Auckland’s Best Outdoor Restaurants, With Courtyards, Terraces & Rooftops

Seeking a restaurant with outdoor dining and a space to soak in the sun? Consider these options, from towering rooftop bars to casual courtyards.

Queens Rooftop & Wineshop

If you’d prefer your inner-city summer dining to come with stunning sights, this towering bar offers one of the best in the city. The rooftop bar opens up to a lively outdoor dining area on its northeast side, which basks in lunchtime sun and provides an uninterrupted view of the pinky-orange horizon during Auckland sunsets. On a clear day, you’ll catch a glimpse of Rangitoto and the Coromandel from the 21st floor – but otherwise, you’ll enjoy a punchy summer menu while soaking in the skyscraper surroundings. – Maddy Crutchley, multimedia journalist

Cuisine: Bistro. Address: 1 Queen St, Auckland CBD. Contact: Queensrooftop.co.nz

Bivacco

Holding court on the impressive Viaduct corner once home to the notorious Headquarters bar, Bivacco is the place to be for unfussy Italian share plates perfect for lunch, afternoon drinks or a multi-course dinner. The tables on the waterside of this big restaurant, which has seating for 300 people, are as alfresco as you can get, with a stripy awning for cover and the sea a stone’s throw away. – Johanna Thornton, deputy editor

Cuisine: Italian Address: 115 Customs St West, Auckland CBD. Contact: Savor.co.nz/bivacco

First Mates, Last Laugh

Cuisine: Bistro Address: 121 Westhaven Drive, Westhaven. Contact: Firstmateslastlaugh.co.nz

Cazador

You may have dined at Cazador many times over the years, but did you know it has a picturesque courtyard out the back? Here, the branches of a big olive tree provide shade to a scattering of picnic benches and greenery sprouts from planter boxes and climbs prettily up the walls. An early evening table before the sun sets (Cazador opens at 5pm) is a nice way to make the most of it. – JT

Cuisine: Bistro Address: 854 Dominion Rd, Mt Eden. Contact: Cazador.co.nz

Azabu Mission Bay

In the warmer months, this seaside Japanese-Peruvian restaurant in Mission Bay pulls back its sunroof to invite diners into a summery paved courtyard. The outdoor dining room sits slightly lower than the main restaurant, mimicking the look of a conversation pit for alfresco eating. This beach-facing space also overlooks a nearby playground, should you have tablemates who enjoy the kids’ menu. – MC

Cuisine: Japanese-Peruvian Address: 44 Tamaki Drive, Mission Bay. Contact: Savor.co.nz/azabu-mission-bay

Prego

Cuisine: Italian Address: 226 Ponsonby Rd, Ponsonby. Contact: Prego.co.nz

Sunset Bar

This elevated inner-city bar, which sits on the 10th floor of the Sudima Hotel, is a pretty place to grab a bite and an evening drink. The main bar, with walls rendered a textural rosy pink, opens up to a long, laidback balcony. As its namesake suggests, it’s one of the loveliest spots to watch the sun go down, which also brings a glow to the indoor dining room. Make the most of your summer evening here, with a well-timed booking and one of their seasonal beverages. – MC

Cuisine: Cocktail food. Address: 63-67 Nelson St, Auckland CBD. Contact: Sunsetbar.co.nz

Butcher Baker

It’s not hard to see why chef/owner Reginaldo Richard chose this spot 40km north of Auckland for his first restaurant, with its beautiful courtyard and historic brick building that once housed a butchery and a bakery. It’s where he serves seasonal plates heroing local produce, much of it cooked over fire in an ode to his Brazilian roots. While it’s lovely sitting inside near the impressive wood-fired oven, the courtyard almost transports you to the Mediterranean with its olive trees and big white umbrellas. – JT

Cuisine: Bistro Address: 5 Commercial Rd, Helensville. Contact: Thebutcherbaker.co.nz

