It feels like such a special treat to wine & dine outside with friends and family. Summer 2023 is just around the corner and Chester is about to come alive with the buzz, chatter and all the smiling faces that Alfresco Chester brings to the city. And the really good news is that so many of our favourite venues have seriously pimped up their outside spaces, creating fresh new havens of alfresco loveliness where we can enjoy good times in the sunshine.
Here is my selection of the best outside spaces in and around our glorious city, along with a few suggestions for the best dishes and drinks to enjoy while you’re there.
Thank you to my great friends at Openhome Chester for helping me to curate this fabulous list!
Oak & Smoke Wood Fired Pizza Kitchen at The Chester Fields, Bridge Trafford
It’s time to get back to nature and dine underneath the stars with friends and family. In the garden at The Chester Fields, you will find something a little bit different. A wood-fired kitchen serving the best pizza in cosy, comfy under-cover booths and tables. This special place is where we can enjoy great food, using the best local produce, perfectly accompanied by a big glass of red or locally-brewed beer. Real food cooked on a real fire just seems to taste better somehow.
Dogs are welcome outside and in the bar area.
The Forge Bar & Restaurant, Grosvenor Park Road, Chester
The Forge is well known for using wild, sustainable British ingredients, and the love of simple cooking over fire and charcoal. The Forge has its kitchen front and centre in the middle of the lovely, elegant space. Incredible dry-aged beef and wild venison will be found in the maturation cabinets, awaiting their turn on the amazing ‘forge’ grill, there to be lovingly grilled and roasted over oak and beech logs. Take a walk through Grosvenor Park and out onto Grosvenor Park Road to enjoy this fabulous, Michelin-recommended alfresco experience when the sun comes out.
Hickory’s Smokehouse, Chester Riverfront
We know how much effort these guys put into their outside drinking and dining spaces, and Chester has to be the pièce de résistance with their incredible walled garden against the stunning backdrop of the River Dee. This ever-popular venue is always bustling with happy faces, and one portion of chicken wings or 3 am Mac n cheese is never enough. True story!
Dogs are welcome outside.
Barlounge, Chester city centre
Now in its 23rd year, Barlounge is looking better than ever! This iconic Chester boasts a stunning terrace – covered in part, heated and very smart indeed – the perfect place to drink and dine, whatever the weather. And their sticky sausages are still totally divine!
Small dogs are welcome outside.
Vin Santo, Chester city centre
If you love wine and great service – you’ll love Vin Santo Chester. It sits right in the middle of Watergate Street, a gorgeous retail shop full of wine lovers’ delights – and that’s not all. This is also a wine bar of the old-school variety with a startling number of fabulous wines by the glass and an impressive spirit selection too. Their Wine Terrace is the perfect place to stop and enjoy a superb glass of wine or beer with your favourite people.
Dog friendly inside and outside.
Popcorn Bar, Chester city centre
My – how we love Popcorn Bar! Located directly opposite the amphitheatre and right in the heart of the city, this is a bustling bar full of lovely staff, great tunes and a hip clientele from all walks of life. There is lots of space and seating, and the outside areas both front and back are made for alfresco fun throughout the whole year, but we all know the fun really starts when the sun goes down! There are plenty of Good Times to be had in Popcorn Bar (and we do, frequently!).
Dog friendly inside and outside.
Upstairs at The Grill, Chester city centre
Upstairs at the Grill has been a favourite of ours for so many years. The food, service and drinks are always five stars and I have always loved the dark, slightly moody club feel of the upstairs speakeasy-style bar. And their stunning new terrace offers the perfect contrast for dining in the sunshine,
The Henry Potts, Chester city centre
Located on Lower Watergate Street and just a couple of minutes walk from the city centre, The Henry Potts has already attracted a good food and beer-loving crowd.
Created by Jerry Brunning and his team (you may remember this local legend from the good old Brunning & Price days), The Henry Potts is everything you’d expect from such a successful stable of excellent operators, and so much more – and now it has a lovely new outside space too.
Dog friendly outside and in the bar area.
Providence Gin, Chester
Providence Gin arrived in Chester and has very quickly earned itself a reputation of being a super popular bar serving great quality drinks and delicious sharing boards made with plenty of local produce. They may only have a couple of alfresco tables on Watergate Street, but these are definitely prime seats in the very heart of the city.
Dog friendly inside and outside.
North Light, Chester city centre
Very new to the city and we are delighted they’re here – North Light is every inch a grown-up, sophisticated venue open morning, noon and night. Everything (including the superb art) is locally sourced and the team is truly delightful. Their outside space both on Northgate Street and overlooking Exchange Square is the perfect spot for great quality food and drink.
