# 15 London Restaurants With Sweeping Bird's-Eye Views > We've rounded up 15 rooftop restaurants in London: panoramic views, refined cuisine and the perfect atmosphere for a special evening. Find out where to book your table. - URL: https://langandtrip.com.ua/en/article/15-restoraniv-londona-z-vydom-z-vysoty-ptashynoho-polotu/ - Language: en - Published: 2024-07-02 - Categories: Leisure, Restaurants, Hotels, England, Food & Drinks, Events --- From the classic elegance of Big Ben to the gleaming, ultramodern Shard, London's skyline is truly extraordinary. And where better to take in those breathtaking views of the London sky than over a meal high above the city? The British capital takes the idea of "high cuisine" to dizzying new heights. From the global pop-up dining experience Dinner in the Sky, which straps groups of diners into a table and hoists them 100 feet up by crane, to watching the sunrise at Duck and Waffle, here are the best (and most thrilling) high-altitude spots in London for your trip to the British capital: ## Helix and Iris, Searcys at the Gherkin ![](/storage/image/prev/august-article-image-15-1-2024.jpg) The Helix restaurant and Iris bar, on the 39th and 40th floors of the Norman Foster-designed Gherkin (a beloved star of the London skyline), first opened to the public in July 2018, having previously been available only for exclusive hire and private events. Helix's head chef, Daniel Loftin, is behind a menu that showcases seasonal British produce such as Dorset crab, Welsh lamb from the Rhug Estate and English green asparagus. The Iris bar, which offers stunning 360-degree views of the City, has a London-inspired cocktail list that includes the "Jack the Ripper": vodka infused with Mediterranean herbs, beetroot juice, tomato, lemon and Worcestershire sauce, a dark local twist on the classic Bloody Mary. It's a swanky place with prices to match, but well worth it for a special occasion. Where to find it: Searcys at the Gherkin, 30 St Mary Axe, London, EC3A 8EP ## Frank's Cafe, Bold Tendencies ![](/storage/image/prev/august-article-image-15-2-2024.jpg) Head south of the river to Frank's Cafe, an annual summer bar at Bold Tendencies, a car park turned arts centre in the Peckham area. A car park might not sound like the most glamorous place to unwind, but wait until you see the view from the top. The advantage of being a little further from the centre is that this panorama takes in every London landmark, from the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye and St Paul's Cathedral to the O2 arena in the east. The vibe here is more laid-back than at some spots on this list. A glass of house wine costs 4.80 pounds, or you can upgrade to a cocktail for 8.50 pounds, and you'll be surrounded by crowds of millennial Londoners soaking up the sunset. The food is simple and unfussy: think pork-neck barbecue and salad, or half a chicken to soak up the drinks. There are plenty of vegan options too. You can also head to Frank's at the weekend for a tasty, relaxed, delicious open-air brunch with a view. Oh, and even the climb up is part of the experience. You'll probably recognise the building's bright-pink stairs from plenty of London Instagram feeds; it's not a trip to Frank's without a snap of your own. Where to find it: Bold Tendencies, 7th-10th Floor Multi Storey Car Park, 95A Rye Ln, London SE15 4ST ## Oblix at the Shard The Shard is home to several fine-dining restaurants, but Oblix is the original and the highest, sitting on the 32nd floor of the glass skyscraper. In fact, it's split into two distinct spaces, both offering pretty incredible views of London. Oblix West is a New York-themed grill and rotisserie restaurant showcasing British and European produce, a departure for founder Rainer Becker, whose other restaurants, Zuma, Roka and Inko Nito, all have a Japanese theme. Come during the day and you can enjoy a traditional afternoon tea, while Sunday afternoons are time for a British Sunday roast. Oblix East offers panoramas of Canary Wharf and the City's skyscrapers, along with some creative cocktail creations. Guests at Oblix enjoy sweeping views of the cityscape, jaw-dropping at sunset but thoroughly Instagram-worthy at any time of day. It's another high-end venue, but a visit to the Shard is on most people's London bucket list, and you might as well pay 14 pounds (17 dollars) for a cocktail at the bar with a view rather than shell out 25 pounds (30 dollars) for the official "View from the Shard". Where to find it: Oblix, 32/F, The Shard, 31 St. Thomas St., London SE1 9RY ## Duck and Waffle ![](/storage/image/prev/august-article-image-15-3-2024.jpg) Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so