The best outdoor restaurants for winter: 18 cosy heated terraces for dinner and drinks in London

As the warm weather wanes there’s every chance you think your days at London’s best al fresco restaurants are a thing of the past, but we’re here to tell you there’s an exciting alternative. Swapping awnings for outdoor heaters, some of London’s top restaurants transform in the winter to offer guests heated terraces and cosy covered rooftops where they can drink and dine under the stars, whatever the weather.

While we’re not afraid of battling the elements when the mood strikes for a bracing walk, we definitely don’t enjoy eating a meal while being battered by mother nature. That being said, come cool winter evenings there’s something extraordinarily satisfying about making the most of the crisp atmosphere - the kind that gives your face a pleasant flush - while bundling up under blankets and awnings to keep cosy. Ensuring your warm through the duration of your meal is key, and lots of the best restaurants with winter terraces go that extra mile to ensure guests are comfortable. While external heaters are pretty commonplace now, lots of restaurants also offer guests piles of fluffy blankets, complementary warm drinks or even stacks of hot water bottles. The true test of the best outdoor winter restaurants is whether or not you’re comfortable enough to fully relax and unwind, to enjoy a long and leisurely meal without feeling like you want to rush off home to the safety of your central heating.

Some of the picks in this selection of our favourite winter terraces are petite restaurants with space for just a handful of diners, while others have wide open spaces big enough for parties or full functions. Whichever you plump for we’d recommend you be specific when making your booking to ensure you get your preferred seat outside. With people being more conscious than ever about how they socialise; these gems can get packed out pretty fast.

Dovetale at 1 Hotel Mayfair

What: Dovetale’s open fireplace is always blazing away on the picturesque al fresco terrace, blasting away the frosty tendrils of winter. The palms and yuccas bring a little tropical warmth too - in mind at least - and Dovetale does an excellent line in festive cocktails too to shun the chill from your bones. Plus, is it ever too cold to enjoy a Dovetale Knickerbocker Glory? We think not.
Where: 1 Hotel Mayfair, 3 Berkeley Street, 1J 8DL
Book now: Dovetale at 1 Hotel Mayfair

Tattu London, Soho

What: Tattu’s rooftop terrace is all cosy furs and festive foliage these days, with views that stretch out over the City of London. If you’re after something glamorous, Tattu is certainly the place to go - DJs spin lively deep house as wave after wave of elaborate Chinese cooking emerges from the kitchen.
Where: The Now Building Rooftop, Outernet, Denmark Street, WC2H 0LA
Book now: Tattu London

Los Mochis London City, Liverpool Street

What: Los Mochis’ ninth floor rooftop has quickly become one of the City’s most in-demand outdoor spaces, and the covered, heated space is just as popular in the winter. A splash of colour brings life to festive events, and a huge mix of agave spirits and cocktails, as well as sake and wine, help to keep you warm too. Don’t miss out on Los Mochis’ unique Japanese-Mexican fusion cooking whilst you’re here.
Where: 9th Floor, 100 Liverpool Street, EC2M 2AT
Book now: Los Mochis London City

Barge East, Hackney Wick

What: When a simple terrace won’t do, why not up the ante with a floating bar and restaurant? Barge East is just that and comes complete with access to London’s largest alfresco terrace – an addition which has been made this year and sits snuggly alongside the boat, giving you waterside views. From here you’ll find heated winter cabins, a whole host of street food stalls, access to mini hot water bottles and faux fur blankets. Basically, if there’s a way to make you feel warm, these guys have thought about it. Don’t miss the s’mores hot chocolate.
Where: River Lee, Sweetwater Mooring, White Post Lane, E9 5EN
Book now: Barge East

The Beaumont Hotel, Mayfair

What: Sink into a rattan armchair and gaze out over the tranquil Brown Hart Garden from The Beaumont’s secluded terrace. Blankets and heaters are out in winter to keep the chill off, and there’s a cracking menu available too, as well as cigars from The Beaumont’s well-stocked humidor.
Where: 8 Balderton Street, W1K 6TF
Book now: The Colony Grill Room at The Beaumont

SUSHISAMBA Heron Tower, The City

What: SUSHISAMBA's iconic terrace allows guests sweeping views of the capital from the 39th floor of the Heron Tower. The central tree is lit up in winter to create a stunning sculptural centrepiece made up of over 6200 individually controlled pixel lights and there’s a whole run of warming cocktails on offer too. On the food side you can expect the usual mix of the brand’s signature Japanese and South American fare. Favourites include robata-grilled king scallops with crispy pork belly, pork dashi and hijiki and a house smoked unagi maki with black truffle, avocado and sansho kombu. If you’re central, SUSHISAMBA also has a terrace at their Covent Garden branch.
Where: Heron Tower, EC2N 4AY
Book now: SUSHISAMBA Heron Tower

Jurema Winter Garden at The Mandrake, Fitzrovia

What: The stunning, fairy-lit winter garden at Jurema at The Mandrake is one of our favourite festive hangouts, with raw timber chalets strewn with furs and bundles of pine. Expect lots of winter warming cocktails and mulled wine, as well as a smart South American fusion menu from exec chef George Scott-Toft. Bear in mind there is a smart casual dress code - no ties, no trainers, and no hoodies after 6pm!
Where: 20-21 Newman Street, W1T 1PG
Book now: Jurema at The Mandrake

