Aug 9, 20229 min read

Where To Eat Outside In The Last Days Of Summer

After one of the most start-stop summers in recent memory with an unusually rainy June and what's felt like constant cloud, we're in for our second heat wave in quick succession this week - that sound you can hear is everyone in Dublin looking for somewhere to enjoy it at the same time. We've got the lowdown for you on the best terraces, balconies, and beer gardens all around the city for al fresco eating, while we eek out the last few weeks of summer...

City Centre

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. They've set up a scattering of outdoor tables for wine and small plates that's sure to be a very hot seat of a summer evening. Book online.

Frank's, Camden Street

It's walk-ins only at Frank's, so be prepared to wait a while for one of these premium spaces, but when that wait is with a glass of natural wine in hand who's gonna complain? The kitchen is only open Wednesday to Saturday, but there's cheese and charcuterie on Sundays too.

Eivissa-Ibiza @ Mercado 52, South William Street

The tapas and pintxos arm of South William Street all-rounder Mercado 52, Eivissa-Ibiza serves up summer cocktails and a 5 for €25 early bird tapas menu in its partly-open laneway space. Book online here, but walk-ins are welcome too.

Winedown, Leeson Street

Seasonal Irish small plates, croquettes and a nice wine list at toastie shop Meltdown's night time wine bar Winedown, with great people-watching seats on Montague Street. Book a table here.

Davy Byrne's, Duke Street

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

Big Fan, Aungier Street

Big Fan's outdoor dining area on Aungier Street has stayed popular all year with the heated patio still in high demand throughout the winter, but there's no doubt it's at its best right now. Get in for a feast of bao, jiaozi and lots of other outrageously delicious plates of food. Book here.

Full Moon Thai, Parliament Street

The popular Temple Bar Thai spot has made use of some reclaimed street space on Parliament Street for a limited number of outdoor tables, and with the ongoing pedestrianisation trials at weekends you've a better chance than ever of snagging one. Book here.

The Seafood Café, Temple Bar

Lobster rolls are back on the menu at Niall Sabongi's Temple Bar institution, and the little sheltered seating area outside is the ideal place to tuck in while watching the world go by. If that wasn't excuse enough, oyster happy hour is from 16:00 - 17:00 daily, with naked oysters €2 and dressed or torched €3. Book here.

As One, City Quay

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

Hang Dai, Camden Street

The covered, heated terrace of Hang Dai's rooftop 'Gold Bar' offers a great atmospheric view out over the Camden Street action as well as a buzzy area to enjoy some of their unique cocktails and tasty Chinese dishes. Book online here, and if you're out of luck, there's also a limited amount of ground-floor outside seating available for walk-ins only.

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. Chef Ross Lewis has taken the lead in the kitchen here since handing over the Chapter One reins to Mickael Viljanen, and the result is well worth savouring in the sunshine. Book online.

Chez Max, Palace Street

Palace Street feels distinctly classier with the Parisian chic vibes Chez Max brings in summer. They've turned the area into a little courtyard terrase and it's a lovely spot to sit back and forget you're in Dublin. Plus you can't beat the new salade océane of prawn, salmon and avocado for summer-friendly fare. Book here.

Urban Brewing, Custom House Quay

Urban Brewing offers an ideal summer setup with tonnes of outdoor seating outside the CHQ building. The menu in the Hop Garden Terrace is built around tapas and larger plates (raciones), and the sun trap bar will be taking walk-ins for drinks and/or snacks. Book here.

B Skewers, Bolton Street

We fell hard for the Brazilian BBQ feasts they cook up at B Skewers (read the once over here) and we're confident you will too. Outdoor seating is limited but you shouldn't be waiting too long if you fancy chancing a walk-in. Bookings are also available online 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 last year converting a car park into their "777 afuera" (meaning 'outside'), complete with a margarita-serving airstream. They run a special sharing menu outside at €38 pp, with tortillas, taquitos and tostadas. You can only book for tables of six plus here, otherwise it's walk in only.

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, and don't forget about two for one brunch cocktails. Bookings available online.

L'Gueuleton, Fade Street

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

Fade Street Social

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 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.

Brother Hubbard North, Capel 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.

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.

Piglet, Cow's Lane

Piglet is one of the few outdoor spots in the city serving lunch seven days a week, and it catches the sun perfectly right around that time of day. They've got two and three course fixed menu prices for the same for dinner - all washed down with an excellent selection of wine. Book online.

Ukiyo, Dame Court

Ukiyo's lovely white picket-fenced area on Dame Court has always got a lively buzz on the weekend, but they're open for lunch and dinner all through the week. Bring a group if you can: this is a lengthy menu you'll want a hand in making your way through. Book here.

Glas, Chatham Street

Vegetarian and vegan Glas have a very Parisian (and appropriately green) vibe going on outside their Chatham Street restaurant. The added planters, new since last year, make for better 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 contemporary Irish cuisine with a major focus on local ingredients. Book on their website.

South Dublin

31 Lennox, Portobello

31 Lennox in Portobello are offering Italian-inspired breakfast, lunch and dinner outside throughout the week with an all-day brunch at the weekend. Their semi-covered outdoor space down the side lane is a lovely quiet oasis near the heart of the action. Book here.

