The Best Melbourne Restaurants and Bars for Outdoor Dining
When only al fresco will do, these courtyards, beer gardens and terraces offer some of Melbourne's best outdoor dining.
Melbourne might not have the longest — or balmiest — summer around, but when that sun does make an appearance, we sure know how to make the most of it. And if wining and dining is on the agenda, that usually means snapping up a primo al fresco table where you and your crew can kick back under the sun, soak up the buzzy surrounds and revel in fresh, open air.
Thankfully, Melbourne's home to plenty of winning outdoor dining spaces; from leafy cafe courtyards you can settle into for a sun-drenched morning latte, to spacious beer gardens perfect for unwinding over a parma and pint. Here, we've pulled together all the best outdoor dining spots in Melbourne to put on rotation next time the weather's playing ball. Grab your sunnies, pack a hat and go al fresco.
Recommended reads:
The Best Beer Gardens in Melbourne
The Best Beachside Restaurants in Melbourne
The Best Dog-Friendly Restaurants, Cafes and Bars in Melbourne
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RestaurantThree Blue Ducks Melbourne
309 Melrose Drive, Tullamarine
Eat vibrant farm-to-table dishes and sip sustainably focused drinks overlooking a two-hectare surf lagoon.
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RestaurantThe Commons at Ormond Collective
Corner Moubray Street And St Kilda Road, Melbourne
This four-in-one St Kilda Road venue has a huge beer garden.
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RestaurantMr Brownie
343 Clarendon Street, South Melbourne
A multi-level pub, Punjabi-style deli and rooftop bar run by chef-restaurateur Jessi Singh.
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RestaurantGreen Acre
328 Victoria Street, Brunswick
Brunswick's vegan-friendly pizzeria slings sourdough slices in a fairy light-lit courtyard.
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RestaurantJoe Frank
246 High Street, Ashburton
Homemade crumpets and a dog-friendly courtyard await at this sunny Ashburton cafe.
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BarPepe's Italian & Liquor
275 Exhibition Street, Melbourne
You'll find cheesy bowls of gnocchi, meatball pizza and giant sundaes at this 1930s New York-Inspired Italo-American joint on Exhibition Street.
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RestaurantTaquito
350 Drummond Street, Carlton
Carlton's temple of tacos, tequila and handmade tortillas.
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RestaurantLagotto
1 York Street, Fitzroy North
A sun-lit Italian corner spot with strong pasta game and an onsite provedore.
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RestaurantSister of Soul Richmond - CLOSED
77 Swan Street, Richmond
An all-day, all-vegan eatery on Swan Street.
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BarThe Carringbush Hotel
228 Langridge Street, Abbotsford
This 130-year-old pub is now slinging meat-free meals, wine on tap and more than 21 beers.
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BarHotel Esplanade
11 The Esplanade, St Kilda
The revamped Melbourne music institution sports 12 bars, two restaurants and three live music stages across its six levels.
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BarCitrico - CLOSED
376 Queens Parade, Fitzroy North
A lively new Chilean spot in Fitzroy North with an ex-Rockpool chef.
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BarThe Vale Bar & Eatery
169 Union Road, Ascot Vale
A cosy Ascot Vale local with a strong selection of pizzas and 150 wines.
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RestaurantGeorgie Bass Cafe & Cookery
30 Cook Street, Flinders
Take a road trip down the Peninsula for a cooking class and a long lunch.
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RestaurantGood Times Milk Bar
83 Tucker Road, Bentleigh
A modern diner with old-school shakes, all-day breakfast, burgers and a dog-friendly courtyard.
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BarLuton Lane Wine Bar
8 Luton Lane, Hawthorn
A sleek haven of wine and Spanish bar snacks in Hawthorn.
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RestaurantMontalto
33 Shoreham Road, Red Hill South
This Mornington Peninsula institution has a winery cellar door, cafe and fine dining restaurant.
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BarInnocent Bystander
316-334 Maroondah Highway, Healesville
The Yarra Valley winemaker's Healesville venue is part cellar door, part pumping wine bar.
