Radio Rooftop

Impossibly glamorous (and sometimes impossible to get into if you haven't booked) the exclusive rooftop bar at ME London piles on the wow factor with its minimalist monochrome decor and views over the City skyline. On warm days, the prime spots are the white leather sofas by the rooftop edge: perfect for alfresco posing. House cocktails run from the Mexican (a refreshing blend of El Jimador Tequila, cucumber, mint and agave) to South Pacific (Leblon cachaça, kiwi, elderflower and apple juice), while the Champagne list is reassuringly extensive (and expensive), with bottles of Bolly for £100 and jeroboams of Cristal 1999 weighing in at a cool £5,000. Meanwhile, aficionados can pair Cognac or whisky with a Montecristo No.4 from the cigar menu. Daytime eats include risottos, salads and burgers, with dainty tapas on offer when the lights go down.

Rooftop bars in London might not be as rare as they once were, but the popularity of Covent Garden’s Radio Rooftop shows no sign of waning.

Found on the 10th floor of the ME London hotel, Radio Rooftop boasts enviable views of London’s skyline and across the River Thames, as well as taking in iconic landmarks such as the London Eye and Big Ben. We’d always recommend booking in advance here too, as it can sometimes be nigh on impossible to secure a table, especially on sunnier days.

While many rooftop spaces rely on the twinkling seduction of London’s night-time skyline to draw people in, Radio Rooftop is actually open from breakfast. Stop by from 7am to start your day with the virtuous likes of smashed avocado on sourdough toast, or treat yourself with something a little more indulgent – perhaps buttermilk waffles topped with chopped banana, maple syrup and whipped cream.

Later in the day, the menu evolves into a series of sharing boards, small plates and larger dishes which all have a touch of Mediterranean inspiration. You can begin with snacks such as crispy calamari with red pepper marmalade or sweet potato and Manchego croquettes dipped in smoked paprika aioli, while mains see ribeye steak served alongside Parmesan-topped chip, as well as pan-fried seabass paired with pumpkin, spinach and chickpeas.

When it comes to desserts, indulgence is the order of the day. Pick from tempting puddings such as churros served with pots of chocolate sauce, a coconut and vanilla rice pudding, or chocolate ice cream sprinkled with a chocolate crumble. If you are more partial to liquid desserts, there is always the option to choose from Radio Rooftop’s vast wine list, which features a range of European leaning bottles. There’s Champagne too, by the glass or bottle, if you’re looking to celebrate.