Outdoor seating transforms a restaurant’s ambiance, and this shift often extends to menu choices—especially for iconic items like clotted cream. Traditionally paired with scones in British tea service, clotted cream’s richness demands thoughtful presentation. Al fresco dining encourages lighter, fresher interpretations, prompting restaurants to opt for locally sourced or seasonal variations.

The open-air setting also influences portioning. Smaller, shareable servings may replace heavy dollops, catering to relaxed, social dining. Additionally, temperature control becomes critical outdoors, leading some establishments to offer whipped or stabilized versions to maintain texture in warmer weather.

Ultimately, outdoor seating doesn’t just change where we eat—it reshapes how chefs curate classics like clotted cream, balancing tradition with adaptability.