Aviary Rooftop Restaurant and Bar

The first rooftop bar from ETM (who run The Jugged Hare, among others) roosts atop the Royal London House Hotel, joining the group's Burdock on the ground floor. This tenth-floor space combines city slick and 1920s glamour, the glittering chandeliers and royal blue chairs juxtaposed with a large convex window overlooking a stunning terrace. The suited and booted crowd chow down on an eclectic menu which, despite stretching to cover as many bases as possible, delivers. Our roast chicken main was a golden, succulent triumph and we loved the After Eight Arctic roll: mint ice cream wrapped in rich sponge with a hard chocolate shell, topped with chocolate soil and vanilla ice cream. The only misstep was yellowfin tuna sashimi, so pre-loaded with wasabi that it threatened to blow heads off. At the sizeable island bar you’ll find the likes of vodka-based Sour Cherry Bombs, while we recommend an absinthe-rinsed Tequila-and-beetroot blast called Jeff Goes South. Prices are fair for the area and the view from the roof terrace is really something. 

Perched high above the city on Finsbury Square, Aviary Rooftop Bar & Restaurant provides delicious food and breathtaking London skyline views. Whether you’re popping in for a light lunch, family dinner, or want to enjoy some signature cocktails at the bar, the team has got you covered.

The birdsong brunch is a great way to start off the weekend, with free flowing packages that include Mimosas, Baroko Coffee Martinis, Manilla Storms, beers, wines, Champagne and more. You can add on a seafood sharer for two with ceviche shots, trout blinis and Jersey rock oysters, followed by your pick of small plates. There's a creamy burrata with chicory, sun dried tomatoes, toasted almonds and white balsamic dressing, roast sweet potato with black olive and pomegranate molasses dressing, and tuna ceviche with daikon, pickled ginger and blood orange.

The brunch mains include a Chapel & Swan smoked salmon bagel with chive scrambled egg and truffle cream cheese, creamy pulled wild mushroom on toast with whipped stracciatella, and smashed avocado with coconut yoghurt. You'll also find the eggs Benedict and full monty cruffins. Last but not least, it's time for something sweet. Try the blackberry French toast with toasted almonds, candied banana and vanilla cream, an Eton mess cruffin with berry compote, popcorn, chantilly and meringue, or the carrot cake doughnut with cream cheese.

The a la carte menu includes classic starters like a Grassroots Farm steak tartare, Shetland mussels and roast sweet potato with pine nuts, pearl barley and pomegranate molasses. Main dishes range from the indulgent, glazed Welsh rack of lamb to a pan fried red mullet linguine and confit garlic risotto with broad beans, basil and parmesan.