Alto @ Selfridges
Best for: 🍽
No Nearest tube: Bond St – 1 min🚶🏻♂️🚶♀️
Location: On top of the Selfridges store
View: The eye in the distance
Dress code: Casual
Vibe: Depends when you go … winter mid week quiet v height of summer on a Saturday – buzzzzzing
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available? Yes
Last visited /photos taken: 2018&9
Warm/dry weather only? No
Rooftop review roundup: Great shopping pit stop in the winter and it’s own destination in the summer. I’ve been going for a few years now, each time is slightly different. The entrance is the insta worthy feature – after taking the private lift up, you wander through a photographable festive tunnel. The bar indoors is very small – perfect post shop chill. The resturant is best in the summer – the roof comes off and the vibe is European AND there’s an outdoor terrace (no heaters in winter but sofas and sun in the summer) A Fabulous all rounder!
Address: Selfridges Rooftop, 400 Oxford St, W1A 1AB
Rooftop extra tip: If you like this rooftop then you might also like: Knightsbridge Dining at Harvey Nichols
Aqua Kyoto
Best for: 🍸🍷🥂🥃🍹
Nearest tube: Oxford street – 2 min 🚶🏻♂️🚶♀️
Location: Opposite London Palladium theatre
View: General London rooftops
Dress code: No flip flops or tracksuits.
Vibe: Chilled mix of ages, quite trendy crowd
Prosecco price: Just 🍾🍾🍾🍾champers – glad I also love a rose!
Food available? Japanese style tapas (resturant inside tho is very dark in comparison to the terrace also very glitzy!)
Booking needed? Yes now due to Covid you can
Warm weather only? Yes
Visited / photos taken on: 2020
Rooftop review: This is one of 2 rooftops in the same building under the Aqua brand. Have always found Kyoto to be vibrant, fun and busy. Obviously Social distance rules mean the crowds that used to stand around can no longer do that but the table service is great and still a great crowd – just sat down!
Address: 240 Regents St, W1B 3BT
Website: Click here
Rooftop extra tip: If you like this rooftop then you might also like: The Top in Barcelona
Aqua Nueva
Best for: 🍸🍷🥂🥃🍹
Nearest tube: Oxford street – 2 min 🚶🏻♂️🚶♀️
Location: Opposite London Palladium theatre
View: General London rooftops (tho also currently some covered big building!)
Dress code: No flip flops or tracksuits. I’ve been super dressed up 👗👠 and dressed up👖
Vibe: Chilled mix of ages
Prosecco price: Just 🍾🍾🍾🍾champers – glad I also love a rose!
Food available? Spanish – full meals available
Booking needed? Yes since Covid
Warm weather only? Yes
Last Visited / photos taken: 2020
Rooftop review: This is one of 2 rooftops in the same building. The featured above is the other. Neave has a slightly quieter feel and has been second to reopen since Covid-19. (They also have a terrace at the back for private hite hire.
Address: 240 Regents St, W1B 3BT
Website: Click here
Rooftop extra tip: If you like this rooftop then you might also like: Le Roof In Cannes
B&H Garden Room
Best for: 🍽🥂☕️
Nearest tube: Leicester Square – 2 mins 🚶♀️or Piccadilly Circus – 3 mins 🚶🏻♂️
Location: Almost opposite Leicester Sq tube
View: The eye and the city
Dress code: Casual
Vibe: Summer chill
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available? Yes
Last visited /photos taken: 2018
Warm/dry weather only? Yes its enclosed – though it made the cut for a rooftop not an awesome alternative as there is a very small terrace (more for photos and fresh air than able to drink on)
Rooftop review roundup: Newly opened at the end of 2018. An oasis of calm from the busy tourist Leicester Sq. Elegant yet causal was the perfect pre matinee lunch venue.
