With its sage-green decor, imposing pillared facade and stunning views of the perennially pretty Serpentine, Lido Café is simply too good for tourists alone. Despite its contemporary interior,
there’s a feel of the past about the place – thanks in part to sepia prints of swimmers dotted along the walls and ever-present views of the Serpentine bridge. Most of the action takes place on
the large waterside terrace, where dog-walking locals, city dwellers and polyglot foreigners stop off for a well-deserved G&T, a cuppa and piece of cake, or something more substantial –
perhaps slow-cooked chicken with chorizo and butterbean stew, veggie pizzette or cod and chips with tartare sauce. The homemade house sundaes are not to be missed either – try the
lemon-meringue version on a hot summer’s day.