Best of the Week: 30 Dreamy Outdoor Dining Spaces
Summer is making itself known, which puts alfresco dining on the menu – here are some stunning spaces to inspire you
Georgia Madden
22 December 2017
From casual backyard barbecues to more formal dining areas, there’s nothing quite like eating outdoors in the summer months. If alfresco entertaining is on the agenda for you this holiday season, look no further – we’ve gathered together our all-time favourite outdoor dining spots from around the globe to whet your appetite.
1. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Why we love it: The coastal-inspired palette of pale greys and blues, the oh-so-casual lighting arrangement – interior designer Megan Penman Brown has managed to create a wonderfully relaxed yet stylish outdoor dining area in this sunny family home.
Why we love it: The coastal-inspired palette of pale greys and blues, the oh-so-casual lighting arrangement – interior designer Megan Penman Brown has managed to create a wonderfully relaxed yet stylish outdoor dining area in this sunny family home.
2. Location: Pelican Waters, Queensland
Why we love it: Could you imagine a more delightful spot to enjoy good food and conversation with your favourite people?
Why we love it: Could you imagine a more delightful spot to enjoy good food and conversation with your favourite people?
3. Location: Southampton, USA
Why we love it: And while we’re on the topic of idyllic dining locations, this alfresco setting by New York-based design team foley&cox certainly deserves a mention.
Why we love it: And while we’re on the topic of idyllic dining locations, this alfresco setting by New York-based design team foley&cox certainly deserves a mention.
4. Location: Northern Beaches, NSW
Why we love it: Pops of citrusy brights in the cushions and tableware add a touch of fun to this otherwise low-key outdoor setting. Simply charming.
Why we love it: Pops of citrusy brights in the cushions and tableware add a touch of fun to this otherwise low-key outdoor setting. Simply charming.
5. Location: Cairns, Queensland
Why we love it: Navy and white – a classic combination that works a treat in this tropical setting.
Why we love it: Navy and white – a classic combination that works a treat in this tropical setting.
6. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Why we love it: Built-in bench seating is an inspired choice for a fairly compact outdoor area such as this one – it takes up minimal space and sets a sophisticated tone.
Why we love it: Built-in bench seating is an inspired choice for a fairly compact outdoor area such as this one – it takes up minimal space and sets a sophisticated tone.
7. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Why we love it: Who said pergolas have to be boring? In the outdoor kitchen-dining area of this Melbourne home, the sleek, modern pergola is the star of the show.
Why we love it: Who said pergolas have to be boring? In the outdoor kitchen-dining area of this Melbourne home, the sleek, modern pergola is the star of the show.
8. Location: Sydney, NSW
Why we love it: Adding a fireplace to your alfresco area as the owners have done here not only ups the cosiness, but also encourages guests to linger outdoors long after the meal has finished. Bring on the chilly nights!
Why we love it: Adding a fireplace to your alfresco area as the owners have done here not only ups the cosiness, but also encourages guests to linger outdoors long after the meal has finished. Bring on the chilly nights!
9. Location: Birchgrove, NSW
Why we love it: A tiny courtyard is transformed into an appealing dining spot with cleverly placed bench seating. Folding chairs provide an extra spot to sit and can be tucked away when not in use so they don’t take up valuable space.
Why we love it: A tiny courtyard is transformed into an appealing dining spot with cleverly placed bench seating. Folding chairs provide an extra spot to sit and can be tucked away when not in use so they don’t take up valuable space.
10. Location: Los Angeles, USA
Why we love it: Because we can almost taste the salt air and feel the sea breeze just looking at the alfresco dining area in this Los Angeles home
Why we love it: Because we can almost taste the salt air and feel the sea breeze just looking at the alfresco dining area in this Los Angeles home
11. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Why we love it: We love how the wall of bamboo softens the sleek white dining setting in this Melbourne home. A perfectly balanced result.
