Our beloved capital has one of the most recognisable skylines anywhere on the planet, and there’s nowhere better to view it than from one of our esteemed culinary icons.
How we handpick the best rooftop restaurants in London
Each restaurant on this list has been carefully chosen by a member of our team. Our editors and the Secret London team rely on personal experiences, recommendations, editorial reviews, customer feedback, and thorough research to bring you the finest dining spots in the city. We are constantly on the lookout for new places with delicious food and excellent service. This list is regularly updated as we discover new openings and revisit established favourites.
So without further ado, here’s our rundown of the best rooftop restaurants in London:
1. JOIA, Battersea Power Station
This restaurant is curated by two Michelin-starred Portuguese chef Henrique Sá Pessoa. Aside from the guaranteed lush food with Henrique’s brilliant fresh take on traditional Portuguese plates using the best of British and Iberian produce, JOIA also offers Londoners stunning views of the Battersea Power Station from the 15th floor.
Enjoy the Chef’s specials and try the tasting menu which includes dishes like the octopus salad, red prawns, grilled leeks, patatas bravas and much more!
📍15th Floor, 1 Electric Blvd, Nine Elms, London SW11 8BJ.
🚇 Nearest station is Battersea Park Station.
2. Seabird, Southwark
As you wander over the bridge from Blackfriars station towards the south side of the Thames, you’ll see the glittering rooftop of The Hoxton Southwark hotel clearly from the street below. This towering, lit-up location is the home of Seabird, a top-tier London al fresco foodie spot, set on the 14th floor of the hotel.
The proud owner of the longest oyster list in London – as well as some of the best panoramic views of the city – this sky-high spot whips up some pretty fantastic seafood inspired by both the Portuguese and Spanish cuisines.
Standout dishes include the whole lobster rice with Manchego and porto branco and the whole tiger prawns with aioli and parsley. They also do a banging Sunday brunch and even an ‘oyster happy hour’ on Monday through to Thursday afternoons. Sign us up!
📍You’ll find Seabird on the 14th Floor of The Hoxton, Southbank, 40 Blackfriars Road, London, SE1 8NY.
🚇 Nearest stations are Blackfriars and Southwark.
3. LSQ Rooftop, Leicester Square
Next up on this list of the best rooftop restaurants in London is the LSQ Rooftop – a gourmet bar-come-restaurant right in the heart of the West End. Based nine floors up, this hidden gem offers some of the best views you can find in Central London, and the food and drinks ain’t bad either.
Perfect for pre- and post-theatre bites, you’ve got everything here from fisherman fish stew with prawns, mussels, clams, rock fish and squid to basil and spinach pesto orecchiette. There’s also a killer wine, spirit and cocktail list to boot too.
📍You’ll find LSQ Rooftop at 1 Leicester Square, London, WC2H 7NA.
🚇 Nearest stations are Leicester Square and Covent Garden.
4. Alto by Santa Carlo, Oxford Street
Boasting a summery look and a rustic Italian menu from long-term residents San Carlo, Alto is a must-visit spot if you’re looking for rooftop restaurants in London. As is de rigeur these days, the decoration consists of extensive verdant overhead foliage and citrus trees, all underneath a retractable roof that’s perfect for sunny days.
Among the dishes that have made an appearance on the Italian menu are fillet of beef wrapped in truffles with a cream sauce; black sea salt sea bass with herb and olive oil salmoriglio; and spaghetti puttanesca with olives, capers and a rich tomato sauce. There are also nibbly street food bits like arancini and gamberoni, and an extensive selection of fish dishes, pizza, and plant-based food too.
📍You’ll find Alto by Santa Carlo at 400 Oxford Street, London, W1A 1AB.
🚇 Nearest stations are Bond Street and Marble Arch.
5. 14 Hills, Fenchurch Street
Just below The Garden at 120, on the fourteenth floor of Fen Court and across the road from the Walkie Talkie, sits the unfailingly-fabulous 14 Hills restaurant. Composed of the most aesthetic interiors, a lively late-night bar, an al fresco terrace, and unparalleled views over the capital, it really is a pretty hot spot and definitely one of the best rooftop restaurants in London.
They’ve got a fantastic roof terrace here, a DJ that spins the tunes all day, and there’s a great selection of drinks and cocktails too. Of course, the food ain’t too shabby either. Starters include octopus with ajo blanco, salsa verde and marcona almonds, and a burrata with fennel and green pea on sourdough, and there’s seabass, cod and even guinea fowl for the main. Finish up with a cheese board and you’ll be one happy customer.
📍You’ll find 14 Hills on the 14th Floor of 120 Fenchurch Street, London, EC3M 5AL.
🚇 Nearest station is Fenchurch Street.
