Most people in England have marked down the 17th of May as the key date to return to their favourite restaurants to support their favourite local businesses. However, there’s a raft of restaurants that are ready to open their terraces to famished diners from the 12th of April. Here, at House of Coco, we check out the 10 venues, you should be visiting in April.
Vinegar Yard
If you are looking for wide-open spaces and a relaxed atmosphere to catch-up with friends and family over evening aperitif or to check-out the latest street food trends, this is the place to visit with the likes of Baba G’s, Sugo, Nik’s Kitchen, and Nanny Bill’s. It is conveniently situated next to London Bridge with the iconic Shard building as a backdrop.
Devonshire Terrace
With some people returning to work in the city, you might be wondering what decent outdoor drinking and dining spaces might be open in April. Look no further than Devonshire Terrace. It’s secluded, it’s tranquil, their cocktails are always impressive so whether you are on a date or a business meeting, this is the ideal urban hideaway. Quite a few of the Drake and Morgan venues are opening up, so do check out their website.
Mariage Frères
One of the most aesthetically pleasing pedestrianised areas we came across last year was King St in Covent Garden. It’s lined with boutique shops and elegant restaurants. The one to check out here is the renowned French tea emporium, Mariage Frères. If there is any tea they don’t stock, it’s probably not worth trying. And their tea-inspired food menu is staggeringly creative.
Double Standard at the Standard
The hottest hotel opening in recent years is back with their ever-popular terrace opening in April. This is the place to see and be seen. Their Aperol slushies have been a huge hit with Londoners and they will be launching a new flavour in the spring. Expect burgers, expect cocktails and expect frivolity.
JOY at Portobello
For those floral-loving diners, look no further than the outdoor terrace at JOY’s dahlia-filled Flora restaurant at Portobello Docks. The waterside views are almost as incredible as the ultra-fresh produce in the restaurant which is brought up daily from The Good Shed in Canterbury.
Angelina
If you are looking for an outdoor terrace in April that will offer creative fare, then the place to go is Angelina in Dalston. They have been arousing Londoners’ taste buds with their imaginative fusion of Japanese and Italian cuisines. Think uni & sausage chawanmushi and cime di rapa tempura. Plus they have a covered terrace, so you can still meet up with friends even if inclement weather strikes.
Aquavit
You might be wondering if you can still enjoy fine dining experiences on the terraces in April. The answer is most definitely yes if you visit the terraces of the ever-popular Nordic restaurant, Aquavit. All the Nordic classics you would expect are present including Skagen, highland venison loin, and Icelandic cod.
Natak
A lot of restauranteurs decided to not wait for the May indoor hospitality opening date and made the call to extend their terraces to start welcoming keen restaurant-goers from April. Natak is a case in point; this relaxed, informal Indian restaurant serves iconic Indian dishes alongside traditional family recipes. You need a considerable spice rack to cook up decent Indian dishes at home, so why clutter up your kitchen and just go and check out Natak instead.
Heddon Yokocho
Heddon Street is another one of those hidden pedestrianised treasures that exist in the West End. This retro-style ramen bar is a temple to all things noodles-related. They have ramen recipes stretching back to 1884 with their Hakodate Shio to modern-day vegan London creations. And why sweat whilst slurping away at your comforting bowl of ramen when you can enjoy the cool outdoor breeze on their terrace?
St Pancras Champagne Bar by Searcys
Finally, what better way to celebrate the re-opening of hospitality than toasting with a glass of Champagne? The best place to experience this is at St Pancras by Searcys, which is home to Europe’s longest Champagne bar (98 metres long). They have buzzers you can press for Champagne and they serve the cutest afternoon teas in designer suitcases.
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