Home Porches 10 Patio Dining Sets That'll Make You Feel Like You're at a Chic Outdoor Restaurant By Marisa Spyker Marisa Spyker Marisa Spyker is the Senior Writer at Southern Living, where she enjoys dabbling in stories throughout the magazine, from gorgeous home features to profiles of the South's creatives. Prior to joining the team in 2019, Marisa was an editor at Coastal Living, coastalliving.com, and Luxe Interiors + Design. Her career spans nearly 15 years, much of which has been spent staring at photos of pretty homes and gleaning inspiration for her next beach vacation.While born and raised in South Florida and a proud University of Florida alum (Go Gators!), she currently lives with her husband and two daughters in Santa Cruz, California. She can often be found schooling West Coasters on the joys of Southern charm and Key Lime Pie. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Published on June 4, 2020 Share Tweet Pin Email We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Courtesy of Target While we're certainly fans of long walks on the sand and scenic hikes in the mountains, if we had to pick a favorite outdoor activity, it'd probably be eating. There's just something extra special about sitting down with anticipation as the delicious fiery grill scent wafts just a few feet away. And is there anything more memorable than those endless summer dinner parties where the wine and conversation flows deep into the night? Which is precisely why the outdoor dining set is, arguably, one of the most important pieces you'll ever purchase for your home. But while the summertime staple will certainly see a lot of action, it's also prone to quite a bit of wear—which makes durability of utmost importance. To score one that'll last for many summers to come, look for hardy materials like aluminum, teak, and all-weather resin wicker, and make sure you're following the proper care guidelines (a furniture cover might be the next best thing you can purchase for your patio). Here, we rounded up 10 picks for every budget that combine style and strength into one delicious package. Santa Monica 3-Piece Patio Bistro Set Courtesy of Target Transport yourself into a Slim Aarons photo with this pretty-in-pink, midcentury mod conversation set. Crafted of durable wrought iron, the pieces are perfect for tucking into a cozy corner of a backyard or short-on-space balcony. Buy it: $250; target.com Buy Now Café Curved Back Chairs and Table Set Courtesy of Frontgate For the homeowner looking for practicality and convenience, here's a set that couldn't be easier to maintain. The aluminum and resin wicker frame requires almost zero maintenance, while the stackable chairs and foldaway table make post-hangout storage a breeze. Buy it: $800; frontgate.com Wisteria Lane Outdoor Conversation Set Courtesy of Amazon If you're looking for a set that serves dual purposes as both a dining and lounge spot, we've found your perfect match. This seven-piece all-weather wicker find comes with a six-seater sectional (perfect for curling up with a book), plus a dining table and three ottomans—ideal for accommodating a crowd. Buy it: $750; amazon.com Buy Now Hampton Bay Bedford Farmhouse Patio Dining Set Courtesy of Home Depot Whether you're taking in the views down below or channeling a favorite sports bar (in a much more stylish way), this balcony-height set provides an elevated spot to converse over cocktails or chow down at dinner. Plus, the wood and steel combo gives off industrial farmhouse vibes that are oh-so-chic. (We'd bet Joanna Gaines would approve.) Buy it: $639; homedepot.com Buy Now Fernhill Swivel Rocker Patio Dining Set Courtesy of Target Cocktails, card games…there isn't much in the way of backyard fun that this cool, compact set doesn't invite. Swivel rocking chairs provide maximum comfort for nights when you don't want the party to end. Buy it: $792; target.com Buy Now Safavieh Arvin 3-Piece Patio Set Courtesy of Lowe's Maybe it's the childhood memories of summer camp or beachside lunches that have us swooning, but picnic tables are back in a big way. This one, crafted of acacia wood with a distressed grey finish, makes the classic backyard accessory feel more grown-up. Buy it: $458; lowes.com Buy Now Brighton 9-Piece Dining Set If your backyard tends to be the gathering ground for your friends, a table with ample seating is important. This sizeable wood and metal set accommodates eight, but with a thin frame, it manages to look less dominating than other options. Buy it: $1,420; wayfair.com Buy Now Brody Traditional Outdoor Dining Set Courtesy of Walmart Put a breezier, beachier spin on the classic cast iron garden set with a bright white finish. We love this one's open metal weave and scroll details. Buy it: $838; walmart.com Buy Now Dexter Outdoor Dining Set Courtesy of West Elm Short on space but love to entertain? An expandable dining set, like this one crafted from sustainably harvested wood, can rise (or stretch) to the occasion when needed. An attractive driftwood finish makes it fit in anywhere from farmhouse to beach house with ease. Buy it: $1,555; westelm.com Buy Now Christopher Knight Home Angeles Outdoor Bistro Set Courtesy of Amazon Hello, practical! The perfect little cast aluminum bistro set comes with a hidden surprise: an ice bucket built into its center. Buy it: $256; amazon.com Buy Now Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit