• Home
• Restaurants
• London
• The best summer hotspots in London, chosen by the olive team

The best summer hotspots in London, chosen by the olive team

• Helen Salter

Published: July 15, 2026 at 2:48 PM

loading...

Get 5 months for £5 when you subscribe today

Discover all the café, bar and restaurant inspiration you need to eat your way around London this summer, personally recommended by olive's editorial team

Looking for the best sun-soaked restaurants in London? Here are our tried and tested spots of the summer, from towpath café gems and waterside retreats to rooftop hideaways and buzzy beer gardens. Add them to your wishlist for a summer of sensational eating in the capital.

Ad

For more summer dining inspiration, check out London's best outdoor restaurants and terraces and park café destinations. We also have our favourite outdoor restaurants in the UK.

Toklas, Strand – for Mediterranean dishes on a sun-trap terrace

When I’m stuck for a central spot to meet my friends in summer, I often suggest Toklas. The terrace is super chic, peppered with colourful café chairs and potted plants. Mediterranean-style dishes include peaches with green beans and almonds, pork ragu and peas in folds of tagliatelle (the pasta here is epic) and wild strawberry panna cotta. I go to the theatre every six weeks or so, and Toklas’s pre-theatre menu is great value – the likes of raw courgettes with pecorino, olives and rocket followed by sea trout with borlotti beans and aïoli, for £29. The bakery next door is also fab, so be sure to pop in for a haul to take away for breakfast the next day. Alex Crossley

Mazi, Notting Hill – for Greek food on a vine-draped terrace

Mazi is my go-to for a midsummer meal in West London, thanks to its intimate, vine-draped garden terrace and refreshed take on Greek cooking. The menu is made for sharing and brims with reimagined classics - think thick, garlicky tzatziki with grilled leek bread, delicate tuna crudo in citrus and feta tempura lifted by lemon marmalade and caper meringue. The prawn risotto with lobster head bisque is a must for its deeply savoury, luxurious flavour, while desserts like crisp baklava and pistachio ice cream sandwich round things off perfectly.

The drinks list is a real highlight, championing Greek wines and playful cocktails such as a thyme margarita or a dirty martini with Halkidiki olives. For me, Mazi nails that balance of relaxed summer atmosphere, inventive food and a sense of occasion. Helen Salter

Albers, De Beauvoir – for sun-soaked vegetable plates

Nestled in a quiet corner of De Beauvoir, neighbourhood darling Albers has rolled out a new summer menu that puts sunshine on a plate. Some dishes land more than others but the standouts are well worth the trip. Start with the mascarpone crostini topped with Ana Maria anchovies: if you’ve never had the pleasure of biting into a perfectly tart kumquat, this sweet-sour bite pairs beautifully with a glass of white. Dairy runs playfully throughout the menu: almond milk pools around a bed of tender scallops with elderflower, and toasted milk dresses up a tower of white miso glazed asparagus with crisp pear.

But if you order just one thing, make it the agretti: paired with ripe san marzano tomatoes, delicate stracciatella and lifted with a squeeze of lemon, this dish is a symphony of the season’s best. Don't be tempted to skip dessert for the ice cream shop down the road – the madeleines are baked to order and arrive warm, served with douglas fir honey.

The Culpeper Rooftop Garden, Spitalfields – for woodland cocktails in the City

This City terrace is one of my top summer picks for its unique woodland-inspired rooftop garden, where apple, silver birch and hazel trees create a tranquil escape from the city bustle. I love how the edible plants – mint, sweet cicely, honeysuckle and wild strawberries – are woven into both the menu and the drinks, making everything feel fresh and seasonal.

The cocktails are a real highlight, especially the botanical twists using in-house infusions; the Rhubarbcello with ginger liqueur and fizz is a personal favourite. Set against the dramatic backdrop of City skyscrapers, this leafy haven offers a lush blend of natural calm and urban energy. Hannah Guinness

Photograph by Veerle Evens

Cue Point at The Garden Bar, Notting Hill – for Texan-Afghan BBQ sharing plates

This alfresco dining spot has become a new go-to for when I crave bold, smoky flavours in a buzzing beer garden setting. Centred around a hulking smoker named Betty, the vast outdoor space is now the permanent home of Cue Point’s Afghan-Texan halal BBQ concept. Founders Mursal Saiq and Josh Moroney fuse American low-and-slow techniques with Afghan spices, delivering generous portions designed for sharing.

