The Best Outdoor Dining Spots in Melbourne All Year Round (2026)

You’re spoilt rotten with options when it comes to outdoor dining in Melbourne. From Marion Wine Bar in Fitzroy, to City Wine Shop in the CBD and Hotel Esplanada in St Kilda, here’s the best of the best outdoor dining spots in Melbourne.

Melbourne knows how to put on a good feed, but when you’re keen to park yourself outside with a bevvy and a cracking meal, the city really steps it up. From riverside spots where you can watch the world go by to rooftop bars with killer views, there’s no shortage of epic outdoor dining spots in Melbourne.

And even when winter rolls in, this city knows how to keep things cosy with heaters, blankets, and warm drinks that keep you planted outdoors no matter the weather outdoors. So, whether you’re after a few pints with your mates, a long lunch that rolls into dinner, or just somewhere to kick back with good food and even better company, here’s our pick of the best outdoor dining in Melbourne you can visit year-round.

Best Outdoor Dining in Melbourne at a Glance

Our list of the best outdoor dining spots in Melbourne goes like this.

• The best outdoor dining in Melbourne overall: Hotel Esplanade
• Best for waterside beers: Arbory Bar and Eatery 
• Best rooftop for big groups and sunset sessions: Naked for Satan 
• Best wine‑focused outdoor dining: Marion Wine Bar 
• Best riverside pub vibes for knock‑offs: The General Assembly 
• Best outdoor dining in the city: City Wine Shop 
• Best outdoor neighbourhood wine bar: Henry Sugar

These outdoor restaurants across Melbourne’s CBD, inner north and bayside suburbs offer year-round alfresco dining, heaters in winter and sunny beer gardens in summer, so you’re never left without options.

And now you know the crowd favourites, let’s check out the complete list.

The Best Outdoor Dining in Melbourne, According to Locals

1. Arbory Bar and Eatery

Arbory Bar and Eatery is a spot where you rock up for a quick drink but end up staying for hours. Smack bang along the Yarra River, right next to Flinders Street Station, it’s a long, open-air bar that’s perfect for sinking a few beers while watching the boats cruise past. There’s plenty of space to sprawl out, and even when Melbourne’s weather pulls one of its classic mood swings, they’ve got heaters and cover to keep you cosy.

The food? Delish pub-style feeds. The double cheeseburger is a winner: juicy patties, crispy fried onion, melted cheese, and a heap of crinkle-cut chips on the side. If you’re into chicken, the Southern fried chicken burger with smoky chipotle packs a decent punch. Keen on seafood? The lobster roll is a crowd favourite, plus there’s plenty of share plates too – think fried wings, calamari, and arancini balls to keep the table happy.

And let’s not forget the drinks. The beer’s cold, the spritzes are flowing, and if you’re in the mood for something stronger, the Negroni and spicy margarita will do the trick. With good food, cold drinks, and prime riverside views, it’s easy to see why Arbory is one of the best outdoor dining spots in Melbourne.

• Address: 1 Flinders Walk, Melbourne VIC 3000
• Hours: Sun-Sat 11am-10pm
• Phone: (03) 9614 0023

2. Bombabar

Sitting five floors above Lonsdale Street, Bombabar gives you a cracking look over Melbourne’s city skyline and Chinatown, which is why it’s definitely one of the best outdoor dining spots in Melbourne. You get a perfect mix of urban buzz and open-air space, with plenty of seating and lush greenery hanging around. Plus, they’ve got a retractable roof and heaters, so no matter the weather, you’re golden.

The food leans into Spanish flavours with a proper share-friendly menu. Kick things off with a charcuterie board stacked with top-tier jamón, wagyu cecina, and spicy chorizo. The tapas are hard to beat – corn ribs dusted with paprika, chickpea fritters with rich romesco sauce, and chorizitos paired with punchy aioli. After something bigger? The braised beef with cauliflower and peppers is spot on, and the fritto misto (loaded with calamari, scallops, and mussels) goes down perfectly with a cold drink.

The cocktail list is a crowd-pleaser – zesty margaritas, boozy Negronis, and fun options like the Breakfast in Oaxaca (yep, mezcal mixed with beer and orange marmalade… sounds odd, but it works). If you’re into wine, there’s a nice mix of Aussie and Spanish drops, plus plenty of beers for those keen on a frothy one.

