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.
Libby Curran
April 01, 2023
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  • Bar

    Zymurgy

    561 Barkly Street, West Footscray

    From the minds behind Hop Nation and Navi, this Footscray outdoor bar celebrates elevated barbecue fare and local craft booze.

  • Restaurant

    Three Blue Ducks Melbourne

    309 Melrose Drive, Tullamarine

    Eat vibrant farm-to-table dishes and sip sustainably focused drinks overlooking a two-hectare surf lagoon.

  • Restaurant

    The 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.

  • Restaurant

    Mr Brownie

    343 Clarendon Street, South Melbourne

    A multi-level pub, Punjabi-style deli and rooftop bar run by chef-restaurateur Jessi Singh.

  • Restaurant

    Green Acre

    328 Victoria Street, Brunswick

    Brunswick's vegan-friendly pizzeria slings sourdough slices in a fairy light-lit courtyard.

    Book a Table
  • Restaurant

    Alimentari

    304 Smith Street, Collingwood

    The neighbourhood deli turned up a notch.

  • Restaurant

    Joe Frank

    246 High Street, Ashburton

    Homemade crumpets and a dog-friendly courtyard await at this sunny Ashburton cafe.

  • Bar

    Pepe'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.

  • Restaurant

    Taquito

    350 Drummond Street, Carlton

    Carlton's temple of tacos, tequila and handmade tortillas.

  • Restaurant

    Lagotto

    1 York Street, Fitzroy North

    A sun-lit Italian corner spot with strong pasta game and an onsite provedore.

  • Restaurant

    Sister of Soul Richmond - CLOSED

    77 Swan Street, Richmond

    An all-day, all-vegan eatery on Swan Street.

  • Bar

    The 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.

  • Bar

    Harlow

    447 Church Street, Richmond

    Richmond's Great Britain Hotel has been transformed into an all-occasions pub with a dog-friendly beer garden and lots of barbecued meats.

  • Restaurant

    Pier Farm

    34 The Strand, Williamstown

    Waterfront dining in Williamstown.

  • Bar

    Hotel 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.

  • Bar

    Elwood Bathers

    15 Elwood Foreshore, Elwood

    This all-day diner is located right on Elwood Beach.

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  • Bar

    Citrico - CLOSED

    376 Queens Parade, Fitzroy North

    A lively new Chilean spot in Fitzroy North with an ex-Rockpool chef.

  • Bar

    The 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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  • Restaurant

    Georgie Bass Cafe & Cookery

    30 Cook Street, Flinders

    Take a road trip down the Peninsula for a cooking class and a long lunch.

  • Restaurant

    Good Times Milk Bar

    83 Tucker Road, Bentleigh

    A modern diner with old-school shakes, all-day breakfast, burgers and a dog-friendly courtyard.

  • Bar

    Luton Lane Wine Bar

    8 Luton Lane, Hawthorn

    A sleek haven of wine and Spanish bar snacks in Hawthorn.

  • Restaurant

    Montalto

    33 Shoreham Road, Red Hill South

    This Mornington Peninsula institution has a winery cellar door, cafe and fine dining restaurant.

  • Bar

    Innocent Bystander

    316-334 Maroondah Highway, Healesville

    The Yarra Valley winemaker's Healesville venue is part cellar door, part pumping wine bar.

  • Bar

    Union House

    270 Swan Street, Richmond

    A gastropub that'll please the masses.

  • Restaurant

    Neptune

    212 High Street, Windsor

    The Windsor restaurant has gone back to its roots, serving up stacks of seafood and Mediterranean eats.

  • Bar

    Abacus

    383 Chapel Street, South Yarra

    This Chapel Street eatery serves everything from breakfast and coffee through to steaks and cocktails.

  • Restaurant

    Hogget 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.

  • Restaurant

    Red Sparrow Pizza

    406 Smith Street, Collingwood

    Melbourne's first all-vegan pizza place.

  • Bar

    Bang Bang at the Rifle Club

    294 Glenhuntly Road, Elsternwick

    An all-day Asian fusion eatery at the old Caulfield Rifle Club.

