The Jetty on Lake Burley Griffin is great for summer dining.
25 November 2025
In brief:
- This article lists Canberra pubs and restaurants with nice outdoor areas.
- Canberra has lots of food venues great for gatherings in summer.
- Support local when you celebrate festive season this year by visiting a Canberra restaurant or bar.
The warmer weather has arrived, and it’s time to get outside and enjoy the sunshine.
Looking for a venue to gather with your friends or family this summer? We’ve rounded up some great options.
Here are 10 local venues, perfect for summer dining:
The Alby, Woden
This elevated southside pub is a great spot for end of year gatherings, with food, drinks and games.
They have a spacious beer garden surrounded by vines to keep you sheltered while you enjoy the warm weather.
Assembly, Braddon
Assembly’s beer garden is a great place to gather with friends in the sun.
With plenty of shaded tables, you can settle in for celebrations and enjoy some great pub food.
Contentious Character, Fyshwick
There’s no need to travel to wine country this summer, when there’s a Contentious Character cellar door in town.
Sip on Contentious Character wine paired with some cheese or lunch in the outdoor courtyard.
The Dock, Kingston
We might not have a beach, but the foreshore is the next best place to gather this summer.
Grab your friends and head to The Dock for a delicious pub meal and a nice cold drink by the water.
The Jetty, Parkes
The Jetty’s beer garden is open every summer.
Enjoy beautiful views of Canberra, while you indulge from great selection of food trucks, drinks and live music regularly – it’s a great place to enjoy the warm weather.
The Kingston Hotel, Kingston
The Garden Bar at The Kingston Hotel is a great spot to enjoy the warm weather.
The spacious courtyard offers plenty of shaded seating and its own outdoor bar.
The Other Place, Ainslie
Pilot has opened an outdoor wine and cocktail bar just in time for summer.
Located just outside Pilot, The Other Place is a great spot to get a drink before or after dining at the main restaurant or settle in for a wine and share plates in the sun.
Public, Griffith
This elevated corner pub is a Canberra favourite.
Located centrally, stylish interiors, and great food and drink – what’s not to love?
The spacious shaded outdoor area is a great area to spend time with friends in summer.
Rosa's, Parkes
Rosa’s is an outdoor bar located in the Senate Gardens.
They serve pizza, nibbles, drinks and more.
The relaxed atmosphere makes it the perfect summer get together spot. There’s lots of shaded seating options, beautiful garden views and music.
The RUC, Turner
Picture this – you and your mates are the deck, soaking up the warm weather and enjoying a cold drink and great pub food.
With plenty of inside and shaded outdoor seating, bowls and live sport on TV, the RUC is the perfect summer dining spot.
Snapper, Yarralumla
What’s summer dining without fish and chips on the menu?
With outdoor seating or the option to lay out on the lawns on your own picnic rug while you enjoy lake views, Snapper is a great dining option for the summertime.
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