Most of us want to eat outside sometimes, not because we’re tired of tasting home-cooked meals, but because we want a different vibe from our homes.
Some go to a calming cafe, while some prefer a fancy restaurant. But do you know what’s better than those eating spots? The one with something you don’t see at your home—rooftop restaurants with spectacular views!
If you’re the kind of person who believes a good meal gets even better with a skyline, you’re in for a treat. I’ve listed down London’s best rooftop restaurants where the views are as great as the food.
1. Forza Wine – Peckham
Media credit: forzawine
Website: https://forzawine.com/pages/peckham
Address: The Rooftop, 133A Rye Ln
Contact Details: +44 7312 258845 and [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 12 PM to 12 AM (kitchen closes at 10:30 PM)
Pricing: £
Forza Wine Peckham is the rooftop restaurant to visit if you want a perfect sunset view while eating food and sipping a cocktail. Here, you can see the beauty of South London from above, especially at night.
They offer a wide range of cocktails. I recommend trying one of their Negronis, as they have four kinds. Their smoked Negroni has a classic taste of Negroni with added bitterness of Scarpa red vermouth and Campari.
You shouldn’t ignore their food as well. They have servings that allow you to taste various Italian dishes in one go. One of the servings contains burrata, agrodolce onions, and pangrattato.
Pro Tip:
Aside from their cocktails, you can also try one of their wines, especially the 2018 red or white wine.
2. The Rooftop
Media credit: trafalgarsw1
Website: https://trafalgarstjames.com/rooftop-bar/
Address: 7th Floor, 2 Spring Gardens
Contact Details: +44 20 7870 2900 and [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday – 3 PM to 11 PM (kitchen closes at 9:30 PM, last drink order at 10:30 PM)
- Friday and Saturday – 3 PM to 12 AM (kitchen closes at 10:30 PM, last drink order at 11:30 PM)
Pricing: £
The Rooftop offers an entertaining view of Trafalgar Square plaza. It’s great being here, especially when there’s an ongoing event at the well-known plaza. Seeing many people having fun from afar is such a good mood setter.
I love the canopy-covered dining areas they have. The style makes it a great space for formal dinner occasions and even post-wedding parties, as it’s spacious and weatherproof.
For food, I like their great selection of tacos. They have crispy prawns, mushrooms, and barbecue beef tacos. As a spicy food lover, I prefer the mushroom tacos because of the spiced pico de gallo.
Pro Tip:
Book a reservation as early as possible to avoid disappointment, as they have limited outdoor seating. Take note of their minimum spend and age policy, which varies depending on the time and day.
3. Seabird
Media credit: seabirdlondon
Website: https://seabirdlondon.com/
Address: 14th Floor, South Bank, 40 Blackfriars Rd
Contact Details: +44 20 7903 3050 and [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday and Tuesday – 12 PM to 9:30 PM
- Wednesday to Friday – 12 PM to 10 PM
- Saturday and Sunday – 11:30 AM to 10 PM
Pricing: £
I’m a fan of Seabird’s extensive oyster menu. As a seafood rooftop restaurant, they have 12 kinds of oysters from various countries, such as England, France, and Ireland. You can eat one of them for as little as £5.
I love their wide selection of group menus, too. They have extensive gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan menus that you can share with your crew. Some dishes from the menu are lobster rice, chorizo skewers, and chocolate ganache.
When it comes to views, the place provides sweeping views of the city. They let their guests experience a coastal vibe through their food above the noise of the busy roads of London.
Pro Tip:
Understand that their menu is subject to change daily because they want to serve fresh seafood to their guests. Always ask one of their staff about what’s available on the menu.
4. Aviary Rooftop Bar & Restaurant
Media credit: aviaryldn
Website: https://etmcollection.co.uk/venue/aviary-rooftop-restaurant-terrace-bar/
Address: Montcalm Royal London House, 22-25 Finsbury Square
Contact Details: +44 20 3873 4060 and [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 6:30 AM to 12 AM
- Saturday and Sunday – 7 AM to 12 AM
Pricing: £
Aside from the spectacular city views, Aviary Rooftop Bar & Restaurant’s design got me. Its interior and outdoor designs are inspired by the mid-century style, making you feel like you’ve travelled back in time. The spot is truly worthy of being on your Instagram.
Their dining areas are great too. You can enjoy London from a high ground in the open area or one of their transparent igloos, free of charge!
Sometimes, we like to be in the open area for the great view, but we prefer being in the igloo more when we want to have an intimate get-together.
If you’re into European desserts, you will love their wide selection of canapés. They serve cold, warm, and sweet canapés you can feast on throughout the evening.
Pro Tip:
Bring your bank cards because the restaurant is a cashless establishment. You may also pay through mobile payment methods like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Android Pay.
5. 14 Hills
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Website: https://14hills.co.uk/
Address: 14th floor, 120 Fenchurch St
Contact Details: +44 20 3981 5222 and [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 12 PM to 11 PM
Pricing: £
It’s difficult not to love 14 Hills’ garden-like setting. It provides a peaceful atmosphere throughout your stay. Overall, this rooftop restaurant is truly a relaxing spot to chill at any time of the day.
