Garden cafes:

There’s no better way to enjoy a summer afternoon in the capital than by dining out in one of London’s beautiful city parks. Though picnicking is a beloved British pastime, the city’s green spaces can be equally as enchanting from the comfort of a garden cafe. Whether you’re touring the historical grounds at a National Trust manor house or taking in the boaters on the Serpentine Lake, you can sit back, relax, and snack on something scrumptious.

The Regent's Bar & Kitchen in Regent’s Park

Located in the pretty Inner Circle of Regent’s Park, adjacent to Queen Mary’s rose garden, The Regent's Bar & Kitchen is one of the best spots in central London away a summer day. A broad menu offers everything from French toast and Eggs Benedict in the morning, to wood-fired pizzas and British classics later in the day, with soft, hot or hard drinks to wash it all down.

The Serpentine Bar & Kitchen in Hyde Park

Housed in a building designed by British modernist architect Patrick Gwynne, the Serpentine Bar & Kitchen is set on the banks of the recreational lake in Hyde Park. The patio on the water is the best place to sip a gin and tonic or refreshing Pimms, and feast on fresh salads, sandwiches and fish and chips as boaters row by.

Field’s Bar & Kitchen in Lincoln’s Inn Fields

London’s largest public square, Lincoln’s Inn Fields is home to Field’s Bar & Kitchen, an eatery run by Benugo group. The café celebrates casual and communal dinning, with an emphasis on Italian ingredients and wood-fired pizzas. Within minutes of Covent Garden, this is the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle and enjoy a bite to eat in central London’s leafy surrounds.

The Brewhouse at Kenwood House

Set overlooking Hampstead Heath, Kenwood House offers stunning views and ornamental garden surrounds. Spend a few extra hours taking in the scenery at the Brewhouse Cafe, which attracts weekenders with its hot breakfast and homemade cakes. There’s also a kid’s menu full of child-friendly items.

Chiswick House Café

Built in 1729, romantic Chiswick House is a beautiful example of a neo-Palladian villa. The accompanying Chiswick House Cafe, which stands on the site of the old stable buildings, offers a minimalist, modernist setting within Chiswick House’s gorgeous grounds. There’s ample seating outdoors, where diners can enjoy orange and lavender cake and even a Sunday roast.

Inn the Park at St James’s Park

London’s oldest Royal Park, St James’s Park is home to Inn the Park, one of the city’s finest garden cafes. A gourmet menu of seasonal dishes like stuffed courgette flowers with goats’ curd and lavender honey, or grilled squid with maple bacon and blistered tomatoes, makes it a must-visit dining destination.

Written by Claire Bullen