London's best restaurants to hire for your summer party

Searching for a summer party venue with great food and drink? We’ve rounded up the best restaurants in London for summer parties, so you can celebrate the sunshine with great cocktails, barbecue menus, and fantastic views of the capital.

Updated on 19 February 2025

Move over Christmas - when the sun is shining, it's all about basking in the glory of the London summer for a great summer party. And although we may be partial to a good garden party, summer parties in restaurants really tick all the boxes; when it’s hot out, and there’s likely to be alcohol involved, good food is essential. Sunshine-soaked Mediterranean plates, refreshing seasonal tomato salads, and food from distant shores - the best summer party restaurants in London have all this nailed down, and more.

Many of London’s best restaurants for summer party hire on this list also offer alfresco dining, green terrace areas, and secluded patios to enjoy cocktails and small bites before the main event. Other London restaurants suited to summer parties might even boast riverside seating. That being said, given the unpredictable nature of the Great British weather you’ll also find many of the best restaurant venues for summer parties come with plenty of indoor space, or even retractable roofing and outside heaters, so you can mill around and celebrate even if the skies refuse to play ball.

Of course, it’s important to think about the style of your event when thinking about hosting a summer party in a restaurant. From relaxed eateries suited to casual summer dinner parties, to larger and more sophisticated corporate summer party location, we’ve tried to include every category in our round up of the best London restaurants for summer festivities. Several of them can even offer packages and deals that include cocktails like summery spritzes, sharing platters, experiences, and entertainment.

Whether you’re trawling through large summer party venues, or more keen on exploring London’s garden venues for hire, there’s a lot to consider. To avoid having to scroll through the thousands of restaurant summer party venues in London, we’ve done the leg work. Can’t decide? Why not make use of our free concierge service for expert advice?

SUSHISAMBA Covent Garden

SUSHISAMBA Covent Garden

35 The Market Building,, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 8RF

Like its sister restaurant, SUSHISAMBA Covent Garden is decorated beautifully. From the abundance of green foliage and large sweeping windows, there’s little not to like about this one. Plus, armed with experience with staging, floristry, samba entertainment and musicians, the events team here are true experts.

Max Standing 500
Max Banquet 140
OXO Tower

OXO Tower

OXO Tower Wharf, South Bank, London, SE1 9PH

Views over the glistening Thames, sunset cocktails, and a menu that evolves with the seasons. These are just a few things that make summer parties at OXO Tower stand out, the other is that it also happens to be one of the most impressive dining rooms complete with an alfresco terrace.

Max Standing 750
Max Banquet 160
The Broadcaster

The Broadcaster

89 Wood Lane, White City, London, W12 7FX

Although best known as a lively gastropub, The Broadcaster has a secret summer party space. Set on the second floor, The Playroom offers up incredible views, a private bar and a terrace with space for up to 120 guests for drinks receptions and 65 for seated dinners.

Max Standing 700
Max Banquet 150
Los Mochis London City

Los Mochis London City

9th Floor, City of London, London, EC2M 2AT

Los Mochis has built a name for itself thanks to its fantastic Mexican-Japanese menu. But in addition to a fantastic sushi bar, great cocktails, and clever design, it also boasts an exceptional rooftop terrace for summer parties in full view of St Pauls and other London landmarks.

Max Meeting 450
Max Standing 665
Max Banquet 450
SUSHISAMBA Heron Tower

SUSHISAMBA Heron Tower

110 Bishopsgate, City of London, London, EC2N 4AY

Set on the 38th and 39th floors of the Salesforce Tower, SUSHISAMBA Heron Tower speaks for itself. Apart from brilliant Japanese-South American fusion menus, this enormous restaurant offers several areas for private hire, stretching from the alfresco East Terrace to the atmospheric SAMBA ROOM lounge.

Max Theatre 200
Max Standing 400
Max Banquet 110
Albert

Albert's Schloss London

20-24 Shaftesbury Avenue, Leicester Square, London, W1D 7EU

If there’s any restaurant in London with all the tools for a fantastic summer party, it’s Albert’s Schloss. A lively restaurant with brilliant Alpine dishes, by night the space transforms into a buzzing party venue. We’re talking live entertainment, various spaces to choose from, and great drinks.

