8 Outdoor Kitchen Gazebo Ideas to Cook Al Fresco at Home

Everyone loves a good cookout. Some homeowners have kicked their grilling game up a notch by designing fully covered backyard kitchens with all the amenities to serve guests a full meal outdoors. Want to be able to grill outdoors in all weather? It’s time to cook up some outdoor kitchen gazebo ideas.

Before You Start: Gazebo or Pergola?

A gazebo is an open-walled pavilion with a peaked roof, typically octagonal or rectangular. Some homeowners opt for a pergola instead, which has a semi-open top that allows light through for partial shade. Whatever your preference, there are many covered outdoor kitchen ideas that could fit your home and needs.

Protect Your Grilling Station With a Small Gazebo

Outdoor kitchens don't have to be complex. Most consist of just a propane grill and sometimes a meat smoker. A small gazebo can take your grilling station to the next level. Put a roof over your grill, and you can cook outside in nearly any weather. Hang your grilling tools for convenient access, and add interior storage shelves or counter space for food prep or serving.

Design an Outdoor Dining Room

No outdoor kitchen is complete without a place to enjoy the food you cook. Use a gazebo to create an outdoor dining room. Work with a gazebo builder near you to incorporate perimeter mood lighting or place chandeliers or fans on the ceiling. If you have enough space, you can have the kitchen under the same roof to participate in the conversation while you cook.

Give Your Guests a Comfy Place to Sit

If you have limited space or budget, your gazebo doesn't have to cover your entire outdoor kitchen. Instead, cover a seating area adjacent to the kitchen area where guests can relax in the shade with food and drink while you cook nearby. You may have your cooking station partially covered or not at all, as long as you fully protect the bar or seating area from sun and rain.

Hang Lights for a Rustic Vibe

Gazebos look deceptively simple, but it helps to approach the design of your outdoor kitchen like any other room in your home. For example, the lights you choose for your gazebo will really impact the vibe of your outdoor kitchen. Hanging string lights on the roofline or running them back and forth across the ceiling can make your space feel like a cozy, rustic restaurant.

Add Curtains for Privacy and Protection

Another design touch to consider for your outdoor kitchen is the addition of curtains. You can draw these back to keep things airy while you cook. However, when the meal is over and you're settling in for an evening of cozy conversation, curtains can give you privacy and an intimate atmosphere. They also serve the dual purpose of keeping out bugs on a summer night.

Build an Outdoor Pizza Kitchen

You can make an outdoor kitchen feel luxurious with a wood-fired pizza oven. The cost to build an outdoor pizza oven yourself doesn't have to break the bank, and your guests will be begging you to host pizza parties year-round. To make your outdoor pizza kitchen feel truly rustic, go for a wood gazebo with features like lanterns or string lighting, open gables, and a stone patio.

Elevate Your Outdoor Kitchen

If you're building your outdoor kitchen all at once, you'll likely want to include a patio or deck along with a gazebo or pergola. You can literally elevate your space and enhance the view onto the rest of your property by having your covered kitchen space a few steps up from the lawn.

Set Up Your Kitchen Poolside

Put a covered outdoor kitchen poolside for an easy transition from swimming to grilling and chilling. Incorporate your gazebo next to an existing pool house or simply define an intentional seating area where you can serve treats to pool guests while they relax. Having your kitchen close to the pool also lets you keep a closer eye on swimming kids so you know they're safe.