Why we love it: We love how the wall of bamboo softens the sleek white dining setting in this Melbourne home. A perfectly balanced result.
12. Location: Sydney, NSW
Why we love it: A fully decked outdoor kitchen makes entertaining a breeze in this charming alfresco space designed David Campbell Building. Extra-wide louvres help keep the area cool and disperse any odours from the barbecue.
Why we love it: A fully decked outdoor kitchen makes entertaining a breeze in this charming alfresco space designed David Campbell Building. Extra-wide louvres help keep the area cool and disperse any odours from the barbecue.
13. Location: Lennox Head, NSW
Why we love it: Running the same pale stone tiles from floor to walls creates a soft, dreamlike feel here.
Why we love it: Running the same pale stone tiles from floor to walls creates a soft, dreamlike feel here.
14. Location: Kensington, UK
Why we love it: Who says the garden is no place for decorative, French-style furniture? In a formal outdoor setting such as this one, it’s just the thing to add to the sense of occasion.
Why we love it: Who says the garden is no place for decorative, French-style furniture? In a formal outdoor setting such as this one, it’s just the thing to add to the sense of occasion.
15. Location: London, UK
Why we love it: Dinner with a view, anyone?
Why we love it: Dinner with a view, anyone?
16. Location: South Melbourne, Victoria
Why we love it: Incorporating a timber-clad ceiling and thick walls of devil’s ivy is a brilliant way to introduce nature to this sky-high, Melbourne apartment. Kudos to Alisa and Lysandra Interiors – the team behind the design.
Why we love it: Incorporating a timber-clad ceiling and thick walls of devil’s ivy is a brilliant way to introduce nature to this sky-high, Melbourne apartment. Kudos to Alisa and Lysandra Interiors – the team behind the design.
17. Location: Black Rock, Melbourne
Why we love it: It’s the little touches we’re loving in the outdoor dining area of this family home – the minimalist timber and white table setting, the black cabinetry on the outdoor kitchen and the matching tap. Simple but very effective.
Why we love it: It’s the little touches we’re loving in the outdoor dining area of this family home – the minimalist timber and white table setting, the black cabinetry on the outdoor kitchen and the matching tap. Simple but very effective.
18. Location: Sydney, NSW
Why we love it: Dense foliage is the perfect way to frame a water view.
Why we love it: Dense foliage is the perfect way to frame a water view.
19. Location: Willoughby, NSW
Why we love it: We adore how the owners have used the same timber species for the decking and built-in seating, but added a touch of the unexpected by switching the direction of the boards. And extra points for the grey detailing at the end of the bench that matches the colour of the vertical screen.
Why we love it: We adore how the owners have used the same timber species for the decking and built-in seating, but added a touch of the unexpected by switching the direction of the boards. And extra points for the grey detailing at the end of the bench that matches the colour of the vertical screen.
20. Location: Washington, USA
Why we love it: A cosy log-burning fire sets the scene for intimate entertaining in the charming sunken courtyard of this Washington home.
Why we love it: A cosy log-burning fire sets the scene for intimate entertaining in the charming sunken courtyard of this Washington home.
21. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Why we love it: A series of plant pockets overflowing with lush greenery creates an eye-catching backdrop for this outdoor dining area, and protects diners from the harsh sun. Practical and beautiful.
Why we love it: A series of plant pockets overflowing with lush greenery creates an eye-catching backdrop for this outdoor dining area, and protects diners from the harsh sun. Practical and beautiful.
22. Location: Manly Vale, NSW
Why we love it: This generous deck on Sydney’s Northern Beaches has been cleverly designed by Michelle Walker Architects to suit the needs of a growing family; it provides plenty of space for family meals and a clear view of the swimming pool, while a bank of shutters means the area can be sealed off during the cooler months so it can be used year-round.