Address: B&H Garden Room, 10th Floor, 27-31 Charing Cross Road, WC2H 0LS
Website: Click here
Rooftop extra tip: If you like this rooftop then you might also like: Aqua (above)
Bisushima
Best for: 🍱 🍣
Nearest tube: Charing Cross 🚶♀️5 mins
Location: On top of the Bisushima Hotel opposite the Portrait Gallery
View: Trafalgar Square
Dress code: 👖👕👗👚
Vibe: Sunshine and sushi
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾 (champers only)
Food available? Yes
Booking available? Yes
Smoking allowed? No
Warm/dry weather only? Yes
Last visited /photos taken: 2021
Rooftop review roundup: A cute little terrace tucked up high away from crowds below. A popular tourist spot yet still relatively quiet rooftop. Sushi is their specialty and in the sunshine feels like you could be abroad in a European city. There’s another even smaller long terrace just for drinks. Which at night is magical with the London eye lit up. It is a little on the pricey side and once sat down the views of Trafalgar Square aren’t as easy to see but definitely worthy of a drink or 7!
Address: 8 St Martins Place, WC2N 4JH
Website: Click here
Rooftop extra tip: If you like this rooftops sushi then Sushi samba rooftop is for you!
Coqbull
Best for: 🍸🍔🥩🍹
Nearest tube: Piccadilly Circus 🚶🏻♂️(exit 1 from the tube) 1 min
Location: On the old Jamie Oliver restaurant
View: not much
Dress code: 👕👟👖👠
Vibe: Fun after worky
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾
Food available? Yes – mainly burgers
Booking available? Yes
Smoking allowed? Yes
Last visited /photos taken: 2021
Warm/dry weather only? No – when it rains there are heaters and rooftop covers
Rooftop review roundup: This could be a new favourite for its fun factor. Super friendly lovely staff, great tunes and the best cocktails, best hangover food ever! This is going to be an epic addition to the soho scene!
Address: 17 – 19 Denman Street, W1D 7HW
Website: Click here
Rooftop extra tip: If you like this rooftop then you might like The Big Chill at Kings Cross
The Dorchester Rooftop
Best for: 🥂🍾🍸🍽
Nearest tube: Hyde Park Corner 🚶♀️7 mins
Location: On top of the Dorchester Hotel
View: Hyde Park (and one end is House of Parliament, St Paul’s and the Hsard way in the distance)
Dress code: 👠👔👢👗👞(❌👟🧢🩳)
Vibe: Elegance personified
Prosecco price: Just champagne 🍾 🍾🍾🍾🍾 (and other drinks!)
Food available? Yes special curated menus
Booking available? Essential
Smoking allowed? Yes in the lounge and selling cigars
Last visited /photos taken: 2021
Warm/dry weather only? Umbrellas only, heater and hot water bottles. If the rain really hits the rooftop then it will be closed and they will contact you if you have a booking.
Rooftop review roundup: Staff couldn’t have been more attentive and thoughtful – even calling the day before with weather update. Food was truly delicious (be warned the chunky chips may be addictive). Summer soft tunes played till 6 when the evening live music began. Really was a little taste of summer days and champagne ways. If you fancy something new, fabulous and a little naughty on the purse strings then this is for you. For more read my full rooftop write up here. Ps second visit there was now a minimum spend for bookings – you can though walk in for just drinks in the ‘lounge’ depending on availability.
Address: 58 Park Lane, London W1K 1QA
Website: Click here
Rooftop extra tip: If you like this rooftop then you might love St James Rooftop
Flight Club
Best for: 🥂🍻
Nearest tube: Victoria – 5 min🚶♀️
Location: Above the dart 🎯 emporium! Behind Victoria Palace Theatre
View: Nothing!
Vibe: Cute garden theme, party vibe.
Prosecco price: 🍾 (and a free bottle if 6+ for lunch)
Food available? Yes
Booking available? Yes
Smoking allowed? Yes
Last visited /photos taken: 2019
Warm/dry weather only? No but if it’s super rainy or cold I wouldn’t bother but they do have enclosed huts on the roof!
Rooftop review roundup: This is a hidden gem and a big surprise. Don’t let the name put you off as it nearly did me! I was expecting a small smoking area type rooftop and instead it’s super retro and kitsch! Inside the vibe is darts and casino but step out and it’s full of a gardeners dream and London icons – like they have an original telephone box that is actually a disco for one! Perfect for a hen/ baby shower or just for the gram!
