Garden Rooftop

The UK apparently gets less than five hours of sun per day on average, so it's a good idea to soak in those rays when you get the chance. The Garden Rooftop comes tailor-made for that exact kind of leisure.

With vast floor-to-ceiling glass windows framing the room, this rooftop bar and restaurant on the 10th floor of the Assembly Hotel in the heart of the West End is absolutely drenched in sunlight when the clouds deign to part. The temptation to doze off in the sun is strong, but it's worth keeping your eyes open for the spectacular vista with iconic landmarks such as the London Eye and The Shard all reporting for duty – just imagine the view at sunset. You might face some competition for the rays from the many living plants that cover the walls and ceiling of the airy, botanical-inspired space, though.

The sun seems to have soaked into the menu as well, with fresh Italian food to choose from. No pizza, but plenty of pasta, burrata, seafood, risotto and all the other classics, including homemade tiramisu to cap it all off, as well as a selection of digestifs to ease the strain. On Saturdays and Sunday, brunch sittings are available, including resident DJs and live entertainment, with other events, such as Wine Wednesdays, organised throughout the week.