Outdoor Dining In Bristol

In the summer, the Harbourside beer garden of The Ostrich is a stunning space filled with a sunny and shaded spots to settle down for a bite to eat, accompanied by award-winning beers, ales and cider on tap. This waterside space perched on Bathurst Basin comes complete with their Portside BBQ serving up delicious street food, as well as being dog-friendly.

A fun and social sports bar and kitchen, The Green House is serving up wallet-friendly meals and drinks deals. Grab one of its streetside tables and spend an afternoon soaking in the rays while sipping on brews or head out here for a mid-game breather. You'll find a scorcher of a menu at this atmospheric boozer too, slinging out favourites like grilled halloumi or chicken karaage tacos. Pop down for lunch between Monday and Friday before 4pm where you can grab a main like a posh fish finger wrap and a drink for £9.50. 

The Square Club is an award-winning Clifton eatery slinging out some top-notch menus. During cooler nights, their gorgeous secret garden is what makes it one of the best places to eat outdoors in Bristol. The area is adorned with twinkly fairy lights, stepping stones and rich, green foliage. It's the ideal spot for a date or simply something a little bit special. Here you can tuck into plates championing seasonal and local ingredients, such as braised lamb shoulder, three-cornered leek gnocchi and banana tart fine, washed down with a G&T.

Pairing classic pub grub with craft ales and an impressive range of whisky, rum and gin, The Spotted Cow delivers on the drinks front. Add in its lush garden seating and cool mural and you've got yourself a top alfresco spot to visit with your friends. This fun haunt built its own rooftop garden which supplies a large amount of ingredients, like fresh herbs and aubergines, to its kitchen. Enjoy plates such as tomato and fennel risotto, Origin Butcher's pork sausages and homemade apple crumble. 

Racks Bar & Kitchen is providing you with the best outdoor dining in Bristol, thanks to its gorgeous space complete with wooden booths, Amalfi lemon trees and dangling floral fixtures. This lively location is full of delicious food deals, including a £7 lunch, three small plates for £19 and buy one get one for a penny on pizzas every Tuesday. What's more, they also serve up delicious Sunday roasts and breakfasts that'll make you want to jump out of bed. If you're on the hunt for somewhere just to have a drink, you'll love the tipple selection here, with cocktails like a Tuscan Mule, made with spicy ginger beer.

The Stable brings freshly baked pizza and fun vibes whatever the weather. It's located harbourside on Canon's Road, boasting glorious views of the river and a social seating area sprinkled with baby blue chairs and wooden tables. Nab a space outside to knock back a few craft sips before delving into droolworthy sourdough pizza. Signature dishes include The Meat Is On, topped with chorizo, Napoli salami and serrano ham, plus Feelin' Clucky, which features chipotle chicken. 

With a new bigger and better outside area, King St Brewhouse is a no-brainer when Googling 'outdoor restaurants near me'. As well as showing all the latest sports fixtures, the microbrewery is home to the freshest pints around and a mouthwatering menu in partnership with fried chicken legends Eat The Bird. Under ribbons of bunting, tuck into burgers like the Proper Filth, filled with streaky bacon, smoked cheese and BBQ sauce. You'll also find a molten cheese gravy dip here, which is a must-try. 

Nestled within Queen Square, you'll find The Hole in the Wall. With a lush garden, decked out with comfy sofas and umbrellas, and a food menu suitable for veggies, vegans and carnivores alike, this pub is a great choice during summer. You'll be able to inhale some stellar sandwiches here, filled with fillet steak and caramelised onion chutney or hummus and chargrilled vegetables. If you're looking to make a meal of it, you can bag three courses for £22.50, including fish and chips or pizza. 

Just a 10-minute drive from Bristol, The Lock Keeper is a prime location for a bit of alfresco dining. Take a seat in the lush garden of the Grade II-listed house and enjoy the quiet, with only the trickling of River Avon in your ears. Along with picturesque riverside views, the restaurant dishes out delicious eats showcasing British produce that includes one scorcher of a Sunday roast, Aspall cyder-battered haddock and glazed pork belly with smoked black pudding mash.

Based on looks alone, Slug and Lettuce is up there among the best Bristol Harbourside restaurants. But, it's not just a pretty face. The lovely spot, complete with baby pink and mint green seating, is dishing up everything from brunches featuring moreish plates like a doughnut and waffle stack with a dollop of Jude's Caramel Cookie Dough Brownie ice cream, to dinners like fajita chicken pasta. What's more, you can head down for happy hour cocktails, where you can sip on a cosmopolitan for less. 

As for brunch? Slug and Lettuce Bristol has you covered. With cheeky cocktails like Woo Woo and Tequila Sunrise flowing non-stop, and mouthwatering dishes to match, their alfresco bottomless brunch is your new weekend obsession.

Boasting a sunny terrace that looks out over the water, Jamaya is a family-run Jamaican restaurant on the Harbourside. Here, you'll find modern Caribbean cooking and a buzzing atmosphere, surrounded by pretty greenery as you dine.

They offer bottomless brunches and Sunday roasts alongside their main menu, as well as a cracking cocktail list. On the food front, expect everything from jerk chicken skewers to fried plantain and corn fritters.

For outdoor dining in Bristol with a view, there are few places as pretty as Riverstation. Choose between its waterside alfresco space overlooking the river, adjacent to rows of rainbow houses, or upstairs balcony for a gorgeous backdrop as you make your way through the menu of classic British eats, up to AA Rosette standard. You'll find dishes like a Devon crab and crayfish cocktail drawing you in, followed by cyder-battered haddock with triple-cooked chips. To drink, there's an expansive wine list, plus classic cocktails such as an old fashioned or negroni. 