Address: 6 Sir Simon Milton Sq, SW1E 5DJ
Website: Click here
Rooftop extra tip: If you like this rooftop then you might also like: John Lewis below!
John Lewis Rooftop
Best for: 🍸🍽
Nearest tube: Oxford St – 3 mins 🚶♀️or Bond St – 5 mins 🚶🏻♂️
Location: 6th floor of John Lewis department store (but you need to go to 5th then there’s special elevators or stairs through ‘place to eat section’).
View: The eye
Dress code: Casual 👖👟👚👕
Vibe: Relaxed
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available? Yes – the resturant and cabins not the general outside areas
Smoking allowed? No
Last visited /photos taken: 2019
Warm/dry weather only? No
Rooftop review roundup: A treasure of a rooftop – either as a pit stop from shopping or a destination. In winter there’s an ice rink and hot gin and summer there’s movies under the stars! The main resturant is enclosed is weather proof and there’s even some private cabins you can hire.
Address: 300 Oxford St, W1C 1DX
Website: Click here
Rooftop extra tip: If you like this rooftop then you might also like: Gallow Green in New York
Kitchen at Holmes
Best for: 🍷🍴☕️
Nearest tube: Baker Street 🚶♀️1 mins
Location: Baker Street at the Homes House hotel
View: Rooftops of London buildings like you’d see on a book cover or Mary Poppins
Dress code: 👖👕👔👞👟
Vibe: Smooth chill out tunes were actually playing so that says it nicely!
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available? Yes but only for May as it’s a Private members club.
Smoking allowed? Yes
Last visited /photos taken: 2021
Warm/dry weather only? Yes
Rooftop review roundup: Usually only for members of the Home House group this ‘secret’ rooftop opened to the public during April 2021 while we can’t dine inside. So if you need to escape the bustle of the city this is heaven. Genuinely feels like you are in an old movie. Service was fabulous and thoughtful. Food delicious. All in all a total gem!
Address: 108 Baker Street, W1U 6LJ
Website: Click here
Rooftop extra tip: If you like this rooftop then you will love The Culpeper at Aldgate.
LSQ Rooftop
Best for: 🥂🍹🥃🍷
Nearest tube: Leicester Square – 2 mins 🚶🏻♂️or Piccadilly Circus 3 mins 🚶♀️
Location: Next door to the M&M store on Leicester Sq gardens, on top of the Indigo Hotel
View: The London Eye & general london
Dress code: Anything 👡👚👕👔👖👗
Vibe: Quiet … still quite a secret!
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking needed? No
Warm/dry weather only? Yes and no as there is wall to ceiling windows so could still enjoy the views safe and dry!
Visited / photos taken: 2018
Rooftop review: I went when it first opened and then was not yet busy for a Saturday – considering it is in the hub of London. Table service was available on a small strip terrace (though a little slow) and the main bar is inside. If you can get a table on the terrace then you are in for a treat as the views are spectacular. And the bonus is they currently open early (most rooftops don’t) so morning coffees meetings with a view is the dream!
Address: Indigo Hotel, 1 Leicester Sq, WC2H 7NA
Website: Click here
Rooftop extra tip: If you like this rooftop then you might also like: 12 Knot – Southbank
Knightsbridge Dining
Best for: 🍷🍾🥂
Nearest tube: Knightsbridge 🚶♀️30 seconds!
Location: On the 5th floor of the Harvey Nichols department store
View: Nothing
Dress code: 👚🥿👖🧣👞
Vibe: Afternoon tea time
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available? Yes
Smoking allowed? No
Last visited /photos taken: 2021
Warm/dry weather only? Yes
Rooftop review roundup: A colourful cute rooftop with impeccable service. A little on the pricey side for what it is but perfect for a pit stop when needing some refreshments.
