14 alfresco dining spots in Australia for perfect summer days

These chic venues embrace the warm weather in style.

Warm weather and longer days call for sitting outdoors enjoying delicious seasonal bites and refreshing cocktails. And thankfully, Australia is blessed with some breezy alfresco dining spots to relax and catch up with friends in style. 

Whether it’s for casual summer spritzes or lazy long lunches, a restaurant with water views or a lush rooftop bar, these venues allow you to make the most of the pleasant weather.

1. Catalina, Sydney, NSW

This iconic restaurant in Sydney’s east offers chic waterfront dining and an elevated menu that celebrates the best of Australian coastal produce. Book a table at the outdoor bar for sunset and be treated to sweeping views of the harbour, freshly shucked Sydney rock oysters, pan-fried king prawns and premium margaritas. 

2. In The Hanging Garden, Hobart, Tas

alfresco dining In The Hanging Garden, Hobart, TAS — The Garden is a lush oasis.

In The Hanging Garden is undoubtedly the spot to hang on sunny days in Hobart. This live music and cultural precinct features a multi-level beer garden with outdoor dining and bars. Head up to The Garden to taste seasonal Tassie food, wine and beer in a verdant oasis, or relax at the Cathedral with its spacious lawn and Mexican, pizza and sandwich offerings.

3. Rick Shores, Burleigh Heads, Qld

One of Burleigh Heads’ most-loved dining destinations, Rick Shores offers relaxed beachside dining and bold pan-Asian flavours in share plate style. The space is sophisticated yet relaxed with expansive windows that create an indoor/outdoor flow that allows diners to enjoy unobstructed beach and ocean views. The Moreton Bay bug roll and crispy soft-shell crab are not to be missed.

4. Pee Wee’s at the Point, Darwin, NT

alfresco dining on the water's edge at Pee Wee’s at the Point, Darwin, NT — Indulge in fresh seafood by the water. (Image: Tourism NT/Christopher Nayna)

This Top End favourite is the ideal place to make the most of the balmy, tropical weather. Plant yourself at one of the tables on the water’s edge at sunset to enjoy views of the marina and harbour. The menu offers a tasty range of fresh seafood and local delicacies with the wild-caught barramundi being a must-order.

5. Farmer’s Daughters rooftop, Melbourne, Vic

the dimly dining at Farmer's Daughters rooftop, Melbourne, VIC — Enjoy light deli snacks and seasonal cocktails on the rooftop. (Image: Arianna Leggiero)

Melbourne institution Farmer’s Daughters brings regional Victoria, to the heart of the city. The venue’s verdant rooftop bar is an oasis that offers a deli-style menu with bites including potato rösti with nduja, stracciatella, bee pollen, and spring crudité with romesco dip and seeded rye toast. Inventive cocktails like the ‘Jala-Pinot’ with campfire roasted jalapeno and grapefruit infused tequila, pinot noir reduction, lime and grapefruit make for a perfect summer sipping experience.

6. Skol, Perth, WA

SKØL is the Scandinavian word for ‘cheers,’ and there’s plenty to celebrate at this charming spot in Scarborough that encourages good times. The vibrant menu features fresh, shareable plates, creative cocktails, tap beer and a selection of local and international wines. Choose between sitting on the sunny front porch of the heritage-style house or in the plant-filled courtyard.

7. Albert’s Wine Bar, Melbourne, Vic

alfresco dining at Albert’s Wine Bar, Melbourne, VIC — Albert’s Wine Bar exudes Parisian charm. (Image: Kate Shanasy)

With its carriage green palette, lattice detailing, cosy vibe, and street front seating, this neighbourhood cafe by day and wine bar by night would feel right at home in Paris. The rotating list of wines is sourced from authentic small-batch producers from all over the world and is to be enjoyed with small plates like charred leeks with parmesan custard, hazelnuts, capers and burnt butter or larger plates like rigatoni with vodka sauce and smoked ricotta.

8. The White Horse, Sydney, NSW

the lush rooftop terrace at The White Horse — Enjoy breezy cocktails on the lush rooftop terrace. (Image: Gavin Green)

This Sydney stalwart received a major renovation last year that transformed it into the chic hotspot it is today. Head upstairs to the lush rooftop terrace for breezy cocktails like the Bizzarro × PS40 strawberry and yuzu spritz and seasonal bites like fried prawns with nahm jim and four cheese croquettes.

9. Pinchy’s Lobster & Champagne Bar, Melbourne, Vic

alfresco dining at Pinchy's Lobster & Champagne Bar, Melbourne, VIC — Head upstairs to indulge in lobster rolls and champagne.

When the weather warms up, champagne and seafood really are where it’s at, and Pinchy’s Lobster & Champagne Bar in the CBD delivers the goods. Swathed in lashings of pink, this playful rooftop bar is a go-to spot for lobster rolls and Alaskan crab paired with a glass of bubbles or chablis.