Aryeh

Seasonal Piha restaurant Aryeh has a big covered balcony and sun deck – with the outdoor deck shaded by umbrellas – and the sundeck drenched in, you got it, sun. The sundeck area is available for walk-ins and serves a more casual menu than the main restaurant and balcony, with organic sticky chicken wings and fish of the day with hot chips. – JT

Cuisine: Bistro Address: 20 Seaview Rd, Piha. Contact: Restaurantaryeh.com

San Ray

This newish all-day eatery from the Cazador team has reimagined the old Orphans Kitchen space on Ponsonby Rd into a restaurant that’s open all day for breakfast, lunch, dinner and Golden Hour, when drinks specials and a shorter menu come into play. San Ray has a sweet covered patio out the back, so you can enjoy some Tajin-coated fries and a michelada, or a summer negroni and a crudite plate with the bonus of a fresh, warm breeze. – JT

Cuisine: Bistro. Address: 118 Ponsonby Rd, Ponsonby. Contact: Sanray.nz

Hotel Ponsonby

The restaurant and bar appropriate for all dining occasions – whether that’s a cold beer and snack, a sit-down dinner or some coconut margaritas in the sun – Hotel Ponsonby has three key spaces depending on your mood: a casual bar area, cosy restaurant and outdoor beer garden. The latter has tables big and small, comfy banquets, an open fire and high brick walls enclosing all the revelry. – JT

Cuisine: Casual bistro Address: 1 Saint Marys Rd, St Marys Bay. Contact: Hotelponsonby.co.nz

Swashbucklers

The quintessential outdoor drinking and eating mecca, complete with seafaring theme and resident stingray, Swashbucklers benefits from a deck overlooking the water in Westhaven with leaners for those in for a cold beer and picnic tables to enjoy baskets of fish bites and chips. – JT

Cuisine: Seafood bistro Address: 23b Westhaven Drive, Westhaven. Contact: Swashbucklers.co.nz

Non Solo Pizza

The courtyard at this Italian restaurant in Parnell truly is atmospheric with green vines climbing up rustic concrete walls, a working fireplace and cheerful striped umbrellas for shade. Gather up some friends for a long lunch at a long table and dine on antipasti like Sicilian crudo and calamari fritti, pasta and pizza. – JT

Cuisine: Italian Address: 1052/259 Parnell Rd, Parnell. Contact: Savor.co.nz/non-solo-pizza

Tasca

This Spanish tapas bar boasts three locations in Auckland, but its Dominion Rd restaurant is most suited for soaking in good weather. The huge courtyard at the back of the building features tables set among trees and brick walls crawling with vines. The garden also offers a peek into a kitchen and bar area, so the space will feel lively on a busy day. Meet here for generous sharing portions in a relaxed and casual setting. – MC

Cuisine: Spanish Address: 38 Dominion Rd, Mt Eden. Contact: Tasca.co.nz

Milenta

Milenta, crowned Auckland’s Best Summer Restaurant in Viva’s 2023 Restaurant Awards, is designed for the warmer months. Nestled under the canopy of a majestic pohutukawa tree, its open-air dining space is bathed in sunlight and surrounded by lush foliage. The restaurant embraces the smoky, charred flavours of South American cuisine, with an open-fire kitchen at its heart. – JT

Cuisine: Aoteroa-South American Address: 210-218 Victoria Stt West. Contact: Milenta.co.nz

Galbraith’s Alehouse

If you’re headed to a Powerstation gig or simply craving an excellent pub feed, this Eden Terrace bar is a sunny spot to frequent. The alehouse, which will be celebrating its 30th anniversary next year, has a grassy backyard dining space with all the aesthetic charm of its homely interior. – MC