6. SUSHISAMBA City, Liverpool Street
The best meals can sometimes put you right on top of the world, and that’s exactly the case at SUSHISAMBA in the City of London. Nestled on the 38th & 39th floors of the Heron Tower – the one below the Duck & Waffle – the City offshoot of the global restaurant chain commands incredible views of the city (not least the neighbouring Gherkin).
Mind you, the culinary culmination of Japanese, Brazilian, and Peruvian food doesn’t hurt the appeal either – standout dishes include tuna ceviche with pomegranate leche de tigre, maiz morado, wasabi peas and basil and black cod with sweet corn, maiz morada, polenta and popcorn. They’ve also got a great pair of outdoor terraces – perfect for a cocktail or two pre-dinner.
📍You’ll find SUSHISAMBA City on the 38th and 39th floors of the Heron Tower, Bishopsgate, London, EC2N 4AY.
🚇 Nearest station is Liverpool Street.
7. Decimo, King’s Cross St. Pancras
Another fantastic addition to this roundup of the best rooftop restaurants in London, Decimo in The Standard Hotel is the brainchild of Michelin-star chef Peter Sanchez-Iglesias, who has curated a menu combining his love of Mexican food with his Spanish heritage. The results, it has to be said, are pretty spectacular.
Appetisers come in the form of croquetas, tacos, and quesadillas, whilst the early hype surrounds the ‘Decimo Tortilla’, which has been an extremely bougie makeover courtesy of a heaped serving of caviar. There are also some pretty fantastic sides, an extensive cocktail menu and a tasty Saturday brunch menu too. Oh – and it overlooks the clock tower of the St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel – so get ready to strike a pose!
📍You’ll find Decimo on the 10th Floor of The Standard, 10 Argyle Street, London, WC1H 8EG.
🚇 Nearest station is King’s Cross St. Pancras.
8. Bisushima, Trafalgar Square
New additions to London’s bustling restaurant scene are always good news, but they’re even better news when they combine two of our favourite things: rooftop terraces and sushi. That’s exactly what Bisushima was going for when they opened in early 2020 (before closing again due to a series of lockdowns… the less said about that the better).
This London rooftop restaurant focuses on artful Japanese cooking, using locally sourced Japanese ingredients. Diners looking to raid the extensive sushi bar can taste traditional Edomae-style bites, which incorporate a special ageing process that promises to bring out the full flavours of raw fish. Less adventurous eaters can dig into an array of other great dishes, including lobster tempura with sautéed scallops or grilled Iberico pork. They’ve also got regular DJ nights, so you’ll be able to enjoy the views while listening to some banging tunes.
📍You’ll find Bisushima at 8 St. Martin’s Place, London, WC2N 4JH.
🚇 Nearest station is Charing Cross.
9. Tattu, Tottenham Court Road
Another new addition to the London rooftop restaurant scene, Tattu only opened back in April 2022, following openings in Edinburgh, Leeds, Bristol and Birmingham. It’s all about modern Chinese cooking here, and since opening, this cool-as-a-cucumber customer has been impressing winers, diners and food critics alike.
The location doesn’t exactly let the side down either. Based on the rooftop of the Outernet’s Now building on Charing Cross Road, you’ll enjoy some pretty epic views of London as you tuck into sharing plates, XO scallops, royal koi fish gau, Szechuan red pork belly and much more besides.
📍You’ll find Tattu On the Now Building Rooftop, Outernet, Denmark Street, London, WC2H 0LA.
🚇 Nearest station is Tottenham Court Road.
10. Pergola on the Wharf, Canary Wharf
Pergola on the Wharf is located right by the gorgeous Crossrail Place Roof Garden in Canary Wharf, and it takes over the space previously home to street food market Giant Robot. Along with various different street food pop-ups, they’ve also got their own food offering, which is overseen by Nick Wyborn, formerly the Executive Chef at Mac and Wild.
The menu here is seasonal and takes inspiration from the earth, land, and sea to provide fresh and exciting plates. Dishes on offer here include a bearnaise burger, a bang bang salad and garlic and lemon chicken, and there are a whole host of lip-smackingly good sharing plates. As if this wasn’t enough, they’ve also got a wraparound terrace that gives you views of the docks and sunsets over the city too.
📍You’ll find Pergola on the Wharf at Crossrail Place, London, E14 5AR.
🚇 Nearest station is Canary Wharf.
11. Mercer Roof Terrace, Mansion House
Next up on this roundup of the best rooftop restaurants in London is the Mercer Roof Terrace in Mansion House – a chic and elegant rooftop restaurant with views overlooking the iconic St Paul’s Cathedral, The Shard and other London landmarks.
As well as getting some pretty unbeatable views of the London skyline through floor-to-ceiling windows, you’ll also get to eat some pretty great food here. Similarly, with Pergola on the Wharf, the menu here is based around the earth, the land and the sea, so you can expect fresh, seasonal dishes and some excellent desserts too. Post-lunch or dinner, head downstairs to Do Not Disturb – an authentic cocktail bar tucked away in the basement.
