Outdoor Dining on James St

Spring has arrived, which means the best seat in the house may well be outside. From first coffee to long lunches, afternoon drinks and dinner after dark, we’re plotting a day of dining in the open air. Plenty of these spots span more than one service, but for spring, this is how we’d do it.

Fresh Air to Start

ēmmē
Tucked into an airy open-air thoroughfare, ēmmē has the ease of outdoor dining without being fully exposed to the elements. The light and breezy setting is paired with coffee, pastries, and a Mediterranean-leaning menu that feels substantial enough to make a morning of it.

James & Antler
For something more playful, James & Antler leans into novelty croques, coffees and matcha. Its casual outdoor setup suits a quick morning stop before the 3PM close.

Lobby Bar
Breakfast at Lobby Bar comes with a more polished setting. Take a seat outside The Calile, order coffee and something classic, and watch Ada Lane start to fill around you.

Lunch, Longer

Harveys Bar + Bistro
A classic bistro menu and outdoor tables folded into the rhythm of James St make Harveys an easy all-rounder. It works just as well for a weekday lunch as it does for a longer weekend sit-down.

Hellenika
At Hellenika, the appeal is poolside. Generous Greek plates, grilled seafood and The Calile backdrop give lunch a distinctly resort-like feel.

Sunshine
Bright yellow umbrellas and a breezy streetside setup make Sunshine an obvious spring lunch pick. The Mediterranean offering is sold by weight, so you can build a plate to suit a quick stop or a longer catch-up.

The Green
The Green is all lush surrounds and generous Middle Eastern hospitality. Think Lebanese bread, hummus, charcoal-grilled meats and larger plates built for passing around the table.

Stay for a Drink

Bistro Tino
Come Friday afternoon, Bistro Tino shifts gear with Aperitino from 4PM till late. A strong knock-off option with snacks on the house when you purchase a drink.

Gerries
Gerries keeps things easy. The outdoor seating, relaxed mood and cold-drink energy make it well suited to the kind of catch-up that starts with one and rarely ends there.

Sixes and Sevens
The leafy courtyard is the drawcard at Sixes and Sevens, particularly once the afternoon starts to roll into evening. Drinks, casual food and weekend DJs give it the most pub-like energy of the group.

Sushi Room Bar
For a sharper pre-dinner mood, Sushi Room Bar brings a more refined edge. Cocktails and Japanese snacks sit comfortably against the venue’s minimal, moody aesthetic.

Dinner Under the Stars

Mosconi
Tucked away on Arthur Street, Mosconi feels more intimate than the main-strip options. Pasta, wine and a neighbourhood atmosphere do most of the heavy lifting.

NIIWA
A modern Japanese garden gives NIIWA’s outdoor dining its own sense of escape. Seasonal dishes and cocktails make it a good fit for a slower dinner once the day cools off.

Penelope
Penelope brings a warmer, more theatrical energy to dinner. Share plates, cocktails and wine set the tone, with enough late-night pull that the evening can easily keep going.

Something Sweet

Gelato Messina
Sometimes the best outdoor option is the simplest one. Messina’s rotating specials and core cabinet make a cone or cup an easy final stop after dinner or a destination in its own right.