Are you looking for the best rooftops in London for Insta-worthy photos? If so, this is the only list you’ll need!
London is one of my favorite cities in the world. There are so many fun things to do in London to fit any budget or interest. From taking a ride on the London Eye to visiting the historic Buckingham Palace, London is sure to meet tourists’ expectations.
One of my favorite things to do in this beautiful city is roof hopping, especially sipping cocktails and dining on a rooftop restaurant/bar while viewing the city’s skyline.
The convenient transport system in London makes it easy to visit these places hassle-free. Plus, I’ve found that some of these places are just a short walk away from one another.
Did you know that the London Underground is the oldest transport system of its kind in the world? It is also the third-longest rail network system in the world— pretty cool huh?
Before any of my trips to London, I usually spend hours searching for the best rooftops in London. The good news is that you don’t have to spend all that time searching for these places and I’ve compiled the best ones that I was able to find and visit.
What’s even better is that some of these places are free to access and you can take as many photos as you like. Additionally, most of these places have mouth-watering cocktails and delicious food that is worthy of a chef’s kiss.
In this article, I’ll be sharing my top 16 rooftops in London for stunning pictures. Whether you’re a Londoner or a tourist, you’ll immediately want to visit these places.
1. Sabine Rooftop Bar
Sabine is one of my favorite rooftop bars for obvious reasons. It is a secret garden overlooking the iconic St Paul’s Cathedral. During my visit, I was instantly blown away by the beauty of this place. I arrived at 3 p.m. (opening time) before anyone else, so I was given the choice to sit whenever I wanted — I chose the best seat of course!
I would suggest you visit during the day rather than at night so that you can soak up the captivating view in daylight. Sabine is a great outdoor terrace for Lunch on a beautiful sunny day. It has a carefully designed menu and the food was so DELICIOUS and a 10/10 from my experience. This specular rooftop is perfect for Instagram photos.
The closest underground station to Sabine Rooftop Bar is St. Paul’s Underground Station. This rooftop in London requires a reservation in advance. Minimum spend may apply!
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Thanks to the friendly staff who took this beautiful photo of me at Sabine Rooftop Bar.
2. Seabird London
Arguably London’s most stunning rooftop, Seabird is a seafood restaurant in the heart of Southwark. I have been there several times because I simply just cannot get enough of the views and the food — oh that Lobster rice, YUM!
This roof terrace sits on the 14th floor of The Hoxton in Southwark. Seabird has incredible views, London’s longest oyster list, and Mediterranean-inspired plates — what’s there not to love about this place? My favorite time to visit Seabird is in the evening, as it is the perfect spot to watch the sunset and sprawling city views.
The closest underground station to Seabird is Southwark Station. This rooftop in London requires a reservation in advance. Minimum spend may apply!
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I always make sure to take many selfies as the view is breathtaking!
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3. Aviary London
Aviary is a pretty rooftop restaurant and terrace bar with fantastic skyline views and great food. Perched on the 10th floor of Montcalm Royal London House, Aviary is sure to impress. From luxury seafood to freshly baked pastries, and the finest cocktails, Aviary has a mouth-watering menu that is hard to resist.
Although I only spent 30 minutes on the roof terrace bar on my visit because I arrived near closing time — I thoroughly enjoyed the breathtaking panoramic views of London’s iconic skyline and my cocktail. Plus, I was amazed by how large the outdoor space is.
The closest underground station to Aviary is Finsbury Square. This rooftop in London requires a reservation in advance. Minimum spend may apply!
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Interestingly, I went on a bank holiday evening (30 minutes before the terrace closing time) and had the entire space for myself to take photos.
4. Jin Bo Law Skybar
Sitting on the 14th floor of Hotel Saint, the view and fun vibes in Jin Bo Law is one of a kind. I’ve been to this bar on several occasions and it never fails to please. The music at Jin Bo Law was better than any other rooftop I have been on and the atmosphere feels very much like a club/ party on the roof.
Jin Bo Law overlooks the incredible views of The Shard, Tower Bridge, the Walkie-Talkie, and more. If you want to have a great night with friends, this rooftop bar should be on your radar. This place has a carefully curated cocktail menu and you are sure to get the most Insta-worthy photos here.
