Al fresco dining

When the summer finally arrives, there is nothing the British like better than to enjoy good food, fine wine and great company while soaking up the sunshine. Sarah Hanson rounds up some of the best places to eat outside in the UK

Sevendials, Brighton
This family-owned restaurant serves modern European food with the emphasis on fresh, seasonal ingredients. During summer, the south facing, continental style terrace is ideal for eating outside. You might want to book in advance though since the restaurant is featured in the Good Food Guide 2006/7 and Harden's Guide and was also voted Brighton's Favourite Restaurant 2006 by the readers of Gscene and realbrighton.com. www.sevendialsrestaurant.co.uk, 01273 885555.

New Mill Restaurant, Near Reading
The New Mill is a converted grade II listed watermill set in an idyllic location on the banks of the River Blackwater in the heart of the Thames Valley. It was bought in 2006 by chefs Sean Valentine and John Duffield, who are both passionate about serving locally sourced wherever possible. The beautiful setting and fantastic service make for a relaxed environment. www.thenewmill.co.uk, 0118 973 2277/2105.

Gilgamesh, Camden, London
As a master of pan-Asian cuisine, Ian Pengelly's signature cooking is reason enough to visit this stylish restaurant. But the real clincher is the restaurant's retractable roof that allows guests to drink and dine al fresco. Best of all there's no need to worry about the unpredictability of the British summer, as the massive, 40-foot roof retracts in only four minutes. www.gilgameshbar.com, 020 7482 5757

The Leatherne Bottel, Goring-on-Thames, Berkshire
Book early for this restaurant, which last year won the coveted (if slightly Wayne's World) award of Condé Nast Johansens "Most Excellent Restaurant in the UK" and was also voted the most fashionable restaurant out of London by Harpers & Queen. In summer, the pretty terrace offers river views and is surrounded by herbs and salad leaves such as Purple Orach, Pineapple Sage and Lemon Basil. But the main event is Julia Storey's cooking. There is also an impressive wine list, much of it sourced direct from the cellar door. www.leathernebottel.co.uk, 01491 872 667

The Bean Tree, Harpenden, Hertfordshire
Situated in a converted 18th century coach house, diners here can enjoy contemporary French cuisine in the walled terrace garden-the perfect setting for a summer lunch or dinner. Music lovers can also enjoy live classical and romantic guitar every Wednesday and a monthly jazz night. 01582 460901

Tower Restaurant, Edinburgh
The views of Edinburgh castle from this restaurant's 45-seater terrace are great. And as positive reviews and recommendations in the Good Food Guide, Taste of Scotland, Fodor's, Frommer's and the Michelin guide suggest, the food isn't bad either. The Tower's extensive menu features the best seasonal ingredients, including Argyll oysters, Fife crab and seasonal game. But the grill provides the Tower's signature Aberdeen Angus-always hung for 21 days-served with potato scone and Portobello mushrooms. www.tower-restaurant.com, 0131 225 3003

Curve Restaurant and Bar, Docklands, London
Set within the five-star London Marriott West India Quay, Curve Restaurant and Bar has now opened a terrace for the summer. With fantastic views over the Quay, Docklands and Canary Wharf, it is the perfect place for a summer's lunch or dinner or as somewhere to enjoy some refreshing cocktails. Although the focus is on fresh fish-purchased every morning from nearby Billingsgate market-there is also a wide selection of meat and poultry dishes from the grill. 020 7517 2808

Auberge du Lac, Hertfordshire
Part of the Brockett Hall Golf Club, this stunning lakeside restaurant used to be part of celebrity chef Jean-Christophe Novelli's empire. Now it is run by rising culinary star Phil Thompson, who combines the best of French cooking with his traditional English roots. So there's a pressed Foie Gras, pineapple and smoked duck terrine, tomato chutney and toasted brioche; roast rump of British excellence beef, potato gratin, wilted garlic leaf and smoked shallot jus; or warm Port and orange poached figs with chocolate brioche and bitter chocolate ice cream. www.aubergedulac.co.uk

A Grelha at the Gun, Docklands, London
A Grehla is an entirely al fresco bar and restaurant attached to the Gun pub on the banks of the Thames, that offers traditional southern Portuguese food. Diners here can soak up the sun all day, while enjoying stunning views over the river and the newly refreshed Dome (now called the O2 Centre). The atmosphere is chilled, so sit back and relax with a glass of wine while your food is cooked to order on the huge open charcoal bbq. www.thegundocklands.com

Five others to consider
• The Pheasant, Cambridgeshire, www.huntsbridge.com, 01832 710241
• The Sun Inn, Hampshire, www.tailormadepub.co.uk/sun/default.php
• Inn on the Lake, Godalming, www.theinnonthelake.co.uk, 01483 419997
• City Café, Bristol, www.cityinn.com/bristol/eating_drinking.htm, 0117 910 2700
• The Cabinet at Reed, Hertfordshire, www.thecabinetatreed.co.uk, 01763 848 366