The return of dining out(side)

It’s now just three weeks until restaurants, pubs and cafes can reopen for outdoor dining in England. With outside spaces hard to come by in the capital, restaurants are getting creative. Last week, we shared the news that Allegra is collaborating with restaurants with no access to outdoor space to launch Happy Burger. This week, more restaurants are getting prepared.

The original Hoppers in Soho will be part of the Soho Al Fresco evenings, which are running again this year after a successful campaign in 2020. Stevie Parle is launching seafood terrace at JOY at Portobello, decorating the space with thousands of tulips grown in his garden, and creating a new seafood-focused menu.

Paradise in Soho also has a brand-new terrace for drinks and short eats, inspired by the roadside spots in Colombo. Skye Gyngell has teamed up with Heckfield Place to take Marle outside onto the hotel’s Italian Terrace, enabling the restaurant to have views over the grounds, woodlands, and lake. Marle will be open for lunch and afternoon tea, complete with fire pits and blankets.

There’s plenty more collaborations to look forward to. Sussex Bar & Restaurant is partnering with vermouth brand Noily Prat to bring an oyster and vermouth bar to the streets of Soho, while TAKA in Marylebone will reopen its small terrace to enjoy Japanese small plates. On the other end of the spectrum, Thai favourite Smoking Goat has a covered 60-seater terrace, and Hicce in Coal Drops Yard can now seat 150 outside.

Come rain or shine, we can’t wait to be back in restaurants.

To read more industry news and discover more outdoor dining spaces to visit, click here