25 Things That Make Outdoor Eating Even Better
Updated: Jun. 06, 2023
Why eat indoors when the weather is nice? Create the ultimate space for outdoor eating or pack for the ideal picnic with these clever must-haves!
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Outdoor Table and Wine Holder
Wine and dine in the great outdoors! This bamboo table is the perfect addition to your picnic. Collapsible and very portable, the leg acts as a stake in the ground to secure the table. Plus, it’s big enough for small appetizers and snacks, and, best of all, it has two cutouts to hold wine glasses. Here are our favorite picnic food ideas.
Hydros Water Filter Pitcher
Don’t even think about going on a picnic without bringing water to stay hydrated. But single-use plastic water bottles are so last year, and no one wants to lug a full-size water filter pitcher to the park. Hydros Water Filter Pitchers save the day! This streamlined pitcher holds 40 ounces and removes over 90% of chlorine and sediment from tap water in about 45 seconds. Pro tip: add slices of citrus to the pitcher for an extra special touch! Speaking of water filter pitcher filters, we love the Larq Pitcher, too.
Melamine Serving Bowls
Dish up your favorite potato salad or pasta salad recipes with a brightly colored bowl. These melamine bowls from The Pioneer Woman are beautiful and totally functional. With five bowls and matching lids, you can easily find the perfect size to pack for a picnic or use for patio dining. And the best part? They’re super durable for outdoor use and dishwasher-safe for easy washing once the party’s over!
Mesh Food Covers
Bugs be gone! These food cover tents will keep your picnic spread safe while you’re serving up a meal. Plus, the mesh material is great for making sure guests can still see what’s under the cover. Each tent is 16-inches wide and 9-inches tall. Keep mosquitos away with these secrets.
Outdoor Cooler Table
Keep things cool by the pool in style! This patio cooler table is the perfect addition to a poolside picnic or backyard barbecue. The 7.5 gallon ice compartment will keep bottles and cans cool, while the top lifts and locks into place to serve as a cocktail table. Another bonus? It’s also equipped with a drain plug to easily clean out the compartment and use as a normal table after use!
Collapsible Bowls
Meal prep for your picnic like a pro! This collapsible bowl holds 36 ounces and the spill-proof lid pops in with four easy tabs. Once the picnic comes to an end, the bowl can be collapsed to a fraction of its original size, meaning less bulk for the trip home.
Flavor-Infusing Grill Wraps
Kick the flavor of your grilled salmon, chicken and veggies up a notch. These cedar grill wraps will give your food the subtle flavor of a wood smoker without the hassle (or cost). Simply wrap up your food and place them on indirect heat. Once everything is fully cooked, unwrap and get a waft of delicious food cooked with Pacific Red Cedar wood for a unique touch.
Foldable Cutting Board
Is your picnic basket looking a little tight on space? This foldable cutting board is a great space saver. Lightweight and dishwasher-safe, stick this little guy in your pack to slice fruits and veggies on the go. Here are all the secrets to planning a perfect picnic.
Picnic Backpack
Make your picnic basket that much easier to carry with an insulated backpack. This picnic backpack has enough plates, cutlery, napkins and glassware for four people, as well as metal salt and pepper shakers, a bottle opener, a corkscrew knife and a cutting board—all secured in the front compartment. It also comes with a waterproof blanket that attaches to the side of the pack and an insulated wine holder on the other side. Talk about being fully equipped!
Wine Glass Covers
Nothing ruins a good glass of cold rosé faster than unwelcome bugs buzzing around. Keep insects and debris out of your glass with these handy wine glass covers. The four-inch tops are made from silicone to make sure your drink is securely covered. The weighted mesh screen keeps everything ventilated and secure in the wind. Bonus: the multiple color options make it easy for guests to tell which glass is theirs. How about picnic sangria?
Pizza Stone
A pizza picnic? Yes please! A pizza stone is a great way to get that brick oven taste on your very own grill. The stone distributes heat so that your crust is done to golden-crisp perfection, every time. This Cuisinart pizza stone set comes with a stone, peel for setting and removing your pizza and a pizza cutter for serving up piping hot slices. Pizza stone hot and ready to go? Check out our all-time best pizza recipes.
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Mason Jars
From salad dressings to dessert parfaits, mason jars are an adorable way to store your picnic necessities, and they’re easy to carry, too! Easily shake up homemade salad dressings on the spot, or create a cute, layered salad for guests. These multi-purpose al fresco staples are a must-have for any avid picnic goer. If you already have jars, but need more lids, check out these genius lids.
