The best park cafes in London

Eating in green spaces doesn't have to involve lugging around a picnic. Here are London's best park cafes, where you can stop for a bite to eat -and even a swim in some cases
31 October 2019

Central

Lido Cafe, Hyde Park

Overlooking the glimmering Serpentine and next to the Diana Memorial Fountain is the Lido Cafe. With plenty of outdoor seating and views across Hyde Park, this is a great stop-off during weekend strolls or refuelling after a dip in the lido.

Find it: South side of the Serpentine, Hyde Park, W2 2UH, royalparks.org.uk

Serpentine Bar & Kitchen, Hyde Park

Diagonally over the water from the Lido Cafe is another rural retreat, designed by Patrick Gwynnie. Take your lover for a spin on the lake and then collapse in the deckchairs at the water's edge with an ice cream, or the cafe's very tasty pizzas, which are cooked in a wood-fired oven.

Find it: Serpentine Rd, Hyde Park, W2 2UH, serpentinebarandkitchen.com

Until the sun goes down: Inn the Park is perfect for a post-work drink

Inn the Park, St James's Park

A real breath of fresh air in London, this Peyton & Byrne restaurant occupies a very prestigious location in the middle of St James's Park, on the waterfront. A handsome, curved wooden building with a sweeping terrace, this is the ideal place for pretending you're in the countryside for Sunday lunch or for a post-work drink on a balmy summer night.

Find it: St James's Park, SW1A 2BJ, innthepark.com

North

Regent's Park cafes

As well as being home to a boating lake, an open air theatre and London Zoo, this royal park also boasts three cafes. Those taking a turn around the manicured gardens of the park's Inner Circle should stop for tea at the Garden Cafe; for waterside dining, opt for the family-friendly Boathouse Cafe for flatbread pizzas and ice cream; or try the Hub Cafe for 360 degree views of the heart of the parkland.

Find it: Regent's Park, NW1 4NU, companyofcooks.com

Parliament Hill Cafe, Hampstead Heath

Just by the tennis courts and bowling green on Parliament Hill lies this stalwart of the Heath. Unchanged for decades, this cafeteria has been run since the 1980s by Alberto D'Auria and offers fresh, simple Italian-style cooking. Don't expect any glamour here.

Find it: Off Highgate Rd, NW5 1QR

The Brew House, Hampstead Heath

This cafe is housed in the old service wing of grand Hampstead Heath mansion Kenwood House, which you might recognise from the film Notting Hill. Always packed on a weekend, The Brew House has a lovely south-facing walled garden for breakfasting, lunching or taking tea during a turn around the Heath.

Find it: Kenwood House, Hampstead Lane, NW3 7JR, companyofcooks/kenwood

Pavilion Cafe, Highgate Woods

An old cricket pavilion nestled in the ancient forest of Highgate, this cafe may be a slice of an English country village but don't expect tranquility — it's a favourite for families and noisy toddlers. Expect standard cafe dishes such as burgers and soups, served on the wisteria-clad terrace.

Find it: Muswell Hill Road, N10 3JN


South

Cafe on the Rye, Peckham Rye Common

Peckham Rye Common comprises over a hundred acres of pure green oasis in south London, with streams, woodland, wild meadows, a lake — and a lovely cafe near the entrance. Get there early in the morning for an alfresco breakfast: we'd go for the Rye Fry: homemade bubble & squeak, dry cured bacon, Cumberland sausage, fried vine tomato, fried mushrooms, free range fried egg, baked beans, toast with butter and apple or orange juice.

Find it: Strakers Rd, SE15 3UA, cafeontherye.co.uk

Lido Cafe, Brockwell

Tucked inside Brockwell Park in Herne Hill, the Lido Cafe, Bar and Restaurant serves your all-day needs from its Prosecco breakfast to the £10 burger plus wine/beer deal on Wednesday nights. Precede your meal with a dip in the large swimming pool to feel super virtuous.

Find it: Brockwell Lido, Dulwich Rd, SE24 0PA, thelidocafe.co.uk

Pavilion Cafe, Dulwich Park

Packed even on week days with Dulwich yummy mummies, the Pavilion Cafe and its sprawling picnic tables are slap bang in the middle of Dulwich Park. Ideal for refuelling before a game of ping-pong, a cycle or even horse riding, the cafe offers doorstep sandwiches, Monmouth coffee and even homemade slushies for the kids on summer days.

Find it: Dulwich Park, SE21 7BQ, pavilioncafedulwich.co.uk

East

Pavilion Cafe, Victoria Park

The Pavilion Cafe is one of our favourites in London, with its masses of simple wooden tables set right on the edge of Victoria Park's lake. The guys here, who also own Elliot's Cafe in Borough, do really delicious breakfast and lunches. After a cycle round the park, stop here for smoked salmon and scrambled eggs with a cup of homemade lemonade for refreshment.

Find it: Crown Gate West, Victoria Park, E9 7DE, the-pavilion-cafe.co.uk

The House, Clissold Park

The recently refurbished House is a handsome Georgian pile set on a lake that might leave you thinking you're picnicking in a Jane Austen novel. There's a good selection of cafe-style food such as soups and tarts as well as cheaper option for the kids like macaroni cheese. On sunny afternoons join the scrum for a table on the south-facing terrace.

Find it: Clissold Park, N16 5HJ, companyofcooks.com

Springfield Park Cafe

One of London's best-kept secrets is Springfield Park: 40 acres of manicured garden in Upper Clapton that runs up the River Lea, north-west of the Olympic Park. Within it lies hidden treasure the Grade II White Lodge Mansion and its cafe. Expect a delicious healthy menu of meze platters and the like, free wifi and exhibitions from local artists.

Find it: Springfield (off Upper Clapton Road), E5 9EF, springfieldparkcafe.co.uk

West

Petersham Nurseries Cafe, Richmond Park

In the idyllic nursery of Petersham House, which sits on the north-west corner of Richmond Park, you'll find the Petersham Nurseries Cafe. Put on the map by former Michelin-starred chef Sky Gyngell, this lunchtime restaurants continues to thrive with its produce-led, seasonal menu. Antique tables and endless flowers characterise both the Cafe and the Teahouse, which has an Italian-inspired menu and homemade cakes.

Find it: Petersham Rd, Surrey, TW10 7AG, petershamnurseries.com

Chiswick House Cafe

In the shadow of Lord Burlington's 18th Century Palladian Villa is the Caruso St John-designed cafe — all white box shapes and swathes of slick glass. Settle on one of the hot pink tables and chairs outside and tuck into the very reasonable menu of soups, stews and sandwiches, as you admire the views of Chiswick House's rolling grounds.

Find it: Chiswick House & Gardens, Burlington Lane, W4 2QN, chiswickhousecafe.com

Fulham Palace Cafe

This west London palace sits in the middle of a sweep of glorious green that follows the river along from Putney Bridge. Visit this Georgian jewel's grand Drawing Room Cafe with its tables and deckchairs spreading out over the lawn — you'll half expect to see a game of croquet being played. Food-wise it's simple cafe grub: pastries, artisan sandwiches, cakes and buns.

Find it: Bishop's Avenue, SW6 6EA, fulhampalace.org

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