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RestaurantNeptune
212 High Street, Windsor
The Windsor restaurant has gone back to its roots, serving up stacks of seafood and Mediterranean eats.
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RestaurantHogget Kitchen
6 Farrington Close, Warragul
For those thirsty for great wine, the freshest of produce and stunning scenery, the drive to this regional Gippsland restaurant is well worth it.
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BarBang Bang at the Rifle Club
294 Glenhuntly Road, Elsternwick
An all-day Asian fusion eatery at the old Caulfield Rifle Club.
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BarLand of Plenty - CLOSED
188 Carlisle Street, St Kilda
A St Kilda rooftop bar and barbecue joint with an all-Aussie drinks list and Milo desserts.
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RestaurantVesper - CLOSED
23-25 Toorak Road, South Yarra
You'll find a secret bar, a courtyard and an ex-Vue de Monde chef at this Mediterranean bistro.
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RestaurantRed Gum BBQ
87 Arthurs Seat Road, Red Hill
A sprawling barbecue joint on the Mornington Peninsula serving local meats cooked low-and-slow over local wood.
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RestaurantFonda Collingwood
236 Smith Street, Collingwood
Melbourne's cheap and colourful Mexican chain takes over two storeys on Smith Street.
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BarNapier Quarter
359 Napier Street, Fitzroy
A small all-day cafe and wine bar winning locals over in the backstreets of Fitzroy.
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BarHenry Sugar
296-298 Rathdowne Street, Carlton North
Rathdowne Street's neighbourhood bar doing inventive food and delicate desserts.
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RestaurantHotel Jesus
174 Smith Street, Collingwood
A Smith Street taco joint from the team behind Mamasita.
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BarThe Standard Hotel
293 Fitzroy Street, Fitzroy
The bar offers a comforting retro vibe while huge beer garden is a breezy little oasis that's well worth the search.
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RestaurantCornershop
11 Ballarat Street, Yarraville
This corner cafe has become a Yarraville institution.
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RestaurantLocal Folk
43 Epsom Road, Kensington
A local Kensington corner cafe serving up coffee, wine and breakfast gnocchi.
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BarLittle Creatures Geelong Brewery
Corner Fyans And Swanston Streets, Geelong
This Fremantle-born brewery's east coast home features three bars and lots of booze.
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BarWelcome to Thornbury
520 High Street, Northcote
A permanent food truck park boasting a rotating menu of street food snacks.
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BarWelcome to Brunswick
1 Frith Street, Brunswick
The inner north's fairy-lit, dog-friendly food truck park and beer garden.
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RestaurantUncle Drew
23 Groom Street, Clifton Hill
A true neighbourhood gem known for its creative cafe fare, quality coffee and ever friendly vibe.
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RestaurantMammoth
736 Malvern Road, Armadale
Melbourne's latest brunch darling takes the concept of cafe food to new heights.
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RestaurantMavis the Grocer
197 Vere Street, Abbotsford
Delicious, ethical food with old world neighbourhood charm.
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BarStray Neighbour
463 - 467 Plenty Road, Preston
The new neighbour set to elevate the dining scene of Preston.
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BarLeonard's House of Love
3 Wilson Street, South Yarra
Drink tinnies, down burgers, dance and play pool in Leonard's lounge room-like bar.
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BarRice Paper Scissors
307 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy
Enjoy all the Asian fusion food at Rice Paper Scissors' new Fitzroy venue.
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RestaurantCopper Pot Seddon
105 Victoria Street, Seddon
A pan-European menu that inexplicably works exquisitely.
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RestaurantRudimentary
16-20 Leeds Street, Footscray
A cafe made from disused shipping containers in an abandoned car park.
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BarTemple Brewing Company
122 Weston Street, Brunswick East
Brunswick East's own microbrewery offering much more than just beer.
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BarArbory Bar & Eatery
Flinders Walk, Melbourne
With great views and even better food, this is one platform you won't mind getting delayed on.
