10 Of The Best Winter Terraces In London
The Berkeley Winter Cabins
On Thursday 4th December, The Berkeley will open its winter retreat where diners can book one of five cosy wooden cabins on its terrace. With space for up to eight, each cabin is decorated with wreaths, candles, fir trees and fairy lights to transport you straight to the Alps. Diners can choose from seasonal dishes like oxtail soup, toasted gruyere and short-rib croquettes, and veal schnitzel, or go all out with sharing cheese fondues and raclette grills where you cook your own food at the table – think lobster, wagyu beef and vegetable skewers topped with shaved black truffle. Desserts include apple tatin, pear and ginger crumble, and baked Alaska with ice-cream.
What To Order: After your meal, ask for a hot chocolate made with Valrhona chocolate and a generous glug of either rum or whisky.
Wilton Place, Knightsbridge, SW1X 7RL
Visit The-Berkeley.co.uk
Alpine Garden At Corinthia London
Corinthia London’s al fresco restaurant, The Garden, has been given a festive update with Alpine-inspired decorations. Diners can sit under a grand canopy of seasonal flowers illuminated with Christmas lights and snuggle under warm blankets with hot water bottles. The winter menu includes small plates and hearty Alpine-inspired main courses, like braised venison ragu with dumplings, baked lobster thermidor cocotte, and tartiflette with confit duck. There are also fun cocktails on offer, like the ‘Hot Negroni’ made with berry tea; and the ‘Three Mint Toddy’ featuring Bacardi 8, lime, honey, ginger, and triple mint tea.
What To Order: Share the Alpine charcuterie board which includes wild boar, speck and salami, or choose the vegetable stroganoff served with dumplings. For dessert, we loved the Kaiserschmarrn (a traditional Austrian rum-soaked pancake) served with cherry compote.
Whitehall Place, Southbank, SW1A 2BD
Visit Corinthia.com/London
Sky Garden Winter Bar
Sky Garden, which has incredible panoramic views of the city, will open a winter bar in collaboration with Moët & Chandon on Tuesday 23rd November. Take the escalator 35 levels up to the Sky Pod to walk through an impressive display of frosted-wreath archways, fir trees, twinkling lights, and huge garlands lined with lanterns. Guests can expect dance-worthy DJ nights running every Monday to Saturday – tickets cost £12pp including access to the gardens, winter bars, and a choice of one glass of Moët & Chandon Champagne, mulled wine or cider and mince pies, or a special cocktail, dependent on the day. For NYE, you can even book tickets to enjoy festive treats while the resident DJ sets the après ski vibe with house music. Table tickets start from £205pp, which includes a glass of Moët & Chandon champagne, a selection of festive canapés, and bigger plates like halibut and lobster pie, and braised ox cheek bourguignon with truffle brie.
What To Order: In terms of desserts, we like the sound of bitter chocolate and mandarin delice, with more champagne, of course.
1 Sky Garden Walk, Fenchurch Street, EC3M 8AF
Visit SkyGarden.London
Shangri-La The Shard
Visiting Shangri-La at The Shard is always a good idea, but if you need any more of an excuse, the hotel’s Bar 31 on the ground floor has been transformed into ‘Hütte 31’, an Alpine chalet with soft blankets, hot water bottles, faux snow, and plenty of traditional Austrian snacks. Guests can dine in a ski gondola or sit beside the fire in the hotel’s TING restaurant which looks like a charming gingerbread village, complete with wood panelled decorations and candy canes. Afternoon tea includes a selection of pretzels, and Austrian pastries and cakes.
What To Order: Book a chalet table at Hütte 31 to enjoy spiced sausage rolls, chicken schnitzel and glühwein (mulled wine) or boozy hot chocolate.
31 St Thomas Street, London Bridge, SE1 9QU
Visit Shangri-La.com
Deck The Halls At Pergola Paddington
Pergola is known for its creative and cool festive installations. This month, the outdoor space has been decked out with Christmas sparkle in abundance – the venue’s most ambitious installation to date includes life-sized nutcrackers, hundreds of snow-dusted trees, twinkling lights, and even a huge Santa’s sleigh. Guests will be treated to a live band playing Christmas classics, followed by a guest DJ to continue the party into the night. Cosy up in one of the chalets which seat up to eight, or get the drinks in at the heated Alpine Hall – Pergola’s five on-site restaurants serve everything from bratwurst and currywurst sausages to bubbling raclettes and candy cane s’mores.
What To Order: Treat yourself to Swiss cheese fondue pot from Off Piste or the ‘Kwismas All The Way’ fried chicken burger from Kwispy which includes Christmas gravy, berry sauce and stuffing crumble served in a brioche bun. Get a couple of jugs of mulled wine or spiced hot apple cider, too.
