With the sunshine we’ve been enjoying it feels as if the gloomy winter is finally behind us. For now at least. We won’t pretend it’s going to last forever, but while the sun bestows us with an impromptu visit, these are the best terraces to make the most of it. As the saying goes, make hay while the sun shines. Or in our case …

La Maison, Castle Market, Dublin 2

Possibly one of the most sought after terraces in Dublin, La Maison is also home to one of Dublin’s best value lunch menus that incidentally runs all day on Sundays. On a recent visit we gorged on rillettes, arancini, slow cooked sticky beef short rib and a seafood bowl that was as generous as it was delicious. The terrace is sheltered and cosy and makes the perfect pit stop for an afternoon lunch in the city. www.lamaisondublin.com

Chez Max, Palace Street, Dublin 2

There is a distinct cosmopolitan air in Dublin’s Chez Max, between its old school French bistro cooking and its charming ambiance, whether perched out front overlooking the castle or in the small patio to the rear. Add to that the melodious Gallic accents of a large percentage of the clientele and you might be forgiven for forgetting just exactly where you are, especially on a sunny day. All the French classics feature on the menu from steak frites to coq au vin, and there is plenty of wine and cheese options to round off your meal, all of which can be enjoyed under the balmy warmth of their gas heaters once the spring sun inevitably descends, leaving us shivering. www.chezmax.ie

Marco Pierre White, Dawson Street, Dublin 2

Another contender for the best terrace in Dublin, Marco Pierre White’s Dawson Street is complete with awning, heaters and blankets, just in case. The food is reliably good with the early bird/lunch menu available until 6.30pm midweek and 5pm on weekends. The staff are attentive and knowledgeable and on a sunny afternoon it is difficult to top. www.marcopierrewhite.ie

Il Vicolo, Dominick St Lower, Galway

Galway-based sun seekers are in the enviable position of having Il Vicolo Italian restaurant on their doorstep for an impromptu al fresco meal in an idyllic setting. Sadly, Il Vicolo is not open for lunch, but if the sun is still shining at 5pm we suggest snagging a table and watching the sun set over the river Corrib whilst enjoying a bowl of Killary fjord mussels with vermouth, lemon and garlic. If you can wait until Saturday, they open at 3pm. www.ilvicolo.ie 

The River Club, River Lee Hotel, Cork

Another riverside haven, the all-weather terrace at The River Club in Cork is an oasis of calm with the added benefit of cocktails and good food. Choose from a menu replete with steaks, salads, local seafood and cocktails including the oh so summery ‘Few Scúps’ with Method and Madness gin, fresh lemon, seasonal Scúp sorbet, topped off with Prosecco. www.theriverclubcork.ie