Where To Find The Most Romantic Restaurant Views In London

Any self-respecting Londoner has a long list of sights visitors HAVE to see. Hyde Park, The Barbican Centre, St Paul's Cathedral – London is chock-full of places we love. So why do we insist on spending our nights out in basements? We appreciate a dive bar, dingy pub or underground club as much as anyone, but there have to be better things than the walls to stare at while we eat.

Some outings are endlessly improved by a view across our favourite city. Across London there are restaurants and bars offering stellar sights, as well as fine food and expertly mixed drinks.

Click through to see our favourite table-side vistas...

Aqua Shard

"The city that never sleeps" may technically be New York but that doesn't mean London can be caught napping. From Aqua (found inside The Shard, the UK's tallest tower) you're treated to some of the most breathtaking views of the city you can find – and now you can enjoy them for even longer. Now open until 3am, Aqua's cocktail lounge lets you see London light up at night and Friday to Saturday even offers a selection of delicious 'Wind Up' and 'Wind Down' cocktails, guaranteed to get your night going. Whether you want to hit the town or hit the hay, this is the late-night spot to see and be seen.

Aqua Shard
Level 31, The Shard, 31 St. Thomas Street, London SE1 9RY
020 3011 1256

**Skylon**
Inside the Royal Festival Hall, Skylon's full-length windows mean that wherever you're seated you have a wonderful view along the South Bank. Tables here are like gold dust whenever there's a festive fireworks display or a particularly lovely summer sunset, but even on a rainy day Skylon's signature cocktails make it worth a visit. An impressive place for a first date, if you want to make the most of the great offers as well as the great views, pop in before a trip to the BFI to sample their pre-theatre menu.
Skylon
Royal Festival Hall, Belvedere Rd, London SE1 8XX
020 7654 7800
Photo: Courtesy of Skylon

**OXO Tower**
It's hard to imagine that stock cubes could have a huge effect on the London skyline. But in the 1930s, the OXO Tower's art deco facade was an architectural hit, as well as a cold store for beef bouillon. Today it's been refurbished and is home to a brasserie and a high-end restaurant with views across London. Rest your gaze on a sun-soaked city over their rule-bending Not Afternoon Tea, which focuses on cocktails. Alternatively, enjoy a moonlit view of the capital over dinner, which includes a seriously impressive array of vegan and vegetarian dishes.
OXO Tower
8th Floor, Oxo Tower Wharf, Bargehouse St, London SE1 9PH
020 7803 3888
Photo: Via @oxo_tower

**The Towpath Café**
When it comes to views, east London has far more to offer than architecture. Find a seat at this petite local favourite on Regent's Canal and watch the world go by. While you sip fresh coffee, tuck into homemade cakes or order from their ever-changing menu, you'll see bees buzz around their miniature garden, confused Boris bikers trying to avoid falling in the water and east London residents selecting just the right Instagram filter for their selfie. #blessed. All the food here is seasonal and most of the seating is outdoors so, unsurprisingly, Towpath shuts its doors in winter. As soon as spring comes, though, join the stampede heading down the canal to grab a seat (and an expertly made flat white).
The Towpath Café
36 De Beauvoir Crescent, Hackney, London
020 7254 7606
Photo: Via @pretavoyager

**Aviary**
Set among the shiny new skyscrapers of east London, Aviary manages to blend thoroughly modern views, a classic menu and a decidedly vintage air of glamour. Get on your glad rags and head to the very top floor – the terrace is the perfect place to sip a cocktail while the lights of London twinkle around you. If you're in the mood for something more substantial, grab a table by the window and tuck into Aviary's delectable range of dishes. For dinner we recommend their perfectly seared steaks but when you want to soak up the British sunshine (without risking the British rain), it's a great spot for brunch, too.
Aviary
10th Floor Montcalm Royal, London House, 22-25 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1DX
020 3873 4060
Photo: Courtesy of The Aviary

**Osteria**
The Barbican Centre's elegant eatery overlooks the clean, concrete lines of its terraces as well as the classically Gothic tower of St Giles. The view outside is British at it's best but inside, Osteria is Italian all the way. Start your evening the Venetian way by choosing from the list of negronis, bellinis and martinis, with perhaps a little antipasti on the side. This is the perfect pitstop on your way to a screening or as romantic an end to an evening as wandering through the Barbican's ever-changing exhibition spaces. A visit to Osteria is a taste of la dolce vita, the London way.
Osteria
Barbican Centre, Silk St, London EC2Y 8DS
020 7588 3008
Photo: Courtesy of Osteria

**Serpentine Bar & Kitchen**
A wander through Hyde Park has been a favourite of Londoners since the days of Henry VIII, though we're willing to bet he would have enjoyed his walk more if he'd been able to grab a pizza en route. Unluckily for King Henry, he lived over 300 years before the margherita was invented; luckily for us, we have Serpentine Bar & Kitchen. Sitting right on the shore of the Serpentine, you can tuck into pizzas from their wood-fired oven as well as British classics and seasonal treats at the centre of one of London's greenest parks. Wind down on their terrace in the summer or warm up inside on colder days, and admire one of the most tranquil views in the city.
Serpentine Bar & Kitchen
Hyde Park, London, W2 2UH
020 7706 8114
Photo: Via @anamoraales

Dandelyan

Created by cocktail king Mr Lyan and stockpiling awards like Meryl Streep, Dandelyan has a lot going for it beside the views. But what views! Housed in the über-fashionable Mondrian hotel, you can take a seat on a super-chic pink banquette and look straight out onto the river. This is certainly a place to see, be seen and drink a damn good cocktail. A little pricey maybe, but perfect for a special occasion when only a perfectly mixed drink and a great view will do.

Dandelyan
Mondrian at Sea Containers, 20 Upper Ground, London SE1 9PD
020 3747 1063