Nothing beats having a great meal outside on a beautiful summer day – especially in some of the world’s most stunning destinations. And these restaurants make dining outdoors in summer that much more magical.
Hartwood
Tulum, Mexico
This off-the-beaten path culinary gem in Tulum takes local, sustainable cooking to new heights – all in a comfortable outdoor setting so you can soak up that tropical weather.
The daily-changing menu is based on a farm-to-table approach; throughout the week they travel hours into the interior of the Yucatan to find only the freshest and most flavorful ingredients at markets and farms. Open for dinner only Wednesday to Sunday, the restaurant takes walk-ins but reservations are recommended, which are accepted one month in advance.
Its off-the-grid location makes it that much more thrilling of an outdoor dining experience. Solar panels light the scene at night, and they break down all of their waste, creating 100% organic compost that gets used in the mangrove environment and for farming. As for the dishes themselves? Everything is cooked by open fire within a handmade wood burning oven and grill. Sustainable fishing methods also make this restaurant a seafood haven.
Working with local programs and Maya farms, the restaurant’s passion for the community is palpable. Through social programs, Hartwood also helps to alleviate hunger in Mexico’s rural regions, so besides creating an unbelievable outdoor dining experience, they’re also always working towards a good cause.
Dionysos Zonar’s
Athens, Greece
For a quintessential Greek meal – with some fantastic wine – and that dream-like view of the Acropolis, look no further than Dionysos Zonar’s, a high-end café and restaurant that gives guests high quality cuisine and truly remarkable views.
The lit-up Acropolis at night is spectacular as seen from the restaurant that is partly outdoors. Photos of the view, though amazing in and of themselves, really don’t do it justice. The panoramic view looks out to the sacred rock of the Acropolis and the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, combining a chic, modern space and modern Greek cooking with the image of ancient Greece just off in the distance.
Stunning architecture pairs with the views perfectly, designed strategically by respected architect Prokopios Vasiliadis in the early 1960s. Every last detail is considered. The vast menus showcase the best of Greece with fresh seafood dishes, meats, and spins on the classics.
LOULOU
Paris, France
Take your pick of outdoor cafés, but when you want a comprehensive outdoor dining experience in a Parisian atmosphere, check out LOULOU.
Elegant, extravagant, stunning and simply gorgeous, the restaurant is a poetic incarnation and artistic masterpiece, which makes sense – it’s situated right at the Louvre. An incredibly unique location in the heart of Paris with outdoor seating, it leaves guests in an enchanted setting while enjoying a delicious and authentic meal.
They have created a simple but complexly flavored menu leaning towards that of the Italian Riviera, reinterpreting Italian classics, while also serving up great French cuisine. Sit outside and take it all in – you’ll be seated up against the stunning Tuileries Garden.
Bugaloe Beach Bar
Aruba
Aruba is uniquely known for its downtown scene and its restaurants. But sometimes you just want to stay by the water.
The Bugaloe Beach Bar right on the pier by the Riu Palace Aruba and the Hilton Aruba guarantees an amazing time. Half seafood paradise, half party atmosphere, it’s a glorious bar and restaurant as a whole, directly over Aruba’s glistening turquoise waters on famous Palm Beach. Breakfast, lunch, or dinner – you can’t go wrong here.
Featuring fantastic live music to pair perfectly with the sunset, it’s a stunning location to take it all in. Daily happy hours cut the price for cocktails in half from 5 p.m. – 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. – 11 p.m. daily. Dancing and sometimes singing – when karaoke is in session – is always encouraged. Specialty shots, local beers, crazy cocktails, and original frozen drinks will keep you cool in the tropical heat, though those trade winds are pretty soothing.
Nothing beats a meal that pairs with the environment just right in the heart of summer, and these restaurants in some of the world’s most stunning regions cook up an outdoor experience to match its delectable cuisine.
Contact your travel agent to get started on your summer vacation featuring great outdoor dining experiences.
