The covid-19 pandemic has hit London hard, especially its hospitality industry. And with lockdowns and movement restrictions taking place and changing all the time, a lot of confusion and – let’s face it – boredom have come along for the coronavirus ride. Still, it’s not all doom and gloom. When you get the chance to get out, you can head to plenty of London’s restaurants with safety measures and protocols that enable you to dine without fear.
So, which establishments have gone to great lengths to enhance safety for their customers without compromising on the quality of their dining experience? There are literally hundreds if not thousands, so let’s just discuss a few of our favourites.
El Garito, Hackney
El Garito is more of a cocktail bar than a restaurant, but its delicious sandwiches are to die for. This restaurant has social distancing measures in place to protect its customers. And if you’d rather not sit inside, you can simply order a takeaway. In fact, you can even take some unique cocktails and alcoholic beverages to go. We recommend trying the Campari, aperol and cynar spritzes. When possible, this great venue also hosts live music, making it the perfect place to enjoy a socially distanced boogie.
Devonshire Terrace
Devonshire Terrace features a spacious dining room, a large outdoor seating area and balconies that are available for private hire, so you really are spoilt for choice when it comes to social distancing options. It’s an awesome looking restaurant, but its menu is its main draw. Here, you can order salads, burgers and curries from a European menu. If you’re feeling a tad parched, you can wash your meal down with a colourful cocktail.
The Lighterman
At The Lighterman, you can grab a table on one of three spacious outdoor terraces. If you’d prefer the comfort of the indoors, you can choose a socially distanced table in any of its three floors. Here, you can pig out on traditional British pub grub while admiring views of Regent’s Canal and Granary Square. Even during these tough times, there’s a certain romance to socially distanced waterfront dining. It’s pretty popular, so it’s worth booking a table in advance.
The Ship
The Ship has been one of our favourite alfresco dining pubs for years thanks to its extensive selection of beverages and superb food. It’s another waterfront restaurant with a huge outdoor terrace, and its simple but inviting décor is rather refreshing. As an affordable pub and diner, it’s popular with younger crowds and students, but everybody is more than welcome to enjoy this famous London beer garden.
BrewDog
Even the name of this social distance-friendly pub makes it sound cool. But when you find out that the BrewDog hosts online pub events through lockdowns to keep its regulars entertained, you know for a fact it’s cool. The craft brews are delicious, and the service is amazing. And as far as food goes, it’s hard to find tastier pizzas and burgers.
The Skylark Café
If a wide open space is what you’re after, you won’t be disappointed with The Skylark Café, which is surrounded by 170 acres of duck ponds, woods and grasslands. Socially distanced indoor and outdoor seating is available. And after you’ve chowed down on a seasonal salad, sourdough sandwich or veggie burger, you can enjoy an afternoon walk within its beautiful grounds.
At Evan Evans we take care of our guests, having high standard hygiene measures and protocols. Find out more about our London tours and discover the world of Evan Evans.
