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The best terraces in Knightsbridge for alfresco dining and drinks

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It seems that summer has finally arrived. Now that the weather is a bit more settled, alfresco drinks and dining is a realistic option. Thanks to a series of new outside terrace openings, Knightsbridge is set to be the place du jour for sunshine drinks this summer.

FIFTH FLOOR CAFÉ AND TERRACE FLORAL TAKEOVER AT HARVEY NICHOLS KNIGHTSBRIDGE

Overlooking the Knightsbridge rooftops, the Fifth Floor Café and Terrace at Harvey Nichols Knightsbridge, is experiencing a floral makeover this May with the Alice + Olivia Secret Garden takeover.

Inspired by the American fashion brand’s new Spring/Summer ‘23 collection (and with a nod to the Chelsea Flower Show), the terrace space is decked in horticulture heaven. Conjuring up a taste of the season, guests can sip from a menu of flower-infused cocktails and mocktails by Grey Goose Essences. This is one of the nicest terraces in Knightsbridge.

With a delicious and varied all-day dining menu, the Fifth Floor Café and Terrace is ideal for brunch and afternoon tea through to cocktails and dinner and is open daily from 10am until 9pm Monday to Wednesday; 10am to 10pm Thursday to Saturday and 11am until 6pm on Sunday.  To book, visit: https://www.harveynichols.com/restaurant/knightsbridge-dining/cafe-and-terrace/


A CELEBRATION OF THE GREAT BRITISH SUMMER AT MANDARIN ORIENTAL HYDE PARK’S NEW GARDEN 

Visitors will be hard pressed to find a more summery spot than the quintessentially British garden surrounds of the new summer space at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London. Designed to blend into its natural parkland backdrop, the Hyde Park Garden provides a perfect setting for lunches, a summer spritz or an early evening snack under the shade of the surrounding trees. English sparkling wines take centre stage, while the cocktails feature a unique spin on classic spritzes, including the ‘Rose Garden’ and ‘Rosemary Margarita’. The menu, devised by the team from Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, includes botanicals indigenous to the UK, with dishes such as Pea & Ham Hock Salad with mustard and mint, and a wonderful British Ploughmans – which also features on the ‘bubbles and boards’ menu. Even the tablescaping and staff attire salutes summertime and British brands, with Hackett Saville Row and Lock & Co. Hatters supplying the staff uniform designs and N.Peal providing cashmere shawls to keep evening chills at bay. Plus, ceramicist and designer Reiko Kaneko has incorporated prints inspired from Hyde Park flowers, with more indigenous wildflowers and herbs adorning the tables.

Throughout the summer, Hyde Park Garden will host Summer Sessions: a series of exclusive events including a Meet The Makers English wine event and a Lobster & Chips Feast with Rathfinny Wine Estate.

Hyde Park Garden is open daily from noon until 21.00 with lunch served from 12 – 15.00, followed by drinks and light bites from 16.00 – 21.00. To book https://www.mandarinoriental.com/en/london/hyde-park/dine/hyde-park-garden


FROM AN ALFRESCO DIM SUM TERRACE TO NORDIC VIBES ON THE ROOF AT HARRODS

Dining destination Harrods is offering two exciting outside terrace experiences for those warmer days and nights. Studio Frantzén, by renowned Swedish chef Björn Frantzén, occupies the iconic department store’s prime roof terrace spot, while Chai Wu, the celebrated Asian restaurant on the fifth floor, has opened a fabulous sister restaurant and cocktail bar. The Dim Sum Terrace offers an inviting outside space on the fourth floor and is suitable for both walk-ins and late-night revellers.

Custom built for Harrods, Studio Frantzén comprises a 150-seat restaurant and roof terrace bar. Serving an à la carte menu that balances delicate and unique Nordic-Japanese flavours, highlights include the ‘Sweden vs Japan’ braised beef brisket, grilled Japanese Wagyu, lemongrass jus and Japanese mustard, also the grilled lobster with curry and brown-butter hollandaise, mirin-infused pomegranate, dried cloudberries, ginger and coriander butter. The cocktail menu is equally dynamic, with wonderful roof terrace views adding to the experience.  Open 12.30pm until 11.30pm Monday to Saturday and until 10.30pm on Sunday.  To book, call 0207 225 6800 www.harrods.com/en-gb/restaurants/studio-frantzen

Guests at Chai Wu’s Dim Sum Terrace will be able to enjoy a tantalising menu of dim sum and cocktails alongside views over Knightsbridge from a heated terrace. Made fresh each morning, delicate steamed dumplings are reimagined with innovative designs and luxury ingredients including saffron king crab, fermented chilli and Dover sole. Equally as tempting are steamed buns and baked and deep-fried delights such as Wagyu and taro croquettes, duck spring rolls and – waiter-recommended – perfectly crispy kataifi scallops topped with salmon roe. All this with a mouth-watering menu of cocktails (try the lychee, grapefruit and fresh ginger Martinis) – plus fragrant teas and fine wines.

Open 11.30am to 9pm Monday to Wednesday; 11.30am to 11pm Thursday to Saturday and from 12pm to 6pm on Sunday.  To book, call 0207 225 6800 https://www.harrods.com/en-gb/restaurants/dim-sum-terrace


THE PERFECT INSIDER’S OUTPOST AT THE BERKELEY BAR AND TERRACE

Described as the new old fashioned, The Berkeley Bar and Terrace offers a comfortingly hip inside-outside space. A celebration of craftmanship, inside the carved plasterwork, coral tones and curved edges set an elegant scene, with wooden accents that were hewn from a single tree. While for those balmy evenings, the alfresco Terrace is the perfect insider’s outpost.

Every item on the carefully curated menu has been selected for its one-of-a-kind character. From a vintage Champagne tucked away in a French cellar to the single malt secrets poured down through generations, each drink has a tale to tell.

Open 11am to 1am Monday to Saturday and from 11am to 12am on Sunday the bar has a no reservation policy. https://www.the-berkeley.co.uk/restaurants-bars/the-berkeley-bar-and-terrace/


GARDEN DELIGHTS AT THE LANESBOROUGH 

A hidden oasis tucked away from the bustle of Hyde Park Corner, The Lanesborough’s Garden Room is one of Knightsbridge’s best kept secrets. Surrounded by greenery, the outdoor covered terrace comes into its own in the summer. Alongside an impressive selection of Cuban and pre-Castro cigars presented in the celebrated walk-in humidor, the Garden Room offers cocktails, spirits, fine wines and Champagnes with light dishes served until late and cigar masterclasses. Cognac lovers will appreciate The Lanesborough Paradis – a collection of some of the rarest and finest Cognacs and Armagnacs in the world, some dating back to the 18th century.

The Garden Room is open Monday to Wednesday 6pm to 2am; Thursday to Saturday 4pm to 2am and until midnight on Sundays. To book, call 020 7259 5599 https://www.oetkercollection.com/hotels/the-lanesborough/restaurants-bars/the-garden-room/