This festive season, Sky Garden has once again transformed itself into a sky-high winter wonderland, this year in partnership with Moët & Chandon. The Sky Pod Bar will be decked out with snow-frosted trees, twinkling lights and classic Christmas reds, greens and golds – to contrast with the leafy foliage.

Experience a taste of the Swiss Alps in the heart of Mayfair as Number One Park Lane unveils its winter terrace this season. Located at the InterContinental London Park Lane, cosy up with blankets, Alpine-inspired dishes and a glass of mulled wine.

This heated terrace is decked in twinkling lights, cosy blankets and tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Christmas shoppers. Sip on a seasonal Terrazas wine menu featuring mulled malbecs, and dive into new South American-inspired dishes with festive flourishes.

Open to the public and non-ticket holders, Piazza at the Royal Opera House is the Covent Garden restaurant and terrace set within the surroundings of one of London’s most beautiful historic buildings.

The restaurant is home to a fifth-floor wrap-around terrace with panoramic views, which looks out onto Covent Garden’s market square and its famed festive decorations over the winter period.

Venture over to Swallow Street and enjoy a sensational seafood menu and a few glasses of champagne at Bentley’s, which includes a heated and covered terrace to protect guests from the elements.

This Instagram-friendly restaurant is a botanical paradise, complete with a heated terrace to keep diners warm on chilly evenings. 

Flat Iron Square is the place to be for a plethora of delicious food options in an easy-going space with plenty of atmosphere.

There’s a large selection of independent food vendors to choose from, including succulent fried chicken from Mother Clucker, hand-rolled pasta from La Nonna and Mexican-style tacos from Breddos – and that’s just the start.

Cosy up in these festive igloos overlooking the water at Canary Wharf this winter. Seating up to 10 guests, it’s the perfect spot to be merry regardless of the weather. Plus, there are limited-edition Grey Goose cocktails on the menu, so why not treat yourself?

Christmas has returned to Skylight Tobacco Dock with a winter wonderland and sky-high ice rink. It’s entirely up to you whether you prefer to snuggle up inside the igloos with a seasonal sip or grab your skates and take to the ice for the evening.

Angelina – Dalston’s cult Japanese-Italian fusion restaurant – has a heated and covered outdoor dining terrace, ideal for those seeking a really special dining experience. The stylish terrace is a great option for groups of friends and can accommodate guests come rain or shine thanks to covers and patio heaters to help keep things warm.

Set on a heated, sheltered terrace and complete with sheepskin rugs, Acme Fire Cult’s patio is the ultimate spot for cosy al fresco feasting. A collaboration with Steve Ryan of 40FT Brewery, Acme Fire Cult offers a new approach to live fire cooking, where vegetables take centre stage and food and drink are intrinsically linked.

With heated winter cabins, toasty outdoor spaces, bottomless brunch and plenty of faux fur and mini hot water bottles to keep guests warm, there is no better place to book for dinner and drinks in the capital this winter.

The Buxton is a boutique hotel with a ground-floor bistro serving simple, seasonal dishes made with responsibly sourced produce.

While dining on the selection of seasonal dishes, guests can enjoy the outdoor terrace, which uses special heaters that are only activated as someone is sitting on them, making them the most environmentally friendly option for heated al fresco dining.  

Peckham Arches, the 600-capacity heated garden located beneath the railway arches of Peckham Rye Station, is ready to welcome guests this winter with an incredible lineup of epic kitchen takeovers, weekday supper clubs, DJs, Christmas markets and more.

Vinegar Yard has one of the largest winter terraces in London Bridge, complete with heaters and an overhead canopy, making it the perfect spot for outdoor drinks.

Nine Lives Alley’s tropical vibes spill out on to the cobbles in a rare pocket of al fresco London in the shadow of The Shard. Under the heated terrace, guests can enjoy some killer cocktails and the legendary tacos of native Mexican chef El Tigre and his Tigre Taco truck.

Turnips is tucked away under Borough Market and is known for its small plates menu filled with fresh produce cooked by Tomas Lidakevicius. The restaurant is equipped with several outdoor heaters, allowing guests to dine late into the night in a perfectly toasty environment.

Venture to Elephant & Castle and dine al fresco at Paladar. The Latin American restaurant keeps visitors warm with infrared heaters and blankets, while guests enjoy gluten-free meals and cocktails inspired by the flavours of Central and South America.

Following a huge revamp earlier this autumn, the al fresco hotspot has been fitted with a fully retractable, sliding glass roof over the garden, allowing for up to 300 diners to stay cosy under its roof this winter.

This Marylebone restaurant from chef and restaurateur Ravinder Bhogal is an ideal location now that winter is rolling in.

Set across the sprawling pavements of Blandford Street, the heated and covered terrace is the perfect pitstop for those looking to indulge in a selection of globally inspired sharing plates, thanks to its tall heaters and organic wool blankets.

This upscale all-day restaurant is Chelsea’s best-kept secret and serves British cuisine in a stunning garden, complete with space heaters to keep you toasty.

If you’re keen to explore Richmond, there’s one place to put right at the top of your must-visit list: the Bingham Riverhouse.

This charming hotel and restaurant has one of the best views of the area, looking out over the river and the beautiful trees that frame it while serving up high-quality food and drinks (especially the cocktails).

The Riverhouse Garden Terrace is perfect and you can enjoy a heated space filled with twinkling lights and flickering candles, blankets and live DJ sets at the weekends.

The weather may be unpredictable, but there are still so many places to head to that don’t require you to hide your cool new outfits under huge coats.

Pergola Paddington is heated and sits underneath a perspex roof. The eatery has a vibrant energy, an Instagrammable flower-covered terrace and tonnes of food and drinks options, making it a safe bet for a meet-up with friends.

The warm and cosy al fresco terrace at Isla – the ground floor restaurant at King’s Cross favourite The Standard, London – is one of the city’s coolest hangouts during winter.

Complete with a crackling fire pit and festoon lighting, the terrace is an ideal spot to curl up with friends and enjoy hearty cocktails and seasonal dishes.

The Greenhouses are perfect for those seeking a more private space this winter. Each Greenhouse provides diners with the opportunity to experience intimate feasting in a heated, ‘outdoor’ space, decorated with captivating gold leaf floral décor and lit by twinkling candlelight.

Combining beautiful classic cars, an impressive modern art collection and an all-day dining restaurant, The Engine Rooms is a truly unique restaurant.

The star draw at The Engine Rooms is an incredible heated courtyard terrace, nestled in the centre of the hubbub of activity. Heaters surround the space to keep things warm and cosy for all, while an electric canopy roof which can be quickly opened or closed at the touch of a button allows for outdoor dining whether the sun shines or not.

Arenella is The Chapel Bar’s resident restaurant and comes with a covered and heated terrace to keep you warm whatever the weather. Enjoy the al fresco space along with the Italian-inspired bottomless lunch in the heart of Islington.

Homeslice is the ultimate haven if you’re looking for tasty grub. Known for their super-sized portions, this chain of restaurants serves up whopping 20-inch pizzas whole or by the slice, which will keep you warm even on the coldest days.

Luckily, though, Homeslice’s Shoreditch and Marylebone restaurants also feature heated terraces where you can snuggle up and stay toasty.