A few personal highlights include: pimento chilli cheese flatbread, brisket burnt end skewers with tangy pickles and garlic yogurt, and black lime pepper chicken bites. The oak-smoked lamb shank arrives as thick, smoky slabs to pull from the bone and is served atop kabuli pilau, while the borani banjan aubergine curry makes a memorable vegetarian option. With seating for 200, it's perfect for long, lively gatherings in the sun, offering a unique take on barbecue that stands out among London’s alfresco spots. Keith Kendrick

Image credit: Justin De Souza

Luca, Clerkenwell – for upmarket Italian

Luca in Clerkenwell is one of my favourite summer spots for modern Italian with a twist – here, British ingredients are celebrated through an Italian lens. The menu is excellent, with dishes like Cornish lobster taglierini, canon of Hebridean lamb with trombetta courgettes and Hereford beef tartare cured in nebbiolo. The 1950s-inspired interiors, with blue and sage hues, and floor-to-ceiling glass walls, create a lively yet elegant atmosphere, especially as you watch chefs handcraft pasta in the semi-open kitchen. The restaurant conceals a stunning terrace, reminiscent of a Tuscan walled garden.

I love starting at the all-day bar for an espresso or a morning pastry, then returning later for a spritz and shared plates featuring house-made limoncello. For me, Luca is where refined Italian cooking, impeccable service and a sun-soaked terrace come together for a truly memorable meal. Alex Crossley

The Hawk’s Nest, Shepherd’s Bush – for cocktails and pizza alfresco

This outdoor restaurant and bar is one of my top summer picks for its lively atmosphere and clever retractable roof, making it perfect whether you’re after sun or shelter. I love coming here for a girls’ night or a date, especially to take advantage of the brilliant ‘marg and a marg’ deal – just £14.50 for a margarita and a pizza, Tuesday to Friday. The space is always buzzing in summer, with the roof rolled back and the crowd in full swing, and the spicy margaritas are spot on. It’s the sort of place where you can relax, soak up the energy and let someone else handle the cooking – exactly what I want from a summer spot. Helena Busiakiewicz

ACME Fire Cult, Dalston – for live-fire cooking

ACME Fire Cult nails the summer alfresco vibe with its bold, veg-forward cooking and buzzing outdoor setting beneath the canopy at 40FT Brewery. I love starting with the Marmite Ararat flatbread, smothered in pecorino, before diving into coal-roasted leeks with pistachio romesco or the massive cuore del vesuvio tomatoes on vibrant Goddess sauce. The cauliflower, drenched in spiced butter and paired with Umbrian lentils and pickled jalapeños, is also a must.

For those after something meatier, the smoked pork collar – charred to a perfect crust and served with onions and mustard sauce – is outstanding. I always save room for the hazelnut chocolate ganache with beer molasses to finish. Expect an inventive use of beer by-products in ferments and hot sauces, plus a stellar line-up of craft beers on tap (the ancho chilli lager is a favourite). Alex Crossley

Tiella, Hackney – an Italian trattoria with a sun-trap terrace

Tiella on Columbia Road is my go-to for a summer Italian feast, thanks to its sun-trap terrace and lively trattoria atmosphere. Dara Klein’s open kitchen turns out family recipes with real flair – her nonna’s polpette meatballs, mopped up with crusty bread, are a must, and the chicken schnitzel is wonderfully crisp, lifted by a salad of fennel, apple, celery and herbs. Starters shine with ricotta di Romagna drizzled in Calabrian chilli and honey, and Venetian-style anchovies, all best piled onto Forno’s sourdough.

