Finding a rooftop in London where you can drink well-mixed cocktails and eat good food is a pretty hard combination.
But the new roof at The Trafalgar St James hotel hits both spots.
I try to avoid central London when I can, but sat on the top deck of this new spot I felt a world away from the hustle and bustle downstairs.
We picked a couch table, with views of the city skyline peeping out before us and chefs busily whipping up dishes from the open kitchen.
There was a good atmosphere, with upbeat music and chatter from other guests setting the tone.
It was a really hot evening, so we put in a swift drinks order with our friendly waiter in a bid to cool down.
I opted for the house martini made with No3 Gin, while my friend Peter plumped for a refreshing Aperol spritz.
Both drinks hit the spot and we hungrily picked out an assortment of food in a post-work / office haze.
The Trafalgar St James’ rooftop menu features a range of sharing plates, with three to four recommended per person.
On the seafood front we went for octopus with whipped cod roe, black cod and the sea bream tartare.
A portion of grilled aubergine and salted edamame beans rounded things out.
As Peter was after something for a little more substantial, we also wrangled a trio of Korean beef skewers.
The flavours and presentation were spot on and everything arrived in good time.
With it being a pretty Asian-inspired spread I asked for some chopsticks but there weren’t any so I made do with a knife and fork instead.
We gradually polished off the plates at a relaxed pace and put in a couple more drinks orders with the punchy Tommy’s Margarita getting a thumbs up.
We didn’t fancy dessert but there was a nice concise selection on offer, including mochi and caramel miso ice cream.
So, next time you’re looking for a fun, informal rooftop in London with good drinks and food to boot, head to The Trafalgar St James.
It’s the perfect date spot / place to hold an informal business meeting / pre-nightclub drinks.
But be sure to book beforehand, as this place has swiftly become a hot hangout and you’ll have to pass a rather efficient door team before making your way up…
The Rooftop at the Trafalgar St James is located at 7th Floor, 2 Spring Gardens, London SW1A 2TS
To book a table visit trafalgarstjames.com/the-rooftop or call +44 20 7870 2904
