Whether you're keen to spot famous landmarks, aim to capture the perfect picture at the best restaurants in London with a view or simply want to relax in one of the many tranquil riverside restaurants in the capital, you'll be in for a treat at these top restaurants with enviable vistas.
Choose from incredible locations across the city, including scenic spots for a memorable breakfast with a view in London, top restaurants for a relaxed lunch in London with a view overlooking the Thames or elegant venues for a fancy, five-star dinner with a view in London.
Not afraid of heights? For killer views, fantastic food and top-notch cocktails, discover the best restaurants in London perched up high on the city’s most iconic skyscrapers and rooftop terraces, from The Shard and Sky Garden to some of the city’s most famous art galleries and shopping centres.
If you’d rather stay close to the ground, enjoy unrivalled riverside views of London’s most famous landmarks from the best restaurants and gastropubs flanking the river Thames. Or for fun, alternative restaurant locations with views evolving as you dine, treat yourself to a gorgeous dinner cruise, hop on a fine-dining bus tour or check out some of the coolest spots for people-watching in the city.
Best rooftop restaurants
Discover the best London rooftop restaurants with a view. Located atop famous shopping centres, prestigious hotels or overlooking some of the city's most famous landmarks from up close, these London rooftop gems will transform your dining experience into a mesmerising spectacle. Open year-round, some of these venues transform into winter wonderlands with lodges, igloos and fairy lights during the colder months. In summer, make the most of the glorious sunshine with alfresco dining on one of the city's best rooftops with panoramic views.
1. Aviary London
Perched atop the Montcalm Royal London House hotel near Old Street, Aviary London offers sweeping views of the city. Tuck into its seasonal dishes using carefully sourced British produce and keep an eye out for fun dining experiences, including winter igloos.
Where: 22-25 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1DX
2. Coq d'Argent
Dine high up above the City of London among modern landmarks at Coq d’Argent, one of London’s most famous rooftop restaurants. Enjoy a drink in the rooftop garden before feasting on French-inspired fine dining dishes.
Where: 1 Poultry, London EC2R 8EJ
3. Alto by San Carlo at Selfridges
Take a break from shopping at Alto by San Carlo, Selfridges’ rooftop restaurant. Peer down on Oxford Street from your table as you take your pick from Italian specialities created from ingredients flown straight from top producers in Italy.
Where: 400 Oxford Street, London W1A 1AB
4. John Lewis Rooftop
Enjoy plenty of food, fun and fancy cocktails at John Lewis Rooftop at John Lewis Oxford Street, which hosts regular seasonal pop-ups on its rooftop terrace. It’s the perfect place to put your feet up and congratulate yourself after a shopping spree.
Where: 300 Oxford Street, London W1C 1DX
Restaurants with a view of the river Thames
Watch the bustling waterways from your dining table at these top London restaurants on the river Thames with a view. From central London restaurants overlooking some of the city’s most famous landmarks like Tower Bridge, to more tranquil riverside spots further down the Thames including in Richmond and Barnes, book a table at one of these fantastic venues for a meal to remember.
5. OXO Tower Restaurant, Bar and Brasserie
Pinpoint London landmarks from this restaurant and brasserie atop the iconic OXO Tower at Bankside. Choose from the all-day specials at the relaxed brasserie; while more refined fare is served up at the restaurant – both offer stunning views of the Thames and St Paul’s Cathedral.
Where: Barge House Street, London SE1 9PH
6. Rick Stein's
Escape from city life in the tranquil setting of Rick Stein’s restaurant along Barnes’ riverside. The TV chef’s only London restaurant looks straight out onto the Thames, where rowers glide by and migrating birds fly overhead to the nearby London Wetland Centre. Enjoy a varied menu, including fish dishes, which are the chef’s speciality.
Where: Tideway Yard, 125 Mortlake High Street, London SW14 8SW
7. Tate Modern Kitchen and Bar
Take a break between exhibitions to indulge in sweeping river views and fine dining at Kitchen and Bar, on the sixth floor of the gallery's Natalie Bell Building. Kitchen and Bar is open Monday to Sunday from 12pm to 6pm. Enjoy seasonal menus inspired by the exhibitions and catch an Instagram-worthy sunset over the Thames.
Where: Bankside, London SE1 9TG
8. Bread Street Kitchen on the River
Gaze out across the Thames from Gordon Ramsay’s restaurant Bread Street Kitchen on the River, in Limehouse. The river takes on a different feel here as it widens downstream from central London at the former docks. Grab a spot in the conservatory or on the terrace and look back towards the bright lights of the City or downstream to Canary Wharf, as you feast on modern dishes with a twist.
Where: 44 Narrow Street, London E14 8DJ
9. Petersham Nurseries Restaurant
Soak up the river views in Richmond that made JMW Turner fall in love with this part of town. As you dine on the seasonal, modern British dishes at Petersham Nurseries' elegant restaurant, you’ll gaze out of the floor-to-ceiling windows across pretty Petersham Meadows and the meandering Thames. It’s also a great spot for a traditional afternoon tea.
Where: Nightingale Lane, Richmond TW10 6UZ
10. Kinaara
Savour a luxurious experience at Kinaara at InterContinental London - The O2 with an indulgent Indian fine dining experience and fragrant wine menu. The restaurant boasts views of the river Thames and Canary Wharf, so relax and admire the breath-taking skyline at this London hotspot.
Where: InterContinental London - The O2, Greenwich, London SE10 0TW
London restaurants with panoramic views
No matter which way you face, there's a picture-worthy landscape waiting for you at each of these London restaurants.
