The weather is oddly, even terrifyingly mild considering we’re now in the clutches of mid-November, but it’s not warm either. And so now is the time to begin bedding in and settling down; to think about being cosy in readiness for the festive season.
Across the city, as ever, outside spaces have been transformed/are starting to be turned into wintry enclaves, full of sheepskin rugs, candles and warming drinks. Here are some of the best for the colder — even if they’re not all that cold — months.
Acme Fire Cult
Acme Fire Cult has become one of East London’s most sought-after locations, a modern BBQ restaurant and chop house in a fairy light-adorned courtyard. There are blankets and freshly cut logs. Founders Andrew Clarke and Daniel Watkins focus on seasonal vegetables, dayboat fish and native breed meat from regenerative farms, using grill techniques, fermentation and spices to good effect. It is an enchanting space for cocktails, craft beers and fine cooking under cover of blankets.
Abbot Street, E8 3DP, acmefirecult.com
Seabird
On the 14th floor of the Hoxton hotel in Southwark is a spectacular foliage-addled space with the views to match. This season, the space is as good as ever, with plenty of jazzy cocktails, fine wines and seafood. Dishes include baked oysters with chorizo and lemon, an omelette Arnold Bennett, and lobster and crab pie topped with caviar. Best of all might be the “afternoon sea”, which is pricey but big enough for three for four thanks to what’s included: half a native lobster, dressed crab, scallop ceviche, Cornish mussels, langoustines, red prawns, octopus carpaccio, and tuna tartare.
14th Floor, South Bank, 40 Blackfriars Road, SE1 8NY, thehoxton.com
Dalloway Terrace
This year, Dalloway Terrace, named after one of Virginia Woolf’s most famous characters, has partnered with Charles Heidsieck to turn the terrace int a “winter wonderland”. From Tuesday November 11, the space will be Christmas-themed, with plenty of sparkling wine and cocktails. Think names like the “Scrooge fizz” and the “Love Actually”. Not for everyone, but it should prove popular with some. The regular food menu will be available, but so too a “festive brunch” with dishes such as minestrone soup, smoked salmon with Guinness bread, eggs royale, and chicken Milanese.
16-22 Great Russell Street, WC1B 3NN, dallowayterrace.com
Peckham Arches
Peckham is full of excellent places to eat and drink, from new-age Thai restaurants to old school Italians. One option for bigger groups is Peckham Arches, a 600-cover space with an open-fire kitchen, two cocktail bars, an art gallery and a weekly roster of live music. The wood fired pizzas are decent, while cocktails are best enjoyed outside on the covered rooftop, which also has a pool table or two for those in the mood. If nothing else, head over on Thursdays, when there are cheeseburgers for £5 and pints for £3.50. Every weeknight has a 2-4-1 happy hour (6pm) and there are DJs at weekends.
213 Blenheim Grove, SE15 4QL, peckhamarches.com
Market Halls Victoria
If the weather does drop, Market Halls is ready with a host of blankets on its heated rooftop. As for the location, Victoria is an easy win for commuters, just two minutes from the station. The food options have improved here in recent times. Available now are the likes of Gopal’s Corner, Butchies fried chicken, Jude’s Thai, Black Bear Burger, From the Ashes and CDMX Tacos. Somewhere to consider too when the inevitable delays upend plans.
191 Victoria Street, SW1E 5NE, markethalls.co.uk
The Hawk’s Nest
Hawk’s Nest sits snug inside a converted railway arch and wood-fired pizza can be acquired thanks to a selection of Gozney ovens. The 350-cover terrace always draws a crowd in Shepherd’s Bush and throughout the festive period come various events such as Christmas markets, quizzes, wreathmaking workshops and live music nights. The team here always make the place look Christmassy and the pizzas are much better than you might expect.
Goldhawk Road, Shepherd's Bush Market, W12 8DF, the-hawks-nest.co.uk
Double Standard
Well established as one of London’s coolest hotels, The Standard converts its terrace each year into a homely outside bar with sheepskin furs, fairy lights, and a blazing chimney fire. The menu features the hotel’s well-made cocktails alongside US-style dishes: mini hotdogs, burgers, and chicken sliders. There are regular food residencies here, so look out for them, and there’s often a DJ in situ too.
Ground Floor, The Standard, 10 Argyle Street, WC1H 8EG, standardhotels.com
Boundary
The Boundary is best known for its generous roast dinners, but its covered orangerie is well placed for winter dining. There, amid leaves and a host of fairy lights, are charcuterie boards and keenly melted raclette, a haven for woolly evenings on snug rattan chairs. It is also worth noting here that The Boundary might well do one of London’s best Bloody Marys.
2-4 Boundary Street, E2 7DD, boundary.london
Stanley’s
Here we have an English country garden, tucked away and already snug, made festive thanks to red blooms, sheepskins and (if not now, very soon) cinnamon-clad mulled wines. Stanley's is a covered, heated place all that is worthy of Chelsea is abundant. There are Christmas specials abound and quiet, Richard Curtis-style evenings to be had.
151 Sydney Street, SW3 5UE, stanleyschelsea.co.uk