Hen's Teeth, Dublin 8

One of the city's best gallery cafés, Hen's Teeth has a heated and covered outdoor terrace that's one of the hottest spots for weekend evening dining. Their ever changing menu is without doubt one of the most innovative and interesting in the city, and most importantly it delivers. Book for lunch and dinner here.

Alma, Portobello

The seats outside Alma are some of the loveliest in Portobello, and an iced dulce de leche latté in the sunshine while you wait for brunch is as perfect a morning as we can imagine. Check for tables here.

Gaillot et Gray, Clanbrassil Street

French pizzeria and natural wine hang out Gaillot et Gray is open for lunch (mainly sandwiches on their own bread) and dinner (pizza) on their terrace out the back. You can book by calling them on 014547781 or they'll be taking walk ins if they have space.

Lucky's, Meath Street

Liberties hotspot Lucky's has added some seating out front as well as their always in-demand courtyard with delicious pizza from Coke Lane. They're open seven days a week and you can make a booking enquiry through their website.

Rascal's Brewing, Inchicore

Rascal's pizzeria and tap room has become an Inchicore institution since opening in 2014, and their bustling outdoor space has grown into a really atmospheric evening spot across the course of several pandemic reopenings. Look for tables here.

Daphne's, Rialto

Daphne's has plenty of covered tables on their terrace available for dinner Wednesday to Sunday and weekend brunch. Their early bird on weekday nights is particularly good value at €26 for three courses. Email info@daphnes.ie or call 015521708 to book.

Angelina's

Angelina's outdoor tables are the ultimate in goals on a sunny day in Dublin 4. They're open seven days a week for lunch and dinner with brunch at weekends. Book on their website or by emailing book@angelinas.ie.

The Butcher Grill, Ranelagh

The Butcher Grill has a handful of high tables out front so you can watch all of Ranelagh go by while enjoying your Côte de boeuf. They're open Thursday - Tuesday evenings and for Sunday roasts too. Check for tables here.

Nightmarket, Ranelagh

The D6 destination for authentic Thai food has a fully-heated side terrace "tunnel" open for outdoor dining so you can stay on to sample the cocktails menu long after the sun sets. Book online.

Lenehan's, Rathmines

Lenehan's in Rathmines have plenty of seating across no fewer than three covered and heated terraces. They're open Wednesday to Sunday with a new evening summer menu and also serving weekend brunch. Book on their website.

Oliveto, Haddington House

There might not be a better spot to enjoy a perfectly clear day than Oliveto's gorgeous garden terrace perch in Dún Laoghaire serving equally beautiful-looking food. Plus they've got plenty of parasols to escape the intensity of that heatwave sun. Book here.

Soup Ramen, Dun Laoghaire & Soup 2, Smithfield

Soup in Dun Laoghaire and Smithfield, with their special ramen, deep-fried kimchi and super cute cocktails have outdoor dining in both locations. Book on their website.

Casper & Giumbini's, Dun Laoghaire

Dun Laoghaire bistro Casper & Giumbini's is open seven days a week for coffee, lunch and dinner with seating available on the outside terrace. Book through their website.

Grapevine, Dalkey

Grapevine in Dalkey are open for outdoor dining and wine-ing from Tuesday - Sunday for lunch and dinner. They've an all day menu and shelves packed with wine. Book here.

Volpe Nera, Blackrock

Volpe Nera have only a small number of tables available on their covered, sheltered terrace so an advance booking is definitely recommended. They've been leaning into the season heavily with their heavenly limoncello spritz - you know you want one. Book here.

Circa, Terenure

Circa's covered and heated outdoor garden area at the back of the restaurant is open and serving their €70 summer set menu as well as their à la carte. Availability is still looking good for the month: book online here.

Riba, Stillorgan

Riba's outdoor, covered and heated terrace is open for dinner Wednesdays through Mondays as well as weekend lunch, with an early bird special running up to 18:30 every day. The menu is Italian-influenced with loads of local and Irish produce. Bookings online here.

Bresson, Monkstown

Bresson's lovely outdoor courtyard with white linen tables is open for a three course terrace menu at €49.95pp with dinner served Tuesday - Sunday and lunch Thursday - Sunday. It's an appropriately seasonal choice with plenty of summer veg to enjoy in the sun. Check the website for availability.

North Dublin

Old Street, Malahide

Neighbourhood restaurant Old Street in Malahide have a covered and cushioned outdoor area open from Wednesday through Sunday. They only take bookings by phone on 018455614, and tables are very limited so don't wait around.

King Sitric, Howth

The Howth institution has hands-down some of the best seats in the city for the right kind of summer day, especially after an afternoon's walk on the hill working up an appetite for their seafood selection. They're dog-friendly too, as if you needed another excuse. Book online.

Shouk, Drumcondra

Our love for Shouk runs deep. The food, the staff, the prices, the food - and absolutely the outdoor space. Their mid-pandemic expansion out further into their yard was great news for fans of Middle Eastern food, and makes it easier than ever to grab a table. Demand still runs high though, so be sure to book.

Mamó, Howth

Mamó's miniature terrace out front is another pristine spot to savour sun and sea in the company of great food. Their focus on seafood fresh-off-the-boat and ingredients from around North Dublin makes this one of the most memorable al fresco experiences in the city, and we've never had a dud dish, wine or service experience there. Book online.