London’s Best Rooftop
Restaurants in Hotels
Dining Above the Clouds
Where Skyline Views Meet Exceptional Cuisine
A Meal with a View
There’s nothing quite like sipping champagne while London’s skyline stretches beneath you. The city’s hotel rooftops have evolved from simple bars to full-fledged culinary destinations.
This year I’ve found these 10 hotel spots offer not just breathtaking views, but truly memorable dining experiences.
My Top Three Picks
For those who demand both sky-high luxury and unforgettable dining, these stand above the rest:
| Restaurant | Hotel | Price | View | Signature Experience | Why It’s Special |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gong | Shangri-La at The Shard | ££££ | 360° from Level 52 | “Cloud 52” cocktail with liquid nitrogen | Highest hotel bar in W. Europe |
| Sabine | Hotel Café Royal | £££ | Piccadilly Circus lights | Champagne trolley service | Art Deco glamour |
| Radio Rooftop | ME London | £££ | Thames & London Eye | Live DJ weekends | Sexy, see-and-be-seen vibe |
| Aviary | Montcalm Royal London House | £££ | St. Paul’s & City skyline | “Golden Hour” cocktail menu | Heated igloos in winter |
| Dalloway Terrace | The Bloomsbury Hotel | £££ | Literary Bloomsbury | Floral afternoon tea | Virginia Woolf-inspired decor |
| The Rooftop | Trafalgar St. James | £££ | Nelson’s Column | Negroni flights | Private cabanas |
| Savage Garden | DoubleTree Tower of London | ££ | Tower Bridge | Botanical cocktails | 50% off twilight hour |
| The Rooftop at The Standard | The Standard London | ££ | King’s Cross evolution | Disco Bloody Mary | Retro rooftop parties |
Insider Tips for Discerning Guests
1
The Unspoken Dress Codes
Gong enforces “elegant attire” (blazers preferred for men after 6PM)
Sabine discreetly turns away visible logos/streetwear
Exception: The Standard allows designer sneakers if paired with intentional style
2
Timing Secrets
Best photo light: 1.5 hours before sunset at Radio Rooftop (request table 14A)
Quiet luxury moments: Gong’s 3-4PM high tea with skyline views
Last-minute bookings: Call Aviary directly at +44 20 3873 4060
3
VIP Perks to Request
Sabine: “The Royal Treatment” champagne trolley (£150 supplement)
Gong: The hidden “Sky Nest” booth (8-week notice required)
The Standard: Off-menu “Disco Martini” with edible gold leaf
Pro Tip: Most 5-star concierges can secure last-minute rooftop reservations – always inquire with your hotel.
Gong – Shangri-La at The Shard
Western Europe’s highest cocktail bar (Level 52)
The Experience
360° views from London’s tallest building, with cocktails featuring liquid nitrogen theatrics and gold-leaf garnishes. The glass-floor viewing platform makes you feel suspended above the city.
Essential Details
Hours: Daily 12PM-1AM (last entry 11:30PM)
Dress Code: Smart elegant (blazers preferred after 6PM, no sportswear)
Prices: Cocktails £18-28 | Tasting menu £120
Booking: Reserve 8+ weeks ahead for sunset slots
Location: Level 52, The Shard (access via London Bridge Station)
Pro Tip: Request tables 52A/B for best sunset views. The “Sky Nest” private experience (£150 supplement) includes a dedicated mixologist.
Sabine – Hotel Café Royal
Mayfair’s most elegant champagne terrace
The Experience
An Art Deco jewel box overlooking Piccadilly Circus, where champagne is served from a rolling trolley and gilt mirrors reflect the glow of London’s neon lights. The intimate terrace feels like a secret garden above the bustle of Regent Street.
Essential Details
Hours: Daily 3PM-11PM (12PM-11PM weekends)
Dress Code: Mayfair elegant (collared shirts, no trainers)
Prices: Champagne from £18/glass | Caviar blinis £28
Booking: Reserve 3 weeks ahead for golden hour
Location: 68 Regent Street, W1B 4DY (Direct access from Piccadilly Circus tube)
Pro Tip: Request the “Royal Treatment” (£50 supplement) for vintage champagne pours from the 1980s. The corner banquette (Table S1) has the best people-watching views.
Radio Rooftop – ME London
London’s most vibrant riverside terrace
The Experience
A glamorous open-air terrace with 180° views of the Thames, where live DJs soundtrack sunset cocktails against a backdrop of the London Eye and Somerset House. The retractable roof and heated seating keep the party going year-round.
Essential Details
Hours: Mon-Wed 12PM-12AM | Thu-Sat 12PM-1AM | Sun 12PM-11PM
Dress Code: Smart chic (designer jeans allowed, no sportswear)
Prices: Cocktails £16-22 | Lobster roll £24 | Bottles from £65
Booking: Reserve 3-4 weeks ahead for weekend DJ nights
Location: ME London Hotel, WC2R 1HA (5-min walk from Temple Station)
Pro Tip: The “Golden Hour” package (£25pp) guarantees front-row sunset seating. Ask for table RT8 to be near the DJ booth but shielded from wind.
Aviary – Montcalm Royal London House
The City’s sky-high cocktail playground
The Experience
A whimsical rooftop oasis where mixologists serve creative cocktails in birdcage glassware, with panoramic views stretching from St. Paul’s Cathedral to the Gherkin. The heated terrace and retractable roof make it ideal for year-round visits.
