Clapham Common in April Photo: Tripu

Like all newcomers to London, I was astonished on the first sunny spring day when I arrived way back in 2004 to see that my local park (Clapham Common) had be overrun with people who were dressed as if they thought they were the beach. "What’s going on?" I said to my flatmates. "Don’t these people know that it is only 15 degrees? Where are their shirts?"

Photo: Richard Holden

After five years of this, however, I understand: sunshine is at a premium even in the most summery months in this grey city, and thus at the first sight of a beam through the clouds Londoners will do whatever they can to soak it up. And this is particularly reflected in the city’s approach to al fresco dining: on days when any self-respecting continental (and Southern) European would be indoors, possibly by an open fire, Londoners will brave low temperature and even the occasional burst of raindrops in order to enjoy a drink or a meal in the fresh air.

Nowhere is this more apparent than in my part of East London, a place that was not designed with outdoor dining in mind but which, with gentrification, is now dotted with tables planted wherever possible.

Photo: Frazer Nash

The tables outside Little Georgia – have you ever had Georgian food? You should! – are a classic example. Just because the pavement is tilted and the food might roll off the plates doesn’t mean that there’s not space for a couple of chairs.

Photo: Jovike

Or if you prefer your meal lightly scented with exhaust fumes, the parking lot outside the Truman Brewery offers several dining options. I prefer the vegetarian fare served from the Rootmaster Bus, but the barbecue in the alley is also a winner.

The Pavilion Café in Victoria Park is packed to the gills on weekends, a little bit more chilled on weekdays – I have enjoyed several brunches there in January and February, sitting by the lake and wrapped up in layers.

Photo: Su-lin

Finally, for the slightly less hardy, the redesigned Spitalfields Market offers a clever new option for semi-outdoor dining: the patios around the perimeter of the market are in the open air, but they are all under cover, meaning that neither rain nor sleet nor snow can stop you from enjoying your latte or roast chicken and a cool breeze at the same time.

The restaurants here are mostly chains, which I admit is a bit boring, but they’re homegrown British chains - Canteen is critically acclaimed for its excellent modern execution of British classics, and Leon does delicious and fresh organic fast food.

Go further:

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