London’s thriving restaurant scene really shines during the warmer months when you can dine alfresco on the banks of the river Thames or sip some beers in a blooming pub garden with your friends. The UK capital is known for having some of the best beer and pub gardens in the country, meaning you’ll find plenty of buzzing outdoor spots to grab a bite. Whether you’re looking for a traditional pub lunch or a restaurant for summer cocktails, the best beer gardens in London are unforgettable both inside and out.
Tuck into a succulent Sunday roast with all the trimmings and a choice of regionally sourced meats at a traditional London pub. Enjoy refreshing summer cocktails and beautiful views on the balcony at a historic riverside venue. If you love world cuisine, you’ll find a great range of London pubs with beer gardens that serve creative Mediterranean-inspired food and wood-fired pizzas. Whatever you prefer, for the highest-quality outdoor dining, these restaurants are home to the 10 best beer gardens in London.
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Keep reading for the best beer gardens in London for cool outdoor dining vibes
For elegant vintage decor and one of the best beer gardens in London – try The Albion in Islington
With its elegant, Georgian-inspired decor and classic country pub feel, The Albion in Islington is a popular haunt for locals and a must-visit for anyone passing through. Situated in an ivy-strewn Georgian manor, The Albion also has a stunning alfresco dining area that’s known for being one of the best beer gardens in London. The menu is classic British and features famous pub starters, like pork rillettes with sourdough and Ceasar salad. For a main, diners can enjoy dishes like tender sirloin steak with peppercorn sauce or crispy beer battered haddock with hand-cut chips. Save room for dessert with tasty treats like Eton mess and sticky toffee pudding to follow. The bar serves classic cocktails and a range of premium spirits and craft beers. Take your pint outside when the weather turns warm and relax in the shade of the willow tree in the pub’s beautiful beer garden.
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For fine dining and one of the best pub gardens in south west London – visit The Apollo Arms in Clapham
Located in the stylish Clapham area, The Apollo Arms is a British gastropub headed up by a team of MICHELIN-trained chefs. The restaurant was founded by Hubert Beatson-Hird, who has managed various London venues, and Oliver Marlowe, who worked as a chef at MICHELIN-starred eatery, The Glasshouse. Diners at The Apollo Arms can make the most of the restaurant’s scenic outdoor area and the tantalizing menu that skilfully blends classic gastropub staples with modern fine dining techniques. Open your meal with a choice of refined starters, such as a scallop and crab raviolo served with lobster bisque or an oyster plate. The main menu features pub classics, like a beef burger topped with gruyere cheese or braised feather blade of beef with parmesan chips. The sophisticated wine list features a range of European vintages that are perfect to enjoy alfresco.
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For relaxed outdoor dining in one of London’s best beer gardens – head to The Bull in Highgate
The Bull in Highgate has a charming, country pub feel and one of the best beer gardens in London for casual outdoor dining. The spacious terrace garden is open until 9 pm every evening, making it perfect for warm summer nights. Meat lovers can enjoy a treat every Thursday evening, when The Bull runs a steak night featuring cuts sourced by a renowned local butcher. If you’re dining with a group, you can start your meal by sharing a baked camembert with black truffle honey and sourdough toast. For mains, you can tuck into a succulent short rib and flank burger with skin-on fries or roast halibut with creamed potatoes. Enjoy a beer on the terrace or relax with a summery glass of Pimm’s. The laid-back atmosphere is great for a family meal out or for unwinding with friends.
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For sensational Greek food and one of north London’s best pub gardens – visit The Clissold Arms in Muswell Hill
With its Greek-inspired menu and unique decor, The Clissold Arms in Muswell Hill is popular with locals and visitors alike. This family-owned restaurant serves a variety of sharing bowls and sources seafood from a local fishmonger. This heated beer garden in London includes also a covered alfresco area that’s a popular choice for parties and events. Diners can sample traditional Mediterranean seafood dishes, like a hearty Catalan stew – made with mixed fish and served with fresh bread – or a refreshing tuna Nicoise salad. You can also try a chicken and noodle salad, or smooth feta and spinach parcels served with spicy lentils. The drinks menu features refreshing summer cocktails, like a Kir Royale or a Campari Spritz, and a range of European and New World wines. Warm, welcoming service and the lively atmosphere make this a great spot to celebrate a special occasion.
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For gorgeous riverside views and one of the best beer gardens in London – don’t miss The Crabtree in Fulham
The Crabtree in Fulham is one of the best beer gardens in London if you want stunning views of the river Thames. The riverfront terrace is lined with willow trees and the beer garden also has a shaded, decking area that’s perfect for enjoying a cold cider on a hot day. Serving a classic gastropub menu, The Crabtree’s cuisine style is unfussy and satisfying. The restaurant offers a selection of Sunday roasts, including roast pork, roast beef, and a vegan Wellington. Meanwhile, the à la carte menu offers a range of hearty dishes, like a juicy venison haunch served with creamy potato anna or a tender dry aged rack of lamb. Vegetarians are also catered to, with options like the crispy battered tofu and chips or the broccoli Ceasar salad. The lively atmosphere and classic pub aesthetic make this a great option for a party or special get-together.
