As we slowly come out of lockdown, there are questions and confusion around when we’ll be allowed back to our favourite restaurants, so we’re here to make it simple.
25 March 2021
Sure, we’ve been getting by pretty well these past few months with our favourite dishes, some seriously good takeaways, and homemade versions of the UK’s best meals, including Lina Stores’ linguine and Darjeeling Express’s fish curry. There’s even been the occasional fancy sandwich picked up after our daily stroll around the local park, but we won’t lie, we’ve missed the restaurant ritual. From picking the perfect spot to the joy of sharing meals with friends, it’s a reason for celebration, and we’re thrilled to be getting back to business. Here is everything you need to know about restaurants reopening over the coming months.
From Monday 12 April
The first phase of reopening starts on 12 April when restaurants – and pubs with beer gardens – will be allowed to serve meals on outdoor terraces and in gardens. The rule of six will be reinstated, meaning you won’t be able to have any more than that gathered around a table. However, after being locked away alone for so long, seeing any more than five friends might feel a little overwhelming.
So, pick your dining buddies wisely and then check our list of London’s best outdoor restaurants to find a sweet spot in which to celebrate this first phase, from Mayfair’s Fallow – with outdoor seating on pedestrianised Heddon Street – to Margot Henderson’s much-loved Rochelle Canteen, set in the grounds of an old Shoreditch primary school, and the stunning glasshouse of Richmond’s Petersham Nurseries.
Outside of the capital, there are many accessible outdoor spots to eat at too. Consider our favourite seaside dining options, which include a number of places reopening their doors on 12 April, such as the Lobster Shack in Whitstable and the Beachhouse on South Milton Sands in Devon.
From Monday 17 May
We’ll enjoy this first phase for just over a month, and then on 17 May comes the next step; indoor dining will resume, including restaurants that, for whatever reason, weren’t able to offer outdoor options.
While the 10 p.m. curfew from late 2020 has thankfully been lifted, some restrictions remain. The rule of six continues indoors, and only two households can mix – meaning if you and a couple of friends who don’t live together want to enjoy a meal, you’ll still need to check out restaurants with outdoor dining, although this round allows up to 30 in your group.
Residents in the capital can pick an indoor dining spot from our best restaurants in London right now list. Consider the tasting menus at the much-talked-about Marylebone Mexican KOL by Noma Mexico’s Santiago Lastra or for something a little more casual, enjoy a sit-down supper at Peckham’s Larry’s, which has been offering takeaway throughout the latest lockdown.
From Monday 21 June
Then, one month later comes the final phase – and, hopefully, a true return to normality. From Monday 21 June, we can expect the indoor rule of six to be lifted as any number of households can mix inside – space permitting, of course. If they’ve managed to weather the storm, all restaurants across the UK will be open once more, allowing you to choose your preferred seating options.
Moreover, you’ll even be able to travel across the country. Therefore, it might be worth considering a mini-break at one of the UK’s most exciting restaurants with rooms.