10. The Fig Tree, Kangaroo Island, SA

dining under lush greenery at The Fig Tree, Kangaroo Island, SA — Taste your way through the hyper-local seafood menu underneath an ancient fig tree.

When it comes to special dining experiences in Australia, it’s hard to look past a meal at this Snelling Beach wilderness eatery on Kangaroo Island. Diners tuck into a three-hour Mediterranean-inspired feast that takes place underneath an ancient fig tree. Dishes hero coastal foraged ingredients and hyper-local seafood. Think: saltbush porchetta with apple and cavolo nero, and golden kelp focaccia with whipped ricotta and Ligurian honey.

11. Meelup Farmhouse, Cape Naturaliste, WA

Nestled in a beautiful rural setting on a charming hobby farm at Cape Naturaliste, Meelup Farmhouse is a delightful spot to enjoy delicious seasonal dishes and breathe in fresh country air. Sip on vino from local wineries and tuck into plates that champion ingredients from WA’s south-west like chicken, leek, and bacon terrine with croutons, farmhouse-made gherkins and relish.

12. RAFI, Sydney, NSW

the alfresco dining spot at RAFI, Sydney, NSW — RAFI will transport you to the Mediterranean.

An underrated gem in Sydney’s North Sydney, RAFI’s alfresco areas feature orange umbrellas and lush foliage that will transport you to the Mediterranean. The menu is inspired by the coastal elements of Sydney, so expect ceviche, oysters, whole fish, lobster and prawns (hummus with crispy chickpeas and green chilli is also not to be missed), alongside refreshing yuzu and peach spritzes. RAFI has also recently opened a sister venue at URBNSURF Sydney.

13. Herringbone, Adelaide, SA

the light-filled courtyard at Herringbone, Adelaide, NSW — Dine on great food in the cosy courtyard.

This laidback restaurant in the Adelaide CBD is known for its charming ambience and great food. The light-filled courtyard, where diners sit under a tree, is the perfect spot to while away a few hours sipping South Australian drops and nibbling on modern Australian dishes including standout options like local prawn mafaldine and hot smoked mulloway crostini.

14. Rizla, Canberra, ACT

Riesling and summer are a match made in heaven and if you’re a fan of the grape, you’ll find yourself in good hands at Rizla . Renowned as Braddon’s best wine bar, this venue has a 14-page strong wine list with a strong focus on the white grape and a menu of snacks designed to pair perfectly with it. Swing by for afternoon bevs in the relaxing outdoor space.

Winding down in the Yarra Valley, where ‘work from home’ becomes ‘work from wine country’.

Steam from my morning coffee curls gently into the cool valley air, mist-veiled vineyards stretch out in neat rows below me. Magpies warble from trees, and the morning’s quiet carries the soft bleating of lambs from a nearby paddock. Midweek in the Yarra Valley has its own rhythm. It’s slower, quieter, with more empty tables at cafes and cellar doors, and walking trails I can claim all to myself. It’s as if the entire region takes a deep breath once the weekend crowd leaves.

walking trails in the Yarra Valley — You’ll find walking trails are less crowded during the week. (Image: Visit Victoria)

I haven’t come here for a holiday, but to do a little work somewhere other than my home office, where I spend too much time hunched over my desk. Deadlines still loom, meetings still happen, but with flexible work evolving from ‘work from home’ to ‘work from anywhere’, I’m swapping the view of my front yard to the vineyards.

A quiet afternoon at Yarra Valley Dairy

holding a glass of wine at Yarra Valley Dairy — Wine time at Yarra Valley Dairy, where you can enjoy a toastie or bagel in the cafe. (Image: Visit Victoria)

With the Yarra Valley just over an hour from the CBD, many Melburnians could drive here in their lunch break. I arrive late in the afternoon and am delighted to discover the Yarra Valley Dairy still open. On weekends, I’ve seen queues spilling out the door, but today there’s only one other couple inside. There’s no need to rush to secure a table; instead I browse the little store, shelves stacked with chutneys, spices, artisan biscuits and gorgeous crockery that would look right at home in my kitchen. It’s hard not to buy the lot.

a cheese tasting plate atYarra Valley Dairy — A cheese tasting plate at Yarra Valley Dairy.

I order a coffee and a small cheese platter, though the dairy has a full menu, and choose a wooden table with bentwood chairs by a wide window. The space feels part farm shed, part cosy café: corrugated iron ceiling, walls painted in muted tones and rustic furniture.

Outside, cows meander toward milking sheds. If pressed for time, there’s the option of quick cheese tastings – four samples for five dollars in five minutes – but today, I’m in no rush. I sip slowly, watching a grey sky settle over the paddock. Less than an hour ago I was hunched over my home-office desk, and now my racing mind has slowed to match the valley’s pace.

