Take it outside: London’s top restaurant terraces, from Scott’s to Seabird

One of the more welcome revelations of recent times is that restaurants have finally wised up to the fact that there’s more to eating outside than cramming a handful of rickety tables and chairs onto the pavement and hoping no one falls in front of a passing black cab.

Of course, pubs have always done a good line in beer gardens while those restaurants blessed with a garden, such as Frederick’s in Islington, have achieved loyal followings for their alfresco. But there’s something about a restaurant terrace that fits those first few days of summer when even the slightest boost in vitamin D seems to make Londoners break out in spontaneous smiles.