The Best Sydney Restaurants and Bars with Outdoor Dining for 2024
Take in some fresh air — these Sydney venues have sunny al fresco areas waiting for you.
As we leave La Niña in 2022, there's never been a better time to find a Sydney restaurant near you with a sprawling outdoor dining area — just to remind yourself what it feels like to have a meal beside the coastline, on top of a rooftop bar and or on a grassy picnic knoll.
At these sunlit outdoor drinking and dining spots in Sydney, you can take in some fresh air at every possible moment of the day — from big brekkies to late-night bevs. Here you'll find vibrant wine bars, beachside stalwarts and inventive Italian joints, all with a table waiting for you in the sun.
Top image: The Royal Hotel
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BarSince I Left You
338 Kent Street, Sydney
This art-filled courtyard bar, with a relaxed spirit and a drinks menu to match, is the perfect antidote to a stressful day in the office.
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RestaurantCairo Takeaway
81 Enmore Road, Newtown
A Newtown eatery serving full Egyptian breakfasts and some of the best falafels in Sydney.
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RestaurantEsteban
1 Temperance Lane, Sydney
The Tequila Mockingbird team's two-storey Mexican restaurant is home to a massive collection of premium tequila and mezcal and a mariachi band.
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RestaurantRicos Tacos
305 Cleveland Street, Redfern
From food truck to multi-story drinking and dining venue in just a few short years.
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BarIcebergs Dining Room and Bar
1 Notts Avenue, Bondi Beach
Waterside food and views worth a million bucks.
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RestaurantOutfield
230 Victoria Street, Ashfield
A community-focussed parkside cafe with a picnic-appropriate menu and A-plus coffee.
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RestaurantBabylon Rooftop & Garden Bar
Level 7, Westfield, Pitt Street, Sydney
A luxe kingdom of meze, cocktails, slow-cooked meats and 300 wines atop Westfield Sydney.
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RestaurantThree Blue Ducks Rosebery
1/85 Dunning Avenue, Roseberry
This big, bright outpost of a Sydney fave brings farm-to-table ethos and darn good coffee to Rosebery's up-and-coming food precinct.
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BarSake Restaurant and Bar Manly
Level One, Manly Wharf, West Esplanade, Manly
A breezy indoor-outdoor Japanese restaurant in Sydney with views out over Manly Cove.
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BarNorth Bondi Fish
120 Ramsgate Avenue, North Bondi
North Bondi Italian's old home takes on a casual vibe and a fresh, coast-inspired menu.
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RestaurantBotswana Butchery Sydney
25 Martin Place, Sydney
This mainstay of New Zealand's hospitality scene has a huge 940-capacity restaurant with an open-air rooftop in Martin Place.
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RestaurantBills
355 Crown Street, Surry Hills
It's all about classic breakfast dishes done perfectly well.
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BarThe Old Fitzroy Hotel
129 Dowling Street, Woolloomooloo
A classic old English feel, a toasty fireplace and charming regulars meet fancy French feeds and natty wines at this Woolloomooloo pub.
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BarThe Courthouse Hotel
202 Australia Street, Newtown
The unpretentious, grungy gem of Newtown with one of the finest outdoor courtyards in Sydney.
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RestaurantZafferano Trattoria Mediterranea
354 South Dowling Street, Paddington
Over 50 years of Sicilian history emerge at this South Dowling Street trattoria.
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BarThe Glenmore Hotel
96 Cumberland Street, The Rocks
This pub in The Rocks has a rooftop with one of the best views over the harbour.
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BarThe Dolphin Hotel
412 Crown Street, Surry Hills
Across three floors, The Dolphin boasts a revamped dining room, public bar and lounge, open-air terrace, side bar and some street side seating.
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BarThe Lord Gladstone
115 Regent Street, Chippendale
The Lord Gladstone has amped up the entertainment with more live gigs, parties and art exhibitions.
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BarThe Vic On The Park
2 Addison Road, Marrickville
This old Marrickville gem has been given the full Merivale treatment and it's totally working it.
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RestaurantBar Italia
169-171 Norton Street, Leichhardt
This Little Italy stalwart has a limitless menu, $1 corkage and all the housemade gelato you could wish for.
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RestaurantNour
490 Crown Street, Surry Hills
The contemporary Middle Eastern restaurant has recently been hatted, and is ideal for your next meal in Surry Hills.
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RestaurantSala
64 Jones Bay Wharf, Pyrmont
Sala at Jones Bay Wharf serves up seafood-heavy Italian food and stunning views.
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RestaurantCirca Espresso
21 Wentworth Street, Parramatta
Middle Eastern-influenced brekkies and small-batch roasted coffee.
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BarKasbah, The Strand Hotel Rooftop
99 William Street, Darlinghurst
This historic pub and hotel is home to a breezy rooftop cocktail garden with top-notch bar snacks.
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RestaurantRAFI North Sydney
99 Mount Street, North Sydney
This multi-space venue in the heart of North Sydney has something for everyone.
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RestaurantFortuna Drink And Eat
247 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst
Here lies a bright Darlinghurst diner with premium Italian delights, all day long.
