London has been enjoying increasingly hot summers over the past few years, with both old rooftop favourites and newly opened haunts getting busy this month, as summer rolls round and temperatures start rising. Enjoy chilled comfort food and classic cocktails, refined bites and curated wine lists or just stop by for the views; we’ve compiled a list of the best places to take in the skyline with drink this summer in the city.

1. Floraticca

One of London’s newer rooftop bars, Florattica sits high above The Minories in Aldgate, within the new Canopy by Hilton hotel. As the name suggests, this elegant space is ultra-floral themed, from the carpet of flowers hanging from the ceiling to its drinks menu. Cocktails on offer include Kimiko, made with cherry blossom and absinthe, and Alma, made with hibiscus and lavender syrup. If you start to get peckish, they also serve a menu of light bites ranging from hand-rolled sushi to charcuterie boards. Naturally, epic city views over the Gherkin, cheese grater and other iconic London sights come as standard.

• Floraticca
• Address: 11-15 Minories, London EC3N 1AX
• Phone: 020 3988 4489

2. Alto by San Carlo

If you haven’t already been to Alto by San Carlo, you’re missing out on London’s most magical, Italian-style terrace bar and restaurant. Sitting within Selfridges department store, the stunning outdoor space is all white linen tablecloths, rattan chairs and lemon vines climbing up the walls. Whether you’ve shopped until you dropped and require a strong Aperol Spritz or a chilled glass of white wine, you’ll immediately feel like you’re in a Tuscan villa here. Italian dishes like calamari fritti, truffle ravioli and Neapolitan-style pizza are on hand to fill you up while you look down on busy Oxford Street shoppers.

• Alto by San Carlo
• Address: 400 Oxford St, London W1A 1AB
• Phone: 020 7318 3287

3. Madison

Madison has been the go-to rooftop bar for city workers since day dot, and with great food, delicious cocktails and plenty of evening entertainment it’s still as strong as ever. The bar and restaurant is located on top of One New Change shopping centre, with a view over St. Pauls so close you could touch it. Nowadays, you’d be hard-pressed to find somewhere in central London with so much outdoor seating and mingling space, plus they offer excellent value two- and three-course food menus. Their signature cocktails are designed for Instagram, like the Deluxe Pornstar Martini which comes with 24K gold and white chocolate angel wings.

• Madison
• Address: Rooftop Terrace One, New Change, London EC4M 9AF
• Phone: 020 3693 5160

4. Aviary

You’ll find Aviary on the tenth floor of the Montcalm Royal House Hotel in Finsbury Square, right in the heart of London, with a monopoly on panoramic views. They have an extensive cocktail menu, which also includes an array of gins, plus a long wine and spirits list. Most people come for a drink and end up staying for the food - Aviary serves breakfast, lunch and bottomless brunch menus featuring king prawn tagliolini and a full rack of Welsh lamb. However, their bar food menu is perfect for snacking, with tuna tataki, cheese boards or steak frites. They’re currently collaborating with whispering angel on a rooftop seafood menu and heavenly-inspired cocktails.

• Aviary
• Address: Royal London House, 10th Floor Montcalm, 22-25 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1DX
• Phone: 020 3873 4060

5. 8 at The Londoner

Incredible new hotel The Londoner in Leicester Square is already gaining a reputation for its eighth-floor Japanese bar. Dark mood lighting and plush furniture make it feel extra exclusive, with all the focus on the stunning skyline views -its unique location taking in Big Ben, the London Eye and the West End (head here at night to see the city lit up). The bar menu leans heavily on Japanese flavours, including a strong sake list, cocktails using matcha and amari seaweed, and five fruity whiskeys. The food pairs perfectly: try the seabass carpaccio with Fuji apple or the grade A5 Wagyu gyoza tacos.

• 8 at The Londoner
• Address: 38 Leicester Square, London WC2H 7DX
• Phone: 020 7451 0156

6. Aqua Spirit

In the capital’s buzzing West End, Aqua Spirit overlooks Regent Street and has three terraces from which to enjoy a sundowner. Settle onto the stylish outdoor sofas and order from the drink menu, which includes classic cocktails, almost endless spirits and a surprising selection of mezcal, pisco and cachaça. They’ve currently paired up with Veuve Cliquot for a ‘Kyoto Sunset’ champagne and sushi menu, which combines fresh black cod and tuna rolls with yellow label Veuve. Food at lunch, brunch and dinner is equally impressive, comprising a huge variety of sushi and sashimi, robata, tempura and wagyu dishes, ideal for sharing.

• Aqua Spirit
• Address: 5th Floor 240 Regent Street (Entrance, 30 Argyll St, London W1B 3BR
• Phone: 020 7478 0540

7. Boundary

Shoreditch is home to a majority of London’s best rooftop bars, but if you can only visit one, the beautiful Mediterranean Boundary should be it. Sitting on top of the eponymous hotel, Although you can’t quite see iconic landmarks, the view is epic and the space enjoys unrestricted sunsets. The picturesque terrace is adorned with rattan furniture, a roaring fire, a 100-year-old olive tree, and a glass roof to protect it from the elements. Even if the London weather doesn’t play ball, you’ll still feel as though you’re on a Greek island once you try the cocktails - try The Island, with kiwi syrup and coconut water, or Elixir Vert with maraschino cherry and lime. Chef Roberto Branca has curated plates like octopus with sundried tomatoes, vegan moussaka and grilled chermoula prawns for that summer holiday feeling.

• Boundary
• Address: 2-4 Boundary St, London E2 7DD
• Phone: 020 7729 1051

8. Skylight Tobacco Dock

A rooftop bar above a car park may not sound too appealing, but Skylight in Tobacco Dock is one of London’s best outdoor drinking spots. It covers three floors in total, all with sweeping views of the city’s skyline, faux grass, wooden tables and a super relaxed vibe. Signature and classic cocktails, like the Skylight Sour and East London Iced Tea, remain affordable considering the location, while the menu serves classic comfort food - think loaded nachos, Korean fried chicken and buffalo wings. Skylight is well-known for its range of events, whether it’s St. Patrick’s Day, NYE, or simply daily evening DJ sessions. They also have an ice rink and cosy igloos in winter, so don’t worry if you miss it in summertime.

• Skylight Tobacco Dock
• Address: Tobacco Dock, London E1W 2SF