The Gate is a Brick Lane destination with a drop-dead gorgeous outdoor terrace. Offering sleek furnishings, incredible views of the surrounding city and a menu of top-quality organic dishes, such as salads and burgers, this is a real all-rounder offering a sneaky view of the Gherkin. Head there for an elevated breakfast of smashed avocado on toast, with feta and chilli, or for outdoor yoga classes in the summer, BBQs and wine-tasting masterclasses.

One of London's most iconic rooftops, Madison is home to spectacular views of St Paul's Cathedral. Hosting raucous bashes throughout the year, this Manhattan-style restaurant promises electric vibes and luscious dishes straight from the wood-fired Josper oven. Wander up to this slinky location, decked out with cute blue checkered chairs and trees, for your new favourite weekend bottomless brunch where you can wolf down two courses for £29. Feast on lobster and truffle mac 'n' cheese or Italian eggs Benedict alongside free-flowing bubbles or mimosas for an extra £35 each.

Looking for alfresco dining in the City of London? Snazzy restaurant and bar Balfour At Bow Wine Vaults has a European-style terrace that's simply great for catching up with friends over a glass of the good stuff. Grab a seat and delve into six oysters for £24, paired with Leslie's Reserve Gold for an extra £8.50. You'll find a menu packed full of indulgent plates such as pan-seared scallops alongside cauliflower purée and caramelised pineapple (£15), plus mains like Jake's IPA beer-battered fish and thick-cut chips (£19). 

One of London's best outdoor restaurants with a rooftop, Smiths of Smithfield is serving up prime cuts and locally sourced produce across four levels. Head up to the top floor where you'll find great views, heaters for the cooler months and evenings, and an array of palm trees. This Grade II-listed building has evolved to become an atmospheric dining destination, whipping up burrata topped with butternut squash and pickled walnuts to start, then South Coast plaice alongside clams for mains. To finish, there are pudding cocktails like a lemon meringue pie martini. Mmm. 

For cheap outdoor restaurants in London, Pizza Pilgrims ticks all the boxes when it comes to grabbing a bite to eat that won't break the bank. Popping up between skyscraper buildings, this joint oozes charm thanks to its alfresco dining area scattered with tables fit for two. Think hearty slices featuring toppings like double pepperoni and spiced honey, all washed down with affordable cocktails or craft beer. Sign us up.

A sleek spot for outdoor rooftop dining in the capital, Aviary boasts some of the best views in the biz. Perched atop the Montcalm Royal London House Hotel in Finsbury Square, this sky-high restaurant offers panoramic vistas over the city and a menu made up of unique cocktails and modern European dishes to be devoured inside an igloo or simply sitting atop its terrace. Come for bottomless brunch where you can revel in unlimited tipples alongside eggs Benedict or lobster croque. The mains are scrumptious too, with dishes like Atlantic cod with samphire, plus artichoke, truffle, walnut and aged parmesan risotto stealing the show.

If you're searching for a great, all-round restaurant, then No.35 Mackenzie Walk gets our vote. Not only does it serve up a tasty all-day menu of sustainably sourced grub alongside some classic cocktails, but it also has a beautiful waterside alfresco terrace to relax on, complete with lanterns and dark green stools. This modern eatery has you sorted from brunch 'til dinner, with rare-breed steak sandwiches complete with caramelised onions as well as pappardelle pasta. What's more, you can upgrade your meal out with bottomless drinks for an extra £29 each.

Can you think of a better side dish to your meal than breathtaking views of the City? Over at Wagtail, one of the most stunning rooftop restaurants in London, this venue boasts two terraces, one of which is decked out with opaque igloos for you to cosy up in and sip cocktails, like the Indigo, made with vodka and beetroot shrub. Share a charcuterie board paired with sourdough, or nibble on cured steelhead trout gravadlax while you lap up being on top of the world, quite literally. 

Jones & Sons reigns supreme when it comes to photogenic outdoor spaces. Its courtyard includes plush seating, blankets, draped greenery and twinkly lights, while its inside is the glorious revamp of a previous Victorian textiles factory. Head to the restaurant for heavenly British fare and a few cocktails. The menu is comprised of a mix of small and large plates, ideal for sharing between a group of friends. You can expect dishes such as burrata and truffle ravioli and grilled half-native lobster leaving you wanting more.

If you're on the hunt for pretty outdoor restaurants in London, then 14 Hills is the location to head to. With an alfresco terrace, the Fenchurch Street venue is serving up a stunning selection of food for you to devour, overlooking the capital. While inside is a tropical paradise, its exterior is equally as inviting with leafy fixtures and pretty patio sets. Wolf down fresh steak from the grill, as well as risotto with shiitake mushroom cream or a hake Kyiv. Signature cocktails include My Muse, made with Lost Explorer mezcal and rhubarb bitters, plus the vodka-based Citrus Symphony. 

Looking to dine at a pub with a cosy, cute terrace? Look no further than The Crown. Grab a table out the front of the boozer, opposite Victoria Park, or on their intimate rooftop, decked out with pastel cushions and vibrant flowers, and spend a sunny afternoon sipping on craft brews and tucking into a range of British classics. They do an epic house breakfast, complete with pork and apple sausages, treacle-cured bacon and fried eggs, as well as sandwiches to make you swoon, filled with beer-battered fish and tartare sauce. 

Piccolino's Exchange Square venue is one of the top restaurants with outdoor seating in London, as it's got a beaut terrace laden with foliage just waiting for you to munch Italian food on. Only a short walk from Liverpool Street station, you'll uncover deep-fried burrata, slow-cooked beef ragù and Atlantic cod with spicy Calabrian sausage, to name a few of the fabulous Italian-inspired dishes. If you're further west? Then, check out Mayfair's Heddon Street destination, where there's a quaint streetside terrace.

Located along the River Lee, Barge East is a great site to eat outside by the water. Housed in an old Dutch boat, the kitchen also has an extensive canalside terrace with heaters and an indoor ceramic BBQ which gives a smoky flavour to dishes. It prides itself on its sustainability, as ingredients are sourced as locally as its homegrown garden, and its venue was restored with upcycled materials. Whether you're looking to come just for drinks or for a fantastic meal, this restaurant caters for all. The menu includes scrumptious plates such as braised ox cheek with beetroot and hispi cabbage, plus crispy aubergine alongside mushroom XO and cashew cream.

Casa do Frango has locations across the city, with its Shoreditch eatery being quite the stunner. There's a gorgeous heated outdoor terrace ideal for catching up with friends over a drink or two. Here you'll find a taste of the Algarve in East London with a menu featuring the iconic custard-filled sweet treats: pastéis de natas (£4). Chomp on their signature dish of Casa Rice, made with Portuguese Carolino rice, chorizo, crispy chicken skin and plantain before washing it down with a dessert wine. 

One of the coolest outdoor restaurants in East London, Arepa & Co is bringing a taste of Latin America with its moreish selection of Venezuelan bites, best enjoyed with a side of rum cocktails on their terrace. On the buzzing Paradise Row, you can pull up a chair on the greenery and get your chops around tequeños AKA crispy sheets of pastry rolled up into cigar-like shapes, filled with gooey, melted cheese and accompanied by a guava dip. If that wasn't enough, the kitchen also slings out moreish cachapas which are traditional sweetcorn pancakes topped with savoury fillings like braised pork shoulder and avocado.