We love a bit of al fresco dining here at Eat Local. Watching the world go by with your favourite bottle of plonk and a delicious plate of food – yes please. The good’ol UK weather plays a big part in limiting our outside dining habits, but when the summer does arrive, there’s nothing better than sharing a long table with friends in the sunshine…

Hip, trendy, cool. Whatever you want to call it, Kings Cross is now a destination place for food & drink. And now terrace dining is soon to be back available at Hicce, we’ll be jumping on a train, ready to chomp on some delicious dishes at this brilliant new modern restaurant.

With some stunning veg, fish and meat dishes on the menu, ready to be washed down with drinks from the extensive menu, absolutely everyone is catered for. While watching the crowds go by, you can tuck into a menu of wood-fired cooking curated by chef Pip Lacey (a finalist in 2017’s Great British Menu)

The mains are divine, but man alive, you can’t leave without trying the desserts. Little tip – you NEED to have the butterscotch, clamansai baked alaska.

Hicce is found @ Unit 102, Stable Street, N1C 4DQ   –  www.hicce.co.uk

Having previously won a “Best Pub In The Country” award, the Red Lion & Sun has not only a great local following, but one from far and wide. A rare privately owned public house, it boasts two beer gardens, wood burning fire, daily changing menu, great wine list and whisky galore.

There hasn’t been much to smile about during lockdown, but if you venture over to their Instagram feed @theredlionandsun, you’re sure to have a chuckle viewing one of the many musical videos on offer. People make a venue and this is certainly the case here.

If you’re ever up in the Highgate area, the Red Lion & Sun pub is well worth a visit. Great food, plenty of booze and friendly staff – a winning combo!

Click here for our favourite takeaways across London

If you’re looking for a bit of food, drink and social time before your cycle through the beautiful Richmond Park, or even need a bike tune-up, the Dynamo is agreat place to stop for some al fresco relaxation.

As you’d expect, the menu includes some deliciously healthy entries, from creamy, sticky ‘100-mile’ porridge packed with mashed banana, date syrup, crunchy seeds and a vanilla hit of cocoa nibs; avo and poached eggs on sourdough toast, lifted with a sprinkling of citrussy dukkah.

If you fancy something a little more indulgent, their pizzas are a real hit with high-quality toppings, including our favourite smoked scamorza and sprigs of gloriously scented fresh oregano alongside courgette and mascarpone.

You’ll find the Dynamo @ 200-204 Putney Bridge Road, SW15 2NA

Tranga is a perfect taste of local mediterrean food right here in the heart of London. The pandemic has pushed the owners Xabi and Madi to enhance their business model, now replicating the casual taperias that we all so love when travelling through Spain.

They serve up some beautifully prepared food – tortillas, paellas, cod with hispi cabbage and Iberian pork, or rare grilled beef with anchovy emulsion are just a few teasers on their well-crafted menu.

You can find Tranga @ 61 Newington Green, N16 9PX

Voted the best outdoor space in South London, the Leather Bottle is a huge, well thought out space to enjoy food & drink in the sun.

Showcasing seasonal menus, whether you’re looking for a light bite or more substantial meal, you’ll be well catered for….and of course, the traditional Sunday roast is available to enjoy alfresco with a nice bottle of plonk.

If you need space for a summer celebration, they can organise summer parties that include everything from delicious BBQ food and a constant flow of drinks to fantastic entertainment and fun garden party activities.

You’ll find the Leather Bottle @ 538 Garratt Ln, Earlsfield, SW17 0NY

This popular, family-run business in the heart of Islington has not only a fantastic outside area, but serves up food to match. Meaning you can enjoy a lazy afternoon or evening of both great food and drink.

The (mostly) European food menu offers dishes such as crab bisque, ox-cheek raviolo with onion broth and croutons, pan-fried duck breast with celeriac fondant, croquettes and Gascon cabbage, and Welsh lamb cutlets with sautéed potato and garlic French beans. Salt and pepper squid with chilli sauce, and pistachio and herb-crusted tuna with courgette and carrot spaghetti, edamame beans and a mirin dressing are also available.

You’ll find Frederick’s @ 106 Camden Passage, The Angel, N1 8EG

If you love a good selfie with mates, there is no better instgarammable London venue than the secret garden @ No.197 Chiswick Fire Station. A white-themed outdoor space, flooded with sunlight, feeling almost Ibiza-like.

This is a great sociable spot to let the cocktails flow and grab a bite to eat. Hard to find a better place to spend a chilled, lazy afternoon.

The menus range from all day brunches, sizzling burgers to a great Sunday roast. The venue holds a coveted 3* with the Sustainable Restaurant Association & include in their sustainable programme, the use of “wonky” vegatables that otherwise get discarded.

You’ll find No.197 Chiswick Fire Station @ 197-199 Chiswick High Rd, Chiswick, W4 2DR

Quirky is a good way to describe the terrace area @ Tanner & Co. Styled like a vintage school gymnasium (complete with ropes and wooden pommel horses), it’s a popular destination for 20 and 30 somethings.

The menus are a modern British delight. Meat and fish boards are great for sharing, and our favourite for washing down the yummy cocktails with is the bacon and black pudding Scotch eggs. Don’t forget to book ahead for the two-hour ‘bottomless brunch.

You’ll find Tanner & co @ 50 Bermondsey St, Bermondsey, SE1 3UD