Where To Eat Outdoors In Dublin City Centre This Summer

Ronan Doyle
1 hour ago
8 min read

With the early onset of summer this year showing (whisper it) no signs of abating for anything more than a day or two at a time, we’re all eyeing up the best outdoor tables around town for quick casual bites in the evening or longer lunches al fresco. But where are the really good suntraps, and more to the point - which of them have the best food? Here’s your one-stop guide for where eat outdoors in the city centre this summer, and check back soon for our guide to the suburbs...

WINE BARS & SMALL PLATES

Notions @ Two Pups

Two Pups are riding high with their latest wine bar endeavour Notions, which opened to raves all round for food, natural wine, and particularly lovely service. Those outside seats are the place to be on a sunny summer's eve, and you can request them when you book. Read our once over here.

Cellar 22, Stephen's Green

The basement-level terrace out front in Cellar 22 might not be the biggest suntrap in the city, but it's a covered and heated cosy space to chill out with a good glass of wine, while enjoying the fresh air wafting across from St Stephen's Green. They recently rolled out a new cocktail menu, and their small plates and charcuterie selection are made for lazy summer evenings. Book here.

Row Wines, Coppinger Row

The small selection of seating available outside Row Wines is always in hot demand when the sun shows up, and that’s only kicked up a gear with their midweek lunchtime flatbreads and Sunday taco specials. Get to this one early.

Two Faced, Montague Street

Café by day, wine bar by night, Two Faced isn’t blessed with the best street space in the city, but its few little outdoor tables offer a welcome oasis from the chaos of Camden Street if you can manage to snatch them in time for the early evening rays. A chilled red and a snack of conservas is the ideal start to the night in our book.

The Terrace At The Shelbourne

The Shelbourne's upstairs terrace is back open for a wine, oysters, and platter affair, and while they're lacking the usual headline Champagne sponsor, they have partnered with WineLab to offer wine on tap, as well as Champagne by the glass and bottle. Book online for Wednesday to Sunday slots.

Loose Canon, Drury Street

Loose Canon is perfectly sited to lap up the best of the midday sunshine and take in the buzz of Dublin on a summer’s day, so it’s no surprise their walk-in only outdoor tables are always in hot demand. They’re worth waiting for, with a cold glass in hand of course.

Piglet, Cow's Lane

Piglet's outdoor terrace catches the sun perfectly right around lunch, and they make the most of it with two and three course set menus, and the same for early bird dinner, all washed down with an excellent selection of wine. Book online.

QUICK STOP

Doom Slice, Dame Lane

Dublin’s first Detroit-style pizza joint doesn’t need the sun to attract a crowd, but it sure helps. Doom Slice’s window hatch onto Dame Lane makes it an irresistible impulse buy whether you’re lucky enough to snag one of the few tables out there or not – the standing room they’ve recently added is a very nice touch.

Mani, Drury Street

As if Drury Street wasn't thronged enough in the sunshine months, Mani has taken things to a higher gear again since their first summer on the street last year. The high turnover on their outdoor space should mean you won't have to wait too long to enjoy a slice, but you'll want to move quick when you see someone picking up their bag.

Nomo Ramen, Charlotte’s Way

A big bowl of ramen isn’t our first instinct on a summer’s day, but Nomo have been introducing plenty of lighter bites like their pork bao and shitake chashu korokke that we’d happily snack on from their seated area out front. Walk-ins only.

Tang, Cumberland Place

Sustainable, climate-conscious café Tang has a suntrap of a garden area that's one of our favourite city spots for a quick coffee and food to make you feel good. They’re open from 08:00 weekdays and from 10:00 on Saturday for brunch, with walk-ins only. They've also got a Thursday and Friday dinner option you can book online.

As One, City Quay

Health food focused As One have sunshine filled seating for breakfast, brunch and lunch on the quays. Book a table for some gut-friendly food on their website.

The Commons at MoLI, Stephen’s Green

Opening out into the Iveagh Gardens, the open area to the rear of the Museum of Literature now plays host to The Commons’ garden terrace, a beautifully secluded spot to enjoy their all-day breakfast menu and range of toasties. They’re walk-in only, and what a walk.

Fairmental, Grand Canal Street Upper

D4’s fermentation lab and deli Fairmental is making very smart use of the space out front with some cosy tables set out to enjoy your rice bowls and kombucha from. It’s open for weekday breakfast and lunch and Saturday brunch, and it’s walk-in only.

One Society, Gardiner Street

Blocked off from the busy streets with planters, One Society’s sizeable covered outdoor section is a great choice for a weekend brunch or pizza and pasta on a sunny evenings. Walk-ins only.

Brother Hubbard, Capel Street and Harrington Street

Brother Hubbard have lovely terraces at both their Capel Street and Harrington Street locations, with tons of seating to handle the high demand they always attract. Brother Hubbard North is taking reservations here, but Brother Hubbard South remains walk-in only.

SETTLE IN

Jean-Georges at the Leinster, Mount Street Lower

We tipped the covered and heated terrace at the Leinster hotel’s Jean-Georges as one of the city’s top summer spots when we were in just before it opened last spring, and Insta evidence aplenty has proved us right since. Enjoying a lamb rack with a view out over the mountains whence it came? Don’t mind if we do.

Coppinger, Coppinger Row

You’re best off calling if you want to bag one of the few outdoor tables at Coppinger, sandwiched right in the midst of Drury and South William Streets, always the most mobbed part of the city once the clouds part. Their midweek set lunch on a sunny day is one of the best value ways to treat yourself out there.

