The 10 best rooftop restaurants in London that might become your new favorite
I think one of the things people are always searching for is a place to eat with a great view. It’s something our eyes can wander to as we savor each bite and sip, or a beautiful backdrop for the souvenir photos we’ll surely take.
Sure, the park where you unwrap your packed lunch, the cozy eatery you’ve loved for years, or your family’s dining table at the end of a long week all come with their own familiar views. But have you ever eaten a meal with the city skyline stretched out before you?
Whether you say yes or no, we have the best rooftop restaurants in London you’ll remember not only for the food, but also for the stunning views. And once you decide to dine, they might just become your new favorite for date nights, brunch, or cocktails at sunset!
1. Forza Wine Peckham
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Website: https://forzawine.com/pages/peckham
Address: The Rooftop, 133A Rye Ln
Contact details: +44 7312 258 845
Operating hours:
- Sunday to Thursday – 12 PM – 12 AM
- Friday and Saturday – 12 PM – 1 AM
Pricing: ££
From afar, you’d think Forza Wine is a treehouse, sitting atop a stack of buildings and surrounded by greenery. Once you step inside the glass-enclosed space or out on the terrace, Italian delights will soon fill your table, overlooking the bustling Peckham neighborhood below.
Their small plates—like cauliflower fritti and aioli, mozzarella with figs and hazelnuts, as well as raw asparagus (or courgette), parmesan, and hazelnuts—are a crowd favorite. People usually start with olives or salted almonds, which you ought to try to truly awaken your palate.
Of course, diners are also all for their inventive drinks, including the frozen peach margaritas and cherry negronis. Open from lunch to past midnight, you might find yourself dining alongside Londoners grabbing their day-off brunches or meeting friends for evening cocktails.
Pro tip:
Forza Wine updates its dishes based on seasonal ingredients and availability—even the cocktail list rotates regularly. For the latest lineup, check their website by scrolling down to click the menu button or visit their Instagram page.
2. Seabird
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Website: https://seabirdlondon.com/
Address: 14th Floor, South Bank, 40 Blackfriars Rd
Contact details: +44 20 7903 3050
Operating hours:
- Monday and Tuesday – 12 PM – 9:30 PM
- Wednesday to Friday – 12 PM – 10 PM
- Saturday – 11:30 AM – 10 PM
- Sunday – 10:30 AM – 10 PM
Pricing: ££
There’s nothing quite like Seabird’s interior—from every table inside, the tall windows frame the city skyline perfectly. Add in the sunset glow seeping through the white side-panel curtains, casting a soft ambient light all around the venue.
The outdoor seating at the terrace is just as good, with most of the tables having couches as seats. There, you can enjoy fresh seafood dishes infused with Spanish and Portuguese flavors, all while feeling as comfortable as you would at home.
Seabird’s oysters are brought in every day, which means that sometimes they may not have them. Not to worry, though, the small plates of octopus + chorizo skewer, gambas al ajillo, and fried calamari are never absent—plus the large plate of whole lobster rice.
For snacks, you’ll never regret the Jamón Ibérico Croquetas or the classic charcuterie plate. Finally, drink to the feast with a glass of rosé or the orange Domaine Bohn, and finish your lunch or dinner with something sweet like the chocolate ganache.
Pro tip:
Although they have a few mainstays, menus are still subject to change daily depending on available produce. And if you’re dining with a special someone or a group of friends, the sharing set menus (with vegan options) starting at £55 are a great choice.
3. The Rooftop St. James
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Website: https://trafalgarstjames.com/rooftop-bar/
Address: 7th Floor, 2 Spring Gardens
Contact details: +44 20 7870 2900
Operating hours:
- Sunday and Monday – closed
- Tuesday and Wednesday – 12 PM – 11 PM
- Thursday – 3 PM – 11 PM
- Friday and Saturday – 12 PM – 12 AM
Pricing: £££
Dining at The Rooftop means tacos, share plates, grilled burgers, and vegan dishes with Trafalgar Square and the skyline as your audience or backdrop. Indoors or out, take it all in while sipping rooftop favorites like the mango sunset cocktail or Trafalgar iced tea.
Many date nights, intimate wedding receptions, and formal dinners have happened here. It could be yours, too, someday—just don’t forget the sugared churros and dulce de leche cheesecake to make those days even sweeter.
Since the restaurant is on the 7th floor of The Trafalgar St. James hotel, feel free to book a room—either before your reserved date or after a hearty lunch or dinner. Pack or dress in casual attire, though, as hoodies, caps, and athletic wear aren’t encouraged.
Pro tips:
Minimum spend policy (March to December): From Monday to Thursday after 5 PM, The Rooftop requires a minimum spend of £35 per person for indoor bookings and £50 for outdoor. From Friday to Sunday, it’s £50 all day for both.
Limited outdoor seating: During the summer (June to August), outdoor seats fill up fast. And while the team tries to accommodate everyone, booking in advance is the safest way to secure your spot.
Age policy (Thursday to Saturday): Note that after 5 PM on Thursdays through Saturdays, guests must only be above 21 years old. But of course, this excludes those who are staying at the hotel.
4. Aviary Rooftop Bar & Restaurant
Media credit: aviaryldn
Website: https://etmcollection.co.uk/venue/aviary-rooftop-restaurant-terrace-bar/
Address: Royal London House, 22-25 Finsbury Square
Contact details: +44 20 3873 4060
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 6:30 AM – 12 AM
- Saturday and Sunday – 7 AM – 12 AM
Pricing: £££
Rise and shine with Aviary’s early hours! Start your day with the Chapel & Swan smoked salmon bagel or a shot of espresso, and soak in the sights of The Shard and the Walkie Talkie Building by the outdoor terrace while you’re at it.
But if you woke up a little late, Aviary’s Birdsong Brunch greets you with two- or three-course options. Diners often share stories about the Jersey rock oysters and the blackberry French toast, which are sometimes photographed against the mid-century style interior of the venue.
Let’s not forget the bottomless champagne, prosecco, and choice of cocktail—though the Baroko coffee martini is truly one of a kind. Meanwhile, the à la carte truffled chicken ballotine and a chilled pinot grigio go great with those nighttime skyline views for dinner.
Pro tip:
Birdsong Brunch is only served on Saturdays and Sundays—ideal for weekend visits with a live DJ adding a musical touch to your meal. In winter, you may get a seat in one of Aviary’s cozy terrace igloos, offering warmth and comfort in the cold.
5. 14 Hills
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Website: https://14hills.co.uk/
Address: 14th floor, 120 Fenchurch St
Contact details: +44 20 3981 5222
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday – 12 PM – 11 PM
Pricing: ££££
With all its leafy decorations draping from the ceiling and sprouting from every corner, 14 Hills feels like a jungle 14 floors above Fenchurch Street. You could also call it garden-like for the sheer variety of plants that might leave you wondering whether they’re real or not.
The menu is modern British cuisine with a French twist—don’t miss signature brunch dishes like the Cornish white crab benedict, a fancy take on the traditional eggs Benedict. Another is the duck French toast, which has a richer, more savory spin that any Parisian would approve.
You can enjoy your meal from the rooftop terrace, open to diners during the restaurant’s hours. But if you really want a spot here, especially for parties of up to six, it’s better to make your reservation online in advance.
Pro tips:
Weekend bottomless brunch: Saturdays and Sundays come with two- or three-course brunches priced at £38 and £43, respectively. You can upgrade to bottomless Aperol Spritz, Bellinis, Rossinis, or classic bubbles for an extra £30.
Sunday Burger Club: Drop by on Sundays to have a chance to try the 20 special burgers crafted by 14 Hills’ chefs, General Manager, Front of House team, and guest chefs. The menu changes monthly and each burger has a house cocktail partner.
Private dining and events: Contact the events team for a private dining room with panoramic city views. Celebrate a special occasion over sharing boards, seated three-course menus, and signature cocktails with family, friends, or colleagues.
Seating and time limit policy: Take note that due to high demand and many booking requests, 14 Hills can’t guarantee specific seating allocation. Also, they may need tables back after a 1.5-hour limit.
6. Mercer Roof Terrace
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Website: https://www.vintryandmercer.com/dining-in-the-city/mercer-roof-terrace/
Address: 20 Garlick Hill
Contact details: +44 20 3908 8099
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday – 12 PM – 11 PM
Pricing: £££
You’ll find Mercer Roof Terrace at the top of Vintry & Mercer Hotel—its intimate seating, soft lighting, and relaxed charm give a warm welcome. Up there, a dining experience of classic British dishes with views of St. Paul’s Cathedral and The Shard awaits you.
Their Fish & Chips are everything traditional British fare should be, featuring Peterhead cod served with triple-cooked chips, crushed peas, and tartar sauce. Make room, too, for the Colne Valley lamb barnsley chop and the Cornish lobster & prawn roll.
Not only that, diners also love the Mercer Prawn Cocktail and Sweetcorn Velouté starters for their classic flavors and presentation. For dessert, notable mentions include the Kentish strawberry bakewell tart and Morello cherry & chocolate gateaux.
Even if you book an indoor seat, the wide open floor-to-ceiling glass doors bring the outdoors in. But if you’d rather dine alfresco or have a drink above the city lights, don’t hesitate to claim a table outside.
Pro tips:
Crown Afternoon Tea: Book a table and feel like a royal in Mercer’s traditional British afternoon tea. Served on weekends from 12 PM to 5 PM, have a taste of Windsor (roast beef in Yorkshire pudding), Balmoral (truffled egg mayonnaise), and more.
DND (Do Not Disturb) cocktail bar: Guests aged 18+ are welcome to swing by this underground spot for barrel-aged and house cocktails after 8 PM. Upon booking, simply enter through a darkened entrance tucked back on Garlick Hill.
7. Sushisamba
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Website: https://www.sushisamba.com/locations/uk/london-heron-tower
Address: Floor 38/39, Heron Tower, 110 Bishopsgate
Contact details: +44 20 3640 7330
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday – 12 PM – 1:30 AM
Pricing: ££££
Sushisamba brings together the bold flavors of Japan, Brazil, and Peru—in London’s Heron Tower. From the Japanese tempura and sushi to Brazilian churrasco and moqueca, plus Peruvian anticuchos and seviches, there’s no need to hop between restaurants to try it all.
As the glass elevators take you up to the 38th or 39th floor, the sprawling skyline comes into view—a scene diners love to record. Inside, you’ll be greeted by a grid of lights dangling from the open bamboo ceiling at varying heights, creating a somewhat magical effect.
Under those lights, help yourself to the samba London roll, a colorful combination of tuna, salmon, hamachi, and avocado, among others. Or try the tiger maki, which includes crabmeat, tiger prawn tempura, wasabi mayo, and eel sauce.
Treat yourself to small plates by the orange tree at the terrace—the rock shrimp tempura, wagyu gyoza, and crispy yellowtail taquitos are the most popular. For something heartier, go for the Moqueca Mista Brazilian seafood stew or the churrasco rio grande meat platter.
Pro tip:
Consider booking a table at the Samba Room for an exclusive (and elegant) cocktail bar & lounge experience. Eat and drink alongside live DJs and stunning East London skyline views in a room adorned with retro furniture, a mirrored walkway, and a unique hanging table.
8. The Culpeper
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Website: https://www.theculpeper.com/
Address: 40 Commercial St
Contact details: +44 20 7247 5371
Operating hours: Monday to Saturday – 12 PM – 12 AM
Pricing: £££
How would you like it if the food served at your table was picked from the restaurant’s own rooftop garden? Or better yet, spotting ingredients growing in the distance and thinking, “Maybe those are the crab apples that’ll end up on my plate next month.”
There’s more—for lunch, you can watch the chef fire up the Rhug Estate organic chicken or the Ethical Butcher pork chipolata on the rooftop grill, along with an abundance of vegetables. Sweetening the deal are The Culpeper’s seasonal dips and grilled leeks.
While the craft beers and curated cocktails are brought to you in the rooftop’s rustic setting, you can always head back to the ground floor for that pub atmosphere. Just go easy on the whites, reds, rosés, and sparklings!
Pro tip:
For private dining, The Culpeper has an intimate space set up in the rooftop greenhouse that seats up to 10 people. The menu is served communal-style, placed at the center of the table—perfect for group events or celebrations.
9. Wagtail Rooftop Bar & Restaurant
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Website: https://etmcollection.co.uk/venue/wagtail-rooftop-bar-restaurant/
Address: 68 King William St
Contact details: +44 20 8161 4442
Operating hours:
- Monday and Tuesday – 11 AM – 12 AM
- Wednesday to Saturday – 11 AM – 1:30 AM
- Sunday – 11 AM – 11 PM
Pricing: £££
Wagtail spans two floors and has two terraces—one elegant, fully covered rooftop terrace bar and one private dining room in the ‘Nest’ crowning the building. From both, Tower Bridge, St. Paul’s Cathedral, The Shard, the Gherkin, and the Walkie Talkie building are all in sight.
Their contemporary British menu—highlighting seasonal ingredients and modern culinary techniques—has made many brunch and dinner dates extra memorable. And word is, the tuna tartare starter and grain-fed Yorkshire wagyu cheeseburger main often steal the show.
Don’t even get me started on the drink menu—the classic and creative cocktails curated with some of London’s top mixologists and distilleries. The Tropical Fizz, Green Velvet, and Summer Fruits are all winners, by the way.
Pro tip:
Visit on a weekend to catch Wagtail’s Bottomless Brunch—two courses for £35, three for £39.50, with the option to add free-flowing champagne (£39) or prosecco (£32). Indulge in their signature turkish eggs, native blue lobster & crayfish cruffin, and chicken & waffle.
10. Sky Garden
Media credit: fenchurchrestaurant
Website: https://skygarden.london/
Address: 1, Sky Garden Walk
Contact details: +44 333 772 0020
Operating hours:
- Monday – 10 AM – 11 PM
- Tuesday to Thursday, and Sunday – 8 AM – 11 PM
- Friday and Saturday – 8 AM – 12 AM
Pricing: ££
Remember the jungle-like 14 Hills at number five? Sky Garden is like that, only bigger and with more dining options—the Fenchurch Restaurant and Darwin Brasserie, for instance, each showcasing a menu inspired by British cuisine and fine dining.
Fenchurch’s cured jerk salmon ceviche is pure chef’s kiss, while Darwin’s Goodwood Estate pork belly is nothing short of a dream. As you settle in a window table or a private dining room, the leafy vines frame St. Paul’s Cathedral and the London skyline like a living picture.
But only Fenchurch has a bar experience, with shareable small plates, sides, and grill specials served alongside handcrafted cocktails. At the same time, Darwin is your go-to for breakfast—especially the buttermilk pancake stack and unlimited filter coffee.
Pro tip:
A reservation at Fenchurch Restaurant or Darwin Brasserie grants you all-day access to the Sky Garden. Just be sure to arrive 30 minutes early to allow enough time for the airport-style security at the entrance.