30 Breezy Essentials for Dining Alfresco
Enjoy the longer days and warmer weather by entertaining en plein air.
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Spring is finally here—and dining alfresco is the best way to embrace the longer days and sun-dappled evenings. You don’t have to rough it while dining outside—we’ve rounded up essentials that will turn your next barbecue or patio party into a four-star affair.
Bamboo beauts. Eco-friendly dinnerware? Count us in. Every dish you see is crafted from bamboo fiber and non-GMO cornstarch (read: super sustainable), with a touch of BPA-free melamine for an extra kick of durability (because these sets will be putting in the miles, just wait).
Protect your picnics. Nothing spoils a great picnic or dinner outdoors faster than bugs and gnats. We collaborated with Dot and Army to design these lightweight net food covers, exclusive for us. We wanted something easy to fold up and carry with us, but also pretty to keep our picnics picturesque.
Cut from the same cloth. We love mixing and matching patterns and colors at the dinner table...which is why we’re inviting these mixed-weave sets to our next meal. Choose from several combos in muted creams and silvers, or go big and bold with the colorful foursome.
Bright and light, designer Aaron Probyn’s sleek, modern update of melamine plates brings unbreakable style to outdoor dining. Rimmed plates make carrying food even easier (no spills!). In summery hues, they’re fun to mix and match anywhere from picnic to pool to dinner party.
Never another flyaway napkin. Fred Arndt has been impressing us with his intricate wood-cutting technique since we first launched his pieces on Food52.
An item that symbolizes summer in Japan. Not only does it hold a mosquito repellent coil, but it also adds a nice aesthetic to your home.
Showers of speckles animate our Mackinac melamine collection, giving the durable material the look of covetable terrazzo. Ideal for worry-free outdoor dining, the dishes stand up to everyday dining and cleaning in the dishwasher.
Created in collaboration with Diego Olivero, these drinking glasses are made from environmentally friendly recycled glass.
Salad's on the menu. When you’ve got salads to make and patios to take ‘em to, we know just the thing. This set is made of eco-friendly bamboo fiber and cornstarch—plus melamine for extra durability—so it’s particularly practical for your outdoor gatherings.
Gas fuelled for the ultimate ease and control Reaches 950°F (500°C) in 20 minutes for stone-baked fresh pizza in just 60 seconds. Cook stone-baked fresh pizza in just 60 seconds. Extra-large cooking area for 16” pizzas, meat joints, breads and more! Innovative L-shaped flame...
From his London studio, designer Aaron Probyn creates pieces that focus on materiality, proportion and a modern approach to minimalism. This fluted acrylic glassware features a stackable design that makes it easy to stash away once the party's over.
Sweet and simple. Setting the table with cloth napkins doesn’t mean your meal has to be stiff and formal. Forget the iron and starch—these crinkle napkins were meant to feel comfy and familiar.
Elevate your sustainable lifestyle with our Catalina 14 oz tumblers. Stackable, reusable and made to last generations – this will be your favorite cup!
I'll be there for you. When the light around you begins to dim, look to this perfectly portable lantern from Balmuda. It’s got an LED inside that’s bright enough for kicking back with a good book, but dim enough to cue the calm atmosphere.
Today's Special A set of matching plates and bowls is a certain version of domestic bliss: they stack neatly in the cupboard, line up precisely in a dishwasher or drying rack, and give a fully set table a sense of order and calm.
The communal outdoor grill named after the glorious kudu of the African plains. During a trip to meet his wife’s—then girlfriend—family in South Africa, Stebin Horne, founder of KUDU Grills, was introduced to the South African art of outdoor cooking.
The concept of an interior lighting fixture that delivered an aura of warm, pleasant comfort resulted in the Carrie LED Lamp by Menu Lighting. Designed by Danish-based design studio, Norm Architects, the Carrie LED Lamp reflects the company's philosophy of creating a warm atmosphere through...
Picnic’s best friend. Made from white-washed maple and Baltic birch, this natural beauty is your one-way ticket to outdoor dining success. An all-in-one problem solver, it’ll keep napkins, silverware, plates, condiments, and more stashed and ready to go. Five removable dividers let you customize...
Inspired by 1930s-era furniture they came across on a visit to Timberline Lodge in Oregon, Studio Tolvanen gave the Terassi Dining Table (2017) a spaced-plank tabletop for excellent outdoor performance and round tapered legs for a leaner profile and rustic yet crafted appearance.
Ready for warmer weather or want to create some year-round ambiance? Let's get glowing with these bistro-style string lights.
Tear, set, and repeat. The scenario: You’re prepping for a backyard barbecue, and you want to spare your fancy napkins from sticky sauce and greasy fries. Enter: this handy roll. It lets you tear off whatever you need as you go (napkins or placements, we’ve got both here).
The Iittala Collective Tools Salad Set was designed by Antonio Citterio to help build the perfect modern dining experience. The heft, smooth texture and curves of the stainless steel utensils make them a pleasure to wield.
Buh-bye to the buzz. When balmy nights call for lounging under the stars, one thing’s for certain: Your buzzy mosquito friends will be sure to keep you company. Keep those uninvited guests at bay with a citronella coil.
REVOLUTIONARY DESIGN: This one-of-a-kind design keeps wine bottles, champagne, or any other beverage chilled for hours! The wine cooler sleeve fits most 750 ml wine bottles.
Really up your serving game with the Fermob Alto Tray. It is made entirely out of steel (rod and sheet), with a durable powder coat finish. The clean lines of the tray make it as attractive as it is useful, so you'll be proud to leave it out on display once its serving chores are done.
They only look like glass. Don’t fret if these stemless glasses go for a tumble. They’re actually made of Tritan copolyester, so they’re—wait for it—shatterproof and outdoor-friendly.
Tuuci Ocean Master Rectangular Shade (2012) features a horizontal shade canopy design to accommodate long dining tables. Designer Dougan Clarke, a skilled sailor who is well-versed in sails, rigging, and boat design, knows what will stand up to the elements.
JBL’s waterproof smart speakers have many capabilities you’d expect of a top outdoor speaker—including powerful sound, long battery life, and a waterproof design.
The Koda 16 Gas Powered Pizza Oven is presented in partnership with Ooni.
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Related Reading:
Our Top Outdoor Kitchens That Inspire Al Fresco Dining
Enamelware Is Having a Moment: Here Are the Pieces You Should Add to Your Kitchen
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