8 ace places to eat al fresco in London's West End
Outdoor dining to rediscover from 12 April
Back to ItineriesRefuel on fresh air and fine food this summer in London’s arts and cultural epicentre.
Itinerary Info
Good for
Outdoor dining, reopening restaurants and bars, London's finest bars, London's Best steak house
Getting around
Close to Green Park, Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square, and Oxford Street tube stations. Nearby bus routes include 6, 9, 14, 19, 22, 38, N9, N19, N22, N38, N94. Nearby Santander bicycles and bicycle parking available.
Looking for outside dining experiences to try this summer?
April 12 is the hallmark we’ve all been waiting for. Outdoor dining, recreation and entertainment is on track to resume to kick-start summer 2021.
For those looking for a ways to celebrate the reopening of the West End with your loved ones, here’s our quick guide to the reopening restaurants that’ll be offering the all-important outside dining spaces so you can soak up the sun in the heart of London.
Fine dining at Franco’s: 12 April
We’re counting down the day’s until this little gem reopens.
Situated a stone’s throw-away from London’s leading art galleries and institutions in Mayfair and St James’s, Franco’s restaurant will be reopening its sunny outside terrace from 12th April, before opening-up inside in May.
Serving continental and English breakfasts, followed by Italian-inspired lunch and dinner menus, there’s something to make everyone’s taste buds dance with delight.
Be sure to sample the range of Franco’s Exclusive house wines. Offering the likes of Pellengo, Camusso & Gasca and Barbera DOC, and Camusso & Gasca, with grapes grown from the north-west Piedmont region in Italy, it’s a welcome accompaniment to a day of rediscovering London’s West End.
Book your outside dining table online here. Or, call or email using the following details:
T: +44 (020) 7499 2211
Fanny McGee’s fabulous Mr Fogg’s Tavern: 12 April
Expect no nonsense tipples and a jolly good knees up at Mr Fogg’s traditional Victorian-themed tavern in the heart of theatre land.
Its sun-trap outside dining space will reopen from 12th April for punches, beers and Champagnes galore, before Fanny McGee opens her doors to the rest of the Tavern in May!
Better book your table while you can as this is a well-known spot only seconds away from Covent Garden, Trafalgar Square and Leicester Square, London’s home of entertainment.
Fret not, if you can’t wait until then, dearest companions, you can enjoy their marvellous selection of award-winning libations from the comfort of your home, with Mr Fogg’s Airmail Cocktails. Order yours straight to your door today.
Book your outside table online here. Or, call or email using the following details:
T: +44 (0)20 7581 3992
Radisson Blu Edwardian’s luxurious Leicester Square Kitchen: 13 April
Part of The Kitchens restaurant group, Leicester Square Kitchen is by far one of the most popular shared dining experiences you’ll come-by.
Located in the heart of Leicester Square, only seconds away from the incredible Scenes in the Square interactive film trail, this little gem will be reopening its outside dining terrace from 13th April, before reopening its inside restaurant from 17th May.
The outdoor heated terrace offers an intimate selection of contemporary Mexican and Peruvian dishes and signature cocktails, guaranteed to make your mouth-water.
Book your outside table online here. Or, call or email using the following details:
T: +44 (0)20 7666 0902
The terracotta tones of 45 Jermyn St: 12 April
Serving tasty food and tailor-made cocktails created by their in-house mixologist, using hand-picked ingredients from the Fortnum & Mason store next door, this trendy hang-out is a must-visit this summer.
Situated in London’s most fashionable district, Jermyn Street, only seconds away from the Royal Academy of Arts, 45 Jermyn St. will be reopening its sunny outside dining terrace from 12th April, before welcoming back inside diners in May.
Offering cocktails inspired by history, you’ll want to sample the Beau’s Negroni inspired by Beau Brummell, the inventor of the modern man’s trousers. Filled with Hepple Gin, Cocchi di Torino, Mondino Amaro, Raspberry, topped with chilled Champagne. Afterwards, you can meet the man himself – in statue form – as you wander down Jermyn Street towards the Piccadilly Arcade.
Book your outside table online here. Or, call or email using the following details:
T: +44 (0)20 7205 4545
Kingly Street’s cracking Cahoots: 12 April
Spiffing news! The outdoor seating area in the Ticket Hall will be reopening from 12th April for black market cocktails, before The Captain fully opens the doors to the Cahoots Station on 17th May.
Expect glorious nibbles and beverages to suit everyones taste buds, surrounded by the gentle hum of Carnaby Street as it spring into action this summer.
