Nothing says summer like alfresco dining, a pint in a beer garden or a cocktail on a rooftop bar. Here's the best places in west London to go when the sun is shining and you're in want of a drink or a bite to eat...

Photo: The Princess Royal


1. The Princess Royal, Notting Hill

This recently opened pub from hospitality group Cubitt House has a cracking garden created by award winning designer Jinny Blom. While soaking up the sun, guests can enjoy the full Princess Royal menu and enjoy a pint of cask ale from the bar.

Address: 47 Hereford Road, Notting Hill W2 5AH

Website: cubitthouse.co.uk

2 Bluebird Café, White City

Bluebird, a Chelsea landmark of 20 years on the Kings Road, launched Bluebird Café at Television Centre, the significant new development in White City in April 2018. The regeneration of the area following the BBC’s departure has opened up the location to residents and revellers, and Bluebird Café W12 has a lovely outdoor terrace from which to take it all in. Enjoy coffees, cocktails and the best of British all-day dining menu as you bask in the west London sunshine.

Address: 2 Television Centre, 101 Wood Lane W12 7RF

Website: bluebirdcafe.co.uk

3 Pergola Paddington

Pergola Paddington has returned as a sunny summery paradise. The roof is off, there’s alfresco seating for 850 diners, a stack of food trucks, bookable daybeds and DJs will be playing summer tunes all weekend. Pergola Paddington also hosts bottomless brunches, party nights for St Patricks, Halloween, Oktoberfest, regular seasonal takeovers as well as screening big sports events.

Address: 5 Kingdom Street, Paddington Central W2 6PY

Website: pergolalondon.com

4 Harvey Nichols Fifth Floor Terrace, Knightsbridge

Harvey Nichols Fifth Floor Terrace is a great spot for summer drinks and dining. Look out for seasonal transformations - right now it's Monkey 47 - to bring a little more sunshine to your brunch, lunch or afternoon tea.

Address: 109-125 Knightsbridge, SW1X 7RJ

Website: harveynichols.com

5 No 197 Chiswick Fire Station, Chiswick

No 197 Chiswick Fire Station is a destination bar that pays homage to the history and community, and also has a lovely walled garden out back. Set well away from the bustle of the Chiswick High Road, the white-washed garden is a lovely serene spot that’s flooded with sunlight by day, making it an ideal for a relaxed weekend brunch, while the early evening lends itself to a chic aperitif.

Address: 197 Chiswick High Road W4 2DR

Website: no197chiswickfirestation.com

6 The Prince, West Brompton

The Prince – part pub, part street-food hub –comes with a retractable roof to create quite the suntrap in its expansive rear pub garden - the largest in London they claim. The venue boasts three bars and four pop-up restaurants so you'll never go hungry or thirsty, and the pub regularly holds nights and events as well.

Address: 14 Lillie Road, West Brompton SW6 1TT

Website: theprincelondon.com

7 Dinings SW3, Chelsea

Chelsea Japanese restaurant Dinings SW3 has a lovely terrace for a tranquil city escape this summer, tucked away with the courtyard walls. Located just minutes from the bustle of Harrods and South Kensington’s museums, it’s a great spot to enjoy the summer incarnation of the restaurant’s elegant take on the Japanese Izakaya.

Address: Lennox Garden Mews, Chelsea SW3 2JH

Website: dinings.co.uk/sw3

8 Pantechnicon, Belgravia

Pantechnicon is an impressive destination on Motcomb Street with three options for alfresco dining, one being a glorious roof garden. Located on the top floor, the roof garden terrace offers views across the terracotta rooftops of Knightsbridge, with both indoor and outdoor areas. Open every day from 9am for coffee and pastries, the 70-plus cover roof garden serves an all-day menu from downstairs Nordic restaurant Eldr, as well as a weekend brunch and feasting menu.

Address: 19 Motcomb Street, Mayfair SW1X 8LB

Website: pantechnicon.com

9 The Waterway, Maida Vale

One of the loveliest terraces in west London for sure, The Waterway’s expansive alfresco space sits right next to the Grand Union Canal, making it the perfect stop-off for summer strollers (it’s just two minutes from Little Venice). A great spot for everything from brunch to Sunday roasts and cocktails, there’s even a specific terrace menu with a selection of gins, summer jugs of Pimm’s and Sangria, as well as tasty dishes like squid, steak and Ceasar salad alongside.

Address: 54 Formosa Street W9 2JU

Website: thewaterway.co.uk

10 Skylark Roof Garden, Little Venice

Skylark Roof Garden, located 10 floors up on the banks of Little Venice, is a great rooftop drinking and dining destination with an enviable vista over Notting Hill and the west London skyline and ample space for 180 people. The menu features flavour-packed dishes full of the best seasonal ingredients, such as sauté of mussels, clams and tiger prawns, and the drink of choice is champagne. You can even hire a lavish day beds for sunny weekends, with guest DJs playing late into the evening. Open weekends only.

Address: 10th Floor, 4 Kingdom Street W2 6BD

Website: skylarkroofgarden.co.uk

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