Five bars and restaurants for eating and drinking outside in London this winter. Just because it's cold, it doesn't mean we don't want to enjoy a beverage or a bite to eat al fresco style. Luckily, some London venues are well prepared for a turn in the weather: whether you're looking for heaters or hot water bottles, rooftops or riversides, cosy or cool, our wonderful London plays host to a multitude of bars and restaurants that don't care about the weather.

Babylon at Kensington Roof Gardens (pictured above) - Sofas, blankets, heaters, hot water bottles and a giant cow help this classic bar and restaurant in west London segue perfectly into winter. New to the menu this autumn too is a selection of decadent baked cheeses, packed with an assortment of delights like fruity figs and crunchy croutons, and served alongside rustic chunks of bread. Once you nab a sofa seat on the winter roof terrace, you'll never want to move.

Queen of Hoxton, Shoreditch - Renowned for its quirkiness, the Queen of Hoxton bar and club has installed an actual wigwam on its roof for winter. A wigwam, people! And this year the rooftop is getting all Scandinavian, with deer hide seating, candlelit lanterns, wall hangings and a flaming open grill so you can warm your belly as well as your toes. Venture outside the tent to the great outdoors of the rooftop for a cracking view over east London while toasting marshmallows over a fire pit.

Le Pont de la Tour, Shad Thames - The French know how to do things in style, so there are toasty heaters and snug blankets on Le Pont de la Tour restaurant winter terrace this year. Perched beside the river Thames, with views across to Tower Bridge, the restaurant serves up tasty French delicacies from cassoulets to crème brulees: a place for winter romance, that is for sure.

Vibe bar, Brick Lane - A stalwart of drinking in east London; the Vibe Bar might not be fancy, it might not be exclusive, but there is something very enticing about this place. It is busy and buzzy, so you might be able to snag a outside seat but you'll probably share a bench and make new friends in the process. It's anything goes here, where the Red Stripe is free flowing and the nearby food wagons mean tasty grub is never far away.

El Cantara, Soho - Finding outdoor space in Soho without spilling out into the street – where getting hit by a cyclist or taxi is highly likely – is no mean feat, especially in winter. El Cantara's terrace could be the answer. Moorish tapas is the standard fare here, and you can wile away an evening contentedly in a sweet smoky smog of Shisha, supping cocktails all the while.

Do you have any winter alfresco suggestions to share with our readers? Use the Facebook comments box below to pass on your outdoorsy ideas.

Recent Alfresco, Rooftops and Riverside Articles

• 8 Great London Restaurants, Bars & Cafes Next To Water (29 Jul 15)
• 5 Winter Alfresco Bars & Restaurants in London (12 Nov 13)
• 6 Hidden Riverbank Alfresco Terraces In London (17 Jun 13)
• Where To Celebrate National BBQ Week (28 May 12)
• Picnics & Parks: What Summer In London Was Made For (25 May 12)

News & Features Index