The best winter terraces in London for outdoor drinking and dining

Situated inside the imposing St Pancras Renaissance hotel, this historic dining room is branching out this winter with an alfreso terrace. Covered and heated, the cocktails will come courtesy of Rémy Martin cognac and the food will be of the ultra-comforting variety. Think steak tartare with french fries and aioli, a cheeseburger au poivre or croque monsieur. The restaurants stunning snacks will be available too; grilled octopus gilda and Comté gougères with pickled walnut are our faves. 

Seabird, the 14th floor rooftop bar at the Hoxton hotel in Southwark is lovely in the summer, but spectacular in winter. From November 9 and for the chilly months ahead it'll transform into the 1970s-inspired Snowbird, with Slim Aarons winter photography prints on the walls and Grey Goose Vodka cocktails – including the Arctic Espresso (mini espresso martinis servived from a shot glass made of ice) – on tap. Snacks are equally retro – think baked oysters with chorizo and lemon, smoked haddock omelette and baked lobster and crab pumpkin pie topped with caviar.

This winter the Queen of Hoxton’s rooftop space is going big, with a gothic Venice makeover. Drinks will keep you warm up there on one of the funnest terraces in Shoreditch, with lashings of hot buttered rum the ideal bevvy for a chill night. There's also a heated wigwam, an Venetian-inspired menu (hello, arancini balls) and all manner of Italian medieval energy knocking around the place. 

One of Time Out's fave restaurants whatever the time of year, Dalston's al fresco Acme Fire Cult comes into its own in the winter – what better time to be warmed up by the prospect of some live fire cooking? The veg-focussed BBQ joint brings in sheepskin rugs and blankets to keep you snug, and the menu bristles with seasonal delights, such as delica pumpkin with salsa macha and figs or celeriac with mushroom-kelp XO and coco bean miso. There's also festive St John eccles cake stout to get your mitts on, from next door's 40FT Brewery.

Sky Garden's three storeys of lush landscaping come over all festive at this time of year, with the rather magical Sky Pod Bar. 35 floors up, the Moët & Chandon-sponsored pop-up will also boast live music from late November, as well as a host of different Champagne cocktails and some real winter wonderland energy. 

Shrouded in rich green foliage, this charming outdoor terrace in the middle of Mayfair is straight out of a Dickens novel (think more ‘A Christmas Carol’ than ‘Oliver Twist’). Escape the frosty winter weather in front of a stone fireplace whilst spoilt of choice with a seasonal cocktail menu, that features such hits as the Spice Kentish Smash and a Bordeaux Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur. There’s food too, and this idyllic destination offers up their famed Knickerbocker Glory and Mulled Spice Syrup Consomme. Ready to flee the cold London evenings? Dovetale is the snug seasonal sanctuary you’re looking for.

Get down under the railway arches of Peckham Rye station and you'll discover one of the biggest all-weather terraces in the area. There'll be all manner of kitchen takeovers and supper clubs in Peckham Arches this winter, as well as live music. Seek out Skylarking too, a tucked-away cocktail bar which'll be getting into the seasonal spirit with fairy lights and wood-fired pizzas.

This isn't just any rooftop bar with panoramic views of London's skyline – this a rooftop bar with panoramic views of London's skyline and an ice rink. Skate on high, or get cosy inside an igloo or your own personal alpine huts which come with an alpine themed street food menu (aka lots of melted cheese) and hot winter warmer cocktails.

The outlook is frosty with a chance of champers at Dalloway Terrace (yes, named after the Virginia Woolf character). The outdoor dining fixture at the Bloomsbury Hotel changes its look with the seasons – it’s just that chic. This year, it’s partnered with Perrier-Jouët Champagne to bring you a snifter of their super chic home at Maison Belle Époque. Here, Art Nouveau décor meets autumnal foliage and, in fittingly French style, steak frites. 

Smack-bang opposite Victoria station, Market Halls is diving into winter with a heated rooftop and extra blankets for those prone to whining when the temps drop. Enjoy seasonal specials from all of the excellent traders on site, including Butchies's ‘Sweet Baby Cheesus’ fried buttermilk chicken burger with deep-fried brie, Eggslut's cranberry turkey and sausage sandwich, and Hotbox's St Louis pork ribs with apple and walnut coleslaw.   

Like many a cool thing in London, The Hawk’s Nest occupies a converted railway arch and goods yard. The indoor-outdoor space in Shepherd’s Bush has been decorated like a seasonal woodland and allows for 300 seated guests under its winter-ready roof. There are heaters, should you be worried about the chill, plus cocktails to warm the cockles and Gozney oven fired pizzas. And just in time for Christmas, the Nest hosts its own Sunday market in December, selling gifts from local makers, as well as wreath making workshops and carol singing under the arch.

It’s not Christmas in London if there aren’t igloos, right? Right indeed. Well Wagtail's igloos are big enough to fit 20 people in each, and they've also got two floors of huge heated terrace spaces. You’ll be surrounded by fairylights, candle-lit trees and festive foliage, and you can book out the igloos for your very own cocktail and canapé night. But the best part? Those 360-degree London landmark views.

London Bridge's street food hangout Vinegar Yard isn't letting chilly temperatures stand in its way this winter: it's turning its garden into a weather-ready hangout spot with a roof canopy, heaters, and wooden cabins. Perfect for tucking into a Bad Boys Pizza or a burger from Nanny Bill's.

While the King’s Cross hotel is often known for its summer cocktail terrace, it turns out the terrace is here for us in all the seasons. For the colder months, it’s added a fire pit a million times better than the one you got for your garden via Amazon, plus sheepskins draped around the place for extra comfort - and that all-important retractable weather-proofed awning. 

The winter igloo is a strange but nonetheless entirely welcome addition to London’s dining scene. These ones at rooftop bar Aviary might be the most swanky of igloo offerings for the months ahead; there's Norse cuisine on the menu, including smørrebrød with Baltic smoked salmon, pickled vegetables, and Wookey Hole cave aged cheddar, Grey Goose cocktails, magnificent views, and some of them even have chaise longue seating. 

Fir garlands, enough Christmas decs to make you feel like you're in Lapland and hot cocktails – what's not to like about GNH Bar & Terrace's seasonal makeover? This season they're getting under the covers with whisky brand, Rabbit Hole, who'll be whipping up all manner of hot toddys from December 1.

Considering its Chelsea location, it's no surprise that Stanley's terrace is inspired by the posh English country garden. The wintry twist involves olive trees, neat little shrubs, and bright red festive blooms. Covered and heated space – with sheepskin throws for extra hygge-ness – you can munch on smoked haddock and spelt arancini as well as roasted plums in this fancy spot.