting from inside ¨C we¡¯re hoping for more of the same this year.
DRINK
The all-natural wine list spotlights solely independent vintners whose story the denim-aproned staff reel off while they pour you a glass. Lots of bottles come from Australia, but there are also surprising vintages from Europe ¨C we particularly like the Blaufr?nkisch, a lemony Austrian red. Sarah James
Address: Milk Beach, 19¨C21 Lonsdale Road, Queen’s Park, London NW6 6RA
Website: milkbeach.com
**Open:**Tuesday 13 April 2021
The Standard, London, King¡¯s Cross
Best for: cool Cosmopolitans
Double Standard, the sexy ground-floor bar at London¡¯s first outpost of the American hotel has lured in smart socialites and King¡¯s Cross commuters since opening in 2019. Decked out in Seventies design, it has brought a dose of the inside to a little slice of quiet outdoors ¨C bright blue and red table tops, green foliage, sleek wooden seats and stripy umbrellas for protection from the summer sun.
EAT
Bar snacks are elevated here, with Isla, the small plates restaurant and Bristol chef Peter Sanchez-Iglesias¡¯s Mexican plates at Decimo on the 10th floor bringing a serious foodie crowd in. Kick off with crispy fried chicken bites or the spicy Southern fried cauliflower before opting for a classic burger and hot dog to soak up the cocktails.
DRINK
Classic tipples get a creative twist ¨C Martinis come with larger gherkins and are as good as some of the best in the city, but it¡¯s the spicy Hot Daisy that really packs a punch, made with Amores mezcal, lime, chilli, frothy egg white and soda (you¡¯ll feel the kick even more the morning after sipping three of these). Katharine Sohn
Address: The Standard London, 10 Argyle Street, London WC1H 8EG
Telephone: +44 203 981 8888
Website: standardhotels.com
**Open:**Monday 12 April 2021
Vinegar Yard, Southwark
Best for: easy drinks and street-food bites in the shade of the Shard
What makes this Southwark outdoor venue and market so special is its blend of fun things to do ¨C from quality food trucks and cool vintage finds to busy picnic tables in the summer, it¡¯s an ideal spot for spending a long lazy afternoon.
EAT
The team from Flat Iron Square are behind this South London destination, so expect to find delicious foodie options from interesting independent vendors: fluffy focaccia sa
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