Best outdoor dining sets for evenings in the garden

It can feel like sunshine is a rare thing on this island we call home, so when the sun finally comes out, few of us opt to stay indoors.

Summertime, with her golden rays and blissfully long days, is made for dining alfresco and if you’re lucky enough to have a garden in London, the warm weather means you’ve got an extra room in the house to make use of: the garden.

But, if you’re planning evenings of dining outside for as long as you can, you’re going to want to do it in style. After all, a little ceremony can bring joy to meals of all kinds, even a simple lunch of a light salad or cheese sarnie.

If you’re one to host, an outdoor dining set can prove to be an idyllic setting for upcoming birthdays, barbecues and all sorts of events. Add tablecloth, seat cushions and outdoor dinnerware and brace yourself for the avalanche of compliments and admiring looks.

There’s a dining set for every size and style of garden, from those blessed with acres of space, to intimate ones with owners who want to maximise every inch of their patios.

And shopping for one is a breeze when you’ve got ES Best in your corner. We’ve unearthed the internet to find the best options to buy now and invest in good times this summer - and beyond.

See our edit of the best outdoor dining sets below

Moda Furnishings Talia 2V Extended Corner Sofa and Dining Set with Footstool

Seats: 10

Fancy a bit of theatre with your dinner? Head to Moda Furnishings, where you can pick up this dramatic dining set from the Talia collection, complete with an integrated fire pit to keep you toasty on chillier nights.

The set includes a smart six-seater sofa, a matching bench and a footstool, giving you greater lounging settings. You can get 10 of your favourite faces around the ceramic glass top table, and there’s no need to get in a bother if the heavens open - the cushions are wrapped in 100 per cent weatherproof fabric.

Buy now £6520.00, Moda Furnishings

Outsunny 11pc Patio Furniture Rattan Dining Set Garden Wicker Table Chairs Seat

Seats: 10

There’s no need to agonise over your guestlist with this generous dining set in your back garden - invite them all over for your next garden party and have plenty of space to seat up to 10 of your friends and family. Fashioned with rattan-effect weave over durable metal frames, it’s a timeless look that you can keep in play for many summers to come.

Buy now £539.99, Mano Mano

MADE Jonah Garden Corner Dining Set, Natural Polyrattan

Seats: 8

Bring cosiness to an unloved corner with MADE’s corner dining set which comes with an L-shaped unit and a pair of benches, all topped with cushions to keep things comfortable. The rattan dining set also comes with a table topped with strong glass, making it a breeze to mop up those inevitable drips and spills. Things may get messy at your next garden bash, but at least your dining set won’t be.

Buy now £2275.00, MADE

Homebase Rowly 8 Piece Garden Dining Set

Seats: 8

A classic rectangular table with tempered top glass forms the centrepiece of this dining set, which comes with a set of six reclinable chairs. It’s clear to see that comfort is part of every stage of the design process, from the plump cushions to the canvas parasol to offer shade or shelter as the weather dictates.

Buy now £500.00, Homebase

Moda Furnishings Hampton 8 Seat Oval Dining Table with Hidden Drinks Cooler

Seats: 8

Do your BBQ banquet proud by sitting down to fire-licked morsels at this elegant rattan-style dining set, which has eight armchair-style cushioned garden seats giving your guests the freedom to come and go as they please without the need for constant shuffling.

There’s no need to pop back inside to the fridge though - there’s a cooler concealed in the central portion of the table so you’ll never be too far away from cracking open a cold one, or topping up your wine glasses. There’s even a parasol and base included to prepare for every weather-based eventuality.

Buy now £3762.00, Moda Furnishings

Argos Home Rope Cube 8 Seater Patio Set

Seats: 8

A compact option is ideal for smaller outdoor spaces. There’s no need to miss out on weekend brunch in a garden setting thanks to Argos which offers this eight-seater dining set. When packed away, it measures just 110 x 110 x 75cm, somewhat of a magic trick when you consider it holds four stools and four chairs under the square table.

Buy now £329.00, Argos

Hadleigh 6 Seater Garden Dining Furniture Set In Navy By Hectare

Seats: 6

The classic pattern of a monochrome stripe lends itself well to all sorts of furnishings - including on outdoor dining seat cushions. Spend your days in the garden even in temperamental weather thanks to the parasol, included in the set alongside powder coated steel chairs and a table with a hard wearing tempered glass top.

Buy now £594.99, Amazon

So’home Reims 6 Seater Garden Dining Set - Grey

Seats: 6

Form and function unite beautifully in the Reims Dining Set which includes six contemporary twisted polystring chairs complete with seat cushions, designed to sit around a wood top table. Set on a powder coated aluminium frame, your purchase will come in four packages so make sure you have plenty of space ahead of its arrival.

Buy now £2299.00, La Redoute

VonHaus 4 Seater Faux-Wood Garden Table & Bench Set

Seats: 4

Made for small families or groups, this four seater dining bench set with a matching table is a blank canvas that you can dress up or down as the occasion suits. If you’re looking at all that wood and mentally sighing at the hours of maintenance it’ll require, think again. Both table and benches are finished with a synthetic faux-wood material, resulting in a luxurious effect without continuous care. What’s more, both benches tuck neatly under the table, allowing you to reclaim your space when you’re not using it. Tidy.

Buy now £449.99, VonHaus

So’home Lazio 4 Seater Garden Dining Set

Seats: 4

Looking plucked straight from a chic London restaurant terrace, this dark grey four-seater dining set doesn’t need much to make it look dressed up - welcome news to anyone who likes the idea of hosting but not always the effort of one. It’s built for British weather, with a weatherproof rope weave around the chair frames and showerproof cushions in a matching grey for added comfort.

Buy now £974.25, La Redoute

Wicker Rattan Patio Conversation Set with Tempered Glass Table

Seats: 2

Small but perfectly formed, this stylish rattan bistro set gives you licence to make the most of your small garden or balcony. The tempered glass top table has just enough room for a couple of cups of coffee and a plate of snacks, or wine with Italian-style aperitivo.

Buy now £149.99, Mano Mano