The closest underground station to Jin Bo Law is Aldgate Station. This rooftop in London may have walk-in availability and reservations can be in advance. Minimum spend may apply!
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I like taking photos of my cocktails with great views every chance I get!
5. Florattica Rooftop London
Florattica is one of the newest chic rooftops in London. It sits on the 11 floors high above the city in the Minories. This rooftop looks elegant and has a refreshing luxurious feel. Florattica is a must-visit for anyone who likes to dine and spend quality time with friends on a rooftop.
Not only can you take stunning photos on the rooftop but you can also get cool shots at the mesmerizing inside bar which is adorned with statement-making and eye-catchy floral ceiling — inspired by East London’s textile industry and silk woven floral patterns from the 17th century. The food menu here is simple, yet refined. The cocktail menu is also floral-inspired and it promises to dazzle the tastebuds.
The closest underground station to Florattica is Aldgate Station. This rooftop in London requires a reservation in advance. Minimum spend may apply!
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6. Garden at 120
You don’t have to visit a restaurant and bar, or even spend any money to enjoy London’s skyline and all of its beauty. The garden at 120 is absolutely free to enter— yes, you heard that right! The Garden at 120 is situated on the 15th floor atop the Fen Court building at 120 Fenchurch Street.
In this rooftop garden, you will have an impeccable 360-degree bird’s eye view of London’s cityscape. Visiting the garden at 120 is one of the best free things to do in London. Despite this place being free, it is usually quiet and not packed with tourists. It is one of the best rooftops in London for taking cool pictures.
The closest underground station to the Garden at 120 Monument. This rooftop in London does not require any booking.
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I had a good time here touring the garden at 120 on a beautiful summer afternoon.
7. Sky Garden
Another spectacular free rooftop in London is Sky Garden. Just like the Garden at 120, it also has a 360-degree view of London’s skyline. It was designed in 2004 by world-renowned Uruguayan architect Rafael Viñoly. Sky Garden sits on the Walkie-Talkie, between the 34th to 37th floors. Sky Garden is just a short walk from the garden at 120, so you visit both on the same day.
I’ve been to Sky Garden several times and at varying times of the day and never had to book prior to the visit. Although not guaranteed, there are usually walk-in slots available. Sky Garden has two restaurants, two bars, and a gift shop & cafe. I’ve quite enjoyed the Sky Garden at night (around 10 pm). During this time, I was required to buy a glass of champagne before going in. However, it is always free during the day
The closest underground station to Sky Garden is Monument. This rooftop in London does require prior booking but also has limited walk-in slots available daily.
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Here, I was on my first visit to the Sky Garden and my cameral roll was filled with photos.
8. Bokan 39
The Bokan rooftop terrace and bar is great for enjoying the views overlooking the beautiful city of London and River Thames. First, I had dinner at the restaurant, which was finger-licking good! Then, I spent some time on the terrace enjoying the views of the growing London skyline over cocktails.
The closest underground station to Bokan 39 is Canary Wharf. This rooftop in London does not take any bookings and operates on a first come first serve basis. Note: For the restaurant, Bokan 37, you will need to make a reservation.
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The view at Bokan during sunset was breathtaking!
Bokan also has the prettiest bathroom so I had to take some selfies. It has beautiful mirrors and barrel-like basins. What makes it so outstanding is that you can see the city lights in the bathroom through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
9. 12 Knot
12 Knot is a vibrant and stunning rooftop bar in Southbank that offers amazing cocktails celebrating seasonal ingredients and good music. It is situated on the 12th floor of the incredible Sea Containers.
This is one of the rooftops in London where you will get a lovely view of the River Thames and the city skyline. The terrace space is not very big but the atmosphere is sure to please.
The closest underground station to 12 Knot is Blackfriars. This rooftop in London does not take any bookings and operates on a first come first service basis. Note: For the restaurant, you will need to make a reservation.
