Sydney has plenty of amazing restaurants and cafes to explore. However, with its stunning coastline, beautiful parks and gorgeous gardens, it is a particularly good destination for al fresco dining.
Whether you’re a local or a tourist, some of the best restaurants in Sydney allow you to enjoy anything from a casual brunch to a degustation experience, while taking in the city’s breathtaking views.
Offering menus that champion the city’s culinary scene, dining in one of Sydney’s outdoor restaurants is an experience that is not to be missed.
So next time you are planning a date night, a birthday celebration or just a simple catch-up with friends, here are 10 fantastic outdoor restaurants in Sydney to enjoy your next meal at.
1. Hugos Manly
Hugos Manly is a popular restaurant located, as its name suggests, in Manly. The restaurant offers a relaxed atmosphere with stunning views of Manly beach, making it an ideal spot for outdoor dining. Its outdoor space features a spacious deck, where customers can enjoy their meals while taking in the scenic views.
The menu at Hugos Manly is a fusion of Italian and Australian cuisines, with an emphasis on fresh seafood. The likes of grilled octopus and linguine with prawns, shine from it, while the classic margherita pizza is a local favourite.
In addition to its food and outdoor space, Hugos Manly also boasts an extensive wine list and a selection of cocktails, making it a perfect spot for a night out with friends or a romantic dinner.
Address: Shop 1 Manly Wharf, East Esplanade, Manly NSW 2095
Phone: +61 2 8116 8555
Hours: Mon – Fri 12 pm – 10 pm, Sat – Sun 11:30 am – 12 am
2. Coogee Pavilion
Affectionately called ‘The Pav’ by locals, the Coogee Pavilion is a fabulous beachfront restaurant in the eastern suburbs.
The restaurant features a large outdoor space that includes a rooftop terrace with panoramic ocean views, as well as a ground-level beer garden and an alfresco dining area.
Many patrons flock here for the sensational sashimi, lobster rolls and oysters which they can enjoy at a venue that has a friendly and relaxed vibe.
In addition to its food and outdoor space, Coogee Pavilion also offers a range of activities and events, including live music, trivia nights, and even yoga classes.
Address: 169 Dolphin Street, Coogee NSW 2034
Phone: +61 2 9114 7321
Hours: Sun – Thu 7:30 am – 12 am, Fri – Sat 7:30 am – 3 am
3. The Newport
Offering one of the most beautiful waterfront locations in Sydney, The Newport is somewhere you should definitely put on your ‘must visit’ list of restaurants with outdoor spaces.
The restaurant has a large communal outdoor deck that includes a beer garden, rooftop terrace and children’s play area. It is even pet friendly too! So you should have no qualms about bringing fido.
The menu at The Newport features modern Australian cuisine, with an emphasis on fresh seafood and locally-sourced produce. It offers hearty fare to suit different tastes, including wood-fired pizzas, seared scallops and its signature Newport burger.
There is also good entertainment here too in the form of live music, DJs and movie nights, which often draw in big crowds.
Address: 2 Kalinya Street, Newport NSW 2106
Phone: +61 2 9114 7337
Hours: Mon – Fri 9:30 am – 12 am, Sat 9 am – 2 am, Sun 9 am – 11 pm
4. The Grounds of Alexandria
If there is one place you have to go to enjoy an al fresco meal in Sydney it is The Grounds of Alexandria.
Offering something for everyone, the stunning heritage-listed building has a lovely terrace, lawn and courtyard for you to sit at.
The seasonal menu at The Grounds of Alexandria features dishes that have a strong focus on local produce and sustainability. Covering breakfast, lunch and dinner, you can get everything from avo smash and pancakes to their iconic Grounds burger or slow-cooked shoulder of lamb.
Address: 2 Huntley Street, Alexandria NSW 2015
Phone: +61 2 9699 2225
Hours: Mon – Thu 7am-9 pm, Fri 7am – 10 pm, Sat 7:30 am – 10 pm, Sun 7:30 am – 9 pm
5. The Beresford Hotel
You could be forgiven for thinking you’ve walked into a fairy tale if you visit the al fresco dining area of The Beresford Hotel at night.
