If you’re tired of the ugly gas grill taking up space in your backyard, dreaming of a luxurious outdoor kitchen, or just wishing you had a cool portable BBQ to take out to the park, here are 16 (more!) design-centric options. Ranging from mobile kitchen carts and clever fold-up grills to sunken stone kitchens with swim-up bars, these outdoor cooking setups will have you craving a stylish cookout in no time flat.
Hot Pot Planter Grill Combo
Hidden within an ordinary-looking terra-cotta planter is a charcoal grill, perfect for the city dweller with limited outdoor space for cookouts. The multi-functional Hot Pot serves as a mini garden when not in use, reduces clutter and avoids the clunky eyesore effect of conventional BBQ grills.
Steel Bowl Pivot Grill
Another dual-purpose product is a fire bowl that converts to a barbecue with the addition of a hanging grill pendulum/pulley set. The grill height is adjustable, and the arm folds down small for storage.
Modern Wood-Burning Grill
Wood-burning grills get a modern update with the Ascot by Cera Design, a column-shaped grill and smoker with a glass door that lets you enjoy the flames as your food cooks. It includes optional outer plates for accessories, side storage units and a swivel grill. It can be used as an outdoor fireplace, too.
Modern Spiraling Gazebo with Built-In Kitchen
Commissioned by a yacht captain, this spiraling outdoor kitchen is fittingly shaped like the hull of a ship. Made of pale larch wood, the pavilion contains seating for eight and a black kitchen with a brick barbecue.
Druida Barbecue Chars Food with Geometric Patterns
Charred steaks will be a work of art when cooked on the Druida, a striking barbecue composed of a steel bowl on a tripod and a geometric waterjet-cut grille. The design of the grille is inspired by druidic cauldrons.
Compact Outdoor Kitchen by StudioMama
Made entirely of objects and materials that can be found at a hardware store, this mobile kitchen by London designer Nina Tolstrup of Studiomama features a bucket sink connected to a garden hose, a chopping board and a small stove eye as well as storage space. Studiomama offers instructions to make your own.