Why we love it: This generous deck on Sydney’s Northern Beaches has been cleverly designed by Michelle Walker Architects to suit the needs of a growing family; it provides plenty of space for family meals and a clear view of the swimming pool, while a bank of shutters means the area can be sealed off during the cooler months so it can be used year-round.
23. Location: Perth, WA
Why we love it: A floating concrete benchtop under the stairs makes a cosy spot for casual meals in this new-build in Perth.
Why we love it: A floating concrete benchtop under the stairs makes a cosy spot for casual meals in this new-build in Perth.
24. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Why we love it: Love the industrial look but don’t feel that it would work outdoors? Think again. The owners of this Melbourne home have eschewed traditional timber tones for their alfresco area and opted for a cool grey palette, minimalist lines and oodles of concrete to stunning effect.
Why we love it: Love the industrial look but don’t feel that it would work outdoors? Think again. The owners of this Melbourne home have eschewed traditional timber tones for their alfresco area and opted for a cool grey palette, minimalist lines and oodles of concrete to stunning effect.
25. Location: Bronte, NSW
Why we love it: A built-in fireplace, a slatted screen to protect against the wind on cool nights, and informal built-in seating to accommodate extra guests – what’s not to love about this outdoor dining area designed by Luigi Rosselli Architects.
Why we love it: A built-in fireplace, a slatted screen to protect against the wind on cool nights, and informal built-in seating to accommodate extra guests – what’s not to love about this outdoor dining area designed by Luigi Rosselli Architects.
26. Location: Clovelly, NSW
Why we love it: A number of clever inclusions in the outdoor area of this renovated Federation home caught our eye, including a large, waterproof and retractable awning that allows the family to use the area all year, and a fully contained outdoor kitchen that’s perfect for hiding mess and cooking paraphernalia. Top marks for designers Bawtree Design Architecture + Interiors.
Why we love it: A number of clever inclusions in the outdoor area of this renovated Federation home caught our eye, including a large, waterproof and retractable awning that allows the family to use the area all year, and a fully contained outdoor kitchen that’s perfect for hiding mess and cooking paraphernalia. Top marks for designers Bawtree Design Architecture + Interiors.
27. Location: Perth, WA
Why we love it: A dining setting with fine lines such as this one is the perfect choice for a compact courtyard, as it allows the light to flow through and won’t impede views. Well played Turner Interior Design.
Why we love it: A dining setting with fine lines such as this one is the perfect choice for a compact courtyard, as it allows the light to flow through and won’t impede views. Well played Turner Interior Design.
28. Location: London, UK
Why we love it: With a playful mirror gallery hung on the hedge and casual block seating, meal times in this London garden are sure to be anything but dull.
Why we love it: With a playful mirror gallery hung on the hedge and casual block seating, meal times in this London garden are sure to be anything but dull.
29. Location: Adelaide, SA
Why we love it: Pared-back lines, wide opening sliders and lashings of white create a seamless indoor-outdoor flow and make this alfresco dining area feel very much part of the interior.
Why we love it: Pared-back lines, wide opening sliders and lashings of white create a seamless indoor-outdoor flow and make this alfresco dining area feel very much part of the interior.
30. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Why we love it: A twinkling chandelier, gingham and toile upholstery, and a rustic, weathered table – this arrangement is just about as romantic as it comes.
Tell us
Which of these outdoor dining settings is your favourite? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to like, share or bookmark this story. Join the conversation.
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See more ‘Best of the Week’ stories
Why we love it: A twinkling chandelier, gingham and toile upholstery, and a rustic, weathered table – this arrangement is just about as romantic as it comes.
Tell us
Which of these outdoor dining settings is your favourite? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to like, share or bookmark this story. Join the conversation.
More
See more ‘Best of the Week’ stories
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11 & 26 are my faves.
Number #2 in Pelican Waters is too staged! Couldn't sit out there for 10 mins in summer in Qld. Drinks'd be hot, food spoilt, and everyone sunburnt. Unrealistic