11. 110 Bishopsgate
Be transported upwards by the glass-sided lifts as you head up to the 40th floor of 110 Bishopsgate to Duck & Waffle. Pick out landmarks as you indulge in seasonal British sharing plates at this 24-hour restaurant, which is one of the highest in London and therefore boasts some of the best views around. If you love Japanese or South American fare, Sushisamba on the floor below offers equally impressive views.
Where: 110 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4AY
12. Hutong
Mix Northern Chinese flavours with breathtaking views at Hutong, on level 33 of western Europe’s tallest building, The Shard. With food inspired by regal feasts, cocktails using unusual Asian ingredients and atmospheric interiors including lanterns and screens, Hutong is one of the most romantic restaurants in London with a view.
Where: Level 33 The Shard, 31 St Thomas Street, London SE1 9RY
13. Helix
Experience uninterrupted views of the city at Helix, located in the iconic Gherkin building. The restaurant serves up contemporary British fare and offers a two or three-course menu. Finish the evening with a cocktail at Iris, the bar on the level above, and admire the sunset.
Where: The Gherkin, 30 St Mary Axe, London EC3A 8BF
14. Sky Garden
Venture 155m (508ft) up above the City and step into a tropical paradise at the Sky Garden. Here, among the palms and ferns of the landscaped gardens, you’ll find relaxed Darwin Brasserie offering British flavours, and game and seafood at stylish Fenchurch Restaurant – both offer stunning panoramic views of London’s skyline.
Where: 1 Sky Garden Walk, London EC3M 8AF
Best London restaurants with iconic views
Spy some of London's most famous skyline landmarks from these great restaurants with a view.
15. Gillray's Steakhouse and Bar
Glance up from your 35-day aged Aberdeen Angus steak to find Big Ben and the London Eye looking back at you. Gillray's Steakhouse sits within London Marriott Hotel County Hall; or if afternoon tea is more your thing, try The Library Lounge where you can mix dainty cakes and sandwiches with iconic views – it doesn’t get more authentically London than that.
Where: County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7PB
16. Le Pont de la Tour
Dine in the shadow of Tower Bridge at classy Le Pont de la Tour, which flanks the river at Shad Thames. Grab a spot on the terrace, come summer or winter, and enjoy the modern French fare and a wide-ranging wine list featuring Old and New World wines.
Where: 36D Shad Thames, London SE1 2YE
17. Scoff & Banter Canary Wharf
Enjoy enviable views of The O2 from Scoff & Banter Canary Wharf. This modern British restaurant features floor-to-ceiling windows maximising the river views, and a terrace for alfresco dining. Tuck into classics such as pies, fish and chips and rib-eye steak.
Where: Radisson Blu Edwardian, New Providence Wharf, 5 Fairmont Avenue, Canary Wharf, London E14 9PQ
Best brunch with a view
From breakfast to brunch, discover top London spots with great sights and delicious treats to start off the day on a beautiful note.
18. Madera at Treehouse London
Bold Mexican cuisine, an extensive cocktail list and panoramic views across London await you at Madera at the Treehouse London. Serving re-imagined Mexican breakfast, lunch, dinner and weekend brunch options with sweeping London views as the backdrop, you'll be able to enjoy the views whatever the time of day.
Where: Treehouse London, 14-15 Langham Place, London W1B 2QS
19. 400 Rabbits at The Lido Cafe
Tuck into breakfast, brunch and pizzas year-round at trendy The Lido Cafe at Brockwell Park. It’s the perfect spot to catch a few rays and watch the world go by in the art deco surrounds. The lido truly comes alive in the summer months, when the restaurant also opens for dinner.
Where: Brockwell Park, Dulwich Road, London SE24 0PA
Best restaurants for varying views
Why choose a restaurant with just one view when you can dine among a changing landscape?
20. City Cruises
Admire Big Ben, the London Eye, Tower Bridge… just some of the London landmarks on view during one of City Cruises’ dining excursions. The sightseeing specialist offers afternoon tea, lunch, sundowner and dinner cruises, including its London Showboat evening cruise featuring West End hits from a live performer.
21. Bustronome
Soak up the London sights on a Bustronome luxury glass double-decker bus and enjoy British cuisine with a French twist. Previous menus have included dishes such as pan fried Skrei cod with cauliflower pure and spinach and ricotta girasole. Choose between a four-course lunch tour or six-course dinner experience.
22. London Shell Co.
Step aboard London Shell Co.’s Prince Regent canal boat at Paddington Basin and enjoy a navigation along Regent’s Canal as you tuck into the best seasonal fish dishes. You’ll be led through the canal network, passing Regent’s Park as sharing plates and wines are delivered to your table.
Where: Union Canal, Sheldon Square, London W2 6EP
Best restaurants for people-watching
Get a table at one of these London restaurants to watch the vibrant mix of passers-by as you enjoy your meal.
23. Serpentine Bar & Kitchen
Enjoy a spot of people-watching in Hyde Park at Serpentine Bar & Kitchen. Unsurprisingly, given its name, the restaurant looks out over the park’s Serpentine lake, where you can watch the boats and ducks among the greenery of the Royal Park. Choose from wood-fired pizzas, British classics and summer barbecue specials until closing time each day at 8pm.
Where: Serpentine Road, Hyde Park, London W2 2UH
24. Roast
Peek out onto the lively marketplace and spot traders at work in Borough Market as you feast on locally sourced roast meats, game and seafood. Located in the heart of the market, Roast offers a different perspective, as the hustle and bustle continues from the early hours in Floral Hall below.
Where: The Floral Hall, Borough Market, London SE1 1TL
Looking for more inspiration? If you have a head for heights, why not enjoy a pre-dinner drink at one of London's rooftop bars, and check out our top London attractions with panoramic views.
