When the sun is shining London goes searching for beer gardens and outside spaces - and here's where to find the best in Chelsea around King's Road and Imperial Wharf...
Lead image: The Ivy Chelsea Garden
1 Dinings SW3, Lennox Garden Mews
Technically in Knightsbridge, but close enough to Chelsea, Dinings SW3 is an izakaya-style sushi bar that comes with buckets of refined elegance. The venue has a hidden garden filled with greenery, offering diners the chance to sample a cocktail or two along with a superb selection of small plates under the sun.
Address: Lennox Gardens Mews, SW3 2JH
Website: diningssw3.co.uk
2 The Rose, Harwood Terrace
On the boarder of Chelsea and Fulham, The Rose is a charming back street pub with a garden out back full of nooks and crannies to hide away in as more communal spaces. During summer, the team put on a cracking BBQ, grilling up summer time faves like burgers to more decadent treats - barbequed lobster anyone?
Address: 1 Harwood Terrace, Fulham, SW6 2AF
Website: therosefulham.co.uk
3 La Famiglia, Langton Street
Bring a little bit of that Italian warmth and Tuscan sun into your day at La Famiglia, a neighbourhood fave and Tuscan restaurant. The family business plates up unfussy traditional dishes in which fresh ingredients sing, which can be taken in the charming little courtyard out the back on a balmy evening.
Address: 7 Langton Street SW10 0JL
Website: lafamiglia.co.uk
4 Manicomio Chelsea, Duke of York Square
Serving up Italian classics and favourites, Manicomio is a chic affair with terrace seating shrouded in greenery and flora. Tuck into the likes of pork cheek carbonara or tiger prawn fettuccine while watching all the on-goings of the square - cocktail in hand of course.
Address: 83-85 Duke of York Square SW34LY
Website: chelsea.manicomio.co.uk
5 Vardo, Duke of York Square
Part of the Caravan coffee roasters group, Vardo is a casual all day dining place, serving up modern, antipodean-style plates such as grain and rice bowls, chargrilled veg drizzled in punchy rubs and sauces and dressings. housed in a pretty snazzy building, there's a roof terrace to have a wander about on, and the restaurant is enclosed in a glass facade, which lowers down to create open air seating. Delightful.
Address: 9 Duke Of York Square SW3 4LY
Website: vardorestaurant.co.uk
6 The Ivy Chelsea Garden, King's Road
Unabashed in its glitz, alfresco eating and drinking is taken up a notch at The Ivy Chelsea Garden. The garden is adorned with ornate pots, wisteria, climbing ivy and garden sculptures, and a gorgeous fountain sits in the middle of the space which has plenty of secret nooks and comfy cushions where you can recline in comfort in the pretty surroundings. An all-day menu serves up crowd-pleasing favourites for any time of the day.
Address: 197 King’s Road SW3 5ED
Website: theivychelseagarden.com
7 The Phene, Phene Street
Dating back to 1853, The Phene has a classy interior, which is matched by its beautiful outdoor garden where you can drink and relax all year round. The serene atmosphere is completed by a natural colour scheme, an array of lounge sofas gathered around tables, and a trellis arch with flourishing greenery. Another reason to come is for the quality seasonal dishes - the Phene’s signature lobster and chips is a must.
Address: 9 Phene Street, Chelsea SW3 5NY
Website: thephene.com
8 Bluebird, Kings' Road
Always popular with Chelsea denizens and tourists, Bluebird continues to up its game year-on-year with increasingly impressive terrace makeovers, takeovers and pop-ups. It’s an excellent choice for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, cocktails and people watching. Inside, there’s a bar, lounge and restaurant serving a modern European menu.
Address: 350 King’s Road, Chelsea SW3 5UU
Website: bluebird-restaurant.co.uk
9 Stanley’s, Sydney Street
A tranquil oasis, tucked between two beautiful Victorian buildings near the King’s Road, Stanley's has a large outside courtyard and bar. The first restaurant from Hugh Stanley, the venue has an orangery style dining area and private dining room. Enter through a floral archway flanked by olive trees and tiered shrub planting into a courtyard area inspired by a traditional English country garden, with water features, rattan furniture and botanical print fabric. Open for lunch, dinner, late night drinks and Sunday brunch.
Address: 151 Sydney Street, Chelsea SW3 6NT
Website: stanleyschelsea.co.uk
10 The Anglesea Arms, Selwood Terrace
This is a charming, traditional pub with an easy-going feel –there's as good reason for why it is extremely popular. The Arms’ historical connections are another great pull – Charles Dickens and DH Lawrence reputedly frequented many evenings here. Come on a warm evening and you’ll find the garden packed with South Kensington locals and young professionals, making it a fantastic choice for post-work drinks.
Address: 15 Selwood Terrace, South Kensington SW7 3QG
Website: angleseaarms.com
11 The Lost Hours, King's Road
On the site of the old Jam Tree, the pub has long been known for its brilliant beer garden. The huge sunken garden is bathed in sunlight and sports a large, outdoor bar to save you a trip indoors to top top up your tipple. The à la carte menu is available throughout the day and, come the colder months, the garden is covered and heated.
Address: 541 King's Road, Chelsea SW6 2EB
Website: thelosthourssw6.com
12 The Waterside Bar & Kitchen, The Boulevard
Only a stone’s throw from Chelsea Harbour is The Waterside Inn, a great outdoor setting furnished with comfy rattan sofas and bright-coloured cushions that overlooks the river Thames. The pub is part of the Young’s family so the food and drink choices are fairly reliable. There is a modern British menu, plus a good range of stone baked pizzas on offer – it makes a great choice for a leisurely Sunday afternoon catch-up with friends.
Address: The Boulevard, Imperial Wharf SW6 2SU
Website: watersidelondon.com
13 Jolie, King's Road
Jolie Jardin, the brain child of immersive hospitality group, Lollipop, is a 40-cover outdoor garden restaurant and bar sitting adjacent to Chelsea Funhouse, Lollipop’s flagship King’s Road venue. Run in affiliation with French champagne brand Piper Heidsieck, the alfresco venue serves up plates inspired by different regions of France. A bottomless brunch is available Thursday to Sunday, and see if you can get your bubbles served straight from the venue’s infamous champagne-spitting unicorn.
Address: 459 King’s Road, Chelsea SW10 0LR
Website: joliechelsea.com
14 Polpo, Duke of York Square
Duke of York Square is a lovely spot for alfresco terrace dining, with a number of restaurants with terraces to choose from. Our favourite has to be Polpo. On a sunny day you can conjure up the romance of Venice under a crisp white parasol while sampling Polpo’s authentic Venetian cuisine and sipping on a nicely chilled Soave.
Address: 81 Duke of York Square, Chelsea SW3 4LY
Website: polpo.co.uk
Read More:
The Best Cocktail Bars in Kensington & Chelsea
West London's Best Rooftop Bars & Terraces
The Best Brunch Spots in South West London
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