The quiet luxury of al fresco dining

Outdoor dining has been a core part of global culture since the beginning of human history. Every country has its own outdoor dining rituals, from restaurant tables lining the alleys and cobbled streets of Italy to the classic Australian backyard barbecue. Regardless of where you’re from, we can all agree there is something special about sharing a meal in the open air.

​‘Al fresco’, the phrase commonly associated with eating outdoors, has evolved from its literal Italian translation — ‘in the cool’ — to mean ‘outdoor dining’ in many parts of the world. More than just a fancy way to say ‘picnic’, al fresco is often associated with candle-lit dinners under a blanket of stars, summer evening potluck gatherings, and, in an architectural context, integrated outdoor living spaces designed for year-round weather-protected enjoyment.

At the heart of Australian al fresco living spaces is the grill. This crucial piece of equipment is the perfect stage for the household chef to showcase their culinary skills, from the gently charred snag to juicy steaks — and even veggie patties for your herbivore friends. Without the ritual of standing around the grill using the tongs to emphasise your tall tales, can you even call it a backyard barbecue?

​“A nice outdoor area with a good cooking space is what everyone wants,” says Chris Allchin of Napoleon. “Our grills are beautifully designed, with the best warranties for the price. They’re the finishing touch that will complete your al fresco dining area.”

Napoleon is known in Australia for their electric fireplaces, but the brand’s collection of grills and barbecues are gaining attention for their performance and sleek, attractive designs.

“After successfully becoming one of, if not the most popular, outdoor grills in North America and Europe, we’re excited to bring that quality design to the Australian market,” Chris explains.

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Ideal for architecturally designed al fresco spaces, Napoleon’s built-in 700 series is made for seamless integration, fitting neatly into your outdoor benchtop for smooth transitions between prep and cooking. The infrared bottom burner heats to 982 degrees in seconds, so you can sear your steak instantly and then finish it off with a low grill, just like you would in a restaurant kitchen. Accessories, such as the Cast Iron Charcoal and Smoker Tray, can also be added to your grill — opening up a whole new world of dishes to explore. Unlike the barbecue your parents owned, the built-in 700 series has precise temperature controls, giving you the freedom to smoke, roast, bake, or rotisserie without worrying about overcooking.  

​“Anyone can cook anything on it; it’s very easy to use. From a two-minute steak to rotisseries that take six hours on a slow cook, you don’t need to be an experienced chef to create impressive dishes.”

For spaces more suited to freestanding grills, Napoleon’s Rogue series is the perfect solution.  From the original Rogue and Legend model to the more advanced Rogue Pro-S range, these grills deliver the same exceptional performance and thoughtful features backed by a 15-year warranty.

To ensure your al fresco dining space is built without a hitch, Chris recommends bringing the Napoleon team into the process early.

“If you want to specify our grills, get us involved at the start. The grill is the last product to be installed, but specifying early means you’ll have everything measured and designed to fit without needing to make last-minute changes. We'll guide you towards the best grill for your kitchen, we'll help you design the space it will fit into; at the end of the day, you’re getting an excellent grill, so we want the process to be equally as satisfying.”

With up to eight burners, propane or natural gas options, integrated storage for your rotisserie kit, and glowing control knobs for nighttime grilling, the Napoleon built-in 700 series is the essence of luxurious al fresco dining.

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