The sun has finally shown up, and that can only mean one thing: It’s time to bravely abandon umbrellas, slap on some SPF, and head on over to these exciting new dining destinations. These restaurants are exactly why it’s worth putting up with the Central line’s scorching summer temperatures for easy access to sunshine-ready meals.
In Shoreditch, a big, bright restaurant serves handmade tortillas and champions traditional Mexican cooking that London has craved for decades. In Battersea, a celebrated Portuguese chef brings open-fire creations to a terrace rooftop with a pool. And in St. James’s, a legendary chef makes a return to London with Chinese fine dining.
Here’s where to book a table to start your summer right.
JOIA Restaurant & Bar (Battersea)
Nothing says summer quite like a sunlit rooftop meal by a pool, especially when port negronis, panoramic views, and Carabineros prawn orzo straight from a sizzling charcoal grill are involved. New Portuguese restaurant JOIA has all of that and a menu from chef Henrique Sá Pessoa of Lisbon’s MICHELIN-starred Alma. Dishes showcase the best of Iberian and British produce as seen in the classic salt cod preparation bacalhau à brás, a roast piri piri cabbage with chiles, and a catch-of-the-day whole fish that’s prepared with garlic, chiles, parsley, and olive oil. Part of the revamped Battersea Power Station, JOIA is on the 15th floor of the art’otel and has soaring ceilings, stylish ceramic plateware, and sweeping London views that are best enjoyed next to the outdoor pool.
Zapote (Shoreditch)
Few Mexican restaurants in London venture outside of Tex-Mex fare and burritos, but Zapote goes far beyond that. The restaurant makes tortillas daily and serves them alongside exciting dishes such as a zesty scallop ceviche with watermelon and jalapeño granita, refreshing seabass aguachile, and tomatillo salsa. Summery cocktails such as Zapote 90 with tequila, mezcal, lemon, and orgeat syrup are an ideal pairing for a hot summer’s day. There’s a wraparound bar in the front for a celebratory margarita and snacks, including crispy pork skin with a zinger pico de gallo, while the bright Picasso-esque mural on the dining room wall adds a cheery feel to any meal.
The Parakeet (Kentish Town)
For pub pints in the sunshine, exceptional bread, and seasonal small plates, The Parakeet in Kentish Town is the place to go. Brat alum Ben Allen relies on his barbecue mastery to create smoked chicken terrine, mutton short rib, and trout with a rich buttery sauce—all prepared on the pub’s huge charcoal grill. The Sunday roast, with the option of chicken, lamb, roast beef, or a crisp celeriac Wellington, is a highlight and comes with a side of vegetables and Yorkshire pudding. There are several picnic-ready tables out front for all of this feasting. The inside is an inviting crossover of an old-school boozer and a trendy friend’s dining room. Hot tip: The golden-hued bar isn’t just good for after-work pints; you can also swing by for a couple of glasses of Sicilian orange wine for a casual date night.
Jam Delish (Angel)
This vegan Caribbean spot has come a long way since its start as a Wimbledon delivery kitchen during the pandemic. Sibling owners Jordan and Chyna Johnson now operate their critically acclaimed restaurant amid the hustle and bustle of Angel’s Tolpuddle Street. The menu is inspired by the siblings’ vegan upbringing and their grandparents’ traditional Caribbean recipes. That means plant-based codfish with chargrilled okra and spinach rice and green lentil-smothered fried “chicken” with ackee and sweet potato. A delightfully flaky roti begs to be dipped into the spicy “goat” curry. Cocktails such as Antiguan Zombie (passionfruit purée and three kinds of rum) and Blue Lagoon (white rum, blue curaçao, and pineapple juice) continue the Caribbean vibes. Cosy velvet seating and R&B music keep the party going at Jam Delish.
Gouqi London (St. James’s)
Famed Hakkasan chef Tong Chee Hwee returned to London with the opening of this fine-dining Chinese restaurant in St. James’s earlier this year. Highlights from the dim sum menu include tender Peking duck with sturgeon caviar, sweet Norwegian king crab, and xiao long bao. Gouqi’s more-is-more energy continues with rare tea offerings and a slick, moody setting complete with jade banquette seating and warm globe lighting. The drinks are just as luxurious. Cocktails represent different regions in China with options such as Linggui (rye, five spice, and molasses) and Peng (fermented red rice spirit, oolong tea, and ginger). A £118 per person, eight-course tasting menu gives diners a close-up glimpse of the culinary wizardry of Hwee; a three-course £69 set lunch is a more affordable alternative. Plus, there are two private dining rooms that can be combined to host a party of 20.
Heidi Lauth Beasley is a restaurant writer and debut novelist living in Tottenham, London. She wrote hundreds of dining guides and Dear Heidi: A Restaurant Advice Column as a Staff Writer for The Infatuation. She has also written for The Sunday Times Style. Her specialist subjects include restaurant accessibility, creative crumpet toppings, and cosy wine bars.
