When it comes to dining outside, these secret summer terrace spots in the heart of SW1X demand to be discovered
London is currently basking in a heatwave, and when the sun is shining there's nothing quite like the joys of dining alfresco. Home to many award-winning restaurants, Knightsbridge is spoilt for choice when it comes to delicious flavours, unexpected combinations and beautiful settings. From inspired botanical menus to sky-high Scandi cuisine, here are some of our favourite summer terraces in the neighbourhood.The best terraces in Knightsbridge this summer
Artistic fusion
Studio Frantzén at Harrods
Reimagining Nordic cuisine through an Asian lens, Swedish chef and multiple-Michelin-star-holder Björn Frantzén delicately balances unique and bold fusion flavours for a culinary experience you won’t soon forget. Situated atop the world’s most famous luxury department store, Studio Frantzén exudes minimalist Scandinavian chic thanks to its curved seating, smooth marble and sprawling greenery. The newly opened roof terrace area boasts fantastic views over London’s landmarks and is the perfect setting in which to indulge in Frantzén’s signature starter: warm laminated milk bread with blond miso butter and baroque honey (just to make those summer evenings even sweeter).
Studio Frantzén, Fifth Floor, Harrods, 87-135 Brompton Road, SW1X 7XL
A blooming lovely British summer
Hyde Park Garden at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park
Step out into botanical bliss at Hyde Park Garden, a highly desirable outdoor dining experience created by Mandarin Oriental. Welcoming you to a wonderland, the team behind Dinner by Heston Blumenthal have created a menu inspired by British botanicals. Here, the finest produce from gardens across the country is interpreted in classic dishes served in a quintessentially British secret garden. Smoked mackerel and rhubarb and a Gentleman’s Relish charcuterie board are just a taste of what’s on offer. Hyde Park Garden also hosts a variety of events known as Summer Sessions, including the Lobster & Chips Feast on 15 July, presented by Rathfinny Wine Estate. There are few better ways to celebrate the arrival of summer than with deliciously sparkling English wines paired with locally sourced ingredients.
Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park London, 66 Knightsbridge, SW1X 7LA
The ultimate stylish smokescreen
The Garden Room at The Lanesborough
Reminiscent of old Hollywood glamour, The Garden Room at The Lanesborough is the home of the cigar. Providing access to the hotel’s impressive selection of Cuban and pre-Castro cigars, the lush outdoor covered terrace hosts monthly masterclasses for enthusiasts to learn the origin and history of selected cigars, enabling guests to enjoy the sweet, spicy and nutty flavours alongside a cigar-inspired cocktail. Try the cigar malt old fashioned – a Dalmore cigar malt Scotch whisky with whisky-barrel bitters and orange essences – for a fully immersive experience. Or perhaps you will find your tipple of choice among The Garden Room’s collection of some of the world’s rarest and finest cognacs and armagnacs, dating back to the 18th century.
The Lanesborough, Hyde Park Corner, SW1X 7TA
A storybook setting
The Berkeley Bar & Terrace
Immortalised in the friezes above the walnut wood panels, the story of a 400-year-old fallen walnut tree from the Fulbeck Estate is romantically depicted at The Berkeley Bar & Terrace. A cosy, relaxed ambience flows through the hotel’s intimate outdoor space, which overlooks the neighbouring St Paul’s Church. Whether you fancy a rare whisky from Gordon & MacPhail or a small-batch rum with hints of vanilla and marmalade, every drink from the carefully curated menu has a story to tell. To accompany this one-of-a-kind drinks list, The Berkeley Bar & Terrace offers an original selection of nibbles and small bites, from a Vienna beef hot dog with sauerkraut, jalapeño and smoked cheddar, to Dorset crab tacos with pickled cucumber and lemon drizzle. Who knows what story will be next to unfold?
The Berkeley, Wilton Place, SW1X 7RL
For an intimate affair
The Hyde Bar at The Park Tower Knightsbridge
Fancy a taste of the high life? The Hyde Bar’s ground-floor terrace at the five-star Park Tower Knightsbridge is an intimate alfresco setting, where you can take a chic rattan seat at the circular bar or enjoy a more private table for two on the cigar terrace. Combining premium whisky with first-class bites, the culinary delights on offer are widely regarded as some of the finest in the city. From golden Scottish wagyu beef burgers to the venue’s signature afternoon tea with an exclusive range of premium, artisanal brews, the menu at The Hyde Bar is founded on elegant simplicity.
The Park Tower Knightsbridge, 101 Knightsbridge, SW1X 7RN
Designer dining
The Fifth Floor Café and Terrace at Harvey Nichols
Creating extraordinary moments for the everyday since first opening in 1831, the iconic designer emporium of Harvey Nichols has been leading the way in chic style ever since. The store’s sun-drenched Fifth Floor Café and Terrace offers fabulous views over the Knightsbridge rooftops. Recently transformed into a pretty-in-pink horticulture heaven thanks to a takeover by glam womenswear brand Alice + Olivia, which designed a Secret Garden pop-up, the terrace serves all-day dining menus, a decadent weekend brunch and even afternoon tea. You can enjoy the tastes of the Mediterranean via sweet, sun-warmed tomato bruschetta, or indulge in homemade white chocolate and coconut truffles.
Harvey Nichols, 109-125 Knightsbridge, SW1X 7RJ
For the cigar sommelier
The Cigar Terrace at the Wellesley Knightsbridge
Amidst the glamour of Knightsbridge lies The Cigar Terrace at The Wellesley hotel, a peaceful haven perfect for the aspiring cigar sommelier. With glorious views of Hyde Park, the indoor-outdoor terrace features inviting leather seats and a cosy fire for when the sun goes down. Housing Europe’s largest collection of cigars, the bespoke humidor at The Wellesley offers an enticing and exclusive selection of the finest cigars money can buy. A humidor specialist is even on hand to help tailor your experience to personal tastes, cutting, and lighting.
The Wellesley Knightsbridge, 11 Knightsbridge, SW1X 7LY
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