From Battersea to Balham and Wimbledon to Wandsworth, there’s no shortage of pubs and restaurants with lovely outdoor dining areas in south west London, and here's The Resident’s pick of the best…
1) Fiume, Battersea
The riverside terrace at Fiume, Francesco Mazzei’s Battersea restaurant, has been transformed into a southern Italian oasis this summer in partnership with Ortigia Sicilia and Malfy Gin. Enjoy dishes that pay homage to the coastal cuisine of southern Italy right on the banks of the Thames at Battersea Power Station.
Address: Battersea Power Station, Circus West Village, SW8 5BN
Website: fiume-restaurant.co.uk
2) The Ivy Cafe, Wimbledon
The garden terrace at the rear of The Ivy Café in SW19 is a magical, intimate oasis. Sip on a dreamy cocktails made for warm weather, or indulge in a glorious brunch, afternoon tea or evening meal - just make sure you leave room for one of The Ivy Café's flawless desserts.
Address: 75 High Street SW19 5EQ
Website: theivycafewimbledon.com
3) The Avalon, Clapham South
The Avalon’s summer garden may take you by surprise. There’s a giant feasting table, oak barrels, and a striking living wall planted with lily-turf, ferns and ivy. You can even relax on bean bags and sheep skins. It’s all too easy to forget you’re in London, and the days can slip by rather easily.
Address: 16 Balham Hill SW12 9EB
Website: theavalonlondon.com
4) The Alexandra, Wimbledon
There’s nothing like a rooftop terrace for soaking up the sun and catching up. If it gets a little chilly as the evening progresses, hot water bottles and blankets are on hand, so you can focus on enjoying the traditional pub grub or pick at a sharing board. There’s also DJs at the weekend if you’re after a more lively atmosphere come sundown.
Address: 33 Wimbledon Hill Road SW19 7NE
Website: alexandrawimbledon.com
5) 601 Queen’s Rd, Wimbledon
Part of the Darwin & Wallace collection that also includes Nº29 Power Station West in Battersea and Nº32 The Old Town in Clapham, 601 Queen’s Rd is a contemporary neighbourhood bar with wraparound roof terrace by Centre Court Shopping Centre. The venue has a vibey, circular bar serving a good selection of wines, and is also a great spot to work from.
Address: 4 Queen’s Road, Wimbledon SW19 8YE
Website: 601queensrd.co.uk
6) Megan’s at the Power Station, Battersea
There’s no stopping Megan. The small, dog-friendly, neighbourhood restaurants has venues in Chelsea/Fulham, Parsons Green, Balham, Clapham and Battersea in London's south east. The Battersea outpost has a lovely outdoor terrace by the river and bi-folding doors so that, even when you’re inside, you’re outside. Megan’s is open all day offering home-cooked food, organic coffee, juices and weekend bottomless brunches.
Address: 27 Circus West Village, Battersea SW11 8NN
Website: megans.co.uk
7) Cinnamon Kitchen, Battersea
Cinnamon Kitchen brings fire and spice to Battersea Power Station with minimalist industrial décor and a large outdoor terrace with sweeping views of the Thames. The restaurant serves contemporary Indian dishes, many unique to Battersea, alongside imaginative cocktails like The Coconut Kir and Assam Manhattan.
Address: Circus West Village, 2 Arches Lane SW11 8AB
Website: cinnamon-kitchen.com
8) The Duke’s Head, Putney
The Duke’s Head is a Young’s pub famous for its prime location for the Oxford and Cambridge University Boat Race. Indulge in a Sunday roast after a leisurely walk along the Thames Path, or enjoy a craft ale outside the Victorian Grade II listed building as you watch the world go by on a balmy evening.
Address: 8 Lower Richmond Road SW15 1JN
Website: dukesheadputney.com
9) No 29 Power Station West, Battersea
No 29 Power Station West, part of the neighbourhood bar group, Darwin & Wallace, has a lovely riverside terrace with a pergola decorated with lush greenery. Dine on seasonal, locally sourced food from the venue's all day menu, and enjoy craft beers and cocktails including house favourites Pear Bellini and Passionfruit Caipirinha.
Address: 29 Circus West, Battersea Power Station SW8 4NN
Website: no29powerstationwest.co.uk
10) The Leather Bottle, Earlsfield
A pub rich with history, The Leather Bottle began life as an inn and hostelry, with a blacksmith attached to the side of the building. Complete with an all-day barbecue, the infamous back garden is a popular summertime haunt complete with real log fires.