  • Bar

    Land 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.

  • Restaurant

    Vesper - 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.

  • Restaurant

    Red 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.

  • Restaurant

    Fonda Collingwood

    236 Smith Street, Collingwood

    Melbourne's cheap and colourful Mexican chain takes over two storeys on Smith Street.

  • Bar

    Napier Quarter

    359 Napier Street, Fitzroy

    A small all-day cafe and wine bar winning locals over in the backstreets of Fitzroy.

  • Bar

    Henry Sugar

    296-298 Rathdowne Street, Carlton North

    Rathdowne Street's neighbourhood bar doing inventive food and delicate desserts.

  • Restaurant

    Hotel Jesus

    174 Smith Street, Collingwood

    A Smith Street taco joint from the team behind Mamasita.

  • Bar

    Gilson

    171 Domain Road, South Yarra

    An all-day European-style eatery across from the Botanic Gardens.

    Book a Table
  • Bar

    Pontoon

    Ground Floor, Stokehouse Precinct, 30 Jacka Boulevard, St Kilda

    The Stokehouse Precinct's casual beachside bar.

  • Restaurant

    Moby 3143

    1150 High Street, Armadale

    A three-level Armadale cafe with an outdoor deck.

  • Bar

    The 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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  • Restaurant

    Cornershop

    11 Ballarat Street, Yarraville

    This corner cafe has become a Yarraville institution.

  • Restaurant

    Local Folk

    43 Epsom Road, Kensington

    A local Kensington corner cafe serving up coffee, wine and breakfast gnocchi.

  • Bar

    Little Creatures Geelong Brewery

    Corner Fyans And Swanston Streets, Geelong

    This Fremantle-born brewery's east coast home features three bars and lots of booze.

  • Restaurant

    Short Straw

    743B Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn

    The epitome of a great neighbourhood cafe.

  • Bar

    Welcome to Thornbury

    520 High Street, Northcote

    A permanent food truck park boasting a rotating menu of street food snacks.

  • Bar

    Welcome to Brunswick

    1 Frith Street, Brunswick

    The inner north's fairy-lit, dog-friendly food truck park and beer garden.

  • Restaurant

    Uncle Drew

    23 Groom Street, Clifton Hill

    A true neighbourhood gem known for its creative cafe fare, quality coffee and ever friendly vibe.

  • Restaurant

    Mammoth

    736 Malvern Road, Armadale

    Melbourne's latest brunch darling takes the concept of cafe food to new heights.

  • Restaurant

    Mavis the Grocer

    197 Vere Street, Abbotsford

    Delicious, ethical food with old world neighbourhood charm.

  • Bar

    Stray Neighbour

    463 - 467 Plenty Road, Preston

    The new neighbour set to elevate the dining scene of Preston.

  • Bar

    Leonard's House of Love

    3 Wilson Street, South Yarra

    Drink tinnies, down burgers, dance and play pool in Leonard's lounge room-like bar.

  • Bar

    Rice Paper Scissors

    307 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy

    Enjoy all the Asian fusion food at Rice Paper Scissors' new Fitzroy venue.

  • Restaurant

    Copper Pot Seddon

    105 Victoria Street, Seddon

    A pan-European menu that inexplicably works exquisitely.

  • Restaurant

    Rudimentary

    16-20 Leeds Street, Footscray

    A cafe made from disused shipping containers in an abandoned car park.

  • Bar

    Temple Brewing Company

    122 Weston Street, Brunswick East

    Brunswick East's own microbrewery offering much more than just beer.

    Book a Table
  • Bar

    Arbory Bar & Eatery

    Flinders Walk, Melbourne

    With great views and even better food, this is one platform you won't mind getting delayed on. 

  • Restaurant

    Meletos

    12 Saint Huberts Road, Coldstream

    Dine on premium Modern European dishes with panoramic views of Victoria’s wine region.

  • Restaurant

    District Brewer

    36 Brewer Road, Bentleigh

    A brunch spot in the inconspicuous backstreets of Bentleigh.