Address: 109-125 Knightsbridge, SW1X 7RJ
Website: Click here
Rooftop extra tip: If you like this then you need will love Alto at Selfridges
Orrery
Best for: 🍽
Nearest tube: Baker Street🚶🏻♂️ 6 mins
Location: Marylebone High St, on the restaurant
View: Nada
Dress code: 👕👖
Vibe: Piano Bar
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available? Yes
Smoking allowed? No
Last visited /photos taken: 2021
Warm/dry weather only? Yes for the terrace
Rooftop review roundup: A cute little Michelin star French rooftop terrace in the heart of Marylebone. However I didn’t find the food or service that special. They have a lunch special deal which means it was good value for money. It was a shame they have the awning up all the time though I suspect directly in the sun would be hot but its not often in London that happens.
Address: 55 Marylebone High Street, W1U 5RB
Website: Click here
Rooftop extra tip: If you like this restaurant then you you might like De Robertis in Malta
Pantechnicon
Best for: 🍽🍷
Nearest tube: Knightsbridge 🚶♀️ 6 mins
Location: Heart of Knightsbridge, with its own grand building.
View: nothing
Dress code: 👚🥿👢👠👕👖🧥
Vibe: Understated chic
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available? Yes
Smoking allowed? No
Last visited /photos taken: 2021
Warm/dry weather only? No they have an indoor restaurant but also can cover the terrace, have heaters and rugs
Rooftop review roundup: Japanese and Nordic influence this cute lil rooftop terrace echoes an Anthropologie Copenhagen vibe. Simplicity and splendour. They call it the roof garden as it is by Finnish horticulturalist Taina (means ‘little tree’) Suonio. The food is exquisite albeit a small menu, the service impeccable and whilst this isn’t a rooftop for views it is the perfect lunch spot after some serious Knightsbridge shopping! It even has its own shop on the floors below (note to shop before the cocktails 😉)
Address: 19 Motcomb St, SW1X 8LB
Website: Click here
Rooftop extra tip: If you like this rooftop then you might like B&H Garden (above)
Plaza Terrace Bar
Best for: 🥂🥜🧀🥓🍷
Nearest tube: Covent Garden 2 mins 🚶♀️
Location: On top of the Royal Opera House
View: Covent Garden square & London eye in the distance
Dress code: Anything (but at night Smart casual)
Vibe: Quiet when no performance is on, theatre audience vibe when is
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾
Food available? Snacks and a few plates
Booking available? No
Smoking allowed? No
Last visited /photos taken: 2019
Warm/dry weather only? No
Rooftop review roundup: A hidden hideaway in such a tourist trap of Covent Garden. Debated whether it would count as a rooftop as there is a roof and windows but the latter gets pulled right back (don’t attempt this yourself or you’ll get your thumb trapped like me!) or stays is lashing with rain – the consensus was yes it passed as one! Perfect for a pre theatre drink or just to escape the craziness of this super popular part of town. (Tho once you’ve taken in the plaza of Covent Garden, I’d also stop by their Paul Hamlyn Hall Champagne Bar for a decadent glass of something bubbly surrounded by history).
Address: 55 Bow St, Covent Garden, WC2E 7AT
Website: Click here
Rooftop extra tip: If you like this rooftop then you might also like: B&H Garden Room at Leicester Square
Prince of Wales Feathers
Best for: 🍺
Nearest tube: Warren Street – 30 Secs 🚶♀️Euston Sq – 4 mins 🚶🏻♂️
Location: Above the pub
View: nothing
Dress code: Casual
Vibe: Pub!
Prosecco price: 🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available? No
Smoking allowed? Yes
Last visited /photos taken: 2019
Warm/dry weather only? Yes
Rooftop review roundup: A great little pub in the busy area that’s reasonably priced and an outdoor space to breath or have a smoke. Not the glamour of sweeping London views but an outdoor space in summer that’s welcomed
Address: 8 Warren St, W1T 5LD
Website: Click here
Rooftop extra tip: If you like this rooftop then you might also like The Scottish Stores in Kings Cross
Radio Rooftop
Best for: 🥂🍽🍸
Nearest tube: Temple – 7 mins 🚶🏻♂️or Covent Garden – 7 mins 🚶♀️
Location: ME Hotel. Opposite Somerset House right on the corner of the strand
View: Somerset House & The Shard / city
Dress code: 👗👠👔 ‘Smart and Glamorous’
Vibe: Swanky and night chilled by day.