Sitting pretty in the village of Almondsbury, The Bowl Inn is a north Bristol boozer that's got a charming countryside location and look to match their multi-tiered outdoor patio space for the summer. Soak up the sun, drink a selection of award-winning ales, beers and ciders, and tuck into everything from Sunday roasts to pub classics and British gastro favourites.

BrewDog is an essential outdoor spot for beer lovers, featuring over 20 taps, ales and ciders alongside its well-stocked fridge. Pull up a chair street-side and people-watch as you bask in the sun. Spend your afternoon sipping on their signature pints, paired with 2-4-1 on sourdough pizzas topped with pastrami or jackfruit pepperoni from Monday to Thursday. If that doesn't pique your interest, how about wolfing down a hotdog loaded with jalapeños and chipotle mayo before going for a stroll in the neighbouring Castle Park?

Looking for a spot of outdoor dining in Bristol city centre? Zerodegrees has a gorgeous suntrap of a balcony, ideal for sinking pints and chomping on scrumptious pizza. Housed in a Grade II-listed former tram shed and nestled on the corner of Colston Street and Park Row, it's in prime position for hangouts. The menu boasts toppings such as parma ham and rocket, as well as dishes like king prawn spaghetti and classic BBQ wings to share. 

With a three-tiered patio and summertime BBQs, The Mall Clifton is the go-to when looking for a haunt to enjoy food outside. It's laced with fairy lights, plants and wooden booths for you to cosy up in. Meet your mates here for a relaxing afternoon and be sure to try out some of the seasonal aperitifs, such as an Aperol spritz, alongside a healthy selection of bar snacks, including cauliflower wings paired with gochujang mayo, plus scotch eggs or chorizo sausages.

Fronting wild red king prawn linguine, wood-fired pizzas and other Italian delights such as risotto and torta alla Nutella to finish, Piccolino also has a beautiful alfresco area, perfect for any occasion. It's dotted with pretty flower baskets and tall, glass windbreakers to create the optimum dining experience. While tucking into your meal, enjoy the streetside views and top it off with a glass of wine.

In the village of Lower Langford on the edge of the Mendips, only 10 minutes from Bristol Airport, The Langford Inn is a 17th century countryside spot with a homely feel. This continues outside onto the pretty patio, where you can tuck into pub classics and British gastro favourites in the sun.

The Flyer is a good old classic pub with a cracking outdoor courtyard. Get yourself a few brews from the bar before heading out back where a number of tables, cute fairy lights and colourful murals are on hand to make your drinking session that little bit sweeter. You'll stumble upon this vibey venue in the heart of Bishopston, whipping up some mouthwatering food like loaded fries and tots, buddha bowls and desserts featuring a vegan Biscoff cheesecake. 

Known for its quintessentially British menu and elegant atmosphere, Browns Brasserie & Bar is one of the best restaurants in Bristol for alfresco dining. Pick a table on their dainty patio to enjoy a classy lobster benedict brunch, a scrumptious Sunday roast with all the trimmings or a Champagne-filled afternoon tea. The Queens Road venue also offers an array of classy cocktails, such as a Rhubarb Hedgegrow Bramble made with White Heron Cassis and an Apricot and Almond Sour.

No.4 Clifton Village is coming in strong with a large secret garden that's sure to make catch-ups even more special. Its expansive lawn is scattered with patio chairs and parasols, making it a quaint backdrop for a stunning spot of afternoon tea. The kitchen here dishes up an à la carte menu of seasonal and organic British produce, with plates like rolled monkfish in a chicken butter sauce and peanut butter parfait for dessert. Come for some cracking food and stay for signature cocktails, such as the Garden Elderflower Collins, garnished with mint.

A beloved Bristol favourite, The Canteen is bound to be abuzz with drinkers and hungry diners throughout summer. It boasts an outdoor area complete with lush foliage and wooden beams. It's the ideal spot to nab a breath of fresh air, pint in tow, before returning back inside to a host of live music and entertainment. On the menu, you'll discover some scrumptious food made with local ingredients like crispy eggs on toasted focaccia, Korean BBQ tempeh burgers and a selection of small plates to share, including celeriac bao with wasabi mayo.

A place where paintings and fine cuts come together, Steak of the Art houses a small outdoor seating area at the front of their restaurant. Take a break from gawking at impressive designs and performances to munch on some ribeye, pork shoulder or a chestnut loaf for the non-meat eaters. Customise your meal by picking your cut and sauce after feasting on droolworthy starters such as duck croquettes and tempura squid. Dessert-wise, it'll be hard to resist indulging in the gooey chocolate brownie. 

Nestled on Bristol's picturesque Harbourside, Under the Stars is a hidden gem that blends Mediterranean charm with local flair. Board this beautifully restored cargo ship for a laid-back vibe, complete with a delicious range of cocktails and Mediterranean-inspired dishes.

Whether you're digging into fresh tapas, devouring a crispy stone-baked pizza, or simply enjoying the sea breeze with a glass of sangria in hand, every moment here feels like a mini-vacation. Don't forget the top deck - it's the ideal spot for sun-soaked afternoons or cosy, candlelit dinners under the stars.

Lido is hands down one of the quirkiest places to grab a bite to eat in the city. Located metres away from a Grade II-listed outdoor swimming pool, the award-winning spot offers guests the opportunity to take a quick dip before dining on wholesome breakfasts and tapas-style dishes, with plenty of vino to wash it all down. The menus feature plates like wood-roasted Devon scallops with garlic butter and charcoal grilled onglet steak alongside morel mushroom sauce.