Library Street, Setanta Place

"Everything is made to be shared" says the sign over Library Street's door, and that goes for the sunshine too. Their scattering of outdoor tables are back and available for wine and small plates. Sure to be a very hot seat of a summer evening, you'll have to rock up and try your chances.

Caribou, Stephen Street

With walk-ins only for their weekday and weekend lunch menus, Caribou’s outdoor benches aren’t ever something we’d set our hearts on – bagging these ones doesn’t come easy. If you do, though, the top-notch food and creative cocktails in a vibey corner of the city might see to it that you never leave.

F.X. Buckley, Pembroke Street

F.X. Buckley are making the most of their Pembroke Street premises with not one but two outdoor areas, including a gorgeous two-storey section that opens out onto the front. It's conveniently close to Merrion Square Park and St Stephen's Green, for the walk you'll be needing after this feed. We recommend calling 016764606 or emailing pembroke@fxbuckley.ie to nab the good seats.

Davy Byrne's, Duke Street

The Ulysses destination pub's linen-laid tables on the terrace are always popular with Grafton Street shoppers when the sun is shining. Book online here to beat the crowd and get your fill of gorgonzola sandwiches and bottles of Burgundy.

Big Fan, Aungier Street

Big Fan's outdoor dining area on Aungier Street stays popular all year, with the heated patio full throughout the winter, but there's no doubt it's at its best when the sun shines. Get in for a feast of bao, jiaozi and lots of other outrageously delicious plates by booking here.

The Seafood Café, Temple Bar

The little sheltered seating area outside The Seafood Café is the ideal place to tuck into the best Irish seafood while watching the world go by – our top tip is to swing by on a weekday and tuck into their table d'hôte menu, which we thought was stellar value, particularly with an additional ATF Insiders discount. Book here.

Hang Dai, Camden Street

The covered, heated terrace of Hang Dai's rooftop 'Gold Bar' offers a great view out over the Camden Street action, as well as a buzzy area to enjoy some of their unique cocktails and Chinese dishes. They’ve also made more of their street seating in recent years, and it’s unsurprisingly popular.

Osteria Lucio, Grand Canal Quay

With a small number of high-stool and barrel setups, as well as some covered low tables, Osteria Lucio is one worth booking ahead for. Ross Lewis’ Italian bistro is constantly popular with those off to a show or match nearby, so you'll want to book online.

Charlotte Quay, Grand Canal Dock

Charlotte Quay has ample outdoor space overlooking Grand Canal Dock that gets the sun all evening. The lunch and dinner menus have plenty of smaller sharing plates so be sure to bring a crowd. Bookings available online.

Chez Max, Palace Street

Palace Street feels distinctly classier with the Parisian chic vibes Chez Max brings in summer. They gave their courtyard terrase a major makeover a few years back and it's still a lovely spot to sit back and forget you're in Dublin. Book here.

Urban Brewing, Custom House Quay

Urban Brewing offers an ideal summer setup with tonnes of outdoor seating outside the CHQ building. They’ve gone back to basics after a brunch tapas menu last year didn’t quite work out, but their beer tasting trays and Irish mythology-inspired cocktail menu offer something a little bit different. Book here.

Drury Buildings, Drury Street

The gorgeous garden courtyard in Drury Buildings is serving food and summer cocktails seven days a week, and the balcony tables overlooking the garden will be the ones to nab if you're very, very lucky. Look for a table here.

Las Tapas De Lola, Wexford Street

An outdoor table at Las Tapas de Lola is always a tall order so plan this one as far in advance as you can. Last minute cancellations may also be your friend here - call 014244100 or email book@lastapasdelola.com for enquiries.

777, George's Street

777 went all-out a few years back converting a car park into their "777 afuera" (meaning 'outside'), complete with a margarita-serving airstream and a special outdoor menu. You can only book for tables of six plus here, otherwise it's walk in only.

L'Gueuleton, Fade Street

Fade Street French bistro L'Gueuleton have considerable outside space, mostly covered, and it's prime real estate for people watching, small plate eating and Champagne drinking. Book through their website.

Fade Street Social, Fade Street

Fade Street Social is open outside with a wood-fired menu seven days a week. There's a solid vegetarian selection as well as the expected meat options, so plenty of variety to satisfy a mixed after work crowd. Book a table here.

The Woollen Mills, Ormond Quay

The Woollen Mills has a spacious first-floor roof terrace overlooking the Ha'penny Bridge and Liffey Street. They're open for lunch and dinner seven days a week as well as weekend brunch. Book on their website.

Saba's Secret Garden, Baggot Street

Saba's secret garden out the back of their Baggot Street location has canopies and heaters, holiday style lighting and art by Subset. It's open seven days a week serving food all day, including black pepper squid, Thai beef salad and Pad Thai. There's also a pretty extensive cocktail menu. Look for a table here.

Glas, Chatham Street

Vegetarian and vegan focused Glas have a very Parisian (and appropriately green) vibe going on outside their Chatham Street restaurant. The planters make for solid insurance against the ever-unpredictable Irish weather. Book online here.

Suesey Street

Suesey Street's terrace is one of the best in the city and has a retractable roof to deal with whatever the elements happen to throw at you. They're open for lunch and dinner every day but Sunday, serving up Irish cuisine with a focus on local ingredients. Book on their website.