Until then, you can enjoy each Scoundrels’ tipples from your home with Cahoots’ Emergency Cocktail Ration Pack kits. A tip-top treat for you or a friend, order yours straight to your door today.
Book your outside dining table online here. Or, call or email using the following details:
T: +44 (0)20 7352 6200
Rooftop terrace at Hippodrome Casino: 17 May
The Hippodrome Casino‘s all-new heated outdoor terrace is getting ready to welcome back guests from 17th May.
Spanning 3 floors of this historic gem only seconds away from Leicester Square, it’ll be open til 11pm every night.
Plus, don’t miss the incredible entertainment that’ll be restarting in the Hippodrome’s theatre. Magic Mike Live London will be returning to the stage from 21st May. Learn more about this here.
What’s more, tucked away at the top of the Casino, the Heliot Steak House is a must-visit for those looking to spoil loved ones silly. Rated as Bookatable's Best London Steak House in 2018, dine in dreamy surrounds over-looking the casino floor below.
Book your table online here. Or, call or email using the following details:
T: +44 (0)20 7769 8844
Mayfair’s exceptional May Fair Kitchen: 12 April
Recognised for their unique take on the relaxed art of shared dining, get ready to make your mouth water with a menu of contemporary Italian and Spanish small plates to be enjoyed.
May Fair Kitchen, only moments away from the Royal Academy of Arts, will be reopening its outside dining terrace from 12th April, before reopening for inside reservations from 17th May.
Get in quick because this treasure-trove of treats will book-up quickly.
Book you table online here. Or, call or email using the following details:
T: +44 (0)20 7915 3892
The exquisite Farzi London: 17 May
Serving cutting edge, avant-garde Indian cuisine with a twist, get ready to rediscover Farzi London as they'll be reopening the inside restaurant and outside dining space from 17th May 2021.
Prepare to make your taste buds dance with delight with dishes such as a cheeky Chicken Tikka Masala, Madras Pepper Prawns, or a flavourful pot of rose-perfumed Jhol Masala Chicken Biryani. What’s more, the intimate outdoor dining space offers you the chance to dine al fresco in the heart of London’s iconic Haymarket.
Book your table online here. Or, call or email using the following details:
T: +44 (0)20 3981 0090
Featured Venues
Franco's
Restaurant
For over 75 years Franco’s has consistently provided a friendly, warm, welcoming sanctuary for everybody living, working and visiting St. James’s and Jermyn Street. The quality of food, hospitality and service has meant that Franco’s has remained a firm favourite with so many who return time and time again.
The Hippodrome Casino
Casino
Discover the UK's largest and most popular casino and entertainment venue comprising three gaming floors, slots room, a Poker Stars deck, 180-seat cabaret theatre and London's number one steak house. Plus, enjoy a drink at one of the six resident bars, indoor smoking terrace, or heated outdoor terrace spanning three floors of this incredible casino.
Leicester Square Kitchen
Restaurant
Serving contemporary Mexican and Peruvian dining in London’s most iconic square, Leicester Square Kitchen showcases an exquisite selection of small plates, entrées and specialities, alongside reserve wines and signature cocktails.
Farzi London
Restaurant
Sitting seconds away from Piccadilly Circus, Farzi London is a modern Indian bistro serving cutting edge, avant-garde Indian cuisine with a twist.
May Fair Kitchen
Restaurant
As the Flagship Kitchen, May Fair Kitchen showcases the best of Spanish and Italian small plates, while also embracing our signature Peruvian, Mexican, Japanese and Mediterranean dishes from sister restaurants Monmouth, Leicester Square, Peter Street and Bloomsbury Street Kitchens. Complemented with the finest wines and signature cocktails, discover the art of shared dining in exclusive Mayfair.
45 Jermyn St.
Restaurant
A destination restaurant in the heart of St James’s. The exquisite dining room and bar brings back the golden age of glamour and service for a contemporary London. Open every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner, they serve an innovative combination of familiar favourites and delicious surprises, across a menu inspired by the season and designed for a global palate.
Mr Fogg's Tavern
Restaurant
Located on the corner of New Row and St. Martin’s Lane, Mr Fogg’s Tavern lies in the heart of theatre-land. Left by Fogg’s late Aunt Gertrude to her loyal housekeeper Fanny McGee, her home has been transformed into a haven for art-lovers and theatre-folk to enjoy a selection of snacks and delicious tipples.