📍You’ll find Mercer Roof Terrace at 20 Garlick Hill, London, EC4V 2AU.
🚇 Nearest station is Mansion House.
12. Darwin Brasserie at the Sky Garden, Fenchurch Street
When it comes to views over the River Thames, you can’t beat the Sky Garden, a lush urban jungle set on the 43rd floor of Walkie Talkie building. From here you’ll see St. Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge, the Gherkin and more, and the Darwin Brasserie is a great spot to get some classy British fare.
London’s highest brasserie, you can get everything here from salt marsh lamb rump, Greek salad and mint salsa verde to grilled portobello mushroom steak with shallot green beans, watercress, French fries and vegan peppercorn sauce.
📍You’ll find Darwin Brasserie on Level 36 of the Sky Garden, 20 Philpot Lane, London, EC3M 8AF.
🚇 Nearest station Is Monument.
13. Madison, Mansion House
This London rooftop restaurant really needs no introduction. One of London’s most famous rooftops, Madison offers excellent panoramic views over St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Thames, Millennium Bridge, The Shard and more.
A bar-come-tapas-restaurant, Madison takes inspiration from the eclectic New York dining scene, and there’s a focus here on grilled meats, excellent cocktails and sharing platters – a great date spot perhaps? Don’t miss a wander around the various terraces found here – they offer some of the best vistas you can find anywhere in the capital.
📍You’ll find Madison at Rooftop Terrace One, New Change, London, EC4M 9AF.
🚇 Nearest station is St. Paul’s.
14. Wagtail, Monument
A newer addition to the London rooftop restaurant scene, Wagtail is the capital’s latest vantage point from which to soak up the skyline, putting 360-degree views of the city on a platter for all; along with a damn fine dining and drinking experience to boot.
Michelin-trained Executive Chef Phil Kearsey is the maestro of the kitchen, and you’ll find menus curated with Angelos Bafas to form a ‘best of season‘ ethos. The food is pretty darn delicious – think native lobster with Isle of Wight tomato and tarragon mustard for starter and Dover sole with spring vegetables and mussel sauce for main – but you’re really here for those banging, panoramic views.
Right across the river from the Shard and just down the road from the Sky Garden, it’s a welcome addition to the rooftop restaurant scene and an ideal place to come for a sundowner or two.
📍You’ll find Wagtail on the 9th floor Terrace of 68 King William Street, London, EC4N 7HR.
🚇 Nearest station is Monument.
15. The Orrery, Marylebone
Our penultimate addition to this roundup of the best rooftop restaurants in London is The Orrery – a modern French bistro-style spot based right in the heart of Marylebone. As well as a lovely indoor restaurant, they’ve got a great terrace which is decked out in lavender and olive trees, transporting you all the way to Southern France.
Throughout the Winter months, they’ve got rows of heaters to keep you warm, and during the Summer, this sun-dappled spot is great to while away the hours. There’s also an award-winning cheese trolley and wine list – worth a visit alone!
📍You’ll find Orrery at 55 Marylebone High Street, London, W1U 5RB.
🚇 Nearest stations are Regent’s Park and Baker Street.
16. Hutong at The Shard, London Bridge
Ok, so we’re technically cheating with this last addition to this roundup of rooftop restaurants in London. However, The Shard technically is ‘the roof’ of London being that it’s the city’s highest building, so we figured it was good to include.
Perched on Level 33, Hutong is all about tasty Northern Chinese cooking and panoramic city views. This atmospheric, award-winning spot has gone to town with its decor – the dark wooden doors and red lantern wall are particularly impressive – but the food takes it up a notch and then some. Lobster dumplings with a Sichuan chilli sauce and Wagyu beef mille-feuille are particular highlights, but you can also get dim sum platters which include cod and seaweed dumplings and Rosé Champagne dumplings – fancy!
📍You’ll find Hutong at 33 St Thomas St, London, SE1 9RY.
🚇 Nearest station is London Bridge.
17. Los Mochis, Liverpool Street
Los Mochis will transport your tastebuds from Tokyo to Tulum without you having to leave Zone 1. This brand new rooftop restaurant was founded by Markus Thesleff (the mastermind behind the likes of Sale e Pepe and Viajante87), and seamlessly fuses ‘Japanese elegance with Mexican vibrancy’, celebrating the very best of both cuisines.
Found on the ninth floor of 100 Liverpool Street, covering a whopping 14,000 square-feet, the restaurant is one of the largest in London and is led by ex-Nobu executive chef, Leonard Tanyag. Diners can expect the very best quality and the very best vibes.
📍You’ll find Los Mochis at 9th Floor, 100 Liverpool Street, EC2M 2AT.
🚇 Nearest station is Liverpool Street.
So there you have it – the Secret London roundup of the best rooftop restaurants in London. So if you’re looking for dinner with a cityscape view, then we’ve got you covered!