London’s best canalside cafes and bars

Make the most of the summer by enjoying a boozy meal on the sun-splashed terrace of a canalside cafe or bar.

Arepa and Co 

While away a sunny day with a mojito on the terrace of this colourful and buzzy canalside cafe bar in the Haggerston Riviera, where you’ll find affable staff and delicious Venezuelan dishes, from perico (Venezuelan-style scrambled eggs) to arepas (corn bread pocket sandwiches filled with a variety of fillings).

Brunch is available from 10am to 4pm on weekends, with top picks including Desayuno Reina (chicken and guacamole, black beans, cheese, plantains and an arepa).

And as night falls, there’s an array of tempting rum-based cocktails to choose from, made using Santa Teresa, a popular Venezuelan brand of rum. Arrive early to nab a hammock-style chair by the window.

The Proud Archivist 

Prettily situated on Regent’s Canal near Haggerston Overground Station, this great looking venue has something for everyone: it’s a gallery, bar, restaurant, cafe and events space that has been designed to emulate the traditions of London’s grand 17th and 18th-century coffee houses.

Open for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner, there’s an emphasis on British cuisine with the likes of Sunday roasts and sea bass fillets on the menu.

The Summerhouse 

Munch on popcorn shrimp, battered fish and chips or summer salads in this waterside seafood restaurant in picture-perfect Little Venice in West London.

Eat in the open-air on the banks of the canal in this nautical-themed restaurant, washing your food down with jugs of Pimm’s, rosé wines and cocktails.

Puddings include retro favourites, such as knickerbocker glory and crème brulee. Contrary to its name, this restaurant is happily open all year round (there’s a comfy glass-fronted lounge for the chilly winter months).

Towpath Cafe 

The creation of food writer Lori De Mori, this hip cafe on Regent’s Canal (near the Whitmore Bridge) is so cool that it doesn’t have a phone number or website, and it only accepts cash.

The delicious cups of Java make it a great spot to get your daily caffeine fix, but it’s also worth hanging around for its tasty Mediterranean lunches and dinners.

Grab a seat on the terrace to watch passing runners, cyclists, and coots making their nests.

Suppertub 

Eat your dinner in a hot tub in the newest pop-up to hit Hackney Wick.

Relax in wood-fired hot tubs under the stars, while feasting on a Peruvian tapas menu of ceviche, marinated steak and fruity puds, served tub-side on skewers.

After dinner, you will be encouraged to play waterproof games, including Submarine, Duckie and Iceburgs.

With a canalside setting on a leafy deck, this decadent experience costs £50 for a pair of tickets, which will give you two hours in the tub. Suppertub is open until 3 August. 

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