Best Candles for Outdoor Dining: Alfresco Garden Ideas

There’s something inherently magical about dining outdoors. Whether it’s a slow Sunday lunch in the garden or a candlelit supper with friends on a warm day, alfresco dining is one of summer’s simple pleasures. And while the menu may take centre stage, it’s the thoughtful details - like lighting and scent that elevate the experience from ordinary to unforgettable.

If you’re looking to create a warm, inviting space that smells as good as it looks, here’s our guide to the best candles for outdoor dining. These fragrance choices are subtle, fresh, and perfectly suited to pair with summer dishes and long evenings.

Set the Mood with Scent

Food and fragrance are more connected than you might think. The right candle can gently enhance the atmosphere around your table without overwhelming your senses -or your meal.

Opt for fresh, zesty, or herbal scents that complement your environment. Fruity notes add vibrancy, green fragrances keep things feeling clean and airy, and soft florals lend elegance without becoming cloying.

✦ Citrus Tonic

A sparkling choice for any outdoor table. With notes of lemon, mandarin, and peppermint, Citrus Tonic is effortlessly refreshing. Light this at the beginning of your dinner party to energise the atmosphere. Plus, it will pair beautifully with Mediterranean dishes, grilled fish, summer salads, or even with pre-drinks like a crisp white wine, or an ice-cold vermouth!

✦ Positive Energy

Zesty grapefruit with peppermint and violet leaf - Positive Energy is exactly what it sounds like. Clean, uplifting, and subtly cooling, this scent works beautifully for daytime garden lunches or as a pre-dinner mood booster. It’s particularly lovely when sipping spritzes or light botanical cocktails.

✦ Herbal Tea

For something more grounding yet really fresh, Herbal Tea is a calming, green scent with notes of lavender, eucalyptus, chamomile. It’s ideal for moments when you want to create a serene, easygoing mood. Light it alongside earthy dishes like roasted vegetables, flatbreads, or herbed grains.

✦ Happy Space

With rose, amber, and geranium, Happy Space brings a gentle floral presence to your table - warm, refined, and comforting. This is the candle you light as the sky turns golden, serving grilled peaches, halloumi, or summer pastas.

✦ Tomato Leaf

An Aery bestseller for a reason. Tomato Leaf is green, aromatic, and just the right amount of unexpected. It’s the perfect pairing for rustic dishes, tomato-based plates, or antipasti. A great talking point, too: fresh, nostalgic, and subtly summery.

✦ Fig Leaf

With its crisp greenery and creamy coconut, Fig Leaf is perfect for twilight gatherings. Light it just as the sun dips below the trees. It pairs well with any dessert, cheese boards, fruits, ice creams or anything shared under fairy lights and good conversation.

Styling Tips for Alfresco Evenings

Layer your candles: Mix and match scent families or sizes, and use coloured jars that complement your table setting.

• Start early: Light your candles at the beginning of your gathering for an instant mood lift and natural transition into night. We recommend you let it burn for at least 2 hours to burn evenly.
  
  
• Set the vibe: As the light fades, let candles take centre stage. Their soft glow creates a more intimate setting that invites feel-good conversation.
  

Why These Are the Best Candles for Outdoor Dining?

Each Aery fragrance in this list is chosen not just for its scent, but for how it behaves around food and guests. These are the best candles for outdoor dining because they uplift without overpowering, complement without clashing.

They’re as much a part of your table as the food itself- quietly working in the background to help set the tone, lift the moment, and carry the evening well into the night.