Whether you’re lounging on a sun deck with a cocktail or stopping off for a quick coffee at your neighbourhood streetside café, the best place to dine in summer is outside. The weather is perfect for lunching in a courtyard shaded by greenery; feasting in a piazza surrounded by beautiful architecture; or taking high tea on the veranda of an old Victorian cottage.

To help you pick something that best suits your mood, here’s a list of restaurants able to grant you a patch of sky for the day.

Pretoria

Ciao Baby Cucina (Parkview)
Sit: on the deck overlooking the Moreleta Dam and golf course.

Crawdaddy’s
Sit: on the large shady terrace.

Kream
Sit: on the veranda overlooking the surrounding gardens and trees.

Moyo (Fountains)
Sit: and enjoy the nature reserve with rolling lawns, peacocks and geese strolling about.

Taste Restaurant
Sit: on the terrace under the trees, overlooking the golf course and landscaped gardens.

Johannesburg

Bellgables
Sit: in the Crystal Terrace Room, surrounded by greenery, statues and urns.

Bliss Lifestyle Lounge (now closed)
Sit: in the open space alongside bustling Stanley Road.

Casalinga
Sit: at the piazza flowing into the large gardens, surrounded by beautiful Italian architecture.

Central One
Sit: at the sun deck beside the pool.

Il Giardino Degli Ulivi
Sit: in the courtyard among the olive trees.

The Leopard
Sit: in the street-side area and watch the world go by.

Moyo (Melrose Arch)
Sit: in the shaded terrace under the leafy trees.

Moyo (Zoo Lake)
Sit: in the lower wooden deck dining room on leather couches.

Roots
Sit: on the deck with views of the lake and game reserve near the Cradle of Humankind.

Salvationcafe
Sit: in the courtyard amongst the trees and pot plants.

Durban

9th Avenue Bistro
Sit: on the intimate shaded veranda.

Craft Trattoria
Sit: in the courtyard on couches or at matching red tables.

Ile Maurice
Sit: on the sun deck with beautiful sea views and romantic sunsets.

Moyo (Pier Bar)
Sit: outside the glass building to experience the sea breeze and the balmy beach atmosphere.

Ocean Terraces (Oyster Box Hotel)
Sit: at the outside tables with views of the lighthouse and the ocean.

Remo’s
Sit: outside on the deck overlooking the car park.

Cape Town

Beluga
Sit: in the sheltered cobbled courtyard.

The Bungalow
Sit: on the wooden deck, surrounded by cushions, near the plunge pool.

Cafe Paradiso
Sit: and watch life pass by on Kloof Street from a relaxed garden veranda with a stunning view of the mountain and a bird’s eye view of the city bowl.

Catharina’s
Sit: on the grassy lawns under the oaks.

Caveau
Sit: on the veranda and enjoy the vibey atmosphere of the city bowl.

Den Anker
Sit: on the terrace overlooking Table Mountain.

Dunes Restaurant
Sit: on the terrace with views of Chapman’s Peak and Hout Bay beach.

Fraiche Ayres
Sit: at the outside tables set amongst the greenery of the Starke Ayres nursery.

Gold Restaurant
Sit: in the courtyard of the Gold Africa Museum.

The Grand (Camps Bay)
Sit: on the alfresco dining deck with unparalleled ocean views.

The Grand (Granger Bay)
Sit: on the beach sand and stare at the ocean.

Jakes in the Village
Sit: in the shaded garden area on couches and cushions.

La Vie Café
Sit: outside and enjoy gorgeous views of the Sea Point promenade and ocean.

Miss K
Sit: on the outside deck overlooking the road.

Paranga
Sit: at white linen-clad tables looking out over Camps Bay beach.

Pastis
Sit: in the café-style lavender-lined garden patio.

Rumbullion at the Roundhouse
Sit: on the lawns, looking down over Camps Bay and out towards the twelve apostles.

Sevruga
Sit: on the terrace overlooking the boats in the harbour.

Societi Brasserie
Sit: in the long courtyard with a walled garden and lavender and jasmine pot plants.

Starlings
Sit: in the garden of the old Victorian cottage.

Tobago’s
Sit: on the terrace under umbrellas with views of the Atlantic Ocean.

Winelands

Avontuur Estate Restaurant
Sit: on the terraces overlooking the vineyards, baby horses and their mares and Table Mountain.

Café Bon Bon
Sit: at the tables on the stoep under the old oak trees or in the courtyard.

The Farmer’s Kitchen
Sit: on the raised deck where moms can keep an eye on their children playing on the grass.

Harvest at Laborie
Sit out on the terrace overlooking the farm and surrounding mountains.

Jordan
Sit: on the terrace under an umbrella, overlooking lush lawns and a beautiful lake.

The Kitchen at Maison
Sit: on the stoep or on long wooden tables on the shaded lawn with views over the Franschhoek Valley.

Moyo (Stellenbosch)
Sit: in the tree houses, under the oak tree or in small open tents.

Reuben’s Restaurant & Bar
Sit: outside in the charming courtyard.

The Rhebok Restaurant
Sit: on the terrace overlooking the dam and lawns.

The Stone Kitchen
Sit: on the lawns looking up at the surrounding mountains.

The Table at de Meye
Sit: on the lawn in the shade of the trees.

Garden Route

Old Townhouse
Sit: at the veranda or the walled-in garden area with a fountain.

Klein Karoo

De Kaap
Sit: on the veranda under umbrellas close to gardens, olive groves and views of rolling mountains.

Overberg

Bientang’s Cave Seafood Restaurant
Sit: at wooden tables that spill out of the rocky overhang almost to the water’s edge. Unbeatable views.

The Burgundy
Sit: on the large terrace with fabulous views of Walker Bay, within sight and sound of the whales (when they’re there).

Madre’s Kitchen
Sit: at a table on the lawns where there’s a jungle gym to keep kids entertained.

Mariana’s
Sit: in the tranquil garden.

West Coast

Bar Bar Black Sheep
Sit: at either of the two quaint and shady courtyards off the main street in Riebeek Kasteel.

Café Felix
Sit: at the country garden tables under the oaks.

Groote Post
Sit: on the Cape Dutch stoep or on the front lawn.

By Kelly Pluke