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For delicious pizzas at one of the best pub gardens in south east London – try The Dolphin in Sydenham
With its stunning outdoor dining area and a wood-fire pizza oven, The Dolphin in Sydenham is one of the best restaurants in London for delicious Mediterranean-inspired food, served alfresco. Diners at The Dolphin can enjoy some tasty slices in the restaurant’s scenic garden, which is landscaped with box hedges and well-lit for eating after dark. Start your meal off with some grilled halloumi cheese or hummus and tapenade dips with fresh pitta. Popular pizza toppings include the mixed Italian sausage pizza and the wood-oven aubergine, loaded with juicy cherry tomatoes, and mild creamy cheese. You can also enjoy a classic pub roast on Sundays, with options like topside beef with horseradish or slow-roasted pork with apple sauce. The bar serves a great range of draught beers, including German and Bavarian beers, and specialises in cask ale and cider. The relaxed vibe is ideal for a chill weekend.
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For a fun date night with beer and creative bar snacks – visit The Florence in Herne Hill
The Florence in Herne Hill puts a trendy modern twist on a traditional gastropub. With its sumptuous comfort-food menu, The Florence also has one of the best beer gardens in London for a relaxed, alfresco meal. Using fresh, high-quality produce, The Florence is pub dining like you’ve never seen it before. Unique bar snacks, like venison Bolognese fritters, are delightfully indulgent, while British classics, like a sausage roll with HP sauce, are a nostalgic treat. Popular à la carte mains include the spicy cuttlefish spaghetti nero with cherry tomato and chilli sauce or the flaky roast hake with garlic mussels and braised leeks and onion. Treat yourself to dessert and enjoy a mouthwatering lemon meringue cheesecake or a rich dark chocolate brownie with salted molasses and coffee ice cream. Choose from a range of premium draught ales that are constantly changing. The upbeat vibe makes this a great spot for a fun date night.
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For local produce on a stunning terrace – head to The Princess Royal Pub and Boutique Hotel in Notting Hill
Organic decor inside and a lush outdoor terrace area make The Princess Royal Pub and Boutique Hotel in Notting Hill one of the best beer gardens in London for nature lovers. Located in London’s sophisticated Notting Hill area, The Royal Princess is stylish and offers a modern Mediterranean-inspired menu. The kitchen focuses on using fresh local produce to create high-quality and sustainable dishes. Feast on mains from the grill, like a juicy Cotswolds half roast chicken spiced with harissa, lemon, and coriander or a delicate turbot cooked with samphire. Seafood lovers can chow down on seasonal oysters in mignonette sauce or buttery tuna tartare. Sip on a cold beer in the garden or enjoy a crisp glass of wine. An abundance of pot plants and plenty of natural light gives the restaurant a relaxing yet elegant feel, and the outdoor garden is dog-friendly.
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For Mediterranean food at a historic London pub – visit The Swan Pub in Chiswick
The Swan Pub in Chiswick is the perfect place to kick back and enjoy a bite in a lovely outdoor space. This historic pub has been a London institution since the late 1800s and has one of the best beer gardens in the city. Offering a hearty Sunday roast and a sumptuous a la carte menu, The Swan Pub is ideal for families or for a catch-up with friends. Start the week off right with a Monday special 28 day dry-aged T-bone steak to share or transport yourself to the French coast with moules mariner – mussels cooked in cream and white wine sauce. The menu also includes deliciously light options, like roast sea bream with crispy potatoes or grilled spring chicken. For afters, diners can try the house cheeseboard, which features a selection of artisanal cheeses. Enjoy a classic cocktail with dinner or try a tequila-based Bloody Mary.
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For riverside pints and one of the best beer gardens in west London – don’t miss The White Swan in Twickenham
Situated in an idyllic riverside spot, The White Swan in Twickenham is an ideal venue for a relaxing lunch or for a luxurious evening meal. This historic building dates all the way back to the 17th century and the riverside patio is one of London’s best beer gardens, with its natural surroundings and elegant organic decor. Diners can choose from an eclectic menu, that features classic British cooking and world cuisines. Spice up your dinner plans with a chicken and pepper fajita topped with guacamole or go traditional pub fare with wholetail scampi and chips. If you’re craving something meaty, the pub offers a Sunday roast lunch from noon to 6 pm or a British steak and bone marrow burger on the à la carte menu. Meanwhile, the bar offers a wide selection of local craft ales and beers, as well as summery refreshers like Pimm’s and Aperol Spritz.
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Dining outdoors is the perfect way to get into the summer spirit after the long winter months. These amazing London restaurants are ideal to visit when the weather warms up and the mouthwatering menus make them great to return to all year-round. Whether you’re looking for sophisticated fine dining or a relaxing drink with friends, the best beer gardens in London should be on your list.
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Want to find out about more great summer dining in London? These city guides have the low-down:
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- The best Sunday roasts in London for a memorable lunch out
- 10 of the best steak restaurants in London to book right now
- The best child-friendly restaurants in London the whole family will love