Outdoor dining in Britain is no longer just a summer pastime. According to 2025 OpenTable data, around 60% of UK diners prefer to eat outdoors when the weather allows.
Even online, interest in alfresco dining is heating up with Google searches for “what does alfresco dining mean?” soaring by 5,000% in the past 90 days.
The OpenTable survey found that diners value comfort, ambience, and outdoor features such as views and seating quality, all of which influence where people choose to eat. In response, restaurants across the UK are adapting their spaces to meet demand long after summer ends.
At Lucia, a York-based wine bar and restaurant featured in OpenTable’s Top 100 Outdoor Restaurants 2025, marketing manager Georgina Pellant has observed a clear shift in customer behaviour: “The OpenTable survey really reflects what we’ve been seeing at Lucia,” she says. “About 60% of diners saying they prefer outdoor seating mirrors our own experience. Even on colder or overcast days, people are choosing to sit outside.
“It’s clear that alfresco dining has become a year-round expectation, and restaurants looking to meet this demand are increasingly investing in covered areas, heating, and lighting to make outdoor spaces comfortable throughout the year.”
The trend reflects broader post-pandemic habits, when outdoor seating became a safe and appealing option. While UK-wide statistics for year-round outdoor dining remain limited, the OpenTable data, Google search trends, and Lucia’s own experience suggest that the appetite for outdoor dining is growing across the country.
Many diners now plan meals around outdoor options, even outside the summer months, reflecting a shift in dining culture. Families, couples, and groups are increasingly seeking alfresco settings, and restaurants across the UK are adapting layouts, installing heating, lighting, and shelter to extend the season.
Flexible seating arrangements and seasonal menus are also becoming more common, with venues even extending outdoor offerings into the festive period. Lucia, for instance, is creating a “winter garden” dining experience this December, a sign that alfresco dining is no longer confined to summer months.
For restaurants like Lucia, the shift demonstrates how outdoor seating is becoming an integral part of the dining experience, reflecting broader changes in UK consumer expectations rather than simply a summer trend.
Feature Photo by Josh Berendes on Unsplash
