The UK’s Finest Al Fresco Dining
Whether it’s a barbecue with friends and family, a seafood lunch at a swanky beachside café or dinner at a rooftop restaurant with city views, there’s something particularly special about an al fresco meal. Here’s hoping the warmer months bring plenty of opportunities to put that theory to the test!
In preparation, we’ve rounded up some of the best outdoor dining experiences around the UK, along with some of our favourite Travelzoo deals.
South Sands Hotel, Devon
Best for… dining by the seaside
Why we love it: The restaurant at this beachfront boutique hotel has doors that open onto a decked terrace (see below and main pic above), where you can enjoy the "lovely food" and "sublime views" (Alastair Sawday's Special Places to Stay) while the sea laps at the wall below.
The Treehouse at Alnwick Garden, Northumberland
Best for… something different
Why we love it: What better way to spend a summer afternoon than tucking into some locally sourced food on the terrace of your very own treehouse? Wooden walkways and wobbly bridges lead the way to this unique restaurant. If the weather disappoints, you can always pop indoors, where a huge log fire burns and trees grow through the floor.
Find out more about The Treehouse here.
Scarlet Restaurant, Cornwall
Best for… escaping from it all
Why we love it: Glorious sea views, killer sunsets and award-winning food is what draws people to the eco-friendly, adult-only Scarlet Hotel, which overlooks Mawgan Porth beach on Cornwall’s north coast. The 2-AA-Rosette restaurant has a terrace, where you can enjoy the "sensational" views (The Daily Telegraph).
Find out more about the Scarlet Restaurant here.
Lake Vyrnwy, Powys
Best for… lake views
Why we love it: Lake Vyrnwy's "simply magical" location (Condé Nast Johansens) makes it a great venue for afternoon tea on a sunny day. There’s an outdoor terrace overlooking the lake, which is "one of the most picturesque settings" in the world, according to Wales Online. Judge for yourself...
Tower Restaurant, Edinburgh
Best for… rooftop dining
Why we love it: You can take in fantastic views of Edinburgh's famous castle and the city skyline at James Thomson's rooftop Tower Restaurant, not to mention food that’s "cooked to perfection", according to The Independent.
Find out more about the Tower Restaurant here.
The Lido Café, Brockwell Park, London
Best for… sunny days in the city
Why we love it: The Lido Café has a decked area with potted palms and blue parasols, all overlooking Brockwell Lido. Work up an appetite with a swim on sunny days, before sitting down to lunch at one of the "best places to eat outside in the UK" (Condé Nast Johansens).
Find out more about the Lido Café here.
The Greyhound on the Test, Hampshire
Best for… hikers and whiskey lovers
Why we love it: This 600-year-old riverside coaching inn in Stockbridge is a former Michelin Pub of the Year. Combine lunch with a hike – there are numerous walks nearby – or take part in one of the venue's outdoor pursuits, such as shooting or fly fishing. If you're feeling a little lazy, you can peruse the extensive whiskey menu in the courtyard – you might even see some live jazz if you time your visit right.
Find out more about the Greyhound here.
The Ship Inn, Ceredigion
Best for… dolphin-spotting
Why we love it: The Ship Inn, tucked away on Tresaith Bay on the Ceredigion Coastal Path, has a heated terrace, making it a favourite spot (even on a chilly day) to soak in sea views and try to spot bottlenose dolphins and porpoises.
Find out more about The Ship Inn here.
The Ship, Wandsworth, London
Best for… a summer BBQ
Why we love it: This Thameside 18th-century pub is perfect for an al fresco BBQ on sunny days -- state-of-the-art grills cook up chargrilled burgers and sticky, cola-glazed pork ribs, which you can gobble down while enjoying views across the river.
Find out more about The Ship here.