Pasta is where Tiella truly excels: hand-rolled tria with sweet tropea onions, datterini tomatoes and squacquerone, or cavatelli in a comforting borlotti bean stew. Dara’s favourite, the zuppa imperiale beef shin broth with parmesan croutons, is deeply satisfying. Don't skip the dessert – the chocolate torta caprese with amarena cherries is the perfect finale. Alex Crossley

Photo credit Caitlin Isola

Four Hundred Rabbits at Brockwell Lido, Herne Hill – for poolside pizzas

My favourite summer post-work activity is to book a slot at Brockwell Lido, get some lengths in (in the slow lane!) and let my cares float away. Relax poolside as you dry off with a focaccia pizza slice and Dalston's elderflower fizz. Or, even better, retire to Four Hundred Rabbits' colourful terrace specialising in south London craft beer, spritzes and 72-hour proved sourdough pizza. The Calabrian salami and hot honey one is a particular favourite of mine, and it does a great version of my fave padrón peppers too*. Alex Crossley*

A Portuguese Love Affair, Hackney – for authentic Portuguese treats

This lively deli, wine bar and café on Hackney Road is my summer essential thanks to its relaxed atmosphere and late-night opening (until 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays). The shelves brim with interesting wines – crisp vinho verde is a highlight – but the Super Bock beer on tap truly channels the spirit of a Portuguese summer. The real joy is the sunny garden, which merges with Ion Square Gardens for events featuring Portuguese musicians and DJs.

Food-wise, expect award-winning pastel de nata (sadly untested by me as a vegan), a tempting range of empanadas – vegan and fish options included – and ‘tofu à bras’, a clever plant-based take on the classic bacalhau à bras. For those seeking a longer night, a nearby basement hosts late dancing and queer-centred events. Emily Marten

Forno Ragged Café, Mile End – for canalside pastries and lunch

I love how Forno brings a laid-back spirit of Italian dining to this sunlit patch on Regent’s Canal. Housed in a 19th-century school, the café’s rustic interiors – peeled green walls, exposed beams and tall windows – set the scene for relaxed brunches and lunches with friends. The Italian-leaning menu is accessible and accomplished, with seasonal standout dishes such as green asparagus salad with coppa, tarragon aïoli, soft-boiled egg and crispy capers, or a comforting lamb shoulder and pearl barley broth with gremolata.

The Italian pastry selection is my favourite: think cornetto al pistacchio, gianduja buns and the signature cream-filled maritozzi. For those strolling the towpath, the canalside hatch dispenses excellent coffee and fresh viennoiserie to go. With sun-soaked window tables and a welcoming atmosphere, it’s an A1 spot to linger over lunch or grab a pastry for a leisurely weekend walk. Helen Salter

Towpath Café, De Beauvoir Town – for seasonal plates on the canal

Towpath Café is my favourite east London spot, perched on Regent’s Canal and buzzing with life as soon as spring arrives. The colourful metal chairs which line the towpath make the perfect spot for soaking up the sunshine and watching the boats drift by. The blackboard menu is short but spot on, with grilled cheese sandwiches, runny fried eggs on toast and sharing plates such as creamy mozzarella with pickled radicchio or hummus topped with crispy lamb. The atmosphere is relaxed and effortlessly sociable, making it a personal favourite for a leisurely summer lunch by the water. Emily Marten

Darcie & May Green, Paddington – for Australian-style all-day dining

If you want a more unique London brunch experience, this restaurant is set across two narrowboats on the Regent’s Canal with indoor seating and an open-air roof terrace. Like the other Daisy Green locations, the menu follows an Australian-inspired brunch and all-day dining vibe.

I recommend booking one of the brunch options – the classic or tea total – that way you get a savoury and sweet dish included in the price alongside their fizz or kombucha teas. The Dirty Daisy – tater tots, chorizo, cheese, eggs and salsa – is a personal favourite, followed by the lamington, a classic Australian sweet treat. Rachel Gunter

Ad

Check out more London restaurant guides here:

Best restaurants in Soho
Best restaurants in Covent Garden
Best restaurants near Oxford Street
Best restaurants in Fitzrovia
Best restaurants in London Bridge
Best restaurants in Hackney
Best restaurants in Marylebone
Best restaurants in Notting Hill
Best restaurants in Mayfair
Best restaurants in Brixton
Best restaurants in Shoreditch
Best restaurants in Camden
Best restaurants in Paddington

Authors

Helen Salter

Comments, questions and tips

Choose the type of message you'd like to post

Choose the type of message you'd like to post

CommentQuestionTip

Ad

Ad

Loading...

Ad

Loading...

Want to see this content?

This page contains olivemagazine content provided by Google reCAPTCHA. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as Google reCAPTCHA may use cookies and other technologies. To view this content, choose 'Accept and continue' to allow Google reCAPTCHA and its required purposes.

Accept and continue