Max Banquet 120
The Conduit

The Conduit

6 Langley Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2H 9JA

Found on the rooftop of The Conduit, Rucola is a little-known restaurant that doubles as a fantastic summer venue. Along with remarkable sustainably sourced Italian plates, guests can expect great views of the city, retractable terrace covering, fairy lights, and Mediterranean styling.

Max Meeting 100
Max Theatre 150
Max Standing 180
Max Banquet 120
The Skinny Kitchen

The Skinny Kitchen

52 Upper Street, Islington, London, N1 0QH

A failsafe option thanks to its fun atmosphere and Ibiza-esque design, summer parties at The Skinny Kitchen is a vibrant haven. The food is just as compelling, focusing on vibrant nutritious plates with a cocktail list to match. This, plus the dreamy terrace area has captured our attention.

Max Standing 200
Max Banquet 130
Stem+Stem

Stem+Stem

12 Bow Lane, City of London, London, EC4M 9AL

Known for great food, wine, and flowers, Stem+Stem prides itself on crafting bespoke summer party experiences. Whether you’re keen to build in a flower arranging session, sit down to experience great modern British cuisine, or sample great quality wines, you’ll be in great hands.

The Coach Clerkenwell

The Coach Clerkenwell

26-28 Ray Street, Clerkenwell, London, EC1R 3DJ

When summer rolls around, there’s nothing better than a pub garden - especially if that pub garden is at The Coach. This one’s great for those looking for a light and airy feel with an elegant but comforting French and British menu and a secluded terrace courtyard.

Max Meeting 40
Max Theatre 100
Max Standing 200
Max Banquet 100
Hawksmoor Bar Wood Wharf

Hawksmoor Bar Wood Wharf

Hawksmoor Bar, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5GX

Complete with a heated waterside terrace, dramatic views, comfortable seating and top-tier drinks, Hawksmoor Wood Wharf is as idyllic as it gets. Throw some fantastic menus and a lively atmosphere into the mix, and this is a restaurant that ticks all the summer party boxes.

Vicinity

Vicinity

St. Katharine's Way, Tower Hill, London, E1W 1LD

Vicinity is the kind of place that feels made for summer parties. Blessed with astounding views of Tower Bridge, great value food and cocktails, and an outdoor area with several fire pits, it’s one of the most remarkable restaurant summer party venues.

Max Standing 350
Max Banquet 120
Alfi

Alfi

3 Crispin Place, Spitalfields, London, E1 6DW

One of the best restaurant terraces in East London, Alfi’s offers a sheltered area with a minimalist beachy design, great drinks packages, and tasty Italian treats. Set in Spitalfields, this restaurant venue is incredibly well-connected and comes in at a pleasing price point.

Max Meeting 200
Max Standing 250
Max Banquet 200
Prince Arthur

Prince Arthur

11 Pimlico Road, Belgravia, London, SW1W 8NA

One of the most stylish and inviting pubs in the area, Prince Arthur offers some of the best Basque-inspired cooking around. Ideal if you’re searching for a splash of summer, menus here champion fire cooking, fresh seafood, and top-tier Iberian ingredients.

Max Standing 100
Max Banquet 70
Megan

Megan's Clapham Old Town

55-57 The Pavement, Clapham, London, SW4 0JQ

A Mediterranean haven, Megan’s restaurants have taken London by storm. This one, just minutes from Clapham Common, is one of the finest. Thanks to its accessible location, vibrant dishes, and relaxed holiday-like decor, summer parties at Megan’s are a natural choice.

Max Standing 399
Max Banquet 200

When it decides to arrive, the British summer can be phenomenal. It’s something we should make the most of, and we’re firmly of the view that there’s no better way to do so than celebrating at some of the best rooftop venues London has to offer.

Alternatively, if you’re keen on something more low-key and intimate, you’ll find a fine selection of outdoor private dining rooms in London with gorgeous terraces.

Join SquareMeal Rewards

Collect points, worth at least £1, every time you book online and dine at a participating restaurant.

Start Collecting Points

Already a member? Sign in