why not treat yourself to waffles among the clouds? Duck and Waffle sits on the 40th floor of 110 Bishopsgate (Heron Tower), and even in a London fog it's impressive. Heron Tower is also home to the London branch of the Japanese-Peruvian-Brazilian restaurant Sushisamba, but we recommend Duck and Waffle for its namesake signature dish. The restaurant is open 24 hours, so you can get delicious breakfasts at any time of day. The duck and waffle will set you back 18 pounds (22 dollars), but two eggs any style cost 8 pounds (10 dollars), on a par with many far less glamorous brunch spots in the capital. The crowd runs the gamut: from city hotshots holding important meetings to tourists snapping photos and foodies ready to indulge in waffly delights. Where to find it: 110 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4AY ## Galvin at Windows ![](/storage/image/prev/august-article-image-15-4-2024.jpg) In upscale Mayfair sits Galvin at Windows, a Michelin-starred French restaurant on the 28th floor of the Hilton Park Lane hotel. Known for its excellent service, the restaurant also supports the Galvin's Chance charity, which helps disadvantaged young people break into the hospitality industry. More classic in style than some of the city's newer high-altitude venues, guests can still enjoy stunning bird's-eye views over London's Hyde Park. What's more, in early September 2019 the restaurant rebranded and revamped its bar, now called 10 degrees at Galvin at Windows. The bar takes its name from the "golden hour", the stretch just before sunset or right after sunrise when the sky lights up in pink and gold, so the interior matches: think gold accents and warm furnishings. Fittingly, there's also a cocktail called the Golden Hour, an elegant blend of gin and champagne. Where to find it: Galvin at Windows, 28/F, 22 Park Lane, London W1K 1BE ## London in the Sky ![](/storage/image/prev/august-article-image-15-5-2024.jpg) A summer experience (and for the brave only), London in the Sky lifts 22 courageous souls 100 feet into the air to enjoy food and drink among the clouds with unrivalled views. You can sign up for a 45-minute breakfast, or prosecco with cake, or a dinner that lasts an hour. The 2019 season has come to an end, but you can already book a spot at this extraordinary event in the sky for 2020. Tickets start from 59 pounds (72 dollars) per person. Where to find it: Look up, or check www.londoninthesky.co.uk ## OXO Tower Restaurant ![](/storage/image/prev/august-article-image-15-6-2024.jpg) The iconic OXO rooftop restaurant has been wowing visitors since 1996, run by the chic British department store Harvey Nichols. As one of London's oldest rooftop restaurants, OXO sits at a much lower elevation than its counterparts in the City. Don't let that put you off: this lower vantage point lets diners watch the boats gliding along the Thames and enjoy a stunning view of St Paul's Cathedral, and it's more manageable for anyone afraid of heights. There's an open terrace, but the views from inside are just as lovely. Why not try OXO's "Not Afternoon Tea", a tea without scones where champagne is swapped for cocktails and the desserts are modelled on ice-cream vans. For purists, there's also a more traditional afternoon tea and a vegan version. Alternatively, it's the perfect place to enjoy brunch and while away a Sunday morning admiring the view of the Thames. Where to find it: Oxo Tower Wharf, Bargehouse Street, South Bank, London SE1 9PH ## Madison Terrace Bar & Lounge ![](/storage/image/prev/august-article-image-15-7-2024.jpg) Another spot for city bankers, Madison is worth a look for its close-up view of St Paul's Cathedral. This architectural marvel has been an integral part of the London skyline for hundreds of years. From Madison's chic vantage point, you get an incredible view of Sir Christopher Wren's design. You wouldn't expect a view like this from the roof of a shopping centre, but it's pretty impressive. Enjoy a charcuterie board or truffle fries while sipping drinks on the terrace, or head into the restaurant for the views and Manhattan-style food, including filet steak and a lobster roll. Where to find it: One New Change, Rooftop Terrace One, New Change, London EC4M 9AF ## Fenchurch Restaurant ![](/storage/image/prev/august-article-image-15-8-2024.jpg) Head to the "Walkie-Talkie" skyscraper (also known as 20 Fenchurch Street) to enjoy a landscaped indoor garden known as the Sky Garden, along with sweeping viewing platforms and contemporary restaurants and bars. The Fenchurch Rooftop Restaurant serves "modern British" food and stylish cocktails. It's