Southwark's Seabird Chases the Balearic Summer
- James Massoud
- 7 hours ago
- 4 min read
London's rooftops have long mastered the art of the view, but this summer one of the capital's highest restaurants is setting its sights a little further south. Perched above Southwark on the 14th floor of The Hoxton, Seabird is transforming into a slice of Mediterranean coastal life, where seafood, tequila and sun-soaked soundtracks come together in a celebration of long lunches, golden-hour cocktails and late summer evenings.
Partnering with the historic Mexican tequila house Herradura, Seabird's new rooftop series proves that the flavours of Spain, Portugal and Mexico have more in common than first meets the eye.
A rooftop made for summer
Few restaurants capture the feeling of escaping London quite like Seabird in Southwark. Already known for its panoramic skyline views and one of the city's most impressive oyster collections, the restaurant has become synonymous with leisurely seafood feasts inspired by the Iberian coastline.
From now until the end of August, that identity becomes even more pronounced. The terrace has been reimagined as a Balearic-inspired retreat, where the rhythm of the day dictates the experience. Arrive for an unhurried lunch beneath blue skies, settle in for cocktails as the afternoon softens into evening, or stay long after sunset as DJs take over the rooftop.
Rather than simply launching another seasonal drinks list, Seabird is embracing a lifestyle. One where nobody checks the time, another round always feels justified, and the city below seems comfortably far away.
Tequila finds a natural home
The partnership with Herradura feels surprisingly effortless. While tequila is often associated with lively bars and late nights, Herradura's heritage tells a different story. Founded in 1870 and still produced on its original hacienda estate, the brand pioneered the world's first Reposado tequila in 1976 and continues to craft its spirits using traditional methods that highlight cooked agave, vanilla and subtle oak.
Those softer, more rounded characteristics lend themselves naturally to Seabird's food-first philosophy. The bespoke cocktail menu reflects that balance beautifully. The Hot Honey Margarita layers apricot with ancho chilli and fresh lime, while the Big Salted Watermelon Highball combines salted watermelon, amontillado and soda into something refreshing without losing complexity. Meanwhile, the Blood Orange Mule introduces blood orange, carrot, ginger and lime for a brighter, more savoury interpretation of the classic serve. These are cocktails designed to compliment dinner, and they do so with fantastic finesse.
A menu that tastes like summer
If the cocktails set the mood, the kitchen provides the substance. Created for sharing beneath blue skies and lingering over long afternoons, Seabird's summer menu leans into the bright, uncomplicated flavours of the Mediterranean while giving subtle nods to Mexico through thoughtful pairings.
Diners can begin with salt cod croquettes served alongside saffron and lime aioli, smoky Padrón peppers dusted with citrus salt, or a pair of Jersey oysters, before moving into a selection of vibrant small plates.
There's delicate sea bream aguachile sharpened with cucumber, jalapeño and fennel; crisp soft-shell crab with al pastor aioli and lime; rich slices of 100% Ibérico Bellota jamón; and grilled peach with Payoyo cheese, lifted by ajo blanco, pickled walnuts and basil oil. Even Seabird's signature triple-cooked chips receive a summer makeover, seasoned with paprika and thyme salt.
Desserts continue the sunny theme, whether that's a creamy Basque cheesecake with citrus and Manchego, a refreshing pineapple and lime carpaccio topped with coconut sorbet, mint and chilli, or a comforting torrija finished with dulce de leche and vanilla ice cream.
It's a menu that feels intentionally effortless. Nothing is overly complicated or trying too hard; instead, every dish seems to encourage another cocktail, another shared plate and, inevitably, another hour spent watching the sun sink behind London's skyline.
The soundtrack of the season
No Mediterranean escape is complete without music. Throughout the summer, London institution BBE Music will curate the terrace soundtrack, bringing its eclectic taste to weekend DJ sessions that evolve as daylight fades. Expect Balearic beats, Southern European influences and global sounds that gradually build energy into the evening.
Special rooftop sessions on 25th July and 29th August promise to elevate things even further, combining DJs with live performances as Seabird shifts effortlessly from relaxed daytime dining into one of the capital's most atmospheric rooftop destinations after dark.
London's answer to a Mediterranean weekend
The best collaborations aren't about branding, they're about transporting people somewhere else, even if only for a few hours.
Seabird and Herradura have managed exactly that. Together they've created an experience that captures the unhurried pleasures of Mediterranean living without asking anyone to leave London. Great food, thoughtful tequila cocktails, panoramic views and carefully curated music combine to create something that feels less like a seasonal promotion and more like a holiday hidden above the South Bank.
For anyone craving the Balearics before their passport gets another stamp, the lift to the 14th floor may be the closest thing London has to boarding a flight.
