The guide to Uppsala's best al fresco dining

Right next door to Uppsala's indoor food market and the cathedral, Åkanten is an outdoor restaurant open during the warmer months of the year. Enjoy lunch and dinner here or just hang out at the bar and sip cocktails in the sunshine.

Right at the top of the 11-story building that houses the Elite Academia hotel you'll find Miss Voon, the sky bar and restaurant where you can enjoy perhaps the best views in town. From here you can see the castle, cathedral and train station while sipping on an Asian cocktail or sharing some small dishes with friends or a date.

Restaurant Tullgarn focuses on European dishes in a beautiful setting, with the aim of making all its guests feel welcome. During the summer, they open up a large terrace by the Fyris River, where you can come to simply have a drink or enjoy a full meal among the tree canopies.

Enjoy Greek food next to the Fyris river at Tzatziki, a perfect spot to cool off on the hottest of summer days. The menu includes classics such as moussaka, souvlaki, dolma and much more from the world of Greek gastronomy.

Botanika has one of the cosiest courtyards in town, with cocktails, craft beer, food, live music, and DJs, where the atmosphere often becomes wonderfully social on summer evenings. The courtyard also features two boules courts for those who feel like getting a bit active.

Kafferummet Storken has been located right in the middle of Stortorget since 1989. People come here to have coffee or enjoy a light lunch in a classic café environment with mismatched wooden furniture, patterned wallpaper, and an all-round lovely homely feel. The outdoor seating isn't on the square, however; you reach it by going up a flight of stairs and out onto the terrace. A hidden oasis in the heart of the city.

In the lush surroundings of the Botanical Gardens, near the tropical greenhouse, is Café Victoria. Enjoy coffee and simple dishes in a green setting. The menu can vary from day to day, as they go largely by feeling, but some classics are always available. The café is only open in the summer, so be sure to make the most of it.

Koh Phangan's colourful outdoor dining spreads out across the corner of Dombron bridge and the Fyrisån river. Enjoy a Thai dinner or weekend lunch, or just drop by to drink colourful cocktails in a summery setting.

Basta is open for hungry and thirsty guests from lunchtime until late dinner. The spacious outdoor terrace avoids the strongest sun; it enjoys both the afternoon sun and a view of the cathedral. Have a cocktail with friends or a long dinner - you're welcome for both at Basta.

If you want to enjoy the summer and sun Italian style, steer a course for Villa Romana. Tuck into homemade fresh pasta, wood-fired pizzas, juicy cuts of meat and seafood in the Old Square, together with a glass of well-chosen wine from the long list. Villa Romana is also a safe bet on slightly rainier days, as the outdoor seating is glassed-in and equipped with parasols.

At Le Parc in Börjeparken you can indulge in a classic bistro menu with influences from French, Italian, and Swedish cuisine. With its generous opening hours – open 360 days a year – and a weatherproof outdoor seating area with space for 150 seats, it's always a safe bet when the sun is shining.

Crêperie Avli is slightly hidden away off the main drag and their little tables dotted over the cobblestones contribute to the homely, French-inspired atmosphere. A wide range of filled buckwheat galettes and crêpes are the order of the day here and make for a delightful dining experience perfect for a warm summer evening.

Borgen's charming sister restaurant is housed in a 14th century building at the foot of the steps leading up to Uppsala Cathedral and the place oozes history. Although the outdoor area is right on the street, it's raised up from street level and feels private and secluded.

Terrassen, right next to the river, is always a safe bet - you can guess from the name what the focus here is. There's plenty of space here both along the wall and on the pavement; choose between comfortable lounge chairs and tables where the whole gang can sit. 

The views over the Islandsfall waterfall in the Fyris river and the park beyond from this restaurant are hard to beat, whether you sit inside or out. Trattorian Sorellina makes the most of its beautiful setting with huge windows showcasing the views in the winter but for the full experience sit and enjoy your meal al fresco.