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BarThe Royal Hotel
Five Ways, 237 Glenmore Road, Paddington
Rise to the top of this Five Ways pub for incredible views over the city.
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RestaurantGiuls
515 Crown Street, Surry Hills
This female-led Tuscan-inspired restaurant brings its love for pasta to Surry Hills.
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RestaurantCafe Freda's
191-195 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst
The Chippendale nightclub has moved to Darlinghurst and swapped late nights and neon lights for natural wines and pastel hues.
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BarCabana Bar
25 Martin Place, Sydney
This alfresco oasis in the heart of the city features Sydney CBD's largest outdoor terrace.
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RestaurantZushi Surry Hills
Shop 2A, 285A Crown Street, Surry Hills
Sushi as it should be, and so much more.
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RestaurantWhalebridge
8 & 10 East, Sydney
The Sydney Collective's harbourside French restaurant serves up top-notch seafood with stunning harbour views.
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RestaurantTopikos
180 Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach
Head to The Point Group's expansive Greek restaurant for souvlaki and a baklava old fashioned by the beach.
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RestaurantJack Gray
110 Grays Point Road, Grays Point
This south Sydney cafe trades the coffee cups for wine glasses and sandwiches for tacos, turning into a wine bar two nights a week.
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RestaurantShell House
37 Margaret Street, Sydney
Discover a cocktail bar in a clocktower, a ground-floor bistro and a sky-high drinking hole in this historic former hotel.
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RestaurantAvi's Kantini
324 King Street, Newtown
The Bank's new Middle Eastern-inspired eatery features a $45 Feed Me menu.
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BarRe - CLOSED
2 Locomotive Street, Eveleigh
This South Eveleigh bar is housed in a heritage site that spent 100 years as a locomotive workshop.
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BarElm Rooftop Bar - CLOSED
Level 2, 122 Flinders Street, Darlinghurst
This rooftop cocktail bar above The Taphouse is serving a variety of hard seltzers, plus orange wine by the glass.
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RestaurantMrs Palmer Sandwich
81 Stanley Street, Darlinghurst
This hole-in-the-wall sells sandos created by Sydney's top chefs by day, and transforms into a margarita bar after dark.
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RestaurantCafe Bondi
286 Campbell Parade, North Bondi
Find cafe classics, vegan treats and breakfast cocktails within walking distance of the beach at this new eastern suburbs spot.
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BarCronulla RSL Club
38R Gerrale Street, Cronulla
Enjoy views over South Cronulla Beach from the terrace with a cocktail in hand.
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RestaurantOpera Kitchen - CLOSED
Lower Concourse, Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point, Sydney
The harbourside restaurant has a new bakery, pasta bar and Japanese kitchen dishing up ramen and katsu sandos every day.
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BarVini Divini
60 Carrington Street, Sydney
This inner city bar's wine wall contains over 1000 bottles from ten different countries.
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RestaurantAcre Artarmon
1 Frederick Street, Artarmon
A sprawling restaurant, bakery and urban farm on the lower north shore.
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RestaurantBiang Biang
186 Macquarie Street, Liverpool
Another outpost for the popular eatery bringing Shaanxi chewy pulled noodles to Sydney.
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RestaurantHester's
60 Carrington Street, Sydney
This CBD cafe is here for your morning croissants, lunchtime bubbles and caffeine afternoon pick-me-ups.
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BarLa Palma - CLOSED
75-79 Hall Street, Bondi Beach
Head to the leafy courtyard, order a daiquiri and devour a plate of jerk chicken.
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BarAlbion Hotel
135 George Street, Parramatta
Parramatta's late-night, dog-friendly pub has one of the best beer gardens in Sydney.
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RestaurantBathers' Pavilion
4 The Esplanade, Mosman
Balmoral's historic beachside spot has scored a makeover and a terrace champagne bar.
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RestaurantFour Frogs Creperie Circular Quay
1 Macquarie Place, Sydney
Tuck into sweet crepes and savoury galettes with experimental fillings at this French-owned harbourside creperie.
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RestaurantBeerhaus Barangaroo
Hickson Road, Barangaroo
A huge German beer hall with salty pretzels, schnitzels and schnapps.
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BarMarrickville Bowling & Recreation Club
91 Sydenham Road, Marrickville
An inner west institution for live music and lawn bowls.
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RestaurantDopa Donburi and Dessert Darling Square
6, 2 Little Hay Street, Haymarket
A Japanese take on the classic Aussie milk bar by the Devon team.
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RestaurantNext Door Cronulla
4-6 Kingsway, Cronulla
This ever-popular cafe offers up next level eats by the water.
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RestaurantHello Auntie Darling Square
Shop 2/16 Nicole Walk Darling Square, Haymarket
The inner west Vietnamese favourite has opened a CBD outpost.
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BarThe Glebe Hotel
63 Bay Street, Glebe
This historic pub has been given a new name and dog-friendly courtyard.
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RestaurantCorretto Dee Why
Shop 1/24 The Strand, Dee Why
An all-day diner located a stone's throw from the beach in northern Sydney.