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available? Yes
Last visited /photos taken: 2019
Warm/dry weather only? No – heaters and covered area
Rooftop review roundup: A firm fav for great views, great location and party vibe. By day lovely sofas to chill with champers on or dining with a city back drop. By night get your glad rags on!
Address: ME Hotel, 10th Floor, 336 – 337 Strand, WC2R 1HR
Website: Click here
Rooftop extra tip: If you like this rooftop then you might also like: Golden Bee in Old Street
St James Cafe
Best for: ☕️🥂🍷🍽🍰
Nearest tube: St James Park- 5 min🚶♀️or Westminster – 8 mins🚶🏻♂️or Piccadilly Circus – 16 mins🚶♀️
View: St James palace, the London eye & the park.
Dress code: Causal 👕👚👖
Vibe: Super chill cafe
Prosecco price: 🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available? No but it’s fast turn around of visitors
Last visited /photos taken: 2019
Warm/dry weather only? Yes (the cafe underneath is enclosed should you need it!)
Rooftop review roundup: Not what you usually expect from a ‘rooftop’ but it is indeed on top of the cafe, open with views so one for families, a quiet read of a book, a pit stop whilst park walking or just to while away the day. Very tranquil.
Address: St James Park, SW1A 2BJ
Website: Click here
Rooftop extra tip: If you like this rooftop then you might also like: Hollyhock Cafe in Richmond (not a rooftop but an awesome alternative)
The Nest
Best for: 🍾☕️🥂🍸🍷
Nearest tube: Oxford Street – 4 mins 🚶🏻♂️Great Portland Street – 9 mins 🚶♀️
Location: On top of the Treehouse Hotel, opposite the BBC
View: All of London! 🤩
Dress code: Smart casual 👚👔👗👖
Vibe: Piano bar, elegant
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾+
Food available? Snacks, small plates and sharing plates (or there is a restaurant on the floor below)
Booking available? Yes
Smoking allowed? Yes (outside)
Last visited /photos taken: 2019
Warm/dry weather only? Yes but the inside has floor to ceiling windows.
Rooftop review roundup: A much needed addition to rooftops this side of London. Perfect for post shopping champers with Oxford and Regent Street just below. The staff are warm and welcoming and the views are some of the best in London. It’s not catered for winter outside but they have created a gorgeous treehouse vibe bar on the inside. In the summer I can see this being ridiculously popular as you step outside you can walk around the bar in the middle – providing 360 views of the city! From BT tower, to the shard to the famous shopping street below! Currently it’s only open to the public in the day so do call ahead to check it will be open when you are planning to go. I will definitely be back!
Address: 14-15 Langham Place, W1B 2QS
Website: Click here
Rooftop extra tip: If you like this rooftop then you might also like: 12th Knot on Southbank
The Rooftop, St James (formally Vista)
Best for: 🥂🍹🍸🍷
Nearest tube: Charing Cross – 6 mins 🚶🏻♂️or Piccadilly Circus – 7 mins 🚶♀️
Location: Just to the side of Trafalgar Sq on top of the The Trafalgar hotel
View: Trafalgar Square & London Eye
Dress code: Evening – dress it up but not because you have to but you will want to 👗👠
Vibe: Date night, sophisticated
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available? Yes
Visited / photos taken on: 2019
Warm/dry weather only? No – the beauty with the refurbish is it now will be open all year
Rooftop review: Always was a big favourite in it’s ‘Vista’ days. The vibe is now less afternoon tea parties and more champers at sunset – I love it! The booking option is amazing, the staff and atmosphere, great – it’s just probably a little more dressy now. BUT the pay off for all year round and having and area with a retractable roof – genius!
