Sydney’s Best Al Fresco Dining

Eat, Guide, Restaurants, Sydney / 1 February 2023
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Sydney’s Best Al Fresco Dining

Eat, Guide, Restaurants, Sydney / 1 February 2023

When the sun’s out, and you want to enjoy a quintessentially Sydney dining experience, head to one of the city’s best al fresco dining spots.

From fine dining experiences backdropped to Sydney Harbour views to casual beachside feeds with the sand between your toes, these are the best spots in Sydney to enjoy dining al fresco on a sunny day.

Best Al Fresco Dining Sydney

Rafi, North Sydney

Located on North Sydney’s Mount Street, Rafi draws from Applejack Hospitality’s wealth of experience, igniting this often-overlooked Sydney suburb, with a new sense of culinary adventure. 

Dine under The Arbor – a semi-al fresco glass house, or perhaps take a seat on the outdoor tree-lined terrace for a sunny al-fresco lunch. Floor-to-ceiling aneeta windows and sliding glass doors create an abundance of light throughout the internal spaces for a truly unique setting in the sun or under the moonlight. Find out more here.

Tottis, Bondi

Totti’s, tucked behind The Royal on Bondi Road, serves up comforting Italian dishes perfect for sharing. From wood-fired bread and house-made antipasto to grilled meats, pastas, and nostalgic desserts like tiramisu, it’s all about simple, delicious food. Choose between a leafy courtyard or a sunlit indoor space, paired with natural wines and retro-Italian cocktails for the ultimate relaxed dining experience. Find out more here.

Best Al Fresco Dining Sydney
Luna Lu, Campbells Cove

Luna Lu is the latest no-expense-spared eatery to join the ranks at Campbell’s Cove. The newly restored waterfront dining destination hopes to offer a new indulgent choice for long business lunches and memorable experiences, all set to unsurpassable views. 

Experience Luna Lu’s offering from The Dining Dome – a striking, standalone Dome situated on the terrace with panoramic views of the Bridge and Opera House, available for private bookings. Find out more here.

Best Al Fresco Dining Sydney
Alegre, Darling Harbour 

Inspired by memorable meals in Tulum, the trio behind Wild Sage at Barangaroo, Miller’s Kitchen in Cammeray and Whitton in South Eveleigh heritage Locomotive Workshop have opened their doors at King Street Wharf with their dream venture, Alegre.

Enjoy beats, barbacoa, mezcals and Mayan food techniques infused with distinctly Australian native ingredients backdropped to the iconic darling harbour. Find out more here.

Kiln, Surry Hills 

Featuring two open-air terraces complete with retractable roofs, floor-to-ceiling windows, and hanging 18 floors above Surry Hills’ mosaic rooftops, Kiln offers a rarely-seen vantage of Sydney. 

Sitting atop Ace Hotel, the restaurant’s name is a nod to Ace Hotel Sydney’s previous history as Australia’s first discovered pottery kiln paying tribute with a spectacular wood-fired hearth, Chef Mitch Orr applies the hearth’s open flame and smoke to regional produce, meats and seafood, delivering vibrant seasonal dishes designed to share. Find out more here.

Sala, Pyrmont

Home to two bespoke private dining rooms – including one with direct waterfront access and a terrace – Sala’s 160-seat space offers a stunning harbourside backdrop led by Mediterranean design cues and a love of Australian produce. Bright white clay, stone and marble embellish the 100-year-old, heritage-listed space, perfectly juxtaposed with dark timber accents of the building’s original bones. The result is a coastal-chic backdrop to enjoy the best of Australian seafood this summer. Find out more here.

Best Al Fresco Dining Sydney
The Sussex Rooftop, Barangaroo

Adding to The Sussex Hotel’s existing ground floor pub and beer garden, the new rooftop space offers a serene sanctuary, perched above the bustle of Barangaroo, where Sydneysiders can relish the warmth of the summer sun with a signature cocktail in hand and a selection of meze style dishes. Find out more here

Iceberg’s Dining Room & Bar, Bondi

Bringing Sydneysiders a dose of modern Italian eats, Icebergs Dining Room is the perfect spot for a memorable dining experience. With sweeping views across the waters of Bondi Beach, expect an innovative menu inspired by Maurice Terzini’s Italian heritage. Enjoy a rotating selection of seasonal ingredients showcasing sustainable seafood, artisanal produce and even a hint of native Australian flavours. 