• Address: 103 Lonsdale St, Melbourne VIC 3000
• Hours: Tue-Thurs 12pm-12am, Fri & Sat 12pm-1am, Sun-Mon 3pm-12am
• Phone: (03) 9650 5778

3. Naked for Satan

Naked for Satan is the spot when you want great outdoor dining in Fitzroy. Sitting above Brunswick Street, this rooftop bar serves up some of the best views going. You’ve got sweeping sights over Melbourne’s skyline, and on a clear day, you can even catch the Dandenong Ranges in the distance.

Food-wise, there’s a focus on share plates with a Spanish-Basque twist. You’ll find everything from crispy croquettes and chargrilled prawns to lamb skewers and baked camembert dripping with honey and thyme. If you’re keen for something more substantial, the lamb shoulder or saffron ravioli will sort you out. It’s a menu made for grazing (while knocking back a few drinks).

Speaking of drinks – their house-infused vodkas are a must-try – flavours like watermelon-mint or chilli-pack a punch – and the cocktails are on point. A Royal Peach or Juicy Melon spritz goes down a treat on a warm day, and there’s plenty of beer and wine to choose from.

• Address: 285 Brunswick St, Fitzroy VIC 3065
• Hours: Tues-Thur 12pm-12am, Fri-Sat 12pm-1am, Sun & Mon 12pm-10pm
• Phone: (03) 9416 2238

Check out Naked for Satan

4. The General Assembly

Just next door to the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre, The General Assembly is a great spot for some outdoor dining in Melbourne. Sitting right on South Wharf, the outdoor area is massive and perfect for sinking a few pints while watching the boats cruise along the Yarra. On a sunny day, it’s packed with people soaking up the rays, and on weekends there’s live music and DJs too.

The menu’s got all the pub classics. If you’re just after a quick snack with your beer, grab the pork and fennel sausage rolls or the fried calamari. If you’re hungry, the Southern fried chicken burger with green chili slaw is a winner, and the steak sandwich is stacked and hits the spot.

Drinks? There’s a great range of beers on tap, plenty of Aussie wines, and a cocktail list that covers all bases – from refreshing spritzes to boozy classics like the espresso martini. Happy hour deals during the week are easy on the wallet, and the $22 steak sandwich Thursdays are reason enough to swing by.

• Address: 29 S Wharf Promenade, South Wharf VIC 3006
• Hours: Sun-Wed 11.30am-9pm, Fri-Sat 11.30am-11pm
• Phone: (03) 9682 6007

5. Da Guido La Pasta

Da Guido La Pasta sits smack bang in the heart of Carlton on Lygon Street – Melbourne’s unofficial Little Italy. It’s the perfect outdoor dining spot to soak up the street’s buzz, and people watch for hours on end. There’s just something about eating pasta alfresco with the hum of Lygon Street around you, especially when the sun’s out and you’ve got a cold drink in hand!

The food is as good as you’d hope for in this part of town. The antipasto platter, loaded with prosciutto, salami, cheeses, and fresh bread, is perfect for picking at while you sip on a cocktail or a glass of wine. But let’s be real – you’re here for the pasta. The Rigatoni alla Carbonara is rich and creamy, with just the right amount of saltiness from the guanciale, and the Ravioli Wagyu is pure comfort food.

The drinks list has something for everyone, from classic Espresso Martinis to refreshing options like the Garden Spritz. Sitting outside with a drink and a big bowl of pasta, it’s easy to lose track of time –especially as Lygon Street comes alive in the evening with people heading to and from nearby bars and gelaterias. Definitely add this spot to your list of must-visit outdoor dining spots in Melbourne.

• Address: 130 Lygon Street, Carlton VIC 3035
• Hours: Wed-Thur 6pm-10.30pm, Fri 6-11pm, Sat 12–3 pm, 5–11 pm, Sun 12–3 pm, 5–10:30 pm, Mon 6-10.30pm
• Phone: (03) 8528 4547

Check out Da Guido La Pasta Da Guido La Pasta Menu

6. Marion Wine Bar

Marion is a go-to spot when you’re after an incredible feed and a cracking glass of wine. Sitting on Gertrude Street in Fitzroy, it’s always packed (it made our list of Melbourne’s best wine bars for a reason). Getting an outdoor table isn’t always easy (this place books out fast), but if you manage to snag one, you’re in for an amazing experience. Sitting outside, wine in hand, and watching Fitzroy’s characters pass through – it doesn’t get much more Melbourne than that.

