A tranquil floral terrace in the heart of London, perfect for long summer lunches and golden hour dinners
If you are searching for the most beautiful alfresco dining experience in London this summer, look no further than The Garden at Corinthia London. Tucked within the hotel’s stunning floral courtyard just off the Embankment, this is one of those rare spots in the city that genuinely stops you in your tracks the moment you arrive. I visited for lunch on a warm summer afternoon and left completely enchanted, mentally planning my return before I had even stepped back out onto Northumberland Avenue. Here is everything you need to know before you book your table.
What Is The Garden at Corinthia London?
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The Garden is an English garden-inspired alfresco dining space set within the inner courtyard of the iconic Corinthia London hotel. It is a concept that feels both simple and inspired: take one of London’s grandest five-star hotels, open up its courtyard to the sky, fill it with cascading blooms, lush greenery and beautifully considered floral décor, and invite guests to dine within it. The result is something that feels genuinely unlike anywhere else in the city.
The space draws on classic English garden aesthetics throughout, from the colour palette of the florals to the unhurried, convivial atmosphere that it encourages. It is the kind of setting where you arrive for a two-hour lunch and look up to find that four hours have passed without you noticing.
What makes The Garden particularly special is its versatility. It works beautifully as a venue for a celebratory summer lunch, a romantic dinner, a long overdue catch-up with close friends or simply a solo treat on a warm afternoon. It is equally well suited to a leisurely weekend meal or a midweek evening out when you want something that feels considered and special without being stuffy or overly formal. The Garden manages to be both elegant and relaxed at the same time, which is no small feat.
The Atmosphere: An Escape in the Heart of the City
From the moment you step into the courtyard, the noise of the city fades away. The Garden has been designed with an English garden sensibility at its heart, and it shows in every detail. Colourful florals frame the terrace on all sides, the greenery is lush and considered, and the overall effect is one of calm, beauty and effortless elegance.
It is the kind of place that is genuinely photograph-worthy from every angle, yet it never feels contrived or overdone. There is a lightness and warmth to the space that makes you want to settle in, slow down and stay a little longer. On a summer evening, as the light softens and the courtyard takes on a golden glow, it is particularly magical.
For anyone looking for alfresco dining in London that goes beyond a pavement table on a busy street, The Garden is in a category of its own.
What We Ate and Drank
Pimm’s Slushies to Start
We began as any good summer afternoon deserves: with Pimm’s slushies in hand. Refreshing, perfectly balanced and entirely in keeping with the garden setting, they set the tone for the meal beautifully. If you visit during the summer months, consider this a non-negotiable.
Starters
For starters, we ordered the Cornish crab salad and the asparagus with slow-cooked egg. Both arrived beautifully presented, and both delivered on what they promised.
The Cornish crab salad was delicate and clean, with the sweetness of the crab coming through clearly and nothing on the plate competing unnecessarily for attention. It is the kind of starter that feels effortless but clearly is not: this sort of restraint and precision takes real skill. It tasted of the sea and of summer in equal measure.
The asparagus with slow-cooked egg was, if anything, even more pleasing. Asparagus is one of those ingredients that, when it is truly in season and treated with care, needs very little intervention. Here it received exactly that treatment. The slow-cooked egg added richness and depth without overwhelming the natural flavour of the asparagus, and the combination was simple, honest and completely satisfying. Both starters felt entirely right for a summer lunch: fresh, light and full of flavour.
Mains
For mains, we chose the native lobster brioche roll and the garden quiche.
I will lead with the lobster brioche roll because it was, for me, the standout dish of the meal. Rich, generous and deeply satisfying, it struck the balance between indulgent and approachable with considerable skill. The lobster itself was sweet and tender, the brioche roll soft and buttery, and the whole thing came together in a way that felt celebratory without being overwrought. It is the sort of dish that you think about on the way home and find yourself describing to people for days afterwards.
The garden quiche, meanwhile, was a quieter pleasure but no less enjoyable. Light and elegantly constructed, it was exactly what you want when dining alfresco on a warm summer’s day: something that feels considered and well made without competing with the occasion itself. It was the kind of dish that makes you appreciate the skill involved in getting something simple exactly right.
Dessert
We rounded off the meal by sharing the rhubarb and vanilla custard, and it was a genuinely lovely way to end. The sharpness of the rhubarb and the gentle sweetness of the vanilla custard worked together beautifully, and the portion was generous enough to share comfortably. It brought the meal to an unhurried, contented close: the kind of dessert that confirms you made the right decision in saving room.
Is The Garden at Corinthia London Worth Visiting?
Absolutely, yes. This is one of the most beautiful dining settings in London, full stop. The food is fresh, seasonal and beautifully executed. The service is warm and attentive. And the atmosphere, whether you visit for a summer lunch or a balmy evening dinner, is genuinely unlike anywhere else in the city.
If you are planning a special occasion, a celebratory meal or simply want to treat yourself to something truly lovely this summer, The Garden should be at the very top of your list.
How to Book
Tables at The Garden fill up quickly during the summer months, so I would strongly recommend booking ahead. Visit the Corinthia London website for reservation details and to check availability.
Do not leave it too long: this one is in high demand for good reason.
Getting There
Address: The Garden, Corinthia London, 10a Northumberland Avenue, London, WC2N 5AE
The hotel is conveniently located near Embankment and Charing Cross stations, making it easily accessible from across the city. It sits right in the heart of central London, close to the South Bank, Trafalgar Square and the West End.
This visit was hosted by Corinthia London. As always, all opinions are my own.
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