LDNGuide
Where To Eat Outside That’s Fully Covered
Say what you like about London weather but there’s something reassuring in that you, me, and the person at the bus stop know that at some point it will, again, piss down. Forecast or not, whatever. You can’t really get angry at it because, like overpriced Magnums and chicken-bone-loving pigeons, it’s a thing that London is good for. Which means that when it comes to finding a restaurant when the weather is threatening to do its thing, you want to use this guide. It’s got the outdoor spots that will keep you and your plate fully protected.
The Spots
Brat’s now permanent spot at at Climpson’s Arch is one of the places to be, rain or shine, during the British summer. All the Basque grill favourites feature here: charred anchovy-topped flatbread, those smoky potatoes, vinegar-tinged turbot, John Dory, and even something new: pot chicken rice. Only this time you’ll be enjoying it in an outdoor courtyard protected from the heavens.
Deliciously warming, nourishing, and filling atsu-atsu aside, Koya’s location in Bloomberg Arcade is completely covered thanks to the wonders of modern architecture. Outside of a particularly spiteful wind, nothing will get in the way of you and your hand-pulled udon. The tempura is definitely worth ordering too. As is the tonkatsu.
photo credit: Karolina Wiercigroch
Nothing can stop Ciao Bella’s terrace. Not rain, not wind, not even a pesky pandemic. It’s a force of nature, impervious to nature, that thrives off family and friends happily shovelling spaghetti and necking plonk. There’s nothing not to like about the constant scene that is this old school Italian on Lamb’s Conduit Street. Heaters, covering, meatballs the size of a large baby’s fist - it’s got the lot.
The Clarence is the latest gastropub from the people behind the Canton Arms and The Anchor & Hope. It’s on Stoke Newington Church Street and, like those two, it serves excellent food - from rösti to roast hake - and it also has a roomy back terrace that’s completely protected from the elements.
There are three things you should know about Negril and that’s that it’s comforting, Caribbean, and covered. Yeah, that’s right, we like alliteration - and anywhere with a covered outdoor situation that also serves great food. And this spot on Brixton Hill is serving some excellent comfort food classics like jerk chicken with rice and peas and saltfish fritters, on a spacious terrace, that’s properly covered.
If we were in the business of using the word ‘adorable’ for anything other than corgi GIFs, we’d use it to describe Chicama’s little courtyard. Totally covered and complete with rustic wrought-iron chairs, tables perfect for two, and plenty of foliage - it’s a no-brainer if you’re looking for something when it’s started pissing it down in Chelsea. On the menu, there are Peruvian classics, but your best bet here are the vegetable dishes and a cocktail or two.
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The Bahraini spot on Elystan Street has a cute terrace out front with little benches, pillows, and the extremely welcome addition of heat lamps. Throw in a warming bowl of mathrooba plus plenty of bread to soak and scoop (the hummus is also very good) and you’ve got a comfy and cosy meal.
Easily one of London’s nicest restaurant spaces, Western’s Laundry have switched from their covered lockdown market into covered lockdown dining now that restaurants have reopened. Their full seafood-leaning menu is back on the board, so expect things like baked cuttlefish fideo pasta and aioli or turbot and pink fir potatoes with butter sauce or. There are a couple of meat bits too, but you come here for the fish and the funky biodynamic wine list.
The IYKYK-feeling Japanese spot in Mayfair has got a whole heaters, blankets and totally covered canopy set up going on to make sure your spinach and prawn salad are fully protected from the elements. Sushi-wise, their inside out or Chisou rolls are definitely worth an order. Just make sure you come in a group of four: to order more and guarantee a spot under cover.
Of Brixton Village’s varied and brilliant indoor-outdoor options, from big portions of yakisoba to superb value Colombian Creole chicken, it’s Fish, Wings & Tings that we find ourselves plonked down in most often. The chicken at the popular Caribbean spot is moist, the jerk sauce fruity with a punch, and a portion of curried goat alongside roti is always wolfed down.
The oyster-loving, Guinness-pouring, Irish-American restaurant in Vauxhall has got an extremely roomy terrace complete with a canopy, heaters, and tasteful shrubbery. If the forecast is saying moist for an hour or two, then this is a restaurant to set up in. Start with a crab brioche roll and a pint of the black stuff before moving onto something from the grill.