The food is simple yet elegant. For example, the whitebait sandwich – it sounds simple but absolutely hits the spot. Or, opt for the octopus on toast with a kick of chilli oil. With other options like half roast duck or baked pipe rigate in vodka sauce, you’re guaranteed to have a good meal.

Plus, Marion’s got one of the best wine lists in town, from chilled reds perfect for an arvo session to interesting whites you won’t find at your local bottle-o. And if you’re more of a cocktail person, they’ve got you covered there too.

Once you’re done, you’re perfectly placed to kick on at one of the many nearby bars – Napier Hotel’s not too far away if you’re after a pub vibe, or you can walk a couple hundred metres to The Catfish for some banging cocktails.

• Address: 53 Gertrude St, Fitzroy VIC 3065
• Hours: Mon-Sun 12pm-10pm
• Phone: (03) 9419 6262

7. Hotel Esplanade

If you’re talking about iconic Melbourne outdoor dining venues, The Espy in St Kilda is unbeatable – and it’s our top pick for the best outdoor dining in Melbourne. Sitting right on the foreshore, this place is an absolute institution. You don’t just head here for the food and drinks (though they’re pretty spot on), you come for the atmosphere, the people-watching, and those killer beach views.

The Espy’s got a few outdoor spots to choose from, depending on how you’re feeling. The Main Bar & Terrace is prime real estate if you want to park yourself with a pint and take in the views of St Kilda Pier –plus, it’s got a retractable roof, so you’re covered rain or shine. The Sunroom is perfect if you’re chasing a sunny arvo on the deck, and the Balcony Bar? Let’s just say sipping a beer while looking out over St Kilda Beach is hard to beat.

Food-wise, you’re covered with everything from pub classics – like a chicken parma or beer-battered fish and chips – to pizzas, burgers, and some share plates too. Grab a seafood platter, sink a cold one, and you’re set. And the drinks list? Cocktails, local beers on tap, wines – it’s all there.

Things can get a bit rowdy as the night rolls on (it’s The Espy, after all), so if you’re after a quieter session, hit it up earlier in the evening. But if you’re keen for a big one, stick around – there’s live music pumping, plenty of spots to explore inside, and you can always roll into one of the nearby St Kilda bars after.

• Address: 11 The Esplanade, St Kilda VIC 3182
• Hours: Mon-Thurs 12pm-11pm, Fri & Sat 12pm-3am, Sun 12pm-1am
• Phone: (03) 9534 0211

8. City Wine Shop

Right across from Parliament House on Spring Street, you don’t get more quintessential outdoor Melbourne dining than City Wine Shop. The wine list is, as you’d expect, golden. It’s a wine shop first and foremost, so you’ve got shelves of bottles to choose from – just grab one at retail price and pay a small corkage fee to drink it there. Whether you’re after a bold Aussie red or something from Europe, they’ve got plenty of options. And if you’re just after a quick glass, the rotating by-the-glass options are always spot on.

Food-wise, City Wine Shop keeps things simple but bloody good. Think European bistro vibe – pigs head fritti with gribiche, escargot with crusty baguette, and one the best chicken schnitzels going around. The steak frites is a winner too if you’re in the mood for something filling. Or just graze on a few small plates – marinated olives, salumi, polenta chips – and let the drinks do the talking.

It’s always popular, especially on sunny afternoons or when knock-off drinks roll around, so get in early if you’re eyeing an outdoor table. Once you’ve wrapped up, you’re in a prime spot to explore nearby bars, or take a stroll through the city.

• Address: 159 Spring St, Melbourne VIC 3000
• Hours: Sun-Thurs 12pm-11pm, Fri & Sat 12pm-12am
• Phone: (03) 9654 6657

9. Henry Sugar

Henry Sugar has claimed one of Carlton North’s best outdoor dining setups: a sun-soaked parklet deck that transforms a former car space on Rathdowne Street into something approaching a European streetside scene. Daily happy hour runs 5–6pm with $10 Negronis, $10 tap wines and beers, $10 sparkling, and $3 oysters, which is a deal that makes knocking off early justified.