Address: 7th Floor, Trafalgar Hotel, 2 Spring Gardens, Trafalgar Sq, SW1A 2TS
Website: Click here
Rooftop extra tip: If you like this rooftop then you might also like: La Dolce Vita in Barcelona
The Roof Terrace – Ham Yard
Best for: 🥂🍸🍹🍻🍷
Nearest tube: Piccadilly Circus – 3 mins 🚶♀️
Location: On top on the Ham Yard Hotel in Soho
View: London buildings
Dress code: Smart Casual 👕👚👖👗
Vibe: Chilled yet bustling
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾
Food available? Snacks only
Booking available? Yes and a must as this rooftop is for pop ups and hire only
Smoking allowed? Yes
Last visited /photos taken: 2019
Warm/dry weather only? No
Rooftop review roundup: This is a private terrace but they put on a lot of pop ups – rose on the roof & yoga in the summer to hot gin and heaters in the winter. I’ve done the latter a few times and most recently came to a private hire drinks event. The weather has never been kind when I have been – usually grey and rainy (hence the pics are a little dull) but there is a cover over the sofas so still totally doable. Staff couldn’t be more helpful, as it’s a hotel there’s also a cloakroom and worse case there’s a gorgeous bar and resturant downstairs if you just wanted to swing by the terrace for one drink.
Address: 1 Ham Yard, Soho, W1D 7DT
Website: Click here
Rooftop extra tip: If you like this rooftop then you might also like: John Lewis Rooftop (above)
Soho Sky Terrace
(formally known as Toy Roof)
Best for: 🍹🍾🍷
Nearest tube: Oxford Circus – 3 mins 🚶♀️
Location: 6th floor of the Courthouse Hotel, opposite to Liberty store and next door to the Paladium theatre
View: Nothing iconic except Liberty store
Dress code: smart casual 👚👕
Vibe: Chilled tunes, young and fun
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾
Food available? Yes – finger food, 🍔 and 🍕
Booking available? Yes but it’s min spend of £50pp
Smoking allowed? Yes
Last visited /photos taken: 2019
Warm/dry weather only? No – open all year round with heaters, plastic side sheeting for the winter.
Rooftop review roundup: 2020 update that its changed names so some of these details may not be as up to date. But it’s still a small terrace with a big personality – great for post work, pre theatre, post shopping drinks.
Address: 19-21 Great Marlborough Street, W1F 7HL
Website: Click here
Rooftop extra tip: If you like this rooftop then you might also like: Chiringuito in Bethnal Green
The Windmill Mayfair
Best for: 🍷🥂🍺🥃🍸🍹
Nearest tube: Oxford Circus – 5 mins 🚶🏻♂️🚶♀️
Location: Just off Regents St along from ‘Sketch’
View: None
Dress code: 👚👔👕👟
Vibe: Traditional pub
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available? No
Last visited /photos taken: 2018
Warm/dry weather only? No – heaters and umbrellas
Rooftop review roundup: A little corner to come up for air in busy bustling area. Though it’s popular and as no booking means you have to take your luck. Summer heaving and Winter has hot gin! (Oh and inside the also a room called the pie room! 🥧)
Address: 6/8 Mill Street, London, W1S 2AZ
Website: Click here
Rooftop extra tip: If you like this rooftop then you might also like: The Tankard in Kennington
The Wing
Best for: 👩💻👩🏻💻👩🏼💻👩🏽💻👩🏾💻👩🏿💻
Nearest tube: Oxford Circus – 2 min🚶🏻♀️
Location: Just off Regents Street, behind the giant Top Shop
View: BT Tower
Dress code: 👚👕👖👔
Vibe: Quiet, work, meetings
Prosecco price: ❌ all about☕️ except for a few evening events
Food available? Just snacks like cake!
Booking available? Yes, it’s a private members club so you need to know a member who can book and sign you in.
Smoking allowed? No
Last visited /photos taken: 2019
Warm/dry weather only? Yes
Rooftop review roundup: An adorable diner style little cafe style rooftop in the middle of the crazy city. This is a women’s only (men are allowed for meetings) private members work & meeting space so ideal if you are a freelancer or just need a quiet London base … with a rooftop!
Address: 14 Great Portland St, Fitzrovia, London W1W 8QW
Website: Click here
Rooftop extra tip: If you like this rooftop then you might also like: Ham Yard rooftop just a few minutes walk away!