Top 5 Alfresco Dining Spots in London
The English summer, it has been said, consists of two fine days and a thunderstorm–which is why Londoners instantly head outside to take their meals once the sun starts shining. From sun-dappled terraces to rooftop bars with breathtaking views, here are five alfresco restaurants in the English capital worth your attention.
By Zing Tsjeng
The interior of Dishoom by Sim Canetty.
Originally conceived as a loving homage to the old Iranian cafes in Bombay, the Shoreditch incarnation of Dishoom’s Covent Garden flagship comes with a luxe East London twist. In its airy renovated warehouse space, industrial lighting and exposed brickwork is paired with vintage Bollywood posters and classic marble-topped tables. However, Dishoom really comes into its own with the Verandah, its tranquil, fern-lined courtyard tucked away on Boundary Street.
Seating 40 diners, it’s one of the best brunch spots in the capital, serving a witty Delhi take on classic English breakfast fare. Its much-loved bacon naan roll, made with char-stripped back bacon and homemade chilli jam, has proven so popular that Verandah has made it available for breakfast takeaways. It is perfectly complemented by Malabar coffee, made with Arabica beans from a single estate in Karnataka. Sitting in an old Bentwood chair with a copy of the Times of India, it’s almost enough to make you forget you’re in London–at least until a typical English shower starts. Fortunately, Dishoom has planned for all eventualities: at the first sign of a drizzle, the retractable roof appears to shield your cup of chai from the rain.
7 Boundary Street; 44-20/7420-9324; dishoom.com; breakfast mains from US$9, drinks from $4
