Warm weather and long summer evenings are an opportunity to embrace alfresco living with an open-air cooking and dining space, writes Mandi Keighran
Napa Valley, California | Sotheby’s International Realty – St. Helena Brokerage
With a growing emphasis on indoor-outdoor living, the garden kitchen has moved beyond a simple grill or barbecue into the realm of luxurious, lifestyle-enhancing architecture. Whether nestled within a coastal estate or a wine-country retreat, today’s alfresco kitchens offer more than just a place to cook. They are entertaining hubs where family and friends can gather to enjoy good food, good company—and excellent design.
“An outdoor kitchen is a significant investment that, for the right person or family, can add value,” says Chris Kurrle, partner at Feldman Architecture, a San Francisco firm that has designed some seriously beautiful outdoor entertaining spaces. “Ultimately, it’s a lifestyle question. If you entertain a lot, have a family or a pool, it could be a no-brainer.”
In Napa Valley’s Yountville, the outdoor kitchen at Palazzo Paradiso—a resort-like enclave set over five acres and surrounded by vineyards—goes beyond the expected to offer a next-level setting for entertaining, complete with pizza oven and Argentinian parilla grill. In keeping with this approach, the property also features a pool, spa, playground, golf putting green, tennis, pickleball and bocce courts, and even a limestone stage for large-scale events. Its seamless segue between interior and exterior is a major draw, with sliding glass pocket walls and pavilions blending architecture and landscape.
Napa Valley, California | Sotheby’s International Realty – St. Helena Brokerage
“Buyers seeking outdoor kitchens typically desire high-quality appliances, integration with the indoor living spaces, thoughtful layout for entertaining, ample prep and dining space, and premium materials designed to withstand weather,” says Ginger Martin, global real estate advisor and senior associate at Sotheby’s International Realty – St. Helena Brokerage.
“The setup at Palazzo Paradiso surpasses this expectation, offering sophisticated design, top-tier appliances, exceptional craftsmanship and an ideal flow between indoor and outdoor areas—perfectly capturing Napa’s coveted lifestyle.”
In the Florida Keys, the Cocoloba Estate on Plantation Key reimagines tropical living through the lens of contemporary luxury. This private waterfront compound, designed by Bruce Carlson and Steve Siskind, includes a raised summer kitchen set against panoramic sea views. Equipped with a pizza oven, TV and shaded dining area, the kitchen is framed by Raymond Jungles’ masterful landscaping and flanked by gas-powered tiki torches that light up the night.
Plantation Key, Florida | Ocean Sotheby’s International Realty
According to Kurrle, this kind of thoughtful planning is key to designing the perfect outdoor kitchen. “How it will be used is almost always the first question,” he says. “When it comes to placement, if the kitchen is primarily for entertaining it’s important to consider how it connects to surrounding outdoor spaces—and be mindful of factors like prevailing wind.”
The exclusive 5 Oceans, in the resort community of Albany in Nassau, The Bahamas, is another property that captures the spirit of indoor-outdoor living at its most refined. Positioned directly on the beach, the home features a pool pavilion with a full summer kitchen—Wolf grill, pizza oven, refrigeration and ice maker included—that provides an ideal setting for sunset soirées or alfresco family dinners. Every element has been designed for effortless entertaining, from the sprawling terraces and spa to the open-concept kitchen inside the main residence.
Albany, Nassau and Paradise Island | Bahamas Sotheby’s International Realty
As buyers continue to seek seamless, experience-led living, the outdoor kitchen proves itself not just a design trend, but a cornerstone of modern luxury. With the right planning, placement and materials, it becomes not just an amenity, but the heart of the home.
“Outdoor kitchens significantly elevate a property’s appeal, particularly in areas such as Napa Valley, where we prioritise indoor-outdoor living,” says Martin. “They extend the usable living space, encouraging a lifestyle oriented around entertaining, relaxation and connection with nature.”
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