Five of London’s hottest summer terraces

From La Dolce Vita by the pool at The Berkeley to a secret garden hideaway at The Ritz – here’s where to head to as summer hots up in the city

Executive chef John Williams MBE has devised an appetising alfresco menu for The Ritz London’s Secret Bar – an elegant hideaway adorned with topiary and colourful blooms – including British seafood sharing platters, the Ritz Classic Club and a caviar menu. A collection of premium and limited edition cigars, including 12 varieties of Ritz London Cigars, can also be enjoyed in the garden alongside seasonal cocktails, wines and champagnes. The terrace welcomes guests (minimum spend £19 per person) for coffee, lunch, drinks and dinner and, as dusk draws in, candles are lit, adding an air of magic to the space. The venue opened earlier this month and can be enjoyed (from 11am to 11pm) until mid-September. 150 Piccadilly, St James’s, London W1 (020-7493 8181; theritzlondon.com).

La Dolce Vita at The Berkeley London

In a nod to the epic cinematic moment when Anita Ekberg emerges from Rome’s Trevi fountain, The Berkeley London is bringing a taste of Italy to its rooftop swimming pool and garden – a space usually reserved for hotel guests and members – where from June 1 visitors can cool down from the city heat or soak up the sun. A special Italian menu can be enjoyed offering fritto misto, pizzetta, arancini and tricolore salad, while cocktails – from Bellinis to Aperol Spritz and Negronis – can be sipped among plantings of lemon and olive trees. Two package options have been created for the event: the four-hour La Dolce Vita experience (the rooftop garden and pool, sauna and steam room) including a glass of Aperol Spritz is priced at £75 per person, and the same package can be enjoyed with a La Dolce Vita spa treatment, priced at £195 per person. Bookings must be made in advance. Wilton Place, London SW1 (020-7235 6000; the-berkeley.co.uk).

Nyetimber Secret Garden, Rosewood London

Enjoy the delights of an English country garden in the hub of the city as Rosewood London opens its first sparkling-wine terrace from May 31 to September 29. Expect to be greeted by floral archways guiding guests to a verdant haven residing under a canopy of wisteria – the perfect setting to indulge in Nyetimber's English sparkling wine by the glass or bottle. Chef Calum Franklin from the hotel’s Holborn Dining Room restaurant has created a menu to marry with the wine, and visitors will have the chance to enter into a monthly competition to win prizes, which includes a visit to the Nyetimber Estate or a complimentary stay at the hotel. 252 High Holborn, Holborn, London WC1 (020-7781 8888; rosewoodhotels.com).

The Perrier-Jouët Champagne Terrace at Harrods

Harrods opened this urban oasis in the spring, which will come into its own as summer heats up. The southwest facing terrace is to be a permanent fixture on the fourth floor of the famous department store, serving Perrier-Jouët champagne with a menu featuring the best of Harrods’ Food Hall delicacies (priced from £25 per person): from charcuterie, smoked fish, vegetarian or cheese sharing platters to fried sourdough and marinated tomatoes and roast king tiger prawns with confit garlic, olive oil and lemon. 87-135 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, London SW1 (020-7225 6800; harrods.com).

The B&H Garden Room and Living Bar

For sky-high wining and dining, head to the Bourne & Hollingsworth rooftop bar, restaurant and café, which opened this spring in the heart of the West End. Here, panoramic city views are served with an immersive experience – where guests visiting the recently added pop-up “Living Bar” can hand-pick ingredients and botanicals from the plants furnishing the venue to garnish their own cocktails. The ready-to-pick crop includes lavender, orange blossom, mint, basil, lemon balm and orange thyme, all of which can be used to accompany drinks such as vodka and soda. There is also a selection of signature cocktails, priced from £10. 10th Floor, Above Assembly Hotel, 31 Charing Cross Road, London WC2 (020-3962 7275; bandhgardenroom.com).