Boundary, Shoreditch

What: Grab a seat on one of Boundary’s sheepskin-lined terrace seats and enjoy the view from the rooftop Orangery. This glass box is entirely covered and heated so no need to worry about the weather, and the menu covers lots of winter warming bases, from an excellent tartiflette to alpine-favourite raclette. The Mandarin Toddy is one of our favourite seasonal cocktails too.
Where: 2-4 Boundary Street, E2 7DD
Book now: Boundary Rooftop

The Churchill Bar & Terrace, Marylebone

What: The Churchill Bar & Terrace undergoes a fabulous transformation every year, as sheepkins and blankets adorn the seats. We can confirm that the numerous heaters keep the whole terrace toasty and warm,
Where: Hyatt Regency London, 30 Portman Square, W1H 7BH
Book now: The Churchill Bar & Terrace

Oasis Bar & Terrace, Canary Wharf

What: This huge bar and terrace in Canary Wharf stays popular throughout the year thanks to an easy-going food and drink offering, as well as a massive open-air terrace. It’s the perfect place to get stuck into skewers off the grill, generously stuffed pita pockets and more, all safely under the warm embrace of heaters and blankets.
Where: Canada Square Park, E14 5AB
Book now: Oasis Bar & Terrace

BiBi, Mayfair

What: Chet Sharma's BiBi makes a regular appearance near the top of our Top 100 London restaurants list, so any chance you get to eat at this boundary-pushing Indian restaurant is worth taking. As well as plush interiors, this Mayfair diner has a cosy candlelit outdoor terrace complete with heaters, blankets, and awnings. Add to that the excellent people watching of the plum W1 postcode and a menu of interesting interpretations of Indian classics and you’ve got yourself a winning formula.
Where: 42 North Audley Street, W1K 6ZP
Book now: BiBi

The Broadcaster, White City

What: If you’re looking for a do-it-all restaurant, bar and pub with private hire options, a smart restaurant and a rooftop terrace, look no further than The Broadcaster in White City. Although glorious in the summer, The Broadcaster’s spacious rooftop is also pretty cosy in the winter too, thanks to heaters, blankets and warming winter food.
Where: 89 Wood Lane, W12 7FX
Book now: The Broadcaster

Winter Gin Garden at Ham Yard, Soho

What: Ham Yard goes all out for Christmas every year, bringing a load of delicious dishes and winter warming cocktails to a hidden terrace on the fourth floor of the hotel. Like the sound of cacio e pepe black truffle flatbread, and toasted s’mores with toffee apple and cinnamon crackers? Of course you do. If you just fancy a drink, there are lots of signature gin mixes going, with a menu that includes a nod to famous drinks from the 17th century onwards.
Where: One Ham Yard, W1D 7DT
Book now: Ham Yard at Ham Yard Hotel

Petersham Nurseries, Covent Garden

What: The covered courtyards of Petersham Nurseries provide quiet - and quite unexpected - respite from the buzz of busy crowds in the heart of Covent Garden. Offering full escapism from the hubbub outside, the central open-air space here comes complete with strings of twinkly fairy lights and cosy blankets to wrap yourself in. Choose to dine with the team at The Petersham or plump for small plates and a slightly more casual vibe at La Goccia next door. Either way you’ll be treated to seasonal menus and signature friendly service while enjoying the novelty of a secluded outdoor space in one of London’s busiest neighbourhoods.
Where: 27 King Street, WC2E 9DS
Book now: The Petersham; La Goccia

Bentley's Oyster Bar & Grill, Mayfair

What: With a heritage that spans over a hundred years, it’s safe to say Bentley’s is one of the capital’s finest dining institutions. Found on Swallow Street just off of Regent Street, Bentley’s provides the ultimate respite from a long day pounding the pavements of central London. The terrace here is completely covered and heated, protecting guests from the elements, and the full unabbreviated menu is on offer so you can expect seafood galore as well as a far-reaching wine and Champagne list.
Where: 11-15 Swallow Street, W1B 4DG
Book now: Bentley's Oyster Bar & Grill

Isla at The Standard, King’s Cross

What: One of the city’s coolest hotels, the winter terrace at Isla at The Standard is one of the few outdoor spots where you can gather around a crackling fire pit, wrapped in sheepskin furs. Even better, it's open breakfast, lunch and dinner, and you can ever stop by for Sunday lunch, or just to sip on a cold vermouth. 
Where: 10 Argyle Street, WC1H 8EG
Book now: Isla at The Standard

Wild by Tart, Belgravia

What: A darling of London’s ‘it’ crowd, Wild at Tart finds its home in the quaint surrounds of Eccleston Yards. The restaurant’s owners Jemima Jones and Lucy Carr-Ellison built their brand by catering for the who’s who of London’s fashion elite. Here in Pimlico the duo’s bricks and mortar site is home to a pretty, 24-seater terrace which makes the ideal place to sample the kitchen’s signature contemporary European cookery.
Where: 3-4 Eccleston Yards, SW1W 9AZ
Book now: Wild by Tart

Uli, Notting Hill

What: Asian restaurant Uli has gone for a classy and simple, yet impressively pretty look for its winter terrace. They have decked out the decking with a ceiling of fresh foliage and hundreds of hanging baubles. Dishes include small bites like vegetable spring rolls or crispy calamari as well as a whole selection of dim sum. Mains cover popular classics like sweet and sour battered chicken and crispy shredded chilli beef.
Where: 5 Ladbroke Road, W11 3PA
Book now: Uli

If a warm, cosy pub is more your vibe in the winter, check out our exhaustive list of the best gastropubs in London, broken down into different areas of the capital.