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10. Skylark Roof Garden
Skylark is an exquisite rooftop cocktail and brunch bar featuring a breathtaking view of West London’s skyline from the South. It is situated on the 10th floor and perched perfectly over Notting Hill, Hyde Park, and the banks of Little Venice.
The closest underground station to Skylark is Royal Oak. This rooftop in London requires a ticket which costs £5 per person for a three-hour slot on their website.
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11. One Hundred Shoreditch
One Hundred Shoreditch is the rooftop terrace & bar with panoramic views of Shoreditch. With its pink color scheme, lush succulents, cacti, and expansive views from the outdoor rooftop terrace, One Hundred Shoreditch draws influence from Palm Springs and evokes the feeling of a whimsical, Californian vacation in East London.
The closest underground station to One Hundred Shoreditch is Old Street Station. This rooftop in London does not require any pre-bookings for groups of 8 or less.
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12. Savage Garden
Located right in the heart of the city, Savage Garden is a beautiful secret rooftop bar that overlooks London’s skyline, like the Shard and Tower Bridge. It sits on the 14 floors of Double Tree by Hilton near the Tower of London. I have been to the Savage Garden on several occasions and from what I have experienced — it always has a bubbly and lively atmosphere and I’ve always enjoyed my time there.
Indulgent furnishings, dramatic cocktails, and delectable food are brought to Tower Hill by Savage Garden. The views are unsurpassed, with a panoramic view that features some of the most notable landmarks in the city.
The closest underground station to Savage Garden is Tower Hill. This rooftop in London requires a reservation in advance. Minimum spend may apply!
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Can you spot the Tower Bridge in my photo?
13. Madison London
Madison is a rooftop restaurant and bar overlooking St. Paul’s that is popular for its buzzing atmosphere. This stunning rooftop is perched on the penthouse level of One New Change and features a chic bar, Manhattan-style restaurant, cocktail bar, and rooftop terraces with Mediterranean-style suntraps.
On the Madison rooftop, you will be able to enjoy the captivating views across the City of London skyline.
The closest underground station to Madison is St. Paul’s. This rooftop in London requires a reservation in advance. Minimum spend may apply!
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14. Roof East
Situated on the top floor of Stratford shopping center, Roof East is a fun and vibrant rooftop playground experience designed for grown-ups. It has a bar, street food, open-air cinema, and an interactive games area. Roof East is the perfect rooftop to hop on for a day or night of fun with friends.
The closest underground station to Roof East is Stratford station. This rooftop in London does not take any bookings and welcomes walk-ins.
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15. LSQ Rooftop
LSQ rooftop has a great view and is conveniently located in the heart of London. There are floor-to-ceiling windows throughout the entire space, allowing you to enjoy views of the terrace and the stunning London skyline.
LSQ rooftop offers the ideal atmosphere for a casual lunch with the family, catch-up drinks with friends on the weekend, post-work cocktails with your coworkers, pre and post-theater nibbles with your loved ones, and more. Plus, if you’re looking for a place to impress an important client, then look no further than LSQ rooftop.
The closest underground station to LSQ is Leicester Square Station. This rooftop in London requires a reservation in advance. Minimum spend may apply on weekends!
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16. The Berkeley Rooftop
The Berkeley Rooftop Pool & Bar in Knightsbridge provides the ideal outdoor ambiance. Swimmers may indulge in the pool while viewing the expansive views of Hyde Park. If you’re looking for a relaxing rooftop in London where you can enjoy cocktails while watching the sunset over the London skyline, then Berkeley Rooftop may be perfect for you.
The closest underground station to The Berkeley Rooftop is Knightsbridge Station. This rooftop in London requires a reservation in advance. Minimum spend may apply!
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Final Thoughts
There you have it! These are our favorite rooftops in London stunning pictures, delicious foods, and fun vibes. Note that some of these places get booked up really fast (especially on weekends), so it is best to book at least a couple of weeks in advance.
Some rooftop restaurants/bars also have a dress code— check their website for their policies to avoid getting turned away. Finally, make sure you have fun when visiting these places. We will be happy to answer questions in the comment section below. HAPPY ROOF HOPPING!
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