The best alfresco restaurants and bars in Regent Street and St James’s

Summer has made a grand entrance, and London’s top eateries are rising to the occasion. For leisurely lunches and convivial dinners, Regent Street and St James’s offer the ultimate central London backdrop – think rooftop bars with skyline views and sun-soaked terraces serving menus as hot as the weather. Discover the standout spots below. No umbrellas or blankets required.

Best for tipples in the sun

Spicy palomas and mezcal margaritas are the signature cocktails at Heddon’s Street Fonda. The 40-seater terrace is new, as is the summer menu featuring fiery Mexican dishes – with the promise of plenty of tacos and tortillas. Adjacent is The Starman pub, with its extensive drinks list of cocktails, spirits, beers and wine. Inside you’ll find brown leather booths and exposed brick walls, while outside you can grab a bench. If you’re a true Londoner, or fancy being one, you can simply stand outside, glass in hand. Meanwhile, Fallow in St James’s Market is known for its gastronomic innovation, but its drinks list is just as enlightened. Enjoy an oyster shell martini or miso leaf cocktail (with white miso, rum, Suze and fig leaf liquor) on the terrace, surrounded by navy awnings and greenery. Spanish Aqua Nueva, the sister restaurant of Aqua Kyoto, set high above Regent Street, has transformed its rooftop terrace into a venue that wouldn’t look out of place on the Côte d’Azur. Expect Spanish tapas, endless DJs and a cocktail line-up celebrating St Germain liqueur. Cheers to that! 

Best for panoramic views

Is there anything better than rooftop dining? At Aqua Kyoto, sip Japanese cocktails beneath a canopy of cherry blossoms with views of Regent Street and beyond. There’s everything from the refreshing Hiragana, a blend of Roku gin, lemon, pomegranate, pandan leaf and grapefruit soda, to the fiery Toki Highball (Toki Whisky, yuzu, Padrón pepper, and ginger ale). Sushi, sashimi and harumaki sharing plates bring the wow-factor. For uninterrupted views of Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery, head to The Rooftop, Trafalgar St James. It’s a Mexican affair here, with modern staples such as seabass ceviche tostadas and crispy prawn tacos, stylish small plates (hello, Wagyu meatballs and corn ribs) and delightful vegan options (we rate the watermelon and pineapple tostadas). Craft cocktails follow the Mexican theme, from Citrus Spritz to tequila-based Melon Mirage. Then there’s The Nest. This rooftop bar has 360° views, a wraparound terrace with loungers, a swing set and a roster of guest DJs. New this summer is a terrace bursting with wildflowers – an ode to Laurent-Perrier’s vineyard. Expect a Laurent-Perrier Champagne cart and Mediterranean sharing plates to graze on while you dance the night away. Top tip: this popular spot is worth booking in advance. 

Best for pre- and post-theatre dining

Whether you’re keeping up with the finest of British theatre, or simply seeking the best deals, with pre- and post-theatre set menus you’ll have foodie excellence guaranteed. For northern Italian delights head to chef Angela Hartnett’s Café Murano in St James’s Street. Choose from two courses for £27, or three for £32 – summer standouts include bean and orzo salad with ricotta, charred sea bream with fregola salad and peach and almond tart, served with a dollop of crème fraîche. In the mood for Mediterranean seafood? Milos, only a short walk from Piccadilly Circus, serves up three courses for £42. From dakos salad (similar to an Italian panzanella) and grilled octopus to salmon and grilled sea bream, one bite and you’ll be transported to the heavenly Greek islands. Expect some traditional Greek puds, too – the baklava is divine. For Mediterranean with a Tel Aviv influence, Claro’s pre-theatre menu (two courses for £38, three courses for £46) is impressive – think yellowtail crudo with tabbouleh, monkfish shawarma and date cake with whisky caramel to finish off. Gordon Ramsay’s Heddon Kitchen dishes up a set menu that shifts with the seasons (though technically not a theatre menu, it is both delicious and affordable at two courses for £22 and three for £27). Pick from fan favourites such as beer battered cod bites, grilled minute steak with Koffmann’s fries and tiramisu. Top tip: check the times for set menus.

Best for casual bites

Start in St James’s Market. Newly opened Bija brings the finest Indonesian coffee to St James’s and is the perfect place to sit outside and people-watch. Quench your thirst with the lime-flavoured Lintong espresso tonic, or there’s the signature Ice Arenga – Sumatran espresso blended with organic arenga palm sugar and poured over ice and milk. Delish. Carry on with the Indonesian cuisine at nearby Toba, and share spicy and slow-cooked dishes on the terrace – the sayur lodeh vegetable curry is a must-try. Heddon Street’s Casa do Frango features the signature blue and white hues of Portugal’s Algarve with a menu to match. Enjoy classic piri piri chicken alfresco on its terrace, surrounded by greenery. Wash it all down with Portuguese wine (you can even try the restaurant’s own, Boa Pinga).

Best for stylish terraces

A blast of southern European sunshine is guaranteed at Franco’s (at least, through its exuberant dishes). Charming Londoners since 1945, its terrace with bistro chairs sits at the corner of St James’s Street and Jermyn Street. From here, you can sip Italian wine and slurp heavenly pasta (there are separate gluten-free and vegetarian menus and a lengthy list of mocktails and soft drinks, too). A quick hop away is 45 Jermyn Street, which harks back to the Golden Age of Glamour. Expect white tablecloths, glistening glassware and a seasonal menu celebrating heritage tomatoes, such as the Nutbourne Farm gazpacho and the Portland crab and tomatoes salad. Alfresco dining is available from noon to 4pm. In the mood for oysters, instead? Head to Bentley’s Oyster Bar and Grill. This grande dame restaurant on Swallow Street has been shucking and serving oysters and the finest seafood since 1916 – book ahead for its street-side terrace, which has plenty of umbrellas, should they be required. Then there’s Ziggy Green – a relaxed and intimate David Bowie-inspired venue blending Australian cuisine (we spy flaming tomahawks and banana prawns with fermented mango hot sauce) with Bowie-inspired cocktails and live music. Inside, there’s an Art Deco bar, outside tables for two with views of Heddon Street. Opposite, Italian Piccolino’s extensive terrace wraps around its front with baby-blue booths – ideal for families and larger parties. Beyond the classics, its summer menu celebrates lighter bites – think burrata con caviale and tagliolini granchio.