The wine list leans entirely natural, complemented by cocktails that showcase native ingredients like strawberry gum, wattleseed and mountain pepper leaf. On the food front, expect share-style plates driven by seasonal Australian produce – kangaroo features alongside tempura and inventive takes on comfort classics. The bar team also crafts house-made sodas using seasonal fruit, naturally carbonated through fermentation. 

The setting helps: a heritage Victorian terrace from 1886 with exposed brick, a fireplace for cooler months, and that all-important deck for when the weather cooperates. You’re in Rathdowne Village here, Carlton North’s leafy pocket that’s become a dining destination in its own right. It’s also enough close enough to the city to be accessible for post-dinner drinks, but also far enough away to maintain its neighbourhood charm.

• Address: 296-298 Rathdowne St, Carlton North VIC 3054
• Hours: Mon 5pm-10pm, Thursday 5-10pm, Friday & Saturday 5pm – 11pm, Sunday 12:30pm – 10pm
• Phone: 03 9448 8196

10. Yarra Botanica

Yarra Botanica stakes its claim as one of Melbourne’s best outdoor dining waterfront spots: a two-level floating bar and eatery moored beside Sandridge Bridge in Southbank. The pontoon holds nearly 700 people across open decks fitted with planter boxes, herb gardens and climbing vines – a setup that operate year-round thanks to heaters, awnings and glass-windowed indoor sections.

The pitch here is uncompromisingly local. The drinks list is entirely Victorian – signature spritzes, boutique beers and wines from regions like Mornington Peninsula and Yarra Valley, with 90 percent of the food sourced from state suppliers. Cocktails lean into native ingredients with options like a pepper berry spritz made with Billson’s gin, prosecco and grapefruit, or a lemon myrtle and jasmine spritz. The menu favours share plates built around sustainable seafood, wood-fired pizzas, and grazing boards. 

The location delivers in spades: you’re parked on the Yarra with unobstructed city skyline views, walking distance from the Arts Centre and Southbank Promenade. It’s a great spot for post-work drinks as well as weekend sessions for Melbournians (and visitors) looking to lock in a riverside table.

• Address: North of 4 Riverside Quay, Lower Wharf, Southbank Promenade, Southbank, VIC 3006
• Hours: Mon-Wed 12pm-11pm, Thurs 12pm-12am, Fri 11.30am-1am, Sat 11am-1am, Sun 11am-11pm
• Phone: (03) 8840 4824

Honourable Mentions

• Hochi Mama: Vietnamese street food with a twist. Grab some crispy pork, chicken banh bao and a cocktail packed with lemongrass or coconut. The outdoor seating is perfect for a sunny arvo.
• Howler: Converted warehouse, garden vibes and plenty of drinks. Kick back with a cocktail or catch a live gig or DJ set. Never a dull moment here.
• Bridge Road Hotel: Classic Melbourne pub with cobblestones and plenty of outdoor spots. Cold beer, solid pub grub and room to settle in for the afternoon.
• Garden State Hotel: Four levels, two beer gardens and a killer drinks list. Grab a pint, order some croquettes and soak up the laid-back vibes.

How Man of Many Chose the Best Outdoor Dining in Melbourne

With an editorial team full of foodies, Man Of Many has had the unique opportunity to directly sample and experience some of the best outdoor dining spots in Melbourne. Our list is primarily based on experience, in-depth research and customer reviews of these venues. It’s our job to guide readers between competing products and services. For this article, we’ve provided our independent opinion in formulating these selections. Our editors have taken into account food, price, quality and atmosphere. You can read our review policy on how we maintain our independence in our editorial lists.

Updates to this article

• 25 Feb 2025: We removed Her, Portsea Hotel, Siglo, Uncle, Slate Restaurant & Bar, Garden Restaurant at NGV, Lona and Terminus Hotel, either because these spots have closed or we felt there were fresher, newer additions to replace our top 10. We added Marion Wine Bar, The Espy, City Wine Shop, and Hotel Jesus. We also update restaurant opening hours.
• 24 Jan 2026: We removed Hotel Jesus and Pilgrim Bar (both closed). We added Henry Sugar in Carlton Yarra Botanica in Southbank.

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