Come rain or shine, igloo restaurants in London offer the perfect opportunity to enjoy delicious food and the city’s impressive skyline – a match made in heaven.
Words by Sam Jeans
London is a gorgeous city to visit when the festive spirit is flowing, and that’s when its igloo restaurants come into their own with winter decor, warming cocktails and fondue.
But with that said, there are plenty which are open all year too. Let’s face it, this is London, so a little extra cover doesn’t go amiss even on summer nights.
Here are the very best London igloos.
Best Igloo Restaurants in London
Coppa Club
££
Coppa Club is home to some of London’s most famous igloos with stunning views of the River Thames, Tower Bridge and the Shard. Rather than being entirely seasonal, Coppa Club’s igloos are there all year round, which vastly increases your chances of bagging a spot.
The menu is truly sublime, with a huge range of snacks, sides and sharing plates, like parmesan croquettes and antipasti, delicious mains like flat iron steak, salads, sourdough pizza, and (our favourite) a fine selection of puddings.
Prices are very reasonable, too – this is an authentic igloo experience for about the cost of a regular meal at a London restaurant.
Igloos are charged at £35pp minimum spend off-peak, or £150 for the entire igloo during busier times. Off peak is typically Monday to Friday before 5pm. Each igloo is heated in winter, and Coppa Club provides warm throws to ensure you’re extra snug.
Pssst… Coppa Club also has a second location in Putney which also hosts igloos with attractive riverside views in an altogether quiet and calmer location. Plus, you’re much more likely to get a booking at peak times.
Aviary
££
On the 10th floor of the stunning Montcalm Royal London House, you’ll find Aviary, a rooftop restaurant and terrace bar. Situated just south of Shoreditch, Aviary provides superb views across the City of London skyline.
If you’re hunting for a cosy rooftop igloo, London delivers some year-round offerings like Aviary. After all, spring and summer nights can get rather nippy.
Aviary’s theme changes throughout the year – but what’s always guaranteed are cracking cocktails and an awesome selection of sides, bar food and cheese or charcuterie boards.
Aviary’s igloos have a reasonably priced minimum spend that varies from as low as £100 at off-peak times to around. The igloos themselves are kitted out with heating in winter and sliding doors and roof windows in summer.
London Secret Garden
££
Sshhhh… If you’re looking for fine igloo dining, London Secret Garden provides the perfect location for a snazzy meal in a snug location.
Located in leafy Kensington, the London Secret Garden is a one-acre garden with five temperature-controlled domes. These bigger-than-average domes host up to 10 people, perfect for larger groups.
The evening minimum spend is £100, but there’s no minimum on the number of guests attending each dome, so you can head for a romantic dinner for two or bring along 9 pals (the more, the merrier).
The menu is short, sweet, and ludicrously affordable given the London Secret Garden’s high-end location. Expect to pay between £20 to £30 for the set meal or around double per person for the extensive tasting menu.
Willows on the Roof
££
Willows on the Roof is a rather secret spot situated on the John Lewis Rooftop on buzzy Oxford Street. There are heated cabins and four heated domes suitable for 4 to 6 guests per cabin.
This incredible rooftop venue is decked out with gorgeous decor in winter. And with excellent views of the London Skyline, it’s definitely up there with the very best London igloos.
The menu is provided by chef-brand Kitchen Ventures, which offers two rather distinct menus.
Vibrant Mexican tacos are cooked fresh by Breddos Tacos with street food faves cochinita pork tacos and barbacoa beef burritos. You can also grab large taco platters suitable for five people (or fewer, if you’ve got a big appetite).
Local Greens is the second menu – a vegan/veggie menu to die for. Gorgeous falafel bites and focaccia team up with sublime salads to offer healthy and hearty cuisine to this wonderful rooftop restaurant.
Skylight
Tobacco Dock
££
Located north of Wapping, Tobacco Dock is a large converted warehouse complex that regularly features fantastic pop-up events, exhibitions and festivals.
Skylight at Tobacco Dock, however, is a colossal permanent rooftop venue, home to the only rooftop ice rink in Europe. Combine ice skating with a visit to one of its heated igloos complete with superb views of east London and Canary Wharf.
There are two tiers of igloos; the level 11 tier is around half the price of the premium mezzanine level, where packages start at around £90. Packages come with free drinks (typically a bottle of prosecco or six beers).
Once you’ve settled in, Skylight won’t rush you away – you’ve got 3 hours and 15 minutes – longer than the average 2-hour table time offered by most igloos.
Food includes burgers, hotdogs, fries and other sides – simple and affordable. The drinks menu is extensive, but don’t have too many before hitting the ice rink.
Neverland
££
Neverland shifts themes through the year. In summer, you’ll find the Fulham Beach Club; in spring, you’ll find Little Kyoto; and in winter, you’ll find Winterland.
When Neverland transforms into Winterland, this fabulous West London venue is decked out with seasonal design and decor, including several alpine huts and four forest igloos.
Winterland hosts dozens of fun and unique events throughout the winter season, including drag bingo and bottomless fondue and pizza.
Igloos cost around £120, and the menu is decadent, with fondues, tartiflette, burgers, sharing platters and wood-fired sourdough pizzas. Winterland has in-house DJs for drinks and dancing post-dining, arcade games, shuffleboards and social darts.
Vinegar Yard
££
On the south of the Thames, Vinegar Yard is an eclectic indoor and outdoor venue which hosts everything from art shows to flea markets. In the winter, the terrace is transformed with several luxury Grey Goose-sponsored igloos with superb views of the Shard.
The food is special here, as you don’t get to choose from one delicious menu or even two or three. Nope – there are no fewer than five menus available via the QR code on the table, including Baba Gs, Nanny Bills, The Gentlemen Baristas, Sugo, Nik’s Kitchen & Bad Boys Pizza Society.
Foodies might recognise some of these names from other pop-ups around London – this is among the finest London igloo restaurants for those wishing to explore the capital’s trending cuisine.
Igloo prices are reasonable, and there are three special Grey Goose packages if you’re looking for a boozy evening.
Practical Tips for Exploring the Best Igloos in London
- If you’re looking for fine dining igloos, London delivers some excellent choices – but you might need to bring a group of 4 people to make up minimum totals. These range from as low as £5pp to £200 per igloo.
- Most winter igloos are heated, but layering up is still advisable.
- You’ll need to book well in advance to eat at peak times at some of the more famous igloos, such as Aviary and Coppa Club. Walk-ups are possible but limited.
- Off-peak igloos are cheaper and easier to book, so if you’re available mid-week or in the early afternoon, you’ll probably be able to save some money.