4 Kingdom Street, Paddington, W2 6PY
Visit PergolaPaddington.com/Christmas
Le Pont De La Tour
French restaurant Le Pont De La Tour has partnered up with Laurent-Perrier to transform its terrace into a glamorous, al fresco spot, decorated with Christmas trees, lights and outdoor heaters where you can snuggle up under a blanket with a glass of champagne or mulled wine. There’s an exclusive menu of Laurent-Perrier cocktails alongside a selection of caviar served with sour cream and warm blinis. Over the coming weeks, the restaurant will also host a series of champagne and caviar events with Laurent-Perrier, including a tasting masterclass on Tuesday 23rd November (£85pp) and a special four-course seafood dinner on Tuesday 30th November (£95pp).
What To Order: You can’t go wrong with a glass of Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé Brut. Ask for the Siberian caviar served with scrambled eggs and brioche soldiers.
36D Shad Thames, London Bridge, SE1 2YE
Visit LePontDeLaTour.co.uk
Dalloway Terrace At The Bloomsbury Hotel
The Bloomsbury Hotel has transformed its outdoor restaurant and bar into a chic winter terrace. In partnership with perfume brand Miller Harris and Champagne Telmont, Dalloway Terrace has a beautiful floral installation with sparkling lights throughout. Diners can enjoy a selection of Telmont champagne cocktails, including the ‘Rose Silence’ made with The Botanist Islay Dry Gin and Muyu Jasmine Verte; and the ‘Oud Éclat’ featuring The Botanist Islay Dry Gin, Mancino Secco Vermouth, orange bitter and grapefruit juice. As well as all-day dining, there’s also the option to book afternoon tea or brunch.
What To Order: For brunch (served until 2pm) choose the toasted banana bread to start, followed by baked shakshuka with Clarence Court eggs, feta and smoky chorizo. Tea and coffee, plus fresh fruit juice is included, too.
16-22 Great Russell Street, Mayfair, WC1B 3NN
Visit DallowayTerrace.com
Sea Containers Northern Lights Terrace
Sea Containers hotel has just opened its new Northern Lights Terrace. Take the elevator up to the rooftop to explore the Nordic-themed space, filled with colourful Christmas trees, mini Norwegian cabins and a light installation which mimics the Northern Lights. Vodka Rekya have created a selection of vodka-based cocktails, including the ‘Björk Martini’ made with Rekya, wild nettle, and Riesling liqueur; and the ‘Fire & Ice’ – an indulgent mix of Rekya, Kahlua, Amaro and spiced oat milk. Take pictures in the cabin photobooth before settling down on the terrace under faux fur throws and sheepskin blankets.
What To Order: Get into the festive spirit with the ‘Yule Mule’ cocktail made with Rekya, gingerbread and lemon, topped with ginger biscuits.
20 Upper Ground, Southbank, SE1 9PD
Visit SeaContainersLondon.com
Coppa Club Tower Bridge
Venture to the rooftop at Coppa Club Tower Bridge to hunker down in one of the winter igloos, created in partnership with Laurent-Perrier. Each igloo is decked out with lanterns, plush soft furnishings, blankets and Christmas lights. Coppa Club has created a festive igloo menu with indulgent main courses like the ‘truffled’ wagyu burger; halibut kiev with parsley butter, Swiss chard and new potatoes; and a truffle and leek pizza. There are two exclusive Laurent-Perrier cocktails on offer, too – the ‘Winter Royale’ made with Laurent-Perrier Champagne La Cuvée Brut NV, crème de cassis, thyme, raspberries; and the ‘Rosemary Rossini’ featuring Laurent-Perrier Champagne Cuvée Rosé strawberry purée, blueberries and rosemary.
What To Order: In a nutshell: halibut kiev, followed by a chocolate fondant and the Winter Royale.
3 Three Quays Walk, Lower Thames Street, Tower Bridge, EC3R 6AH
Visit CoppaClub.co.uk/TowerBridge
Alice In Winterland Rooftop At Queen Of Hoxton
Walk up the winding stairs at Queen of Hoxton to immerse yourself in a ‘winterland’ on the rooftop. This year, there’s an extravagant Alice In Wonderland theme with larger-than-life decorations to take you down the rabbit hole. Always Late After 8 have created a fun cocktail menu featuring drinks like the ‘Wonderland Winter Warmer’ featuring bourbon, spiced rum and walnut bitters; ‘Alice’s Awake Potion’ made with Black Cow Vodka, espresso and salted caramel; and the ‘Mad as a Hatter Mule’ with sloe gin, lime bitters and ginger beer.
What To Order: If you’d prefer a hot drink, order a mug of bramble mulled wine or hot buttered rum, then make your way to the food bar for the ‘Queen of Hearts’ Katsu Burger’.
1 Curtain Road, Hoxton, EC2A 3JX
Visit QueenOfHoxton.com
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