Editor’s Tip: Mason jar accessories are incredibly useful around the house, too. You can find all sorts of creative ways to reuse glass jars.
Durable Melamine Plates
Just because you’re eating outside doesn’t mean you can’t dine in style! Set the picnic table with plates that won’t break, and add a splash of color at the same time. These dinner plates from The Pioneer Woman are super durable and so pretty, with scalloped edges, an embossed pattern and the most beautiful robin’s egg blue hue for dining and soaking up the sun.
Insulated Food Carrier
Don’t get stuck with a lukewarm dish at your picnic! With the capacity to hold a 13×9 casserole dish, this insulated food carrier by Vera Bradley is as pretty as can be. It’s insulated for use with hot or cold items with a waterproof liner, making it perfect for casseroles, dips and bakes. Plus, there’s even a zipper pocket on the top to keep your serving utensils in.
Beverage Dispenser
A large beverage dispenser requires way less maintenance during your patio parties than a pitcher you’ll have to constantly refill. Allow your guests to top off their glasses from the spigot of this modern beverage dispenser with ease. It holds two gallons and features a no-drip tap, so whether you’re serving up iced tea or sangria, it’s that much easier to keep the party going!
Tabletop Grill
Take the barbecue with you wherever you go! This tabletop grill from Cuisinart weighs only 13.5 pounds and has a large handle, so it’s easy to carry to your picnic destination. With foldaway legs and a stainless-steel burner for even heat distribution, it’s small, but it’s mighty. Plus, this little grill can hold up to eight burgers or eight steaks to be sure everything is ready for dinner all at once!
Steel Wine Tumbler
Keep your drink cool with these double insulated tumblers. Whether you’re drinking juice, iced coffee, soda or something a little stronger, your drink is sure to be picnic-proof in these stainless steel, double-walled sippers. They’re lightweight, there’s plenty of colors to choose from and the lids even have an opening for a small straw. Bottoms up!
Tablecloth Weights
Don’t let a breeze ruin your al fresco feast! These summer-themed tablecloth weights are the perfect solution for windy days. Add an adorable pineapple weight to each corner of your tablecloth to be sure there’s no possibility of it flying away. Genius!
Wine Holder Stakes
Don’t let your wine water the grass! These wine glass stakes will hold your glass so you don’t have to. The set comes with stakes for four glasses, as well as a stake for the bottle, so you can set up for fun in the sun without having to worry about keeping your glass in your hand the whole time. They pair perfectly with our favorite summer games.
Himalayan Salt Block
Want to take your outdoor dinner to the next level? This beautiful Himalayan salt block is perfect for adding flavor to your dish right on the grill. The block can hold heat up to 500 degrees, but you can also freeze it to use as a platter for chilled dishes. Plus, with the included metal tray, you can easily serve straight from the grill to the table for beautiful presentation. Want to know more? Learn all about it in our review.
Grilling Basket
Ready to fire up the grill? Make things way easier with a grilling basket. Stock it full of meat, veggies and more, and you’ll never have to frantically flip your food again! This lightweight basket is easily portable, it locks to keep food in place and the wooden handle ensures you won’t need a glove. All you’ll need to do is turn the basket over when one side is done and patiently wait until it’s time to dig in!
Tabletop Tiki Torches
Want to really enhance your outdoor dining setup? Take it to the next level with tabletop torches! Not only will these pretty glass torches serve as the perfect way to repel pesky little mosquitoes, but they’ll add a darling colorful touch to any table. Plus, they’ll burn for five hours so you can keep enjoying your glass of wine after dinner without them burning out!
Nutribullet On the Go
Want to blend fruit smoothies for the ultimate summer picnic? Now you can with ease! The NutriBullet Go is a completely portable blender, making it easy to blend anything on the go. It’s compact and only weighs 13 ounces making it simple to pack and carry. Once you reach your destination, blend anything with ice in a flash to cool down in the summer sunshine.
Condiment Caddy
Summer wouldn’t be the same without hot dogs or hamburgers off the grill! But you’ll need your favorite toppings to take them to the next level. Store your ketchup and mustard, along with napkins and utensils, in this cute, easy-to-carry caddy. It’s made of steel for durability, yet it’s light enough to easily carry across the grass for the perfect outdoor meal.
Picnic Blanket
No picnic table? No worries! Pack this pretty picnic blanket for a cozy outdoor lunch or dinner. It’s midweight and waterproof, making it ideal for sitting in the grass without being too heavy or hot. Plus, the bold striped pattern just screams summer fun!
