Sydney’s Best Al Fresco Dining
Summer is here, and alfresco dining is our favourite way to soak it all in.
From waterfront fine dining with sparkling harbour views to relaxed beachside spots made for long, lazy lunches, these are the best places in Sydney to make the most of sunny days and warm nights.
Greek Hospitality Meets Sydney Harbour Akti brings a modern Greek escape to Woolloomooloo Wharf, where Aegean flavours meet one of Sydney’s best waterfront settings. Head Chef Robert Judd puts a contemporary spin on Greek classics, with fresh seafood, mezze and generous dishes designed to capture the spirit of a coastal summer. The relaxed yet…
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Otto Ristorante Woolloomooloo, 25 years on the Finger Wharf and still one of the city's best Otto Ristorante Sydney is a one-hatted Italian restaurant in Woolloomooloo, sitting on the spectacular Finger Wharf with unrivalled waterfront views and al fresco dining that has earned a fiercely loyal following over 25 years. Modern Italian food, approachable sophistication…
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Babylon Brings the Flavours of the Levant to the Sydney CBD Perched above Pitt Street Mall, Babylon combines bold Middle Eastern flavours with one of the city's most impressive rooftop settings. Whether you're stopping in for a long lunch, sunset drinks or a celebratory dinner, the lush surrounds and skyline views make every visit feel…
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Mordeo's new alfresco pergola brings relaxed outdoor dining to the heart of the CBD, serving Southern European-inspired dishes, handmade pasta, pizzas, spritzes and cocktails, perfect from morning coffees to golden hour drinks. The space seats 50, or fits 100 for canapé-style events.
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AORI brings modern Japanese dining to King Street Wharf's waterfront, with a 240-seat space led by chefs from Nobu, Sokyo and Saké. Expect a sushi ferris wheel, tableside dry-aged wagyu from the woodfired grill, and Japanese whisky cocktails smoked under glass.
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Winnie's is the Sydney Opera House's all-day waterfront eatery, sitting on the harbour next to Opera Bar and named for pioneering pianist Winifred Atwell. Come for chicken and sweetcorn congee, blue swimmer crab omelette or king prawn conchiglie, paired with Australian botanical cocktails.
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The Wine Bar at The International brings a piazza-style courtyard to Martin Place, centred around a Charles Perry sculpture and an open kitchen with a Marana Forni pizza oven. Expect wood-fired pizzettes, small plates and an expansive, globally-focused wine list.
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On the ninth floor of the heritage Shell House building, the Dining Room & Terrace pairs an art deco dining room with a sun-drenched wraparound terrace and CBD views. Expect premium seafood, seasonal produce and progressive wines from Culinary Director Joel Bickford's kitchen.
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Totti's, tucked behind The Royal on Bondi Road, serves comforting Italian dishes made for sharing: wood-fired bread, house-made antipasto, grilled meats, pastas and nostalgic tiramisu. Choose a leafy courtyard or sunlit indoor space, paired with natural wines and retro-Italian cocktails for a relaxed dining experience.
Luna Lu is another stunning spot for alfresco dining, combining contemporary Asian flavours with breathtaking harbour views. Set along Campbell's Cove, it suits long lunches or elegant evenings, with dishes blending tradition and innovation, and a private glass dome overlooking the Opera House.
Alegre is a must-visit for alfresco dining in Sydney, blending the warmth of Mexican hospitality with stunning Darling Harbour views. Its open, breezy setting and Tulum-inspired menu are perfect for lingering over cocktails, fresh seafood and bold dishes, whether a long lunch or sunset dinner.
SALA is one of Sydney's most beautiful spots for alfresco dining, perfectly positioned at the end of Jones Bay Wharf in Pyrmont. Blending regional Italian flavours with fresh Australian produce, it offers an elegant Mediterranean-inspired experience with private dining terraces, waterfront views and coastal-chic design.
Icebergs Dining Room and Bar is Sydney's ultimate alfresco dining destination, overlooking iconic Bondi Beach. It combines modern Italian cuisine with breathtaking ocean views, every dish reflecting Maurice Terzini's heritage through fresh, sustainable produce and elegant flavours, whether for a long lunch or sunset dinner.
Tequila Mockingbird, now reimagined as tqm., offers a unique alfresco dining experience in the heart of Paddington. Set within a restored Victorian terrace, its open-air rooftop is perfect for sharing wood-fired meats, fresh seafood and Latin-inspired dishes, led by Michelin-rated Chef José Garcia.
Untied Rooftop in Barangaroo is a relaxed yet stylish spot for alfresco dining with sweeping harbour views. Filled with natural light and greenery, it's perfect for unwinding with tropical cocktails and share plates showcasing fresh, modern flavours, whether for a long lunch or sunset drinks.
Sitting 83 metres above sea level, The Light Brigade's rooftop bar provides an inner-city oasis with stunning views of the Sydney skyline. Expect a mix of lounge and dining spaces, a signature curved bar, and a New York-style terrace filled with lush greenery.
The New Brighton Hotel is a lesser-known but popular beachside Manly pub, newly renovated for dining, drinking and dancing, with an intimate rooftop bar as the cherry on top. Look down onto the lively Manly Corso for people-watching, or gaze at the ocean.
Located 26 floors above the Crown's waterfront location, CIRQ offers world-class views of Sydney Harbour and a dining experience you don't want to miss. Relax on the luxurious, light-filled terrace while enjoying an expertly crafted menu of bespoke cocktails and share plates above the water.
With views across Sydney's sparkling Balmoral Beach, the much-loved Bathers' Pavilion is the spot to be during summer. This beachside venue brims with Art Deco charm, worth a seat on the first-floor Louis Terrace for breathtaking vistas of the sand and sea below.