Address: 538 Garratt Lane SW17 0NY
Website: leatherbottlepub.co.uk
11) Maison St Cassien, Wimbledon Village
Maison St Cassien offers a flavour of the Mediterranean and is Wimbledon Village’s go-to spot, frequented by tennis stars such as Andy Murray and Maria Sharapova. As soon as the sun comes out, it’s the perfect place to relax and watch the world go by, whether you’re enjoying the varied menu of vine leaves, lamb kofta and feta, or just pausing for a cappuccino and a croissant.
Address: 71 High Street, Wimbledon SW19 5EE
Website: maisonstcassien.co.uk
12) The Castle, Tooting
Established back in 1832, The Castle in Tooting is a cavernous pub with a generous outdoor space to match. There’s plenty of seating, in both heated cabins and in the open air, so even on the hottest, busiest days of the year you’re sure to find a spot for your crew as you soak it up.
Address: 38 Tooting High Street SW17 0RG
Website: castletooting.com
13) Hand in Hand, Wimbledon Common
If it can claim Wimbledon Common as its own, then the Hand in Hand wins the prize for the best beer garden – but that might be cheating. Still, its very own courtyard is also an excellent alfresco space. The pub that dates back to 1835 but had a glorious refurb in recent years, serving upmarket pub food from braised beef cheek to sharing pies. Dogs are more than welcome.
Address: 6 Crooked Billet, Wimbledon Common SW19 4RQ
Website: thehandinhandwimbledon.co.uk
14) The Althorp, Wandsworth
The Althorp is a family-friendly pub overlooking the grassy green meadows of Wandsworth Common. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy a pub lunch or roast in the sunshine after an amble along the picturesque boutiques of Bellevue Road. There’s live music every other Friday and a selection of London beers including lager and wheat from Meantime Brewing.
Address: 20 Bellevue Road, SW17 7EB
Website: thealthorp.co.uk
15) London Stock, Wandsworth
London Stock, the smart Ram Quarter restaurant that champions British produce and innovative cooking, has a lovely alfresco dining space in a peaceful courtyard. They also have a cracking Sunday roast menu featuring starters like French onion soup and venison tartare, with mains of roast sirloin of beef and pan-fried gilt-head bream.
Address: 2 Bubbling Well Square, Ram Quarter SW18 1UQ
Website: londonstockrestaurant.co.uk
16) The Ship, Wandsworth
Riverside hangout The Ship in Wandsworth is an alfresco institution. Also available for private hire, it has a buzzing atmosphere that lends itself well to sampling beers from Sambrooks, Camden Town and Meantime breweries. They do a great Bloody Mary too, and combined with a blast of fresh air and a rib-eye steak, it’s the perfect hangover cure.
Address: 41 Jews Row SW18 1TB
Website: theship.co.uk
17) Minnow, Clapham
All-day eatery Minnow on Clapham Common has a pretty walled courtyard at the back. The menu concentrates on modern European fare with stand-out dishes including char-grilled baby octopus with sour green mango, and charred lamb rump with chickpeas and harissa yoghurt. Created by Head Chef Jake Boyce, who previously headed up Jason Atherton’s Social Wine and Tapas, the dishes are accomplished and full of flavour.
Address: 21 The Pavement, Clapham Common SW4 OHY
Website: minnowclapham.co.uk
18) The Perky Nel, Clapham
The Perky Nel, part of the Livelyhood group (The Clapham North, The Regent and The Old Frizzle) has a large west-facing terrace out front festooned with pretty lights and plants. Expect pub classics but with added consideration, from gluten-free burgers to vegan-friendly dishes, small plates and specials. There's Brunch throughout the week, and come Sunday, it's time for a roast. There’s a kids menu too, and the venue is dog friendly as well.
Address: 7-8 Cavendish Parade, Clapham SW4 9DW
Website: theperkynel.co.uk
19) Waterside, Fulham
The Waterside in Fulham, recently refurbed, is a grand, three-story pub located in Imperial Wharf with elegant dining, opulent interiors and great views. It also has an expansive Thames-side terrace with plenty of seating, a light, airy conservatory opening onto the river and great views, making The Waterside is a summer essential or anything from brunch to cocktails and even a sunny Sunday roast.
Address: The Boulevard, Imperial Wharf SW6 2SU
Website: watersideimperialwharf.co.uk
20) The Little Orange Door, Clapham
The Little Orange Door, sister venue to The Little Yellow Door in Notting Hill and The Little Blue Door in Fulham, is a lively venue built around DJ-led house parties. It also has a cute summer terrace outside where you can enjoy great dishes with international flair, bottomless brunches at weekends, and killer cocktails any day of the week while watching all of Clapham come and go.
Address: 16A Clapham Common South Side SW4 7AB
Website: thelittleorangedoor.co.uk
READ MORE:
SING ALONG TO FROZEN AT ECCLESTON YARDS' FREE OUTDOOR CINEMA
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