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BarWebsters Bar
323 King Street, Newtown
This underrated Newtown rooftop bar serves up wings and whisky aplenty.
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RestaurantMosman Rowers
3 Centenary Drive, Mosman
This century-old lower north shore rowing club has reopened as a cafe and bar.
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BarThe Oxford Tavern - CLOSED
1 New Canterbury Road, Petersham
This Petersham pub has reopened with a leafy beer garden and focus on craft beer.
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BarThe Old Clare Rooftop Bar
Rooftop, The Old Clare Hotel, 1 Kensington Street, Chippendale
This hotel pool bar is open to the public for cocktails and snacks.
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RestaurantTotti's
283 Bondi Road, Bondi
An Italian eatery helmed by Pinbone's Mike Eggert and Rockpool's Khan Danis and located inside the Royal Bondi.
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RestaurantSalt Meats Cheese Cronulla
Shop 1, 66–70 Cronulla Street, Cronulla
The Italian chain has opened its first outpost in The Shire.
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BarPark House Food & Liquor
2 Park Street, Mona Vale
The old Mona Vale Hotel has been transformed into a sleek new restaurant, cocktail lounge and burger bar.
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RestaurantThe Alcott
1 Birdwood Avenue, Lane Cove
A lush restaurant and spritz bar on the lower north shore.
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RestaurantMaybe Frank Randwick
69 Perouse Road, Randwick
Serving pizza and award-winning cocktails up the hill from the beach.
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BarBarangaroo House
35 Barangaroo Avenue, Barangaroo
The jewel in Barangaroo's ever-growing crown, Barangaroo House is made up of three levels — we reviewed them all.
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BarMarta Osteria
30 McLachlan Avenue, Rushcutters Bay
A Roman osteria and bar from the team behind Popolo.
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RestaurantChula
Shop 7, 33 Bayswater Road, Potts Point
Offering regional Mexican dishes in wicker chairs and a packed menu of tequila and mezcal cocktails.
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BarJardin St James
173 King Street, Sydney
Find a slice of Parisian paradise in a CBD church's courtyard.
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RestaurantCuckoo Callay on Crown - CLOSED
78-80 Crown Street, Surry Hills
A second outpost for the team behind one of Newtown's busiest (and best) brunch spots.
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BarBotany View Hotel
597 King Street, Newtown
An iconic south King Street pub that's home to one of Sydney's best beer gardens.
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RestaurantNo. 1 William
Level 4, Australian Museum, 1 William Street, Sydney
Look over Hyde Park and Sydney Harbour from the Australian Museum's terrace restaurant.
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RestaurantDevon Barangaroo
200 Barangaroo Avenue, Barangaroo
The Devon crew is plating up its decadent breakfast items and katsu sandos in Barangaroo.
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RestaurantQueen Chow
Level 1, Queens Hotel, 167 Enmore Road, Enmore
Merivale reinvents Chinese pub food at Enmore's Queens Hotel.
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BarEast Village Hotel
234 Palmer Street, Darlinghurst
The three-tiered Darlinghurst pub gets a new life with an upstairs sports bar and rooftop terrace.
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RestaurantZushi Barangaroo
33 Barangaroo Avenue, Barangaroo
The Sydney sushi masters' third offering brings their acclaimed offering to Barangaroo.
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RestaurantSushi on Stanley
85 Stanley Street, Darlinghurst
This well-priced Japanese casual eatery in Sydney has stood the test of time.
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RestaurantBill & Toni's
74 Stanley Street, Darlinghurst
A Sydney institution known for big bowls of pasta (and free cordial).
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RestaurantPublic House Petersham
292 Stanmore Road, Petersham
Come for the for the beer garden, stay for the pub grub, natty wine, DJ sets and trivia.
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BarContinental Deli Bar Bistro
210 Australia Street, Newtown
Where drinking cocktails gets that much better because they're served in cans.
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BarDead Ringer
413 Bourke Street, Surry Hills
The Bulletin Place team reinvent Bacardi Breezers, Redskins and so many nostalgic favourites.
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RestaurantCasoni - CLOSED
371-373 Bourke Street, Darlinghurst
Fresh pasta plus Aperol spritzes and negronis on tap equal Casoni's formula for a good night.
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BarCoogee Pavilion Rooftop
169 Dolphin St, Coogee
Life's a beach at the imaginative Coogee Pavilion's beachfront rooftop bar.
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BarThe Bearded Tit
183 Regent Street, Redfern
Turn left at the crocheted penises and enter Redfern's brazen art bar.
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BarThe Winery
285A Crown Street, Surry Hills
Drinking classy means having a 'champagne bell' alert the waitstaff when your glass gets empty.
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BarChester White Cured Diner
3 Orwell Street, Potts Point
Dig into moreish cured meats, cheese-wheel cacio e pepe and braised beef cheeks at this charming converted cottage.
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BarThe Beresford Hotel
354 Bourke Street, Surry Hills
A Surry Hills pub with one of the best courtyards in town.