Cuisine: Pub Bistro Address: 2 Mt Eden Rd, Eden Terrace. Contact: Alehouse.co.nz

Lil Ragu

This permanent food truck is perched on a sunny Takapuna corner and serves deliciously simple Italian food to a scattering of tables in its immediate surrounds. The table settings generally suit a smaller group, so schedule this visit for a holiday catch-up. The truck is fully licensed, so antipasti plates and plump pasta can be enjoyed with cocktails, beer, vino and liquor. Though, a glass of San Pellegrino might be a more refreshing sip in the sun. – MC

Cuisine: Italian Address: 150 Hurstmere Rd, Takapuna. Contact: Facebook.com/Lil-Ragu

Baduzzi

This Italian restaurant’s location near the water’s edge makes it ideal for a long lunch with a relaxed feel, but the interiors are fancy enough to make any visit feel like a special occasion, with its generous circular leather booths, tiled floors and accents of gold bling. It has an enclosed outdoor dining area and tables outside at the front of the restaurant for those who would prefer open-air. – JT

Cuisine: Italian Address: 10/26 Jellicoe St, North Wharf. Contact: Baduzzi.co.nz

Esther Courtyard

Esther restaurant in the QT Auckland hotel has introduced Esther Courtyard on the harbour side of the hotel with enough seats to fit 50 across high-top tables, cafe-style seats and cushioned bench seats. It’s been designed to emulate a Spanish seaside retreat with blue tile-top tables, stripy umbrellas and a glimpse of the water. With a separate menu from Esther restaurant, the courtyard’s offering is a bit more relaxed with wood-fired pizzettas and Mediterranean-style snacks. Open from 3pm until late. No bookings. Pet friendly! – JT

Cuisine: Mediterranean Address: 4 Viaduct Harbour Ave, Auckland CBD. Contact: Estherrestaurant.com/esther-courtyard

Morningside Tavern

This lovely and lively courtyard is a breezy pick if you’re looking to cater for a big group or would prefer a casual weekend lunch or dinner (think sun, pints and pizza). It’s enclosed between a thick hedge and the brick walls of the two-storey pub. You’ll want to be aware of any sporting events slated to take place – every part of the bar is filled with frenetic fan energy when there’s a lively game playing (especially when said match is taking place down the road at Eden Park). – MC

Cuisine: Bistro Address: 16 McDonald Stt, Sandringham. Contact: Morningsidetavern.co.nz

Soul Bar & Bistro

Soul Bar & Bistro is blessed with one of the prettiest terraces in Auckland, overlooking the boats of Viaduct Harbour, where baskets of greenery and flowers hang above you, the tables are topped with crisp white linen and the people-watching is unmatched. The menu is reliable, elevated bistro fare with lots of fresh seafood and New Zealand produce cooked to perfection. – JT

Cuisine: Bistro Address: Corner of Lower Hobson St, Customs St West. Contact: Soulbar.co.nz

Darling On Drake

This newly opened rooftop bar in Victoria Park Market is a gorgeous location to settle in for an evening. Darling On Drake’s outdoor terrace overlooks Victoria Park, opening up to sunshine and those vibrant, mighty trees. Thankfully, there are also some shady spots to buffer against encroaching sunburn. You’ll want to bring a pair of sunnies for your stay here, where you’ll find a clever menu with plenty of sustenance and a playful drinks list. – MC

Cuisine: Bistro. Address: 27 Drake St, Auckland CBD. Contact: Darlingondrake.com

More on food

From local eats to dining abroad.

Local Chefs & Foodies On Their Favourite Food Cities In The World. From Taupō to New York, industry influencers are dining out as a source of inspiration.

Jesse Mulligan: The 10 Best Things I Ate In Tokyo, From Michelin Ramen To Train Station Sandwiches. It’s impossible to eat a bad meal in Tokyo.

Where To Eat In Wellington In 2024, From Cafes To Restaurants, Bakeries To Bars. The 10-plus unmissable places to book in for now.

An Introvert’s Travel Guide To Barcelona. Dan Ahwa shares where to go for peace, quality paella and people-watching.

Strawberry Picking In Auckland Is Back. Here are the best spots to gather your own.