23 best restaurants with a view in London

Perched atop the Montcalm Royal London House hotel near Old Street, Aviary London offers sweeping views of the city. Tuck into its seasonal dishes using carefully sourced British produce and keep an eye out for fun dining experiences, including winter igloos.

Dine high up above the City of London among modern landmarks at Coq d’Argent, one of London’s most famous rooftop restaurants. Enjoy a drink in the rooftop garden before feasting on French-inspired fine dining dishes.

Take a break from shopping at Alto by San Carlo, Selfridges’ rooftop restaurant. Peer down on Oxford Street from your table as you take your pick from Italian specialities created from ingredients flown straight from top producers in Italy.

Enjoy plenty of food, fun and fancy cocktails at John Lewis Rooftop at John Lewis Oxford Street, which hosts regular seasonal pop-ups on its rooftop terrace. It’s the perfect place to put your feet up and congratulate yourself after a shopping spree.

Watch the bustling Thames waterways from your dining table at these London riverside restaurants.

Pinpoint London landmarks from this restaurant and brasserie atop the iconic OXO Tower at Bankside. Choose from the all-day specials at the relaxed brasserie; while more refined fare is served up at the restaurant – both offer stunning views of the Thames and St Paul’s Cathedral.

Escape from city life in the tranquil setting of Rick Stein’s restaurant along Barnes’ riverside. The TV chef’s only London restaurant looks straight out onto the Thames, where rowers glide by and migrating birds fly overhead to nearby WWT London Wetland Centre. Enjoy a varied menu, including fish dishes, which are the chef’s speciality.

Take a break between exhibitions to indulge in sweeping river views and fine dining at Kitchen and Bar, on the sixth floor of the gallery's Natalie Bell Building. Kitchen and Bar is open Monday to Sunday 12pm - 6pm. Enjoy seasonal menus inspired by the exhibitions and catch an Instagram-worthy sunset over the Thames.

Gaze out across the Thames from Gordon Ramsay’s restaurant Bread Street Kitchen on the River, in Limehouse. The river takes on a different feel here as it widens downstream from central London at the former docks. Grab a spot in the conservatory or on the terrace and look back towards the bright lights of the City or downstream to Canary Wharf, as you feast on modern dishes with a twist.

Soak up the river views in Richmond that made JMW Turner fall in love with this part of town. As you dine on the seasonal, modern British dishes at The Petersham’s elegant restaurant, you’ll gaze out of the floor-to-ceiling windows across pretty Petersham Meadows and the meandering Thames. It’s also a great spot for a traditional afternoon tea.

No matter which way you face, there's a picture-worthy landscape waiting for you at each of these London restaurants.

Be transported upwards by the glass-sided lifts as you head up to the 40th floor of 110 Bishopsgate to Duck & Waffle. Pick out landmarks as you indulge in seasonal British sharing plates at this 24-hour restaurant, which is one of the highest in London and therefore boasts some of the best views around. If you love Japanese or South American fare, Sushisamba on the floor below offers equally impressive views.

Experience uninterrupted views of the city at Helix, located in the iconic Gherkin building. The restaurant serves up contemporary British fare and offers a two or three-course menu. Finish the evening with a cocktail at Iris, the bar on the level above, and admire the sunset.

Savour 360-degree views over Hyde Park and beyond from Galvin at Windows, perched high up above Mayfair in the London Hilton on Park Lane hotel. One of the best restaurants in London with a view, this Michelin-starred restaurant allows you to spot the likes of the London Eye and even Wembley Stadium while you tuck into high-end modern French dishes.

Mix Northern Chinese flavours with breathtaking views at Hutong, on level 33 of western Europe’s tallest building, The Shard. With food inspired by regal feasts, cocktails using unusual Asian ingredients and atmospheric interiors including lanterns and screens, Hutong is one of the most romantic restaurants in London with a view.

Venture 155m (508ft) up above the City and step into a tropical paradise at the Sky Garden. Here, among the palms and ferns of the landscaped gardens, you’ll find relaxed Darwin Brasserie offering British flavours, and game and seafood at stylish Fenchurch Restaurant – both offer stunning panoramic views of London’s skyline.

Spy some of London's most famous skyline landmarks from these great restaurants with a view.

Glance up from your 35-day aged Aberdeen Angus steak to find Big Ben and the London Eye looking back at you. Gillray's Steakhouse sits within London Marriott Hotel County Hall; or if afternoon tea is more your thing, try The Library Lounge where you can mix dainty cakes and sandwiches with iconic views – it doesn’t get more authentically London than that.

Enjoy enviable views of The O2 from Scoff & Banter Canary Wharf. This modern British restaurant features floor-to-ceiling windows maximising the river views, and a terrace for alfresco dining. Tuck into classics such as pies, fish and chips and rib-eye steak.

Dine in the shadow of Tower Bridge at classy Le Pont de la Tour, which flanks the river at Shad Thames. Grab a spot on the terrace, come summer or winter, and enjoy the modern French fare and a wide-ranging wine list featuring Old and New World wines.

Why choose a restaurant with just one view when you can dine among a changing landscape?

Hop aboard Bateaux London’s glass-sided boat and enjoy a sedate meal as you pass London icons along the Thames. Opt for lunch, dinner or afternoon tea cruises – each accompanied by live entertainment, including live jazz on Sunday lunchtimes.

Admire Big Ben, the London Eye, Tower Bridge… just some of the London landmarks on view during one of City Cruises’ dining excursions. The sightseeing specialist offers afternoon tea, lunch, sundowner and dinner cruises, including its London Showboat evening cruise featuring West End hits from a live performer.

Step aboard London Shell Co.’s Prince Regent canal boat at Paddington Basin and enjoy a navigation along Regent’s Canal as you tuck into the best seasonal fish dishes. You’ll be led through the canal network, passing Regent’s Park as sharing plates and wines are delivered to your table.

Get a table at one of these London restaurants to watch the vibrant mix of passers-by as you enjoy your meal.

Peek out onto the lively marketplace and spot traders at work in Borough Market as you feast on locally sourced roast meats, game and seafood. Located in the heart of the market, Roast offers a different perspective, as the hustle and bustle continues from the early hours in Floral Hall below.

Enjoy a spot of people-watching in Hyde Park at Serpentine Bar & Kitchen. Unsurprisingly, given its name, the restaurant looks out over the park’s Serpentine lake, where you can watch the boats and ducks among the greenery of the Royal Park. Choose from wood-fired pizzas, British classics and summer barbecue specials until closing time each day at 8pm.

Tuck into breakfast, brunch and pizzas year-round at trendy The Lido Cafe at Brockwell Lido. It’s the perfect spot to catch a few rays and watch the world go by in the art deco surrounds. The lido truly comes alive in the summer months, when the restaurant also opens for dinner.