The sunny flavours of the Caribbean needn't be any further away than Restaurang Che. They shake and stir cocktails and cook dishes with inspiration from the Caribbean, topped with influences from around the world. Food and drinks combine in a tropical experience in the heart of Uppsala. On the outdoor terrace you can also enjoy the evening sun as you savour all the good things in life.

The Loco mixes flavours from South America and Asia on the menu, which consists of small plates of various kinds. There's no right or wrong here – come as you are and the rest will sort itself out. The outdoor seating is under a large maple tree between Smedsgränd and Dragarbrunnsgatan and is lit up by cosy lamps as darkness falls. Cosy!

Hambergs is a hidden gem of an outdoor dining spot. Fish and seafood take centre stage here all day, at both lunch and dinner. If you want to enjoy your meal outdoors, you should head to the back, where the restaurant has an outdoor seating area in the Skytteanska garden.

It doesn't get much more central than Stationen, right next to the railway station. Despite this, the atmosphere is relaxed and the outdoor dining area is an inviting spot to enjoy a long lunch or dinner in the warmer months. The restaurant takes its culinary and cultural inspiration from the Continent, so you can enjoy French food and an Italian espresso in the sun.

Right in the middle of town, on Stora Torget, Oktoberfest is celebrated year-round – German Beer Hall. A top spot if you want to watch the summer-loving residents of Uppsala while you eat and drink well. The menu features German delicacies such as schnitzel in various varieties, pretzels, sausages and other tasty delights. A plentiful supply of beer is served alongside.

The Brazilian grill restaurant Heaven also has an outdoor seating area next to the Fyris River. Sip on cocktails such as caipirinhas and order flavourful grilled dishes. The signature dish is churrasco, a traditional Brazilian method of grilling meat served on skewers and carved directly at the table.

On the corner of Linnégatan/Svartbäcksgatan is Café Linné, which places great importance on preserving a slightly nostalgic and homely atmosphere. The offering is a classic patisserie selection with everything from breakfast and lunch to various pastries, and the outdoor seating extends along two walls.

Beer, bubbles and sausages - that's really all you need for a good time. Dog Bar has created a simple, unpretentious and relaxed restaurant with a charming outdoor dining area that's lit up with pretty lanterns when it starts to get dark. 

Enjoy French cuisine and fabulous cocktails under the large parasols on the terrace, which offers views over the city and the cathedral. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served here. Or you can just drop by for a casual drink.

Next to Studenternas sports arena, Brasserie21 serves lunch and dinner, or you can simply drop by for a coffee or a drink. The menu features bistro dishes with flavours from Sweden, France, and other parts of Europe. During the summer, they open their rooftop terrace with a view of the river and the lush Stadsträdgården park, and on match days, the atmosphere gets even livelier.

Café Årummet is a classic Uppsala café serving a traditional selection of cakes, pastries, and tarts, as well as quiches, sandwiches, and salads. In 2024, the café was given a makeover with cosy, modern decor. It features an outdoor seating area on the pavement, as well as another outdoor seating area by the river just a few steps away.

Next to the riverbank lies the large outdoor terrace of the Thai restaurant GinnDees, where you can enjoy classic Thai dishes such as pad thai and pad kraprow amidst the greenery. The menu also lists sushi and other treats from Japanese cuisine.

Iberico is a festive tapas restaurant where the food, drink, and atmosphere are inspired by Spain. You'll find a long list of dishes featuring meat, fish, seafood, and vegetables, which can be combined with exciting cocktails, cava, and sangria. They have two outdoor seating areas: one right next to the restaurant and another by the river.

It's hard to find more historic dining venues in Uppsala than Borgen, which overlooks the Fyris River by Jernbron bridge. This is also reflected in the outdoor seating area that opens up on the riverbank as spring approaches. Have lunch by the river, in an atmosphere that's both classic and unpretentious.

Next to Svandammen pond, Konditori Fågelsången's outdoor seating area stretches along the side of the building and offers a moment of rest with coffee and cake. This is a well-known café in the area, having opened back in 1954.