Al Fresco Dining: Summer ’17 Hot Spots

Summer has arrived so it’s time to catch some rays whilst you can! Why not escape the hustle below and head to the rooftops of Oxford Street at Sisu; London’s latest cocktail hotspot? Alternatively, whilst over in Victoria’s new Nova Building, Rail House Café provides the ultimate backdrop for all-day al fresco lounging. Finally, over in East London, 8 Hoxton Square offers a peaceful terrace for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch.

RAIL HOUSE CAFÉ 

Rail House Café opened in March 2017 as a modern, all-day café with a menu of signature twists to international favourites. Their spacious terrace is perfect for summer dining and aperitifs with room for 80 covers. Bespoke furniture has been designed to create a setting that blends indoor and outdoor seamlessly; with large L-shaped sofas decked out in nautically striped fabric, and more formal dining tables set between large sun shades.

Menus packed with fresh flavours are available al-fresco; from breakfast and brunch, through lunch and dinner – with standout dishes including Green Tea Waffles with Coconut and Berries (£9.50) or Freekeh and Feta Salad with Pomegranate, Cashews, Mint and (optional) Hot-Smoked Salmon (£11/£15. Cocktails such as ‘Saffron Spritz’(saffron gin, rhubarb liqueur, tonic, Chandon Rose at £10.50) and ‘The Seoul Train’ (watermelon juice, Sangsom Rum, Jinju 24, lime juice, coriander at £8) can be enjoyed from 10am daily.

Rail House Café | 8 Sir Simon Milton Square, London SW1E 5DJ

SISU 

Sisu is serving up the best rooftop vibes in town, as the space has been transformed into an urban hideaway where Londoners can escape the bustle of the city in Scandinavian-inspired surrounds.

The ReTreat serves an irresistible menu of street-food inspired bites such as Miso Aubergine Tacos, Fried Chicken Waffles and Canadian-style Poutine, and to accompany, there’s a drinks list running from Negronis dispensed from a bespoke, coin-op cocktail tap (£8 each, to cocktails in regular (£8) or large (£13) jars, like the summery Florodora (Bulldog gin, fresh raspberries, ginger) or Moltó Negre cava (£6 per glass), if bubbles fit the occasion.

Sisu, tucked away behind a secret entrance near Marble Arch, is open daily from noon until 10pm.

Sisu | 535 Oxford Street, London W1C 2QW

8 HOXTON SQUARE

8 Hoxton Square is the sister restaurant to critics’ favourite 10 Greek Street. Just like its Soho sibling, it serves fresh, seasonal dishes alongside interesting, low mark-up wines, but here reservations are taken.

Guests can enjoy the sunshine this summer within the intimate al fresco dining area overlooking Hoxton Square, making for a picturesque brunch, lunch and dinner. Two daily-changing menus – one for lunch and one for dinner – as well as an all-day small plates menu are served, with brunch classics adding to the weekend lineup.

There is a strong focus on seasonal British ingredients but executive chef Cameron Emirali (who co-owns the restaurants with business partner Luke Wilson) also draws inspiration from his travels. Small plates, such as charcuterie (£9) and fried baby squid (£8) have proved popular amongst diners, with their stellar selection of rosé proving the drink of choice this summer.

8 Hoxton Square | 8 Hoxton Square, Hackney, London N1 6NU

Charlotte Giver

Charlotte is the founder and editor-in-chief at Your Coffee Break magazine. She studied English Literature at Fairfield University in Connecticut whilst taking evening classes in journalism at MediaBistro in NYC. She then pursued a BA degree in Public Relations at Bournemouth University in the UK. With a background working in the PR industry in Los Angeles, Barcelona and London, Charlotte then moved on to launching Your Coffee Break from the YCB HQ in London’s Covent Garden and has been running the online magazine for the past 10 years. She is a mother, an avid reader, runner and puts a bit too much effort into perfecting her morning brew.