Essential Details
Hours: Mon-Thu 4PM-12AM | Fri 4PM-1AM | Sat 12PM-1AM | Sun 12PM-10PM
Dress Code: Smart casual (no shorts or flip-flops after 6PM)
Prices: Cocktails £14-18 | Sharing punches £45
Booking: Reserve 2-3 weeks ahead for weekend sunset slots
Location: 10th Floor, 22-25 Finsbury Square, EC2A 1DX (5-min walk from Moorgate Station)
Pro Tip: Try the “Golden Hour” menu (4-6PM weekdays) for 2-for-1 cocktails. The birdcage booths by the east railing have the best sunset views over the City.
Dalloway Terrace – The Bloomsbury Hotel
A literary-inspired garden oasis in Bloomsbury
The Experience
Named after Virginia Woolf’s iconic character, this enchanted floral terrace transforms with the seasons – from cherry blossoms in spring to fairy-lit winter wonderlands. The book-lined walls and vintage typewriters pay homage to the neighborhood’s literary legacy.
Essential Details
Hours: Daily 7:30AM-10:30PM (seasonal variations)
Dress Code: Smart casual (floral dresses and linen suits welcome)
Prices: Afternoon tea £45 | Cocktails £14-18
Booking: Reserve 1-2 weeks ahead for weekend brunch
Location: 16-22 Great Russell St, WC1B 3NN (2-min walk from Tottenham Court Road Station)
Pro Tip: Visit on weekday afternoons when the terrace is quieter. The “Writer’s Corner” nook has the best natural light for photos of their famous floral displays.
The Rooftop – Trafalgar St. James
Nelson’s Column views with a side of craft cocktails
The Experience
This hidden gem offers front-row views of Trafalgar Square’s iconic lions and Nelson’s Column, paired with inventive British cocktails. The retractable glass roof and heated seats make it perfect for year-round people-watching of the square’s street performers.
Essential Details
Hours: Mon-Thu 4PM-11PM | Fri-Sat 12PM-12AM | Sun 12PM-10PM
Dress Code: Smart casual (no sportswear after 6PM)
Prices: Cocktails £14-18 | Small plates £9-14
Booking: Reserve 1 week ahead for pre-theatre slots
Location: 2 Spring Gardens, SW1A 2TS (3-min walk from Charing Cross Station)
Pro Tip: Book the 5:30-7PM slot for golden hour views paired with their “Golden Hour” cocktail menu (2-for-1 drinks Mon-Thu). Table T8 has direct Nelson’s Column sightlines.
Savage Garden – DoubleTree Tower of London
Where botanical cocktails meet Tower Bridge
The Experience
A lush, jungle-like terrace where mixologists craft herb-infused cocktails just meters from Tower Bridge. The candlelit ironwork and hanging ferns create a magical contrast with the Shard’s modern skyline views. Nighttime brings fire pits and blanket service.
Essential Details
Hours: Mon-Thu 4PM-11PM | Fri-Sun 12PM-11PM (Winter: heated terrace)
Dress Code: Smart casual (no sportswear after 7PM)
Prices: Cocktails £12-16 | Small plates £8-14
Booking: Reserve 10 days ahead for bridge-view tables
Location: 7 Pepys St, EC3N 4AF (2-min walk from Tower Hill Station)
Pro Tip: Visit during “Twilight Hour” (4-6PM weekdays) for 50% off cocktails. The corner booth (Table 14) has direct bridge views through fairy-lit foliage.
The Rooftop – The Standard London
King’s Cross’ retro-futuristic skyline playground
The Experience
A 1970s spaceship-meets-New-York rooftop with panoramic views of London’s evolving skyline. The disco ball-adorned terrace serves frozen margaritas alongside British comfort food, with weekend DJ sets that attract a creative crowd. The glass elevator ride up sets the tone for the playful vibe.
Essential Details
Hours: Mon-Thu 4PM-12AM | Fri 4PM-1AM | Sat 12PM-1AM | Sun 12PM-10PM
Dress Code: “Cool casual” (designer streetwear encouraged)
Prices: Cocktails £14-18 | Disco Cheeseburger £16
Booking: Reserve 2 weeks ahead for weekend DJ nights
Location: 10 Argyle St, WC1H 8EG (King’s Cross Station exit)
Pro Tip: The secret “Disco Martini” (off-menu, £16) comes with edible glitter. Arrive before 6PM on weekends to avoid the queue for the glass elevator.
Explore More London Luxury Dining
If you enjoyed discovering London’s most spectacular rooftop hotel restaurants, you might also like my complete guide to London’s Best 5‑Star Hotels for Food Lovers.
Have you dined above the clouds in London? I’d love to hear about your favourite rooftop restaurant experiences. Share your stories in the comments below or tag me on Instagram using #DineWithJP
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do I need to book rooftop hotel restaurants in advance?
Yes. Many of London’s rooftop hotel restaurants, such as Gong at The Shard, are booked out weeks in advance—especially for sunset dining. For weekends or special events, plan at least 6–8 weeks ahead.
2. Is there a dress code for rooftop dining in hotels?
Most luxury rooftop venues in hotels require smart elegant attire. Jackets for men and cocktail dresses for women are common, and trainers are often not permitted after 6 pm.
3. Are rooftop hotel restaurants in London family-friendly?
Some venues welcome children during the day but may restrict access in the evenings when alcohol service and live DJ performances are the focus. Always check the venue’s policy before booking.
4. What’s the average cost of dining at a London rooftop hotel restaurant?
Expect to pay £80–£200 per person for a full dining experience with drinks. Premium tasting menus and rare wine pairings can exceed £300 per person at the most exclusive venues.
5. Can I visit just for drinks instead of a full meal?
Yes—most rooftop hotel bars allow guests to enjoy cocktails or champagne without dining. However, during peak hours there may be a minimum spend or time limit on your table.