They have a children’s menu, making them the ideal spot to bond with your family. Some dishes on the children’s menu are grilled steak, pasta, and coconut brownie.
Apart from the children’s menu, they also have an extensive selection of desserts. They serve ice cream, caramel ganache, and many more.
Pro Tip:
If you visit during the weekend, go from 12 PM to 4 PM to enjoy their bottomless brunch. Remember that they only offer a bottomless brunch every weekend.
6. Mercer Roof Terrace
Media credit: vintryandmercer
Website: https://www.vintryandmercer.com/dining-in-the-city/mercer-roof-terrace/
Address: 20 Garlick Hill
Contact Details: +44 20 3908 8099 and [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 12 PM to 4:30 PM and 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM
- Saturday and Sunday – 12 PM to 9:30 PM
Pricing: £
Operating at the top of a hotel, Mercer Roof Terrace is a sophisticated restaurant with views of the historic St. Paul’s Cathedral and The Shard.
I love that their lunch and dinner menu has an extensive range of dishes. There are meats, seafood, and lots of puddings. They even have five kinds of puddings you can enjoy after or during your main meal.
I appreciate that they offer different after-hours cocktails each day. For margarita lovers, visit them on Wednesday, while martini people should go to them on Friday.
Pro Tip:
They’re close to the public when they have private events, so be sure to check their website for scheduled closures before visiting!
7. Sushisamba
Media credit: sushisamba
Website: https://www.sushisamba.com/locations/uk/london-heron-tower
Address: Heron Tower, 110 Bishopsgate
Contact Details: +44 20 3640 7330 and [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 12 PM to 1:30 AM
Pricing: ££
At Sushisamba, you can enjoy meals from three countries in just one visit. The restaurant not only offers Japanese cuisine but also serves Brazilian and Peruvian dishes.
I appreciate that they offer small and large plate servings. Both serving sizes have five kinds of meals to choose from. They serve wagyu gyoza on small plates, while you can have robata black cod on large plates.
The restaurant also has a vibrant atmosphere and unobstructed skyscraper views, which I really love. It’s a place to be with friends and have evening fun after work.
Pro Tip:
Expect a higher price as Sushisamba offers a premium dining experience.
8. Rooftop Garden at The Culpeper
Media credit: theculpeper
Website: https://www.theculpeper.com/rooftop/
Address: 40 Commercial St
Contact Details: +44 20 7247 5371, [email protected], and [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Saturday – 12 PM to 3 PM and 6 PM to 10 PM
- Sunday – 12 PM – 9 PM (kitchen closes at 6 PM)
Pricing: £
I’m amazed by how The Culpeper operates. All their drink and meal servings have at least one ingredient from their rooftop garden. An example of this would be a garnish for your drink.
Speaking of, the Rooftop Garden is a separate dining area from their restaurant, located on the building’s first floor. The natural garden and rural setting will give you the feeling of escaping urban life, even for a while.
What’s great is that you can still see London’s skyscrapers from afar, but you will not experience its noisy surroundings. Talk about a perfect escape!
Pro Tip:
Although open to the public at 3 PM, the Rooftop Garden is bookable for lunch every Monday to Sunday, from 12 PM to 3:30 PM.
9. Wagtail Rooftop Bar & Restaurant
Media credit: outandaboutwithabbie and wagtailldn
Website: https://etmcollection.co.uk/venue/wagtail-rooftop-bar-restaurant/
Address: 68 King William St
Contact Details: +44 20 8161 4442 and [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday – 11 AM to 12 AM
- Tuesday to Saturday – 11 AM to 2 AM
- Sunday – 11 AM to 11 PM
Pricing: £
It’s impossible not to like Wagtail’s 360-degree city views. Some iconic landmarks you can see from here are The Gherkin, Tower Bridge, and the Walkie Talkie Building.
Not only that, you will also like the dual-level rooftop setting the restaurant has. You and your crew will never be too late for seats, as they have plenty.
I recommend trying their three-course group dining meals over a chat with your friends. They have a really good plant-based tarte tatin vanilla ice cream dessert. It has the perfect blend of sweet and savoury, warm and cold, and soft and crispy (yum!).
Pro Tip:
They offer a wide range of Cuban and New World cigars. If you want to try them, ask the staff for the smoking area.
10. Fenchurch Restaurant
Media credit: fenchurchrestaurant
Website: https://skygarden.london/restaurants/fenchurch/
Address: Level 37, Sky Garden Walk, 1
Contact Details: +44 333 772 0020, [email protected], and [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 12 PM to 2:30 PM and 5 PM to 9 PM
Pricing: ££
Fenchurch Restaurant is one of Sky Garden’s dining establishments that provides a restaurant and bar experience. Sky Garden is known for its unique indoor garden setting, giving Fenchurch a relaxing vibe.
I love having one of the sets on their tasting menu. It lets you feast on several dishes for a fixed price. You can pair all sets with your chosen wine or cocktail.
Speaking of, they have many cocktails you can choose from. Their Lancaster Gate, one of their signature cocktails, combines cinnamon with Belvedere pure vodka and other ingredients like Chambord liquor and lemonade. It’s a unique mix worth trying.
Pro Tip:
Sky Garden is open as early as 8 AM, so you can enjoy the place even before dining at Fenchurch Restaurant.
