The best outdoor dining hotspots in the UK
Eating al fresco = one of the best bits of summer. Sure, you can light up that disposable barbecue in your garden and cremate a pack of Tesco sausages - or you could head to one of these outdoor dining destinations and enjoy the sun and some pretty amazing food.
Note: Heading to the big smoke? How about trying one of the best rooftop bars in London
Pergola Paddington Central, London
This summer, Paddington becomes home to Pergola Paddington Central, the sister site to White City’s much-loved Pergola on the Roof. Be sure to take your phone because this place is Instagrammable to the max! Make sure you go hungry as well; with five pop-up restaurants to choose from, you'll go away happy. When Team GLAMOUR went we couldn't decide between Patty & Bun or DF/Mexico (an East Coast-style diner with an experimental menu of American and Mexican fast food), so we went with both. Oops! Both delicious! Make sure you go.
pergolaontheroof.com/ (open until 1st October).
Dalloway Terrace, London
Dalloway terrace, situated in central London, is one of the pretties restaurants in the capital - especially if you're sat in the blossom filled terrace. The hotspot's new makeover isn't the only thing that's new - they also have a brand new head chef, and the food is utterly delicious. Think chargrilled asparagus, Burford brown egg and hollandaise sauce to start, followed by arborio risotto with spring vegetables, edamame, wild garlic leaf and parmesan shavings. Delish!
If you're trying to watch the calories, do not fear. Dalloway Terrace has lighter options, and even a cocktail list that is bursting with lighter tipples thanks to Thomson & Scott Skinny Prosecco and Skinny Champagne.
The Roof Deck at Selfridges, London
Perched upon Selfridges’ iconic rooftop, Roof Deck Restaurant & Bar offers the perfect, carefree Cali hideaway. Think surfboards propped up on walls, timber beams, and tropical palms.
Make sure you try... Well, the menu has been created by Executive Chef Steve Tonkin (previously Head Chef for the opening of Dean Street Townhouse and Executive Chef for the Soho House Group), alongside Head Chef Baran Baltaci (formerly Senior Sous Chef at The Ivy), so you're pretty much guaranteed a gorgeous meal. The guac is unreal (mainly due to the amazing fried tortilla crisps that come with them), and the avocado and pistachio ice cream sandwich has to be seen to be believed.
The Roof Deck at SelfridgesFancy a drink on the terrace? Read our cocktail review of the bar.
The Scarlet, Newquay
Close your eyes and imagine you're not at your desk eating a Pret sandwich, but instead gazing out over Mawgan Porth beach on the North Cornish coast. Sigh. The restaurant at this eco-friendly hotel uses local, sustainable ingredients. Expect dishes like Cornish hake with lobster ravioli, or Jerusalem artichoke tarte tatin with smoked Westcombe ricotta.
Make sure you try... The Spring Gourmet Tasting Menu (£60 per head) with five courses including wild garlic soup and hand-dived scallops. Yum.
scarlethotel.co.uk/restaurant
SUSHISAMBA, London
Thirty-eight floors up the Heron Tower (the elevator is an experience in itself), you're smack in the heart of the City, and eating on the highest outdoor dining terraces in Europe. A mash-up of Peruvian, Japanese and Brazilian cuisine, the menu is totally unique: Kobe beef sliders, crispy yellowtail taquitos, sea bass tempura, and all the sashimi you can dream of.
Make sure you try... The Sambatini cocktail, an ever-changing, monthly in-house creation from their talented (and adventurous) bar team.
sushisamba.com
TVC, Oxford
Aka The Varsity Club, you can take in the views of the city of dreaming spires from The Roof. Their sample BBQ menu includes squid skewers, curried monkfish and an 8oz burger with smoked applewood cheese.
Make sure you try... The lychee cocktail - and take advantage of the 2 for £9 sundowner cocktails on offer Mon-Fri until 7pm.
tvcoxford.co.uk
Pergola On The Roof, London
Last summer Pergola was the place to go - and the rooftop dining experience, at Television Centre in White City, is back from May 3 with four top restaurants serving food from their pop-up kiosks: 8 Hoxton Square (surprising and bold modern European), Salt ‘n’ Sauce from Bonnie Gull (sensational seafood), Breddos Tacos (insanely more-ish Mexican food), and Patty & Bun (unbeatable burgers).
Make sure you try... One of the giant 'party day beds' for large groups (13 or more), so you can recline in the sun once you've stuffed yourself silly.
pergolaontheroof.com
The Social, Glasgow
Situated in the city centre's Royal Exchange Square, you can have a hangover-curing brunch (the cooked breakfast comes complete with black pudding and haggis), tuck into one of their 12 inch pizzas for lunch (half price Mon-Thurs from 12-5pm), or go all out with steak frites or chorizo mac and cheese (er, yum) for dinner.
