21 Stunning Outdoor Dining Spaces From the AD Archive

The best summer days are those that leave little reason to venture indoors, the days when the sunscreen and cold drinks supply is all there is to worry about. Outdoor dining spaces make summer days all the better. Whether it’s serving as the basecamp for barbecue at lunchtime, or a big celebration made of only the freshest in-season ingredients, these areas are picturesque places to convene with friends new and old as afternoon stretches into evening and night. We’ve thumbed through the AD archive to find exemplary outdoor dining spaces that can inspire your next project. From textured Boston rooftop spots to tech-y Austrian mountain retreats, these spaces are sure to leave you craving a meal in the sun.    

A sandy Mediterranean seaside spot

Woven bamboo, peeled beams, and rough cut granite give this Savin Couëlle–designed dining space on the coast of Sardinia, Italy, a certain rugged appeal. The dining table—a stone slab resting on a boulder—practically melts into its surrounding environ, and the blue of the ocean provides a sharp contrast against the sandy-toned space.

A view from the top

On the dining terrace of this Central Park West penthouse, designer Mica Ertegün of MAC II opted for a blue glass dining table and tableware. The tableau evokes the afternoon sky, and the additional beige and stone furnishings play off the surrounding buildings.