Sunlight filtering through the 50-year-old bougainvillea tree in the centre of the courtyard gives this Greek restaurant the gentle feel of a long Mediterranean lunch, even after you remember you’re in Redfern. A retractable glass roof means the space shifts easily between open-air dining and cosy shelter; whitewashed textures and warm timber tones reinforce the Athenian mood. The menu follows suit with share-friendly plates, seafood, grilled meats and bright, herb-driven flavours designed for lingering. It’s equal parts courtyard oasis and lively taverna; the kind of place where a quick dinner inevitably turns into dessert and another round of ouzo. Wunderlich Lane, 2 Baptist St, Redfern; olympusdining.com.au

Just weeks after pivoting Chinese restaurant Song Bird into Italian fine-diner Gran Torino, Neil Perry’s Margaret Family group opened Bar Torino. Located in the former Bobbie’s site, the more casual Torino offering promises Italian-inspired cocktails and snacks, with new street seating for sunny afternoons. 24 Bay St, Double Bay; themargaretfamily.com

Nine floors above the city streets, this terrace delivers breezy open-air dining with high-rise polish. Framed by heritage architecture and softened by greenery, the outdoor space feels far removed from the CBD’s hectic pace, without losing any of the energy. Seasonal Australian cooking drives the carefully curated menu, with seafood, woodfired touches and thoughtful plating that matches the laid-back elegance of the setting. Arriving onto the terrace via the building’s grand staircase only heightens the sense of occasion. Whether it’s for a long lunch or sunset drinks, the experience here balances sophistication and relaxation in a way that feels genuinely special. 37 Margaret St, Sydney; shellhouse.com.au

Sydney’s Greek restaurant boom got an aesthetic boost with the opening of Atki at Woolloomooloo Finger Wharf. The new pretty-in-pink venue from Sydney Restaurant Group takes up the space formerly inhabited by long-standing steak and seafood restaurant Manta, with the menu channeling a seaside Greek taverna with an Antipodean twist. 6 Cowper Street Wharf, Woolloomooloo; srghospitality.com.au/venue/akti

Perched on the harbour with views to the bridge, you can tick off all the major harbourside landmarks over your rose jelly, pineapple and lime mocktail and wagyu bresaola with whipped ricotta. Sails is owned by the same crew behind Ormeggio on the Spit, Ripples and Aqua Dining, so they know how to get the sparkling waterfront vibe right. Everything is inside, but massive bifolding doors open and awnings pull back, so front row tables are open to the sky. 2 Henry Lawson Ave, McMahons Point; srghospitality.com.au/venue/sails

The opening of three-storey The International has transformed the plaza at 25 Martin Place, with the open-sided venue now spilling out into the fresh air. Snag a sunny yellow lounger on the piazza out front of The Wine Bar for a power lunch that may very well stretch into a sundowner, with pillowy pizzettes straight out of the imported Marana Forni pizza oven, topped with seasonal ingredients by head chef Gabriel Del Conti, paired with the 250-bottle-strong wine list and cocktails for days. Shop 805, Level 8, 25 Martin Place, Sydney; internationalsydney.com

The team behind Paddington’s Tequila Mockingbird brought fire-fuelled Argentinian dining to Balmain earlier this year with Casa Esquina. The refurbed corner building is so beautiful – with open-flame cooking in the central kitchen – it’s hard to resist sitting inside. But outside, the generous balcony shaded by two soaring camphor laurel trees and the white-washed street-front courtyard has all the vibes, and seats nearly 120 guests. During the monthly open-air asado grill session, it feels like the best place to be in the inner west. 79 Elliott St, Balmain; casaesquina.au

The boom of crashing waves; surfers bobbing beyond the break. No, this isn’t Bondi or Freshwater, but Homebush. The long-awaited opening of URBNSURF this year made Sydney Olympic Park an improbable haunt for surfers looking for the perfect swell, and diners seeking waterside dining miles from the ocean. Level one houses a second outpost of North Sydney’s RAFI, with a seafood-heavy menu filled with bright flavours and Med influences served on the rooftop terrace and in the open-sided dining room. Downstairs at Sandy’s, fuel up post-surf on bacon and egg rolls or brekkie burritos on the casual open-air terrace. 15 Hill Rd, Homebush; rafisydney.com.au/urbnsurf