Resplendent with lantern lights and walls that are overgrown with lush, green foliage, it has a very intimate, relaxing and refined feel.
Situated in Surry Hills, this is another pet-friendly venue. It offers a delicious range of homemade pasta and wood-fired pizzas, as well as more classic pub fare like pork belly and a burger.
A popular destination for locals, the venue also holds trivia nights and occasional drag shows which provide some outrageous fun!
Address: 354 Bourke Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010
Phone: +61 2 9114 7328
Hours: Mon – Tue 12 pm – 12 am, Wed – Sun 12 pm – 1 am
6. Spice Alley
Nestled behind the laneway on Kensington Street, Spice Alley is a vibrant destination in Chippendale that accommodates one of Sydney’s best open-air courtyards.
Offering a selection of hawker-style food, patrons can pick from a range of street food vendors and enjoy their meals under lanterns at communal tables. With everything from French fusion to authentic Cantonese dishes available, this place is a foodie’s paradise.
It also has a bustling atmosphere and affordable prices, making it a very popular destination for those looking for an authentic Asian street food experience in Sydney.
Address: Kensington Street, Chippendale NSW 2008
Phone: +61 2 9281 0822
Hours: Sun – Wed 11 am – 9:30 pm, Thu – Sat 11 am – 10 pm
7. The Emporium Parramatta
The Emporium Parramatta is a sophisticated restaurant and bar located in the heart of western Sydney.
Boasting an Italian vibe, with rustic table tops that were handmade in Venice and an al fresco dining area that features plenty of greenery, its elegant outdoor space is a big attraction.
Its menu features a number of stand-out dishes including its slow-cooked short rib beef which is smothered with a delicious paprika maple glaze. Also featured on it is a spectacular selection of imported cured meats from France, England and Italy.
In addition to its food and outdoor space, The Emporium Parramatta also features a selection of cocktails and an extensive wine list of labels from all around the world.
Address: 51 Phillip St, Parramatta NSW 2150
Phone: +61 2 9687 1955
Hours: Mon 7 am – 4 pm, Tue – Fri 7 am – 10 pm, Sat 8:30 am – 10 pm, Sun 8:30 am – 5 pm
8. Catalina
Catalina is a premium waterfront restaurant located in Rose Bay.
While it might be a bit on the pricey side for some diners, it is worth coming here, if you can afford it, for its stunning outdoor space.
Sitting virtually on the water, the outdoor space reputedly attracts some high-profile celebrity patrons. Many of whom, no doubt, come here for the exceptional, panoramic views you get of the Sydney Harbour, as well as its chic, modern atmosphere.
The menu at Catalina features contemporary Australian cuisine with an emphasis on seafood and seasonal ingredients. The restaurant offers such delights as Morton Bay bug tails, yellowfin tuna tartare, and its signature Catalina seafood platter, which is always prepared to perfection.
Reservations are essential here, but if you can secure a table on the deck at sunset, you won’t be disappointed. Particularly if you choose to watch it whilst sipping on one of their delicious cocktails.
Address: Lyne Park, Rose Bay NSW 2029
Phone: +61 2 9371 0555
Hours: Mon – Sat 12 pm – 10 pm, Sun 12 pm – 5 pm
9. Hotel Ravesis
One of the coolest places to eat in Sydney has to be Hotel Ravesis. Situated in the heart of Bondi, it boasts a magnificent art deco appearance and a stunning pink flamingo pink colour scheme.
It also has a fabulous beachside bar that wraps around a terrace where you can enjoy a wonderful dining experience against a backdrop of stunning Bondi views.
The restaurant’s menu offers an exquisite selection of delicious meals in a laid-back atmosphere. One of its culinary highlights is the barramundi fillet, while vegetarians will love its gnocchi.
If you don’t fancy eating, the bar presents some inventive cocktails and a robust wine list for you to enjoy.
Address: 118 Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach NSW 2026
Phone: +61 2 9365 4422
Hours: Mon – Sat 10 am – 1 am, Sun 10 am – 12 am
10. Acre Eatery
If you want to eat sustainable food during your al fresco dining experience you should head on over to the Acre Eatery in Camperdown.