  • Bar

    Nagambie 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.

  • Restaurant

    Naughty Boy

    499-501 Lygon St, Brunswick East

    It doesn’t matter if you’re naughty or nice when brunch is this good.

  • Bar

    Terminus Hotel

    605 Victoria Street, Abbotsford

    The Abbotsford pub sports a classy revamp but maintains the things that matter most: beer, bingo and counter meals.

  • Bar

    Jardin Tan

    Birdwood Avenue, South Yarra

    A bit of Vietnamese exoticism in the middle of the Botanic Gardens.

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  • Bar

    Botanical Hotel

    169 Domain Road, South Yarra

    South Yarra's local serving up sophisticated dining in a relaxed yet refined setting.

  • Bar

    Joanie's Baretto

    832A High Street, Thornbury

    Thornbury's cute neighbourhood Italian bar serving spritzes, cicchetti and gluten-free pasta.

  • Restaurant

    Stagger Lee's

    276 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy

    A classic Fitzroy cafe with all the good stuff from the guys at Proud Mary.

  • Restaurant

    Hello Sam

    760 Chapel Street, South Yarra

    Hefty American-style burgers, a decent vegan offering and handmade choc tops.

  • Restaurant

    Fifty Acres

    65 Bridge Road, Richmond

    Bridge Road's coffee oasis.

  • Bar

    Builders Arms Hotel

    211 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy

    Andrew McConnell's refined pub offers British-inflected fare, a strong wine selection and a lovely little courtyard.

  • Bar

    The Lincoln

    91 Cardigan Street, Carlton

    A much-loved Carlton gem serving up local craft brews and top-quality gastropub fare.

  • Bar

    The Flying Duck Hotel

    67 Bendigo Street, Prahran

    Prahran's favourite old Duck flies again.

  • Bar

    The Corner Hotel

    57 Swan Street, Richmond

    A Richmond live music institution with a banging rooftop.

  • Bar

    Northcote Social Club

    301 High Street, Northcote

    Some things never change at NSC, but the menu is not one of them.

  • Bar

    The Local Taphouse St Kilda

    184 Carlisle Street, St Kilda East

    This Carlisle Street institution boasts 19 taps, two fireplaces and a sun-soaked rooftop.

  • Restaurant

    Santoni

    634 Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn

    The Hawthorn pizza bar now does breakfast — and with panoramic views to boot.

  • Restaurant

    St Ali

    12-18 Yarra Place, South Melbourne

    Melbourne's original cult-status cafe.

  • Restaurant

    Earthly Pleasures Cafe

    1627 Burwood Highway, Belgrave

    An out-of-town cafe set in a historic 1930s building.

  • Bar

    Le Bon Ton

    51 Gipps Street, Collingwood

    Oysters, absinthe, smoked meat and a 24-hour licence.

  • Bar

    Radio Mexico

    11-13 Carlisle Street, St Kilda

    A St Kilda fixture pumping out great, casual Mexican.

  • Restaurant

    Pinchy's

    200 Bourke Street, Melbourne

    A neon-pink temple of lobster rolls and champagne in the CBD.

  • Restaurant

    Belles Hot Chicken

    150-156 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy

    F**king hot Fitzroy fried chicken.

  • Restaurant

    Marquis 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.

  • Restaurant

    Tall Timber

    60 Commercial Road, Prahran

    A slice of hinterland idyll in the heart of Prahran.

  • Bar

    Epocha

    49 Rathdowne Street, Carlton

    The epitome of European hospitality.

  • Restaurant

    The Arborist

    75 Little Malop Street, Geelong

    A thoroughly modern Australian restaurant (with a nod to the Middle East), featuring an excellent drinks selection.

  • Restaurant

    Code 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.

    Book a Table
  • Bar

    Feast of Merit

    117 Swan Street, Richmond

    Sip coffee and tuck into Middle Eastern fare with a clear conscience.

  • Restaurant

    Baby Pizza

    631-633 Church Street, Richmond

    Even with high profile siblings threatening to outshine, this Italian Baby is anywhere but the corner.