So popular were the bench seats out front of this Darlinghurst cafe during daylight hours, the tucked-away spot now opens into the evenings, too. The bones of the sandstone building on the top end of Burton Street make for an elegant dining room, but the street seating is where it’s at. The long tables are frequently arrayed with flowers and whimsical dressings, piled with puffy buttermilk pancakes, breakfast plates and cafe classics by day; and strewn with wine glasses and share plates of crudo and rillettes; share-friendly roasted chicken and fish and simple pastas by night. 1 Burton St, Darlinghurst; theeca.com.au

A green lawn, river breezes and the sounds of frolicking from Parramatta Park give this cafe/restaurant one of western Sydney’s most peaceful outdoor dining settings. Tables are spread across an open garden area where families, cyclists and brunchers settle in for slow mornings, diving into a menu that leans fresh and generous; perfectly suited to dining under trees. With freshly baked flatbreads, snacky share plates and top-tier produce, this feels less like a courtyard and more like a picnic you didn’t have to prepare. The combination of nature, good coffee and unhurried atmosphere makes outdoor dining here feel properly restorative. Little Coogee, Parramatta Park, Byrnes Avenue, Parramatta; miscparramatta.com.au

With its beachy glam aesthetic and excellent fish and chips, matched with stellar locations, The Boathouse group has waterside dining covered. The Balmoral location is no different. Buttermilk scones with fresh cream, strawberries and jam and breakfast moves to crumbed dory burger with lettuce and pickles for lunch. This food is made for alfresco dining, so join the queue early to nab a table outside. 2 The Esplanade, Mosman; theboathousegroup.com.au/venues/the-boathouse-balmoral

This neighbourhood rowing club is a Mosman Bay waterfront all-day diner-slash-bar treasured by locals. The century-old institution is home to a 100-seater diner with sweet terrazzo tables. Seating outside is limited so get in early for an outdoor table for breakfast or lunch. There are fish and other burgers, and buckets of prawns. It’s pleasing, punchy food, and the view is hard to beat. 3 Centenary Dr, Mosman; mosmanrowers.com.au

North Sydney’s sun-drenched bowling and dining centre The Greens is the antidote to 2021 thus far. Bites ranges from flavoursome share platters (welcome back, social life) to hearty mains (including a butternut squash wellington and roast Murray Valley pork belly) – not to mention an enticing dessert menu, which sees the likes of a show-stopping summer fruit and prosecco trifle that’ll divert all eyes to your table. And, don’t forget to order a cocktail jug for the table (we’ll take the watermelon kegger, thanks). 50 Ridge St, North Sydney; thegreensnorthsydney.com.au

Even if the food were terrible, the harbour views alone would make this place worth visiting. Luckily though, the food doesn’t suck. Tables stretch along the water’s edge, delivering uninterrupted views of the Harbour Bridge, the Opera House and the steady choreography of ferries scuttling in and out of the quay. The menu keeps things well-suited to the setting, with seafood, pizzas, shared plates and reliably good drinks anchoring the experience. As the sun drops and the skyline turns gold, the atmosphere becomes unmistakably Sydney. It’s iconic without trying too hard: a front-row seat to dinner and a harbour-themed spectacle. Sydney Opera House, Lower Concourse Level, Sydney; operabar.com.au

You hear those faint DJ beats wafting up William Street? Follow them upstairs and you’ll find a rooftop that feels equal parts tropical party and casual diner. Open-air tables sit among a jungle of lush greenery that frame city views, catching the last of the afternoon sun before the lights of Darlinghurst take over. The Asian-inspired menu leans bright and shareable, with punchy flavours that suit the playful setting. Cocktails arrive fruity and colourful, matching the mood as the evening unfolds. You could easily lose an afternoon here and not even notice, so removed does Slims feel from the streets below. 47/49 William St, Darlinghurst; hydeparkhouse.com/slims-rooftop