the perfect place to sit and admire the city below. The Sky Garden is worth a visit too: its lush greenery forms a vivid contrast with the concrete jungle visible through the windows. Visiting the Garden is free; you just need to book a slot online in advance. The building is also home to Darwin Brasserie and the Sky Pod Bar. Where to find it: Sky Garden, 1 Sky Garden Walk, London EC3M 8AF ## The Rooftop at Boundary London ![](/storage/image/prev/august-article-image-15-9-2024.jpg) For year-round rooftop dining, head to Shoreditch in east London, a hipster hangout. The Rooftop at Boundary rewards visitors with views over east London and a heated conservatory filled with citrus trees. Cosy and inviting even in winter, the heated rooftop offers 360-degree views of the City's skyscrapers and the east London skyline. The food comes out sizzling from the Robata grill, and cocktails are available into the early hours. Where to find it: 2-4 Boundary Street, Shoreditch, London E2 7DD ## alto by San Carlo at Selfridges ![](/storage/image/prev/august-article-image-15-10-2024.jpg) On the roof of the fashionable Selfridges department store, alto by San Carlo is an Italian venue with a retractable roof for sunny days. Lunch and dinner can both be enjoyed from this vantage point. There are no views of the City's skyscrapers or the river here, but you can survey London's Oxford Street, Europe's busiest shopping street, over a plate of burrata, which makes for a rather dreamy setting. Originally launched as a pop-up, alto by San Carlo is now a permanent fixture on the Selfridges roof. Where to find it: Selfridges, 400 Oxford Street, London W1A 1AB ## Aqua Nueva/Aqua Kyoto ![](/storage/image/prev/august-article-image-15-11-2024.jpg) Aqua Nueva offers stunning Spanish food. Aqua Kyoto serves dishes with a Japanese slant. Whichever side of the venue you choose, you absolutely have to check out the terraces. There are three in all, though occasionally one might be booked for a private event. The art deco interiors provide a cosy setting for a meal, but the main draw is the rooftop terraces. In the evening the shops on Regent Street, including the iconic Tudor Revival department store Liberty's, light up, and guests can spot the London Eye in the distance. Somewhere between a trendy evening spot and a fine-dining restaurant, this bar is ideal both for summer after-work cocktails and for a lavish dinner. Expect to see media types from Soho unwinding with a glass of rose after work. Where to find it: 5th floor, 240 Regent Street (Entrance 30 Argyll Street), London W1B 3BR ## Coq d'Argent ![](/storage/image/prev/august-article-image-15-12-2024.jpg) Coq d'Argent promises classic French cuisine in a modern rooftop setting. The roof features a lawn, living hedges and stunning views of London's eastern cluster of skyscrapers. The high-end menu includes baked lobster and an Australian sirloin steak. But be warned, you'll be surrounded by suits, since this is banker territory. Where to find it: No. 1 Poultry, London EC2R 8EJ ## Radio rooftop bar ![](/storage/image/prev/august-article-image-15-13-2024.jpg) A chic bar designed by the legendary British architecture firm Foster + Partners, Radio serves weekend brunches, a modern take on afternoon tea, sharing plates, lunches and signature cocktails. Set in the five-star ME Hotel overlooking the Strand and London's theatre district, guests can watch the bustle of the streets below or gaze towards the River Thames. Just watch out for the sky-high prices and the Instagram influencers competing for the perfect shot. Where to find it: ME London, 336-337 Strand, London WC2R 1HA ## The Rooftop at Trafalgar St James ![](/storage/image/prev/august-article-image-15-14-2024.jpg) No visit to London is complete without a stroll through Trafalgar Square, so once you've admired Nelson's Column from below, why not head up to the roof of the Trafalgar hotel to the elegant Rooftop at St James bar and get a closer look at Admiral Nelson? As at many London rooftop bars, the cocktails here lean towards the pricey end of the spectrum. Even so, you can enjoy the view all year round, thanks to a handy retractable roof. The menu has an Italian influence, with aperitivo bites including bruschetta with tomatoes, oregano and garlic, calamari, and mains such as a refined focaccia. The bar also offers a three-course bottomless brunch that feels more like lunch when it comes to the food. It includes unlimited prosecco and mains such as fish and chips and pea risotto, for 45 pounds (55 dollars). Where to find it: 7th floor, The Trafalgar St. James Hotel, 2 Spring Gardens, St James's, London SW1A 2TS