  • Bar

    Dal Zotto Wines

    4861 Wangaratta–Whitfield Road, Whitfield

    You go-to for pizza and prosecco in the King Valley.

  • Restaurant

    The 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.

  • Bar

    D.O.C Pizza and Mozzarella Bar

    295 Drummond Street, Carlton

    Enjoy the simple life and eat like a true Italian.

    Book a Table
  • Bar

    Johnny'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.

  • Bar

    Bomba Rooftop

    103 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne

    The Spanish restaurant's rooftop serves up Catalan toasties and gin cocktails under the CBD stars.

  • Bar

    Dr Morse

    274 Johnston Street, Abbotsford

    $10 burgers, local beers, an open fire and a good Abbotsford buzz.

  • Restaurant

    Sebastian 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.

  • Bar

    Rochford Wines

    878-880 Maroondah Highway, Coldstream

    One of the Yarra Valley's best-known wineries features a lakeside cellar door and top-quality pizza.

  • Bar

    Archie's All Day

    189 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy

    From your morning coffee to your midnight nightcap, Archie's has you covered.

  • Restaurant

    Glovers Station

    258 Glen Eira Road, Elsternwick

    Not just a station for coffee, this Elsternwick cafe has a menu worth stopping for.

  • Restaurant

    1800 Lasagne

    653 High Street, Thornbury

    A bricks-and-mortar bar and eatery from an inner north lasagne delivery service.

  • Restaurant

    Sonny's Fried Chicken & Burgers

    29 Lygon Street, Carlton

    Classic US-style fried chicken and burgs, in a legendary live music pub.

  • Restaurant

    Touchwood

    480 Bridge Road, Richmond

    Try your luck at this Bridge Road cafe. Touchwood.

  • Bar

    Prince 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.

  • Restaurant

    Norman 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.

  • Bar

    The Recreation

    162-170 Queens Parade, Fitzroy North

    A Fitzroy North wine bar, bottle shop and bistro doing considered comfort food.

  • Restaurant

    Carolina

    11 Nicholson Street, Brunswick East

    With a great menu, coffee offering and courtyard, Carolina's our favourite northside lady.

  • Restaurant

    The 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.

  • Restaurant

    The Cornish Arms Hotel

    163A Sydney Road, Brunswick

    A multi-level pub with a rooftop bar serving all types of goodness day and night.

  • Restaurant

    Porgie + 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.

  • Restaurant

    Auction Rooms

    103-107 Errol Street, North Melbourne

    Place a bid on one of Melbourne's best brunches.

  • Bar

    Young's Wine Rooms

    227-229 Camberwell Road, Hawthorn East

    A wine bar with Mediterranean snacks in a 100-year-old Hawthorn East building.

  • Bar

    Imperial Hotel

    2-8 Bourke Street, Melbourne

    Soak up the 360-degree views on the rooftop of this CBD pub.

  • Bar

    Captain Melville

    34 Franklin Street, Melbourne

    See what a bushranger can teach you about savouring the moment.

  • Restaurant

    Rita's Cafeteria

    239 Johnston Street, Abbotsford

    A beacon of friendly service leading the renaissance of Abbotsford.

  • Restaurant

    Trippy Taco

    234 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy

    A Fitzroy favourite for vegos.

  • Bar

    Movida Aqui - CLOSED

    1/500 Bourke Street, Melbourne

    Tapas and sherry from the best.

  • Restaurant

    Friends 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.

  • Bar

    Napier Hotel

    210 Napier Street, Fitzroy

    Like a big, warm, friendly Fitzroy hug.

  • Bar

    The Rainbow Hotel

    27 Saint David Street, Fitzroy

    Toast your outsides by the fireplace, while warming your insides with any of 100 different beers.

  • Bar

    Portsea Hotel

    3746 Point Nepean Road, Portsea

    The Mornington Peninsula spot boasts new bars, a pizza menu and killer views over the bay.

  • Bar

    Holmes 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.

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