Dalloway Terrace

The Bloomsbury Hotel made a smart move when it converted its terrace into a restaurant. Flanking the hotel’s entrance, this stone-paved corridor gives the impression of al fresco dining, but with the added security of a black and white striped awning. We’re just around the corner from Tottenham Court Road, but you’d never know, the frenzy of the city left behind in this secret garden.

The decor at Dalloway Terrace is undeniably half of the draw. Seasonally-changing foliage climbs up the walls and hanging lanterns twinkle overhead, exuding a warm glow as the sun sets behind us. It’s the height of summer, so we relax into a backdrop of pastel yellow flowers and vibrant greenery.

Menus are straightforward but effective, designed for all-day dining with a selection of globally inspired dishes. A starter of dressed Devon crab perfectly balances the gingery twang of a Guinness melba toast, crumbling with each bite. Dishes may not be groundbreaking in their creativity, but the use of seasonal and high-quality ingredients makes all the difference: creamy burrata, heritage tomatoes and a punchy basil pesto culminate into several top-notch bites.

The mains, whilst enjoyable, don’t quite hold their own after such a stellar start. A perfectly cooked piece of black miso cod falls apart at the slightest touch, but lacks the expected crisp, caramelised skin. A sweet, soy-based sauce is poured tableside, adding a touch of theatre to the evening. We finish with a strawberry tart: the strawberries are at the peak of their powers, married beautifully with a zesty lemon curd. The accompaniment of a minty, alcohol-infused Pimm’s sorbet, however, just doesn’t quite work for us.

Service is faultless: the typical, fine-dining finesse that ensures the glasses are never empty and the tables are crumbed after each course. Staff are breezy in their recommendations and there’s a cohesive flow to the space as they float around, catering to each guest.

Dalloway Terrace has an old soul, just with a floral twist. The serene setting, excellent service and prime location make it well worth a visit, and you won’t be disappointed with the food either.

One of London’s most Instagrammable restaurants can be found on the ground floor of The Bloomsbury Hotel. Ever since the hotel made the wise decision to convert its terrace into a stunning restaurant, Dalloway Terrace has been attracting the attention of everyone from foodies to influencers to film crews. Its floral façade is the thing that it's become most famous for, boasting a spell-binding display of seasonal flowers that adorn its walls and hang over diners while they eat. This floral installation changes throughout the year, transforming from a pretty display of pastel colours in the summer, to a cosy show of autumnal shades and fairy lights during the colder months (don’t worry, there are heaters).  

Dalloway Terrace is open all day for brunch, lunch, dinner, afternoon tea and drinks, although reservations are recommended if you want to bag a table. The all-day menu features a wealth of globally-inspired dishes and daily-changing specials including seared tuna nicoise with summer beans, Ortiz anchovy and black olives, prawn linguine with tomatoes, chilli and lemon, miso-glazed black cod with king oyster mushrooms and sticky jasmine rice and steak frites. 

There’s a vegetarian and vegan menu for those looking to swerve the meat, as well as a brunch offering served only on weekends. Look out for things like an oak smoked salmon poppy seed bagel with chive cream cheese and house pickle and buttermilk pancakes with crispy bacon, blueberries and maple syrup. 

Dalloway Terrace also offers a seasonal cocktail menu for those simply looking for a charming spot to catch-up over a drink. The main drinks list also includes a generous choice of Champagne and English sparkling wine, as well as wines, spirits, beer and cider and non-alcoholic ‘wellness drinks’.