Dog friendly inside and outside.
Ōh Concept Store, Chester city centre
One of our favourite experiences in the city, ōh Concept Store is so many wonderful things! It is a very cool and funky home accessories store selling purposeful brands, plus a fabulous place for sustainable fashion from local makers & creatives. It is a place for art and a place where you can have your very own 3d pieces printed to order. The team also put on some awesome events and happenings including workshops, get-togethers and demonstrations – and it is a lovely coffee shop and meeting place too. Like everything at ōh, their outside space may be small – but is perfectly formed.
Dog friendly both inside and out.
Chez Jules, Chester city centre
Chez Jules is one of Chester’s most loved restaurants, so it’s no wonder it’s been with us right here in the city centre now for 25 years. Serving an authentic French brasserie menu seven days a week, Chez Jules has a fabulous atmosphere buzzing with locals and visitors alike over long lunches and bustling dinner times.
They may only have a couple of alfresco seats in front of their venue, but we think they’re among the best seats in town!
New Chester Market, Exchange Square, Chester city centre
The city’s Modern Traditional Market really does have it all! This is where we are able to Shop Local & Eat Global, from a choice of so many superb street food vendors and independent retail traders. The bar is always buzzing and there is often great entertainment at the weekend. And just when we thought it couldn’t get any better- it just did – with its brand-new outdoor seating.
Dog friendly inside and outside.
Commonhall Social, Chester city centre
For the past ten years or so, Team Commo has delivered its renowned, inclusive and welcoming experience that champions all common people. So whether you’re after a pint of your favourite craft beer, tucking into one of their famed Sunday Roasts, soaking up the sun on their tremendous beer terrace, exploring their extensive vegan options, or even just taking the pooch for a wander, they’ve got a seat at the bar with your name on it.
Dog friendly inside and outside.
The Lock Keeper, Chester city centre
The Lock Keeper has to be one of the most picturesque spots in the city overlooking the canal – the perfect place to watch canal life go by while enjoying everything that this great quality, independently run pub has to offer. We absolutely love it!
Dog friendly inside and outside.
The Coach House Inn, Chester city centre
The Coach House Inn sits proudly on Northgate Street, right next door to the city’s majestic Town Hall. This is a venue which deserves its reputation of great quality food and drink – served by one of the friendliest teams in Chester. It’s dog-friendly, family-friendly, local friendly and visitor friendly too!
Dog friendly inside and outside.
Alexanders, Chester city centre
This is the place where it all happens! Chester’s number-one, independent entertainment venue continues to serve up superb comedy, brilliant local bands and the best tribute acts from across the UK. They have plenty of tables and chairs on their terrace right in the middle of Rufus Court, as well as a huge beer garden where much of the Spring and Summer programme moves to each year. We love it!
Dog friendly outside.
Assembly Bar, Chester city centre
Assembly Bar & Tapas is one of those places where you always feel welcome and relaxed. The vibe is chilled and their brunch and small plates menus are of superb quality, with all ingredients coming from local producers trading in the city centre. They have the most stunning bi-folding windows that let the outside in, as well as outside seating to enjoy the Chester sunshine in all its glory.
Very dog friendly too, both inside and out.
Hanky Panky, Chester city centre
The loveliest food and drink couple in Chester may have just a few outside tables, but remember it’s always quality over quantity with Mr and Mrs Hanky Panky! Enjoy some of your favourite (and oh-so-naughty) pancakes which are delicious and perfect to share with friends in the sunshine.
Dog friendly inside and outside.
The Boathouse, Chester Riverfront
The Boathouse in Chester has one of the best outside spaces in the city with its stunning riverside location, a floating barge and the cutest, heated beach huts for a fabulous springtime drinking and dining experience. You can’t beat a delicious glass of red and a nibble to share while watching the sunset over the River Dee. Absolutely perfect!
Dog friendly inside and outside.
The Pied Bull, Chester city centre
There are lots of great surprises to be found at The Pied Bull. The most incredible bedrooms, a microbrewery (the smallest inside the city walls we believe), great pub food, a couple of friendly ghosts and this fabulous hidden garden right in the heart of the city. This beautiful space is the perfect escape from the every day, and their seasonal pub classics are delicious too.
Dog friendly inside and outside.