Checking in for vineyard views at Balgownie Estate

Restaurant 1309 at Balgownie Estate has views across the vines.

As my car rolls to a stop at Balgownie Estate , I’m quietly excited, and curious to see if my plan to work and play comes off. I’ve chosen a suite with a spacious living area and a separate bedroom so I can keep work away from a good night’s sleep. I could have booked a cosy cottage, complete with open fireplace, a comfy couch and a kettle for endless cups of tea, but as I am still here to get some work done, I opt for a place that takes care of everything. Dinner is served in Restaurant 1309, as is breakfast.

oysters at Restaurant 1309, Balgownie Estate — Oysters pair perfectly with a crisp white at Restaurant 1309.

On my first evening, instead of the usual walk about my neighbourhood, I stroll through the estate at an unhurried pace. There’s no need to rush – someone else is preparing my dinner after all. The walking trails offer beautiful sunsets, and it seems mobs of kangaroos enjoy the view, too. Many appear, grazing lazily on the hillside.

I wake to the call of birds and, after breakfast, with the mist still lingering over the vineyards, I watch two hot-air balloons silently drift above clouds. Perched on a hill, Balgownie Estate sits above the mist, leaving the valley below veiled white.

kangaroos in Yarra Valley — Spotting the locals on an evening walk. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Exploring the Yarra Valley on two wheels

the Yarra Valley vineyards — Swap your home office for a view of the vineyards. (Image: Visit Victoria/Cormac Hanrahan)

Perhaps because the Yarra Valley is relatively close to where I live, I’ve never considered exploring the area any way other than by car or on foot. And with a fear of heights, a hot-air balloon is firmly off the table. But when I discover I can hop on two wheels from the estate and cycle into Yarra Glen, I quickly realise it’s the perfect way to step away from my laptop and experience a different side of the region.

COG Bike offers pedal-assist e-bikes, and while the bike trail and paths into town aren’t particularly hilly, having an extra bit of ‘oomph’ means I can soak up the surroundings. Those lambs I heard calling early in the morning? I now find them at the paddock fence, sniffing my hands, perhaps hoping for food. Cows idle nearby, and at a fork in the bike path I turn left toward town.

It’s still morning, and the perfect time for a coffee break at The Vallie Store. If it were the afternoon, I’d likely turn right, in the direction of four wineries with cellar doors. The ride is about 15 kilometres return, but don’t let that put you off. Staying off the highway, the route takes you along quiet backroads where you catch glimpses of local life – farmers on tractors, weathered sheds, rows of vines and the kind of peaceful countryside you don’t see from the main road.

A detour to the Dandenong Ranges

legs hanging over the sides of the train, Puffing Billy Railway — The iconic Puffing Billy runs every day except Christmas Day.

The beauty of basing myself in the Yarra Valley is how close everything feels. In barely half an hour I’m in the Dandenong Ranges, swapping vineyards for towering mountain ash and fern-filled gullies. The small villages of Olinda and Sassafras burst with cosy teahouses, antique stores and boutiques selling clothing and handmade body care items.

I’m drawn to RJ Hamer Arboretum – Latin for ‘a place for trees’. Having grown up among tall trees, I’ve always taken comfort in their presence, so this visit feels like a return of sorts. A stroll along the trails offers a choice: wide open views across patchwork paddocks below, or shaded paths that lead you deeper into the quiet hush of the peaceful forest.

The following day, I settle into a quiet corner on the balcony of Paradise Valley Hotel in Clematis and soon hear Puffing Billy’s whistle and steady chuff as the steam train climbs towards town. Puffing Billy is one of Australia’s most beloved steam trains, running through the Dandenong Ranges on a narrow-gauge track. It’s famous for its open carriages where passengers can sit with their legs hanging over the sides as the train chugs through the forest. This is the perfect spot to wave to those on the train.

After my midweek break, I find my inbox still full and my to-do list not in the least shrunken, just shifted from one task to another. But I return to my home office feeling lighter, clearer and with a smug satisfaction I’d stolen back a little time for myself. A midweek wind-down made all the difference.

A traveller’s checklist

Staying there

Balgownie Estate offers everything from cellar door tastings to spa treatments and fine dining – all without leaving the property.

Playing there

the TarraWarra Museum of Art, Yarra Valley — Visit the TarraWarra Museum of Art. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Wander through Alowyn Gardens, including a stunning wisteria tunnel, then explore the collection of contemporary artworks at TarraWarra Museum of Art . Cycle the Yarra Valley with COG Bike to visit local wineries and cellar doors.

Eating and drinking there

Olinda Tea House offers an Asian-inspired high tea. Paradise Valley Hotel, Clematis has classic pub fare, while the iconic Yering Station offers wine tastings and a restaurant with seasonal dishes.

seasonal dishes at the restaurant inside Yering Station — The restaurant at Yering Station showcases the best produce of the Yarra Valley. (Image: Visit Victoria)