The Il Giardino pop-up terrace at The Berkeley

We're quite partial to a good holiday here at Foodism. Whether it's exploring and adventuring for our travel features or for our sister magazine Escapism, or simply turning our backs on reality for a few days sunning it up on a beach, travel is a pretty firm part of our plans. But with never-ending news stories about airport chaos and airline cancellations covering the news, we're thinking travelling through food in London might be our best bet this year. 

Originally established in response to post-lockdown outdoor dining, The Garden at The Berkeley has become something of a culinary hotspot over the last two years, playing host to a number of seasonal pop-up concepts. This year it sees itself transformed Il Giardino, an Italian-inspired al fresco space that aims to bring a slice of La Dolce Vita to London. 

Kick off your dining experience with an aperitivo from the roaming spritz trolley and let yourself settle into the holiday feeling. Led by Italian chef Antonio Pavone, the menu focuses on classic Italian dishes that are perfect for summer – think fritto misto, burrata, caponata or grilled fish – and a wine list packed full of Mediterranean drops. 

Without sounding too much like a broken record, tapping into the Italian summer without having to battle lengthy airport queues and cancelled flights sounds pretty damn good to us right about now. Travelling vicariously through restaurants in London has never been easier, and we reckon Il Giardino does a good job of bringing the Amalfi Coast all the way to London – no three-hour check-in queue necessary. 

Il Giardino is open from Wednesday to Sunday until the end of September. Make a reservation at the-berkeley.co.uk.