Burger Shed 41, Chester city centre
Love Burgers? You’re in for a treat – plus amazing hot dogs, poutine (I swear it’s the best in town), chicken wings (also divine), sharers and milkshakes are all on the Burger Shed 41 menu too – and anywhere that serves crinkle cut chips gets my vote for true greatness! They have enough al fresco seating out-front to ensure we can all enjoy that totally unique Burger Shed experience in the sunshine too. Bring It On!
Urbano 32, Chester city centre
Sister to Burger Shed 41, Urbano 32 also sits on Bridge Street, which enjoys such a fabulous foodie buzz when the sun comes out. Their pizzas are absolutely delicious with so many specials (it’s not all pizza ya know!), so you’ll have to be quick to grab your outside table when the summertime comes a-calling…
Ring O’Bells, Christleton
I always describe Ring O’Bells as one of our Great Cheshire Pubs. They have an award-winning kitchen and it’s always a really good quality experience all-round, and definitely worth the five-minute car journey from the city centre. The kitchen team loves local produce as much as I do, so you can be sure of some delicious seasonal dishes as well as plenty of seriously good, locally-produced ales from this favourite country pub. And their outside space is fantastic!
Dog friendly inside and outside.
The Blue Bell 1494, Chester city centre
The Bluebell 1494 is a real gem hidden away in the city centre, a beautifully authentic Spanish tapas bar with a gorgeous garden. We reviewed The Blue Bell last year and gave it five stars, as did our friends at Always On The Go who run a superb family-friendly platform for Chester and surrounding areas. Our favourite dishes included Queso de Cabra Frito (deep fried Goats cheese drizzled with honey & served with quince jelly), and Vieras Fritas (pan-fried scallops with a pancetta & Parmesan crumb with fresh pea purée), totally delicious!
Dog friendly outside – and inside, but only when you book.
The Goshawk, Delamere
Just 15 minutes drive from the city centre, this is another Great Cheshire Pub with a stunning outside space overlooking an immaculately-manicured bowling green. The Goshawk is located close to Delamere Forest, so a walk through the stunning woodland followed by great pub food is the perfect escape with the family.
Dog friendly inside and outside.
Opera Grill, Chester city centre
Opera Grill is a pretty impressive venue. With seriously sexy food, fabulous decor and a truly cosmopolitan vibe, their outside terrace space is the place to be seen in the Summer sunshine. Heated and with plenty of space, if you’re looking for a super-stylish venue, then Opera Grill is definitely the place for you.
Duttons, Chester city centre
I absolutely love Duttons, and the fact that it sits on the most beautiful street in the city (Godstall Lane) just makes it all the more gorgeous. Sitting outside Duttons enjoying a delicious alfresco lunch with a glass of wine or two is an affordable treat – and the staff are delightful too.
Dog friendly outside only.
Northgate’s, Chester city centre
Northgates is a delightfully quirky cocktail bar on Northgate Street serving small plates from around the world with an emphasis on health and sustainability. Tony and his team are an absolute delight – and their outside tables top this fabulous venue off perfectly!
Dog friendly inside and outside.
Rainbow Tea Rooms from Chester Pride
Now a year old and a firm favourite, the Rainbow Tea Rooms from Chester Pride is another superb quality independent bistro serving the most delicious food – and the really great news is that they collaborated with those fabulous chaps at Cake Chester, so the daily cake specials are divine! And how pretty is their outside space? You can take me over their rainbow for tea and cake anytime! 🌈
Dog friendly inside and outside.
The Cheshire Cat, Whitchurch Road, Christleton, Chester
The Cheshire Cat (with rooms) has got everything you need from a lovely country pub on your doorstep. The menus are full of hearty favourites, country pub classics and salads as well as their seasonal summer dishes, and they will be ready with a well-stocked bar including cask ales, fine wines and the best British gin to suit every taste – which will taste all the better when enjoyed in either their beautiful gardens.
Dog friendly inside (bar area only) and outside.
Storyhouse, Chester city centre
Is there anything not to love at Storyhouse? Ever since this epic venue opened, life has just got better in Chester.
Downstairs in the auditorium is where the real magic happens for me. Great food and drink is one thing, but great food and drink paired with superb entertainment, epic events and awesome community gatherings is something else entirely! And sitting outside watching Northgate Street life go by is always a treat.
Rowton Hall, Rowton, Chester
The terrace at Rowton Hall Hotel & Spa is the perfect place to relax in the sunshine, enjoy a bite to eat from the Lounge menu, or have afternoon tea surrounded by the stunning garden and grounds. You can book your spot in the sunshine and enjoy morning coffee, afternoon tea or dinner.
Dog friendly outside.