Thanks to the wonders of a windowed and doored marquee, some tastefully draped foliage, and an abundance of candles - they really do make everything nicer, don’t they - Rochelle Canteen is now fully protected from the elements. Technically, it’s still outside (but also, it’s not), so there’s no danger of spiteful sideways rain attacking you or your crumble and custard.
What Theo’s Elephant & Castle branch lacks for in scenery - no offence to the A3 opposite - it makes up for in covered terrace seating and top notch Neapolitan pizza. The Neapolitan pizza spot is the neighbourhood restaurant that every area wants (and needs). The negronis are well made and not extortionate, the pizzas crisp but still floppy, and the homemade chilli sauce exceptional.
Have a pint of harden the eff up. That’s what they’d say back in the day. Apparently. But what if you don’t want to harden up? What if you want to have a nice pint of lager, or lime and soda, and some whipped cod’s roe, or house terrine, in a lovely warm and covered pub garden? Snowflake? No, it’s just nice to be like, dry, and warm. If you think that sounds much nicer too, then get a table out the front of the Canton Arms in Lambeth.
photo credit: Karolina Wiercigroch
Sager + Wilde’s roomy arch location in Bethnal Green has a lot going for it. Firstly, it’s a wine bar. That’s a tick. Secondly, its enormous terrace is covered with heaters. Also a tick. And, thirdly, it serves things like spaghetti with Cornish clams and parsley, and fried potatoes with black garlic aioli. Full marks.
The latest location for the Sri Lankan restaurant is as part of the Pancras Square development in King’s Cross. There’s a covered terrace running along the front of the restaurant and if you’re in need of warming up, then an order of chickpea and kashew kari, and some gigantic black pepper and curry leaf prawns should do the trick.
We love Phat Phuc’s name. We love their affordable noodles and dumplings. And given the current ‘situation’, we really love that this entire restaurant is open-air in a cute little Chelsea courtyard. Weather looking terrible? Of course it is, thanks England. Don’t worry, they have a gazebo and the laksa will keep you toasty if need be.
The Eastern Mediterranean menu at Peckham Bazaar is that oh-so-familiar cliché. You know the one, about summer being on a piece of crockery? Anyway the point is that with a spot on their very cute and covered, greenery-filled terrace, with a plate of grilled octopus in front of you, you won’t even notice it’s pissing down behind you.
Of all the new food markets and industrial environments, Pop Brixton is one of our favourites. Season two of The Wire aside, this is our favourite thing involving shipping containers. From the fried chicken, to the vegan burgers, to the community farm - it’s an easy place to have a good time, and there’s a whole covered upstairs if the weather goes south.
photo credit: Jamie Lau
Also protected under the sometimes leaky arches of Borough Market is Elliot’s. Everything - from their cheeseburgers to their mussels to their biodynamic wines - is done well. And they’ve launched a summer alfresco pop-up with a £29 set menu too. Book your covered outdoor table here.
Primeur is a converted garage on a residential road near Newington Green, and when the sun has got its hat on and the main door is slid open, it’s a lovely place to be. It’s also a lovely place to be when the weather is the opposite. It’s like being on your sofa when it’s raining outside, only you’ll be eating jamon and gnudi, and drinking wine instead.
Temporarily closed
J Sheekey’s street-side patio is, even though you’re in a touristy part of London, relatively sheltered from the crowds. It’s also sheltered from the sky, which is helpful if it’s piddling down and you’ve just splurged on a fancy seafood tower. But even if you’re not looking to flash the cash, it’s great for a few oysters and a glass of champagne before heading elsewhere.
If you’ve made the rookie error of being out and about in central, Birkenstocks and all, without checking in with the Met Office, then let Greyhound provide you with shelter and sustenance. The enormous terrace at this slick Thai café is a great spot for some ribeye satay or a plate of fiery tuna larb.
photo credit: Pergola Paddington Central
This spot is Permanently Closed.
Pergola Paddington is halfway between an open food court and a Mediterranean garden, with loads of pretty plants, and an Instagram beach vibe. There are a few different food stalls and it suits best if you’re with a bigger group.