Best Al Fresco Dining Sydney
Jung Sung, Chippendale

Jung Sung’s spacious terrace wraps around the entire restaurant showcasing the Sydney city skyline. The styling is modern and romantic to set the scene for what’s to come. From the moment you’re greeted by the waiters in suits, you know this isn’t going to be the Korean BBQ experience you expected. Find out more here.

Best Al Fresco Dining Sydney
Ploos, Campbells Cove 

The heritage-listed warehouse provides a unique space that is further complemented by the sparkling backdrop of Sydney Harbour. Taking up residence on the promenade, the culinary master behind beloved venues including Alpha, Omega, Eleni’s and Cosmos, Chef Peter Conistis has set out to emulate the South Aegean region and transport guests through atmosphere and taste. Find out more here

Best Al Fresco Dining Sydney
Tequila Mockingbird, Paddington

Flock to Paddington’s Five Ways, and you’ll stumble upon the humble Latin American-influenced bar-meets-restaurant, Tequila Mockingbird. Finding its home in an unassuming Paddington terrace, the space has been lovingly restored to incorporate an open-air rooftop terrace up on the first floor. 

Expect tapas-style share plates featuring everything from ceviche tacos and nachos to flame-grilled dishes like charcoal chicken, slow-roasted lamb shoulder and grilled Tasmanian salmon. Plus, as the name would suggest, this is certainly a spot to nab a delicious tequila-based cocktail (or two).

Best Al Fresco Dining Sydney
Giuls, Surry Hills 

Situated amongst the main thoroughfare of Crown Street, Surry Hills, Giuls has a buzzy but relaxed vibe; the perfect tempo for laid-back dining. The décor inside is simple and cheerful, while outdoors you’ll enjoy the Surry Hills buzz under bright red and white umbrellas. Find out more here

Best Al Fresco Dining Sydney
Untied, Barangaroo

Barangaroo is home to a plethora of Sydney’s best rooftop bars, and the chic Untied is no exception. Untied welcomes the flavours and ambience of the tropics to the CBD. With the dim thud of tropical tunes, pick your way through a menu devoted to modern Australian cuisine. The slick urban outlook is almost as cool as the drinks menu, which consists of classic and inventive cocktails. Find out more here.

Misc, Parramatta 

Backdropped to the heritage-listed Parramatta Park, Misc. proudly caters to a multitude of dining experiences from elevated restaurant dining, to al fresco events on the terrace.

At the landmark venue, diners can choose their culinary experience with anything from a boujie picnic-to-go from the curated retail section of local and international produce to a luxe long brunch to remember in the modern courtyard restaurant. Find out more here.

The Light Brigade, Woollahra

Sitting 83 metres above sea level, this rooftop bar provides an inner-city oasis with a stunning view of the Sydney skyline. You’ll find a mixture of lounge and dining spaces, with a signature curved bar. Similar to a New York-style terrace, there is plenty of lush greenery with a casual Australian twist. 

Best Al Fresco Dining Sydney
Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel, Watsons Bay

Watsons Bay’s Beach Club is one of our favourite al fresco dining spots in Sydney. With the sparkling ocean in the foreground and beautiful harbour views, this is the ideal location to share a seafood basket under the afternoon sun. Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel are renowned for its quality food and drink offering and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Best Al Fresco Dining Sydney
The New Brighton Hotel, Manly

Another beachside Manly pub that is perhaps one of the lesser-known but popular Sydney rooftop bars is The New Brighton Hotel. The newly renovated pub does dining, drinking, and dancing, and an intimate rooftop bar is a cherry on top. Look down onto the lively Manly Corso, and people watch or stare straight ahead at the beautiful ocean. Find out more here.

CIRQ, Barangaroo

Located 26 floors above the Crown’s waterfront location, CIRQ offers world-class views of the Sydney harbour and a dining experience you don’t want to miss. Relax on the luxurious light-filled terrace while you enjoy an expertly crafted menu of bespoke cocktails and share plates. 

Best Al Fresco Dining Sydney
Bathers’ Pavilion, Balmoral

With views across Sydney’s sparkling Balmoral Beach, the much-loved Bathers’ Pavilion is the spot to be during summer. This beachside venue is bringing with art deco charm. Plus, make sure to grab a seat on their first-floor Louis Terrace with breathtaking vistas of the sand and sea below. Find out more here.