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RestaurantMeletos
12 Saint Huberts Road, Coldstream
Dine on premium Modern European dishes with panoramic views of Victoria’s wine region.
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RestaurantDistrict Brewer
36 Brewer Road, Bentleigh
A brunch spot in the inconspicuous backstreets of Bentleigh.
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BarNagambie Brewery and Distillery
295 High Street, Nagambie
A lakeside brewery and distillery worthy of a weekend road trip — it's only a 90-minute drive from Melbourne.
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RestaurantNaughty Boy
499-501 Lygon St, Brunswick East
It doesn’t matter if you’re naughty or nice when brunch is this good.
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BarTerminus Hotel
605 Victoria Street, Abbotsford
The Abbotsford pub sports a classy revamp but maintains the things that matter most: beer, bingo and counter meals.
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BarJardin Tan
Birdwood Avenue, South Yarra
A bit of Vietnamese exoticism in the middle of the Botanic Gardens.
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BarBotanical Hotel
169 Domain Road, South Yarra
South Yarra's local serving up sophisticated dining in a relaxed yet refined setting.
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BarJoanie's Baretto
832A High Street, Thornbury
Thornbury's cute neighbourhood Italian bar serving spritzes, cicchetti and gluten-free pasta.
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RestaurantStagger Lee's
276 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy
A classic Fitzroy cafe with all the good stuff from the guys at Proud Mary.
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RestaurantHello Sam
760 Chapel Street, South Yarra
Hefty American-style burgers, a decent vegan offering and handmade choc tops.
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BarBuilders Arms Hotel
211 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy
Andrew McConnell's refined pub offers British-inflected fare, a strong wine selection and a lovely little courtyard.
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BarThe Lincoln
91 Cardigan Street, Carlton
A much-loved Carlton gem serving up local craft brews and top-quality gastropub fare.
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BarThe Corner Hotel
57 Swan Street, Richmond
A Richmond live music institution with a banging rooftop.
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BarNorthcote Social Club
301 High Street, Northcote
Some things never change at NSC, but the menu is not one of them.
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BarThe Local Taphouse St Kilda
184 Carlisle Street, St Kilda East
This Carlisle Street institution boasts 19 taps, two fireplaces and a sun-soaked rooftop.
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RestaurantSantoni
634 Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn
The Hawthorn pizza bar now does breakfast — and with panoramic views to boot.
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RestaurantEarthly Pleasures Cafe
1627 Burwood Highway, Belgrave
An out-of-town cafe set in a historic 1930s building.
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BarRadio Mexico
11-13 Carlisle Street, St Kilda
A St Kilda fixture pumping out great, casual Mexican.
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RestaurantPinchy's
200 Bourke Street, Melbourne
A neon-pink temple of lobster rolls and champagne in the CBD.
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RestaurantMarquis of Lorne
411 George Street, Fitzroy
Drink down on the street, dine at the second floor restaurant or soak up some rays on the rooftop.
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RestaurantTall Timber
60 Commercial Road, Prahran
A slice of hinterland idyll in the heart of Prahran.
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RestaurantThe Arborist
75 Little Malop Street, Geelong
A thoroughly modern Australian restaurant (with a nod to the Middle East), featuring an excellent drinks selection.
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RestaurantCode Black Coffee
15-17 Weston Street, Brunswick
With freshly roasted coffee beans you can’t go wrong, but it's the food menu is where this Brunswick roasting house goes oh-so-right.
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BarFeast of Merit
117 Swan Street, Richmond
Sip coffee and tuck into Middle Eastern fare with a clear conscience.
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RestaurantBaby Pizza
631-633 Church Street, Richmond
Even with high profile siblings threatening to outshine, this Italian Baby is anywhere but the corner.
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BarDal Zotto Wines
4861 Wangaratta–Whitfield Road, Whitfield
You go-to for pizza and prosecco in the King Valley.
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RestaurantThe Albert Park Hotel
85 Dundas Place, Albert Park
This historic Albert Park pub now has a new look and a modern Chinese food offering worth crossing town for.
