With hospitality businesses and operators in England set to welcome back diners from next week – albeit only outdoors at this stage – we’ve taken a look at how some of London’s hotels are adapting their culinary offering for outdoor dining.
While hotels are not permitted to reopen indoor dining venues until May 17, many of London’s luxury hotels are making the most of their outdoor space by expanding onto pavements, terraces and rooftops and have even decked out their outdoor dining spaces – taking into account the unpredictability of British weather – with stylish yet robust all-weather additions.
From geodesic domes and greenhouses to heaters and weather-proof furniture, hotels are going all out celebrate the gradual lifting of lockdown restrictions in England and marking the latest stage in the outdoor dining renaissance.
As for the food and drink on offer, every taste has been catered for, from seaside-inspired suppers in Knightsbridge courtesy of the Berkeley Beach Huts to culinary pop-ups on the Dorchester’s new rooftop terrace and courtyard garden tipples at JW Marriott Grosvenor House, hoteliers have risen to the challenge of outdoor dining with gusto, showcasing seasonal menus and inspiring restaurant and bar designs.
The Dorchester
Launching on 12 April, The Dorchester Rooftop will showcase a series of culinary pop-ups overseen by Executive Chef Mario Perera and will feature the hotel’s team of acclaimed chefs, celebrating British, French and Mediterranean cuisine. The opening up of outdoor dining will also see the return of The Dorchester Garden & Terrace and its garden globes, The Spring Garden, as well as CUT Out, 45 Park Lane’s al fresco terrace.
The Berkeley
Following the success of 'The Garden' outdoor offering at The Berkeley last summer, the hotel’s culinary terrace will return, this time inspired by Britain’s most iconic seafronts. The Berkeley Beach Huts will feature rainbow coloured beach huts, alongside countertop and terrace dining and will put seafood front and centre. The menu will include crab on sourdough, baked scallops and grilled langoustine, as well as platters of dressed crab, lobster, king prawns, mussels and clams.
The Bloomsbury Hotel
One of London’s best-known floral-inspired restaurants, Dalloway Terrace is set to launch an alternative outdoor offering in the form of The Coral Garden. The new private garden experience will allow guests to experience al fresco menus in a self-contained space, which will evoke a sense of the British summertime and thanks to the gazebo and heaters, will be available come rain or shine. Part of the Bloomsbury Hotel, The Coral Garden will offer a plethora of dining options from afternoon tea to five-course meals and tableside cocktail making.
Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill
In association with the hotel’s signature restaurant, The Montagu Kitchen, this April will see Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill launch The Montagu Summer Terrace. Taking on a nautical theme, the space has been transformed into a harbour-like hideaway with a blue and white colour scheme, wooden decking and soft furnishings. Crafted by Executive Chef Roger Olsson and The Montagu Kitchen Head Chef Carlo Martino, menus will include Iced Whitstable Oysters, Lobster & Fries, Cornish Crab Choux and Squid Ink Linguine, complemented by champagne, sparkling wines and bespoke cocktails.
Corinthia London
The team behind Kerridge’s Bar & Grill is set to open an outdoor pop-up restaurant – Kerridge’s Garden Grill – from 12 April-16 May. The new pop-up space surrounds the glass dome atop Corinthia London’s Baccarat chandelier and will be transformed into a garden oasis. Head Chef Nick Beardshaw will be cooking seasonal dishes from an open grill with options including grilled whole lobster with herb butter, sirloin steak and beef burger with ogleshield cheese and pulled pork.
JW Marriott Grosvenor House
This spring, W Marriott Grosvenor House London will turn its forecourt into a British courtyard garden in partnership with Gusbourne English Sparkling Wine. Located in the heart of Mayfair, the Forecourt will be decked out for outside dining and adorned with a lawn and fresh flower boxes, and will feature a seasonal menu combining classics from JW Steakhouse and Park Room restaurants, including Creekstone steak, seafood platters, salads, light pasta and flatbreads to share.
The Langham, London
The Wigmore Summer Terrace & Garden will take its first orders for the year in the great outdoors on 12 April. The Langham’s modern British tavern, The Wigmore, has transformed its courtyard into a summer oasis featuring a new pergola adorned with climbing plants and greenery and wooden benches lit by fairy lights. The outdoor bar area will serve refreshing beverages and much-loved culinary classics overseen by Michel Roux Jr.
London Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square
In partnership with Gordon Ramsay Restaurants, London Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square will soon introduce a new outdoor terrace for summer. The Terrace is an al fresco dining extension of Lucky Cat and Gordon Ramsay Bar & Grill. With combined modern Asian cuisine and New York inspired classics, diners can enjoy an extensive menu featuring small plates and favourites including freshly shucked oysters, rare breed steaks, rigatoni with wild garlic pesto and signature bao buns.
The Stafford London
Throughout spring and summer, The Stafford is celebrating outdoor cooking with its Courtyard Fire barbecue series. From April, Culinary Director Ben Tish and Executive Chef Jozef Rogulski will be joined by a roster of renowned chefs to cook a collaborative menu from the outdoor grilling area in The Courtyard at the American Bar. Kicking off the series will be Matt Brown, Group Executive Chef from Hawksmoor on 24 April, followed by chef and author Genevieve Taylor and founder of Singaporean kopitiam Mei Mei London, chef Elizabeth Haigh.
