London's best winter terraces

Warm your cockles when it's cold out there...

OK, so from an environmental point of view the idea of having a row of patio heaters roaring away into the atmosphere to keep you toasty on a cold winter's nights mightn't be to everyone's taste... but keeping warm may not necessarily mean burning through gallons of kerosine...

We've searched the capital for some of the most atmospheric, inventive and original ways to warm your cockles on a nippy winter's night; these include wigwams, warm baked bread, good old fashion blankets and even a stunning vista to help warm you up via sheer positive emotion!

Enjoy our choice of London's best winter terraces...

Boundary Rooftop image
Boundary Rooftop
2 - 4 Boundary Street E2 7DD
Bars
Opening Times
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Terence Conran’s all-in-one hotel, restaurant, café and grocery storeboastsone of London’s most popular rooftop terraces. Open all day, you can gaze over the Shoreditch skyline over breakfast or cocktails. The menu offers Mediterranean dishes for lunch and dinner.

Coq d'Argent image
Coq d'Argent
1 Poultry EC2R 8EJ
Bank 0.09 miles
AIL
Users
French

The views of St. Paul’s Cathedral and the Gherkin are reason enough to visit the terrace of this popular City restaurant, but in the winter it’s even more appealing after being transformed into French ski chalet Lodge d’Argent.Après-ski dishes like raclette are available.

Bluebird Restaurant & Bar image
Bluebird Restaurant & Bar
350 King's Road SW3 5UU
South Kensington 0.65 miles
European
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Chelsea’s heated courtyard faces the King’s Road, so there are people-watching opportunities aplenty (albeit through a hedge). There’s a separate menu to the main restaurant, offering hearty dishes like veal schnitzel, croque monsieur and steak.

Radio Rooftop Bar image
Radio Rooftop Bar
336-337 The Strand WC2R 1HA
Temple 0.21 miles
Bars
Photos

This glamorous bar is popular with the fashion pack, and being located on the Strand an on the top floor of the 10thstory ME Hotel means exceptional views. It’s very popular so you may have to queue, and there have been complaints of snooty staff, however once you’re in you’ll be able to enjoy panoramic scenery of all of central London from the comfort of a cosy sofa.

Golden Bee image
Golden Bee
Singer Street EC2A 4BQ
Old Street 0.13 miles
Bars
Photos

The graffiti-inspired painting on the walls hints at the location of this Shoreditch bar, but in terms of music and the after-work atmosphere it’s more West End cocktail bar trendy East End haunt. Shelter from the rain on the covered terrace or spy on Old Street’s goings-on from the heated roof top.

Madison Tapas & Cocktail Bar image
Madison Tapas & Cocktail Bar
New Change EC4M 9AF
St. Paul's 0.10 miles
Restaurant & Bar
Opening Times

This US-inspired restaurant and bar sits atop the One New Change shopping centre, which means an unparalleled view of St. Paul’s Cathedral, which is immediately opposite. The menu has European tapas, from German currywurst to Italian prosciutto.

The Queen of Hoxton image
The Queen of Hoxton
1 Curtain Road EC2A 3JX
AIL
Users
Bars
Photos

At the Queen of Hoxton they make the most of the cold weather by installing a wigwam on their rooftop. Candle light, a BBQ fire pit and warm cocktails recreate the atmosphere of a cosy woodland cottage.

Momo Restaurant image
Momo Restaurant
25-27 Heddon Street W1B 4BH
Oxford Circus 0.27 miles
Moroccan
Photos

The café at Momo is a cornucopia of Moroccan tables and beautiful hanging lanterns, while the heated terrace is a cross between a Parisian café and an English garden. Ideal for taking afternoon tea and smoking sheesha among the palm trees.

Vivo image
Vivo
57-58 Upper Street N1 0NY
Angel 0.27 miles
Italian
Photos

This all day Italian eatery specialises in hearty pasta dishes and pizza, available to eat in or take away. Everything is home made, from the dough of the potato, Tuscan sausage and scamorza pizza to the millefoglie's layers of puff pastry. Alfresco fans and smokers can venture up to the cosy rooftop terrace, kept warm in the winter thanks to heaters and a cover to protect diners from the elements.