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BarD.O.C Pizza and Mozzarella Bar
295 Drummond Street, Carlton
Enjoy the simple life and eat like a true Italian.
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BarJohnny's Green Room
293-297 Lygon Street, Carlton
Dose up on sophisticated Euro vibes and Italian cocktails at this chic, sunny rooftop bar in Carlton.
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BarBomba Rooftop
103 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
The Spanish restaurant's rooftop serves up Catalan toasties and gin cocktails under the CBD stars.
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RestaurantSebastian Beach Grill & Bar
26 Esplanade, Williamstown
This Basque-inspired waterfront bistro grills seafood and pours sangria on a sprawling shaded deck right on the sand.
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BarRochford Wines
878-880 Maroondah Highway, Coldstream
One of the Yarra Valley's best-known wineries features a lakeside cellar door and top-quality pizza.
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BarArchie's All Day
189 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy
From your morning coffee to your midnight nightcap, Archie's has you covered.
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RestaurantGlovers Station
258 Glen Eira Road, Elsternwick
Not just a station for coffee, this Elsternwick cafe has a menu worth stopping for.
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Restaurant1800 Lasagne
653 High Street, Thornbury
A bricks-and-mortar bar and eatery from an inner north lasagne delivery service.
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RestaurantSonny's Fried Chicken & Burgers
29 Lygon Street, Carlton
Classic US-style fried chicken and burgs, in a legendary live music pub.
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BarPrince Public Bar
29 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda
The legendary venue is still one of the best spots in town to watch the world go by.
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RestaurantNorman South Yarra
300 Toorak Road, South Yarra
A two-storey brunch destination with savoury waffles for breakfast and a cocktail cart for those balmy afternoons.
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BarThe Recreation
162-170 Queens Parade, Fitzroy North
A Fitzroy North wine bar, bottle shop and bistro doing considered comfort food.
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RestaurantCarolina
11 Nicholson Street, Brunswick East
With a great menu, coffee offering and courtyard, Carolina's our favourite northside lady.
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RestaurantThe Stables of Como
Como House, Corner Williams Road And Lechlade Avenue, South Yarra
Como House's quaint cafe does brunch, high tea and picnics in the grounds.
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RestaurantThe Cornish Arms Hotel
163A Sydney Road, Brunswick
A multi-level pub with a rooftop bar serving all types of goodness day and night.
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RestaurantPorgie + Mr Jones
291 Auburn Road, Hawthorn
In a space full of endearing touches, Hawthorn's favourite dining spot will have you leaving with a very happy spring in your step.
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RestaurantAuction Rooms
103-107 Errol Street, North Melbourne
Place a bid on one of Melbourne's best brunches.
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BarYoung's Wine Rooms
227-229 Camberwell Road, Hawthorn East
A wine bar with Mediterranean snacks in a 100-year-old Hawthorn East building.
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BarImperial Hotel
2-8 Bourke Street, Melbourne
Soak up the 360-degree views on the rooftop of this CBD pub.
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BarCaptain Melville
34 Franklin Street, Melbourne
See what a bushranger can teach you about savouring the moment.
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RestaurantRita's Cafeteria
239 Johnston Street, Abbotsford
A beacon of friendly service leading the renaissance of Abbotsford.
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RestaurantFriends of Mine
506 Swan Street, Richmond
On Swan Street in Richmond, surrounded by not much else, is the bright, yellow trimmed café, Friends of Mine.
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BarThe Rainbow Hotel
27 Saint David Street, Fitzroy
Toast your outsides by the fireplace, while warming your insides with any of 100 different beers.
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BarPortsea Hotel
3746 Point Nepean Road, Portsea
The Mornington Peninsula spot boasts new bars, a pizza menu and killer views over the bay.
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BarHolmes Hall
15 Holmes Road, Moonee Ponds
The plant-filled and neon-lit venue has 20 beer taps, a vegan-friendly gastropub menu and even pinball machines and a shuffleboard table.
