Head to Seven Dials for glorious al fresco dining

 

Do you know what time it is? Time to bask in the sunshine. So dig out those shorts and sandals and eat al fresco, London-style, with friends or significant others. To earn some kudos, we suggest heading to Seven Dials, an ideal spot to eat out-out. Right in the heart of London, Seven Dials remains the West End’s hidden gem. Despite being home to 90 stores and more than 50 contemporary cafés, restaurants, bars and pubs, its intimate, courtyards, quirky streets and friendly ‘local neighbourhood’ vibes lend it an authentic café-culture feel, perfect for people-watching and outdoor dining. Here are some superb Seven Dials al fresco eateries to wine, dine and chat:

Homeslice Nestled in the tranquil – and Instagrammable – Neal’s Yard, is Homeslice, serving up fresh wood-fired pizza from noon till 10pm. Go for a slice or go big and opt for the whole 20”. There’s a satisfying mix of the classics along with some innovative flavour combos: chorizo, creamed corn and coriander certainly caught our eye.  Homeslice, 13 Neal's Yard, WC2H 9DP Seven Dials Market Just across on Earlham Street is Seven Dials Market, which not only has a superb food hall but plenty of tables outside to catch some rays and tuck into some of the specialty street foods from its vendors from noon-10pm. Following the relaunch of the historic Cucumber Alley: there’s Naanstop Express offering mini-Mumbai bites, OshPaz dishing up original Uzbek food with Silk Road flavours including spicy dumplings, and sweet treats such as indulgent Belgian waffles from Deekenek. It’s the ideal solution to those endless debates about who wants what. Seven Dials Market, 35 Earlham St, WC2H 9LD Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels Come the afternoon, Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels comes to life, and in the sunshine this Seven Dials wine bar becomes Neal’s Yard’s own little patch of French-inspired savoir faire. Savour a chilled glass of Claude Riffault – a lovely Loire Valley Sancerre, or an Alsace Albert Boxler while nibbling on charcuterie or sampling the Beillevaire cheese board selection. Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels, 8-10 Neal's Yard, WC2H 9DP