An admirable farm-to-table restaurant, the venue boasts a beautiful outdoor space with an urban farm, where they grow their own fresh produce, and offer plenty of seating.
The menu at Acre Eatery features seasonal, organic, and locally sourced ingredients, offering a range of contemporary Australian cuisine options. Some of its most popular dishes include grilled cauliflower steak, barramundi and its pork belly.
With its sustainable and traceable approach to dining, delectable food, and picturesque outdoor setting, it is a unique and eco-friendly dining experience that every foodie in Sydney should partake in.
Address: 31a Mallett Street, Camperdown NSW 2050
Phone: +61 2 9194 3100
Hours: Wed – Sat 8 am – 10 pm, Sun 8 am – 5 pm
11. The Boathouse Palm Beach
The Boathouse Palm Beach is a picturesque waterfront restaurant and cafe located in Palm Beach, Sydney. If you go there, you might recognise the surrounding sand as the location for Summer Bay in the TV show Home and Away.
At the venue, you will find a fabulous outdoor space that offers splendid panoramic views of the beach – you may even get to see some of the actors popping in for something to eat!
Radiating a very ‘holiday’ vibe, the menu at The Boathouse Palm Beach features lots of seafood and Mediterranean-inspired dishes. Their fish of the day is usually a big winner, while their king prawn linguine is often raved about.
Address: Governor Phillip Park, Palm Beach NSW 2108
Phone: +61 2 9974 5440
Hours: Mon – Sun 7 am – 4 pm
12. Three Blue Ducks
Three Blue Ducks is another farm-to-table restaurant, this time in Rosebery, Sydney.
The restaurant boasts not one, but two beautiful outdoor spaces, both of which have a rustic feel, incorporating lush greenery, a wood-fired oven, and plenty of seating. The surrounding garden also has plenty of olive trees, fragrant herbs and twinkling lights which create a very special ambience.
Presenting a menu that celebrates locally sourced, sustainable ingredients, many patrons go crazy for the wood-fired flatbread. Their snapper ceviche and the grass-fed beef sirloin are also very popular choices too.
To compliment the food, they offer an excellent range of natural wines, locally made craft beers and very inventive cocktails. If you are looking for a romantic place to head to for your next date night, Three Blue Ducks is it.
Address: 1/85 Dunning Ave, Rosebery NSW 2018
Phone: +61 2 9389 0010
Hours: Tue 7:30 am – 2:30 pm, Wed – Sat 7:30 am – 9 pm, Sun 7:30 am – 3 pm
13. Vacanza Pizzeria
There is arguably no better food to eat outside than pizza, which is one of the reasons why Vacanza Pizzeria is so popular.
Situated in Surry Hills, its charming outdoor space is both cosy and inviting. Providing diners with lots of seating and a relaxed ambience in which to enjoy their meal.
The menu here incorporates a wide selection of authentic Neapolitan-style pizzas, which are made using traditional techniques and high-quality ingredients. It includes the Margherita, the Diavola, and the Calzone, which literally has people queuing out the door for it.
The venue also features a range of Italian wines and beers to pair with your pizza, should you want to go fully authentic.
Address: 414 Bourke Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010
Phone: +61 2 8964 6414
Hours: Mon – Thu 5:30 pm – 11 pm, Fri – Sat 12 pm – 3:30 pm & 5:30 pm – 11 pm, Sun 12 pm – 3 pm & 5:30 pm – 10 pm
14. Glenmore Hotel
Probably the most historic venue on this list, the Glenmore Hotel is an iconic pub located in the Rocks area of Sydney.
One of its most notable features is its beautiful rooftop outdoor space which offers spectacular views of Sydney Harbour and the city skyline. The roof is retractable and the area features lots of heaters, umbrellas and seating, so it is an area you can dine in comfortably all year round.
Whilst there, you will be able to enjoy classic gastro-pub dishes like chicken parma and seafood
linguine. Both of which come in generous portion sizes.
The venue also has good entertainment and a terrific selection of beers, spirits, wines and cocktails, so you can really make an evening of it.
Address: 96 Cumberland Street, The Rocks NSW 2000
Phone: +61 2 9247 4794
Hours: Sun – Thu 11 am – 12 am, Fri – Sat 11 am – 1 am