Make sure you try... A teapot from the extensive cocktail menu - there are three boozy 'brews' to choose from, serving four people.
thesocialglasgow.co.uk
Grand Pacific, Manchester
Be transported to distant shores with a menu that includes prawn and mussel laksa, Szechuan sea bass, Gado Gado salad with peanut sauce (an Indonesian special), and coconut pannacotta. They also serve a pretty special High Tea: crumpets with Cornish crab butter, smoked salmon potato cake, mango and passionfruit brûlée, jasmine tea bread with rose jelly... mouth waters
Make sure you try... The spiced duck hirata bun off the lunch menu, served with sweet potato fries.
grandpacific.uk.com
The Glasshouse Hotel, Edinburgh
The boutique hotel has a two-acre rooftop garden, with dramatic views of historic Carlton Hill. In the summer months they offer a five-star picnic hamper chock full of local Scottish produce (like lamb and haggis pasties, fresh strawberries and cream, cherry and almond cake) and a bottle of fizz. They'll even provide the picnic blanket. What could be better?
Make sure you try... The Snug, just off the roof garden. A cosy but super-stylish bolthole with an open fire, perfect for when the sun has set and you're getting chilly.
theglasshousehotel.co.uk
The Botanist, Newcastle
The interior of The Botanist has a secret garden feel with trees and branches twinkling with lights - but there is in fact an actual garden too, where you can enjoy meat straight off the barbecue (try the flattened rump marinated in chilli and garlic), their famous hanging kebabs (try the jerk salmon with garlic butter), or a deli board to remember with hand-carved honey glazed ham, smoked mackerel pate, pulled pork sausage rolls and a pork pie with fig chutney.
Make sure you try... Their award-winning sweet potato and spiced lentil pie, with curry sauce and mash.
thebotanistuk.com
Six at The Varsity Hotel, Cambridge
The Six brasserie has panoramic views of the Cambridge skyline, and a menu to suit every taste - from veal escalope with sautéed wild mushrooms, to roast cod with chorizo and artichokes, eight types of pizza (including one with spit roast lamb), and traditional beef lasagne.
Make sure you try... The chocolate peanut butter sundae for pudding: chocolate ice cream with toasted peanut ice cream, whipped cream and chopped Snickers.
sixcambridge.co.uk
Ham Yard Hotel, London
Nestled in Soho, the Ham Yard Hotel has a tree filled courtyard, which is lit up gorgeously at night. The menu changes frequently, but expect pan fried stone bass with squid ink gnocchi, braised beef with Parmesan polenta, or Dorset crab with radish salad. If you're feeling lavish - how about breakfast al fresco? The chorizo hash with sunny side up fried eggs is a very good way to start the day.
Make sure you try... The extremely good value set menu - 3 courses for £22, including a glass of sparkling wine. Cheers!
firmdalehotels.com
Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill, Birmingham
At the top of The Cube building, this is fine dining without the stuffiness - live music plays every weekend and the menu serves perfect British classics made with the best ingredients. No fuss, but seriously delicious: shepherd's pie with buttered peas, chicken kiev, market fish of the day. And of course, lots of cuts of steaks from British cattle, aged on the bone for 35 days. There's a new terrace to make the most of those awesome views, and a Laurent Perrier Champagne bar, because everything is better with Champagne.
Make sure you try... The three-course Sunday lunch with triple-cooked roast potatoes.
mpwrestaurants.co.uk
The Perch, Belfast
This cool rooftop hangout is half covered, half open air, so you're sorted come rain or shine. The menu is perfect for sharing, with charcuterie boards, small plates of king prawns, braised duck and smoked haddock, and excellent pizza (which are all paired on the menu with the best beer or ale to enjoy it with).
Make sure you try... The cocktail menu, featuring salted caramel espresso martini, and the fantastically named Tequila Mockingbird.
theperchbelfast.com
The Lido Restaurant, Bristol
Nothing says summer like dining poolside. And with a menu combining Mediterranean and Moorish cooking, you can pretty much imagine you're on holiday in some far flung place. Feast on wood roast quail, lemon sole with caper butter, hake with mussels and saffron potatoes; or nibble on the Tapas menu with treats like baked crab on hot buttered sourdough, goats cheese with honey and walnuts, or salt cod croquettes.
Make sure you try... The Lido Ices with their wonderfully inventive flavours like chai tea ice cream, or blood orange and Campari sorbet.
lidobristol.com/restaurant
Great John Street Townhouse, Manchester
This boutique hotel is a former school house, and the Rooftop Playground is named accordingly, having been the spot where former pupils spent their break times. Today, it's a sun-trapping, South-facing terrace with big wicker pods to bask in, while you tuck into their deli menu. Croque monsieur, steak sandwich, bacon and avocado salad, linguini with butternut squash, and proper fish and chips are the kind of tasty fare on offer.
Make sure you try... The Great John Street platter with nachos, toasted focaccia, halloumi chips with sweet child sauce, Parma ham and olives.
eclectichotels.co.uk/great-john-street
Petersham Nurseries Cafe, Surrey
Yes, it's a garden centre, but don't be deceived - this gem of a restaurant has Damian Clisby, previously head chef at HIX Soho, at its helm. Under a canopy of greenery, the menu is something to behold: mackerel with chicory and wild sorrel; slow-cooked octopus with lentils and aioli; roast pigeon with red cabbage and blood orange.
Make sure you try... One of the supper clubs running this summer, where strings of fairy lights adorn the foliage and you enjoy a bespoke three-course dinner for £75, including a seasonal bellini on arrival.
petershamnurseries.com
