Best Rooftop Bars

Enjoy the best rooftops in town, with stunning views of London's iconic skyline...

Set atop the former Dicken’s & Jones store on Regent Street (entrance on Argyll Street) Aqua restaurants (Japanese restaurant Kyoto and Spanish-inspired Nueva) offers three stunning alfresco terraces with views across central London, serving up exotic cocktails and a choice of delicious snacks. 

The South Place Hotel (London, EC2M) has the stunning rooftop terrace and restaurant, (there's also a ‘secret’ Garden on the first floor). Over in Aldwych, The Foster + Partners designed ME London hotel also includes the glorious Radio Rooftop Bar with views across The Thames (in both directions).

The Boundary Rooftop restaurant is across the way from Shoreditch House and perched on top of the Terence Conran designed Boundary Project, it consists of a 48-seat grill restaurant and large bar, designer garden with 360° views of London - ideal for all-day drinking and dining. 

Vista (over in Trafalgar Square) has one of the best-located rooftop bars in the capital – atop the Trafalgar Hotel – go early evening for chilled Champagne and then head over and up to the 28th floor of The Hilton Park Lane to the Michelin-starred Galvin at Windows restaurant and appreciate the newly re-opened bar and the new 1930’s inspired cocktail menu.

Over in the City the best rooftop garden (designed by Arabella Lennox-Boyd) and terrace restaurant is at No.1 Poultry - and Coq D'Argent is ideal for a weekend visits and tuck into a menu of delicious contemporary French cuisine. Golden Bee also boasts a great rooftop space just East of the City, where they have cocktails, live DJs and cinema screenings throughout the year. Then there is always The Kensington Roof Gardens, the sixth-floor gardens (which date back to 1936) with panoramic views over West London which includes extensive gardens and an abundance of wildlife (including flamingos). Best to go for lunch at the Babylon restaurant and then take a leisurely stroll around the gardens. 

Or check into one of the 26 guest bedrooms at Shoreditch House and take advantage of posing alongside the 16 metre outdoor (heated) swimming pool and the rooftop restaurant and lounge. Alternatively book into the Berkeley Hotel with gives access to their gorgeous rooftop pool or you can book a breakfast the Forest Restaurant on the top of Selfridges. 

OXO Tower Bar is part of London's landmark OXO Tower on the South Bank of the Thames, with its terrace facing right out over the water, and just down the way is the Southbank Centre Roof Garden, situated right in the cultural heart of London, on top of the centre itself (which houses several premiere performance spaces) and near The National Theatre & bustling South Bank. 

Finally, Islington has Vivo, an Italian style bar and al fresco dining space with a peaceful urban chic design that cuts you off from the streets below, and with a similar secluded feel is The Driver in Kings Cross, a great place for cosy nooks, intimate chats and late night stargazing.

Ideal For

A fresh look at London


title

text