Best outdoor dining places in Canberra for summer

Water Views

Haha Bar

It's a chic bar with big picture windows affording plenty of views out over Lake Ginninderra. After work sip a cocktail on the balcony or head upstairs for a chat and some nibbles. It's just as good for brunch the next day - the water's sparkling and the big outdoor area is just the right place to sip fresh juice and tuck into a plate of scrambled eggs or a breakfast pizza. Emu Bank, Belconnen.

Bookplate

It's all about the location on the terrace overlooking Lake Burley Griffin, where you can watch all of Canberra walk, run or paddle by. It's all about coffee and breakfast at this daytime spot. National Library of Australia.

Kingston Foreshore

It can't hurt that nearly everywhere on the foreshore has a view of Lake Burley Griffin. Whether you take a spot on the long outdoor tables at Walt & Burley with its views towards the bridge for a Sunday session, or sink into a blue and white seat at C Dine Bar for a drink and a comfortable dinner, or the Rum Bar's cosy tables on the waterfront, you'll get a good dose of the outdoors. Or you could move a smidgen inland and grab a burger on the terrace at Brodburger (brodburger.com.au).

The Deck at Regatta Point

Much used for weddings and parties, the Deck at Regatta Point has prime position on the north side of the lake. There are breakfasts and lunches on offer at the tables right on the water but if you're in a hurry you can grab a takeaway meal or design a whole picnic for yourself, right down to cutlery and picnic blanket. Barrine Drive, Parkes. deckatregattapoint.com.au

Greenery

The Sculpture Garden

There's something serene about looking out over the cool, mist-filled pond beside the National Gallery of Australia's seasonal cafe down in the Sculpture Garden. This summer it's open daily with brekkie, lunch and afternoon tea options. National Gallery of Australia.

Mint Bar

The Harrington brothers have transformed the courtyard outside Sage Dining Rooms into an intimate but lushly green space with the outdoor Mint Bar. There are bar stools and high tables to perch while you take in a cocktail and a pizza. Gorman House, Ainslie Avenue, Braddon. sagerestaurant.net.au

Pod Food

Set amongst the greenery of Pialligo with an outdoor area that helps keep you cool in the height of summer. There's a breakfast degustation for weekend mornings or head out for an elegant Saturday night. 12 Beltana Road, Pialligo. podfood.com.au

Old Parliament House

The traditional spot for post-work drinks in the Parliamentary Triangle. Look past the secret, somewhat undigified entrance at the back of Old Parliament House and then you're in. Take a seat on an outdoor sofa with a glass of wine, grab a bite to eat at the food carts and watch young public servants flirt. 4.30pm every Friday. Old Parliament House, 18 King Edward Terrace, Parkes. moadoph.gov.au

Fellows

A big, sprawling terrace under the trees at the Australian National University makes this a cool, pleasant spot for academics kicking back at the end of the week. Friday night happy hour includes $10 cocktails and live music. University House, 1 Balmain Crescent, Acton. unihouse.anu.edu.au

Urban

Loading Zone

This is Canberra's quintessential - and pretty much only - laneway restaurant. Tucked into a courtyard in the Melbourne building on Northbourne Avenue, this hole in the wall cafe serves up Italian dishes to share in the sunshine. Tables and chairs fill the little outdoor area where you can lunch hidden from the city bustle. Odgers Lane, Civic.

Soju Girl

Well it's practically next door to Loading Zone but the Asian-inspired fusion bar and restaurant has a little outdoor area in the Odgers Lane courtyard that allows you to spill out from the main restaurant after work and sip a cocktail in the fresh air. 41/43-45 Northbourne Avenue. sojugirl.com.au

Lonsdale Street

Braddon's crammed with cafes and bars. For drinks, Hopscotch has a spacious forecourt where live music and an outdoor barbecue allow you to take in the sun and some beers at the same time while BentSpoke has long tables and benches for the craft beer aficionado in you. Autolyse, Elk and Pea and Lonsdale Street Roasters all have tables that front onto the street for people watching while grabbing a bite to eat or coffee. Across the street, Eighty/twenty offers paleo brekkies and next door neighbour Sweet Bones does vegan meals while Eightysix has edgy food and tables out the front.

NewActon

Parlour Wine Room's courtyard is one of the chicest in town and 2-for-1 tapas makes post work drinks go down easily. A.Baker's courtyard is popular for Sunday brunches and Mocan and Green Grout's scattering of tiny outdoor tables and chairs are often filled.