Trending 29th May 2026 by Stellar Magazine

8 Outdoor Dining Spots Around Ireland To Try This Summer

Sunny days are rare enough, so here’s where to spend them properly

via Wineport Lodge

Outdoor dining especially in Ireland is always a bit of a gamble, but when the weather is nice, nothing beats it.

Whether it is a city view dinner, seaside snack or just somewhere just cosy enjoy the food and sun. Eating outside can make a meal feel more special.

And while the Irish summer never seems to last long enough, there are plenty of great spots around Ireland that are worth booking once the sun comes out.

So, here are eight outdoor dining spots around Ireland to try this summer.

Layla’s Rooftop, Ranelagh, Dublin

If you are looking for outdoor dining with a stunning city view, Layla’s Rooftop is a great place to start.

The restaurant has a glass-surrounded terrace overlooking Raneladgh and views stretching towards the Dublin Mountains.

The restaurant is open all week long and on weekend serves a range of breakfast and brunch options making it a lovely place for dinner dates or a sunny weekend bite.

Oliveto at Haddington House, Dún Laoghaire, Dublin

If a sea view is more your thing, you can’t go wrong with this Italian-inspired bistro overlooking Dublin Bay.

Specialising in a range of seafood dishes and homemade pastas, the place has a relaxed holiday like feel to it. A perfect addition to the list, it provided that summer-by-the-sea feeling, without having to leave Dublin.

The Station House Hotel, Kilmessan, Co Meath

The Station House Hotel is perfect if you want something pretty and a little more countryside.

The hotel has both a covered and heated Platform Terrace, which can be booked in advance, and a weather-dependent Garden Terrace available on a first-come basis.

And while it is not the flashiest hotel on the list it is a popular spot with plenty of glowing reviews especially from couples. A lovely option if you want the outdoor dinning feel, without having to worry the weather ruining things.

Ballynahinch Castle Terrace, Connemara, Co Galway

 

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For our countryside lovers this is one of those places where the scenery does half the work.

The terrace surrounded by castle grounds and sits along the banks of the Owenmore River, making it a pretty dreamy spot whether the sun is out or not. The hotel describes the terrace as a place to dine “amidst the untamed beauty of Connemara”, which really sells itself.

The menu is built around seasonal and regional ingredients, so it feels very fitting for anyone who wants outdoor dining that feels a little more relaxed, scenic and properly Irish.

It is less city terrace and more “I have escaped to the countryside and I am absolutely making the most of it.”

Wineport Lodge, Athlone, Co Westmeath

 

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The Wineport Lodge is a gorgeous option for anyone the appreciates a lakeside view.

Located on the scores of Lough Ree, the lodge offers Dining on the Deck, where guests get to enjoy their food alongside the water. The relaxed terrace setting is offered as an al fresco dining option, which feels especially perfect given the recent stretch of good weather.

Another one of those special occasion, date night or even family dinner venues in which you let the setting speak for itself. And if the weather turn, as it usually does, the Glasshouse still gives you that lakeside feeling without having to brave the elements.

King Sitric, Howth, Co Dublin

If you are craving a little Mediterranean feeling without actually leaving Dublin, this might be the perfect spot.

Located on the foot of the East Pier, the Seafood Bar has a cosy indoor dining area as well as a large covered outside terrace and even private beach huts to dine in. Open from 12.30pm throughout the week and 12pm on weekends it is a perfect options for lunch or dinner by the sea.

The menu mainly focusing on fresh Irish seafood, which makes sense given the location. The place is perfect for anyone that wants to get away for the day, but not too far.

Hayfield Manor, Cork City

Hayfield Manor is a lovely Cork option if you want something that feels calm and summery without being too far from the city.

The hotel offers al fresco summer dining in its enclosed gardens, describing the space as a “sun filled oasis” on Cork city’s doorstep. It is definitely one of the more dressed-up options on the list, making it perfect for life’s bigger moments, or any occasion where wearing your Sunday best feels appropriate.

Think garden dining, seasonal dishes and a setting that feels a little more special than your usual summer lunch.

Fisk, Downings, Co Donegal

 

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For a Donegal option, it would be difficult to beat Fisk.

Based in the Harbour Bar in Downings, it has a beautiful view of Donegal beach, the restaurant works with locals to provide a fresh, high quality menu.

The website notes that the restaurant is walk-in only, so if you are planning a visit might be a good idea to call ahead and ask how busy it is, especially during peak summer.

An Irish luxury

Outdoor dining in Ireland is a luxury that we rarely get to experience, and even when the weather is nice you can never fully trust it. But when it does work out, it is easily one of the nicest wats to experience a summer afternoon or evening.

Whether you are after sea views, rooftop cocktails, countryside scenery or just somewhere with a decent backup plan if the clouds roll in, there are plenty of spots around the country worth making the most of while we can.

Because when the sun finally does decide to show up, it would be rude not to book a table.