After last week's guide to the best places to eat outdoors in Dublin city centre, it's time for part two - the suburbs. Here are the best terraces, tunnels and parklets to spend your money in, north and south of the Liffey...
Dublin 8
Two Pups, Francis Street
The weekends are always heaving at walk-in only Two Pups - and for good reason, with the sheltered tables out front and the courtyard within offering up some of the nicest spots around the Liberties to grab a sunny, always delicious bite.
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 hangout 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 take 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.
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 from Sunday - Friday is particularly good value at €29 for three courses or €26 for two. Book here.
Dublin 4
InterContinental Dublin, Ballsbridge
If you're feeling fancy, there's a five star outdoor dining experience going in D4's InterContinental Dublin hotel, with booking for afternoon tea open now and dinner starting this week. It's a great way to feel like you're living that RHOBH lifestyle without leaving the city.
Angelina's, Baggot Street
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.
Asador, Ballsbridge
Asador's impressive (covered and heated) terrace reopens is available to book for lunch and dinner from Tuesday to Saturday each week for a whole range of fire-cooked dishes. Look for a table here.
Smithfield/Stoneybatter
Korean Table, Stoneybatter
Korean Table have created a lovely little spot in Stoneybatter to enjoy kimchi and bibimbap in the sun with hanging lights and plenty of greenery. They’re walk-in only but it’s never too long a wait to get seated.
Slice, Stoneybatter
Slice's brunch and lunch menus put so many other daytime cafés to shame, with their Hicks pudding and miso mushrooms; buttermilk pancakes with "feuilletine crispy bits", and a brunch cocktail menu you'll need to study before getting there to have any prayer of making a decision. Their outdoor seating now has a handy cover just in case, and they don't take bookings but they will take your name and let you know when your table's ready.
Nutbutter, Smithfield
Nutbutter's tacos, tostadas, rice bowls and pho are sunshine in food form, and with any luck you'll be able to enjoy them in the actual sunshine, on one of their outdoor tables on Smithfield Square.
South Dublin
Nightmarket, Ranelagh
The D6 destination for authentic Thai food, Nightmarket has a fully-heated side terrace "tunnel" open for outdoor dining, so you can stay on to sample the cocktail menu long after the sun sets. You won't be feeling the rays on your skin, but with any luck the air will be warm. Book online.
Tacos Lupillo, Inchicore
The crowds have yet to let up at newcomer Tacos Lupillo since we first visited back in January, and they've leapt at the chance to expand their capacity outdoors with a few newly-installed high and low tables outside. It's not the most scenic setting, but the food's a sensation and the suntrap factor is strong in the evening, which is good enough for us.
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 re-openings. Look for tables here.
Volpe Nera, Blackrock
Volpe Nera have only a small number of tables available on their covered, sheltered terrace so an advance booking is recommended. They've been putting a sharp twist on summer cocktails with their yuzu spritz, and nothing says summer like ceviche. Book here.
Mermaid, Monkstown
Bresson have rebranded their lovely outdoor courtyard as Mermaid, serving dinner from Wednesday - Sunday, and brunch at the weekend. The crowd-pleasing menu should have something for everyone, with dishes like grilled goat's cheese, seared tuna, and fish and chips, and it can be fully covered in case that becomes necessary. Book online.
The Purty Kitchen, Dún Laoghaire
With 45 seats and a retractable roof, The Courtyard at Dún Laoghaire's Purty Kitchen is an ideal space for fine weather dining with a weather-proof backup plan. It's open Wednesday and Thursday evenings and all day Friday - Sunday with a menu full of gastro-pub classics. Book online here.
Oliveto, Dun Laoghaire
There might not be a better spot to enjoy a perfectly clear day than Oliveto's gorgeous garden terrace perch in Dun Laoghaire, serving equally beautiful-looking food. They've got plenty of parasols to escape the intensity of that heatwave sun, if it ever comes, and some of the dishes wouldn't be out of place on the Italian Riviera. Read our once over here, and book here.
Soup, Dun Laoghaire
Soup in Dun Laoghaire, with their special ramen, deep-fried kimchi and super cute cocktails have outdoor dining space as well as a deal with neighbouring bar Lockie's to take the food into their beer garden. Walk in or book on their website.
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. Booking can be made online here.
Grapevine, Dalkey
Grapevine in Dalkey are open for outdoor dining and wine-ing from Tuesday - Sunday for lunch and dinner. They've got a very fair value early bird menu and shelves packed with wine. Book here.
Bubbas Fish Market, Dalkey
Bubbas Fish Market on Dalkey Square have gone all-in on an upgrade to their patio seating area, and it looks like a new highlight for seafood lovers south of the county. They've got both covered and uncovered sections, as well plenty of heaters for when it gets chilly.
North Dublin
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. There are just three tables outside for the full menu, with more casual seats coming next week for drinks and snacks, and because they're weather dependent you can only book by phone on the day. Try your luck on 018397096
King Sitric, Howth
Howth institution King Sitric has 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 child and dog-friendly too. Book online.
H2G Wines, Glasnevin
Filling a wine-bar shaped hole in this part of the North city, H2G Wines opened earlier this year and have two outdoor tables in full eye of the setting evening sun that we can already see being wildly in-demand. They've got small plates and platters to enjoy alongside a changing by the glass list.
Milo's, Drumcondra
The second opening from the Two Boys Brew guys, Milo's has filled a major gap in Dublin 9 for great coffee, thoughtful food, and all the effort you probably won't make a home. Their outside area seats around 12 and diners move fast so you shouldn't be waiting long for a table.
Shouk, Drumcondra
Shouk have revamped their already very nice outdoor space with plenty of additional shade and rain cover for whatever the weather might throw at us. There’s not much more we’d rather do in this part of town of a summer afternoon than crack into their sharing Middle East Feast with a few friends.
Juno, Dorset Street
The brilliant bar food in Dorset Street's Juno can be enjoyed on one of their outdoor benchs, which just happen to be in prime position for those evening rays. Ours is a hot fish sandwich washed down with a melon and jalapeno sour, followed by an affogato. Read our once over here, and book here.
Old Street, Malahide
Neighbourhood restaurant Old Street in Malahide have a covered and cushioned outdoor area open from Tuesday through Sunday, but the best night to visit is Wednesday when their entire wine list is 50% off. Book online here.
Harry's, Malahide
Across the road, newer wine bar Harry's serve their menu of small plates, sharing boards and pastas with grower Champagne, white Burgundy and Italian reds in their outdoor parklet, complete with blankets (and sometimes dogs).
Honey Honey, Portmarnock
Expect a fight for the limited outdoor seats outside Honey Honey in Portmarnock, but if you can get them you'll feel like you've won the jackpot. The simple menu is always done just right, the coffee is faultless, and if all else fails you can take it to go and head for the beach.
Want to eat outdoors in Dublin city centre? Check out our guide here...
