Best Washington D.C. Outdoor Dining


Enjoy dining al fresco?  Let yourself be romanced by the sidewalk sounds of a big city or pampered by the peacefulness of a patio garden. Flock to the terrace, deck or boulevard table and share a bite, under the sun, an oversized patio umbrella or the stars. Be it a brunch in the breeze, sunset supper or long lunch, all of it tastes best outside. Visit a few of these top airy hot spots for the best outdoor dining in Washington D.C.


Washington DC Restaurant Search Washington DC Restaurant News
Washington DC Culinary Events Washington DC Wine Dinners

Art and Soul Southern
14/20
The Liaison Capitol Hill
415 New Jersey Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20001
202-393-7777
Enjoy haute Southern cooking in a contemporary setting. More...

Belga Café Belgian
14/20
514 Eighth St. SE
Washington, DC 20003
202-544-0100
When you can get a seat, you'll revel in the briny aromas of mussels and the creative “eurofusion” fare. More...

BLT Steak Steakhouse
14/20
Dining Room at BLT Steak, Washington, DC 1625 I St. NW
Washington, DC 20006
202-689-8999
Super-sophisticated ambience and American steakhouse fare that's worth every penny. More...

Blue Duck Tavern American Regional
16/20
Dining Room at Blue Duck Tavern, Washington, DC Park Hyatt Washington
1201 24th St. NW
Washington, DC 20037
202-419-6755
A contemporary, farm-to-restaurant destination with an elegant menu. More...

The Bombay Club Indian
14/20
Dining Room at The Bombay Club, Washington, DC 815 Connecticut Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20006
202-659-3727
The Bombay Club re-creates the atmosphere of the Raj. More...

Brasserie Beck Belgian
15/20
Dining Room at Brasserie Beck, Washington, DC 1101 K St. NW
Washington, DC 20005
202-408-1717
Robert Wiedmaier's Belgian-French cooking in a highly diverting setting. More...

Cashion's Eat Place Contemporary
14/20
1819 Columbia Rd. NW
Washington, DC 20009
202-797-1819
Original, European-inspired takes on American favorites. More...

CommonWealth, The People's Gastropub British
14/20
1400 Irving St. NW
Washington, DC 20010
202-265-1400
Pub fare that celebrates solid British cooking with American ingredients. More...

D’Acqua Seafood
14/20
Dining Room at D’Acqua, Washington, DC 801 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20004
202-783-7717
D’Acqua takes a water route to reach the power diners of the nation’s capital. More...

Good Stuff Eatery Burgers
Quick Bite
303 Pennsylvania Ave. SE
Washington, DC 20003
202-543-8222
Raucous fun, good burgers, and a groovy place to eat. More...

Hank's Oyster Bar Seafood
15/20
1624 Q St. NW
Washington, DC 20009
202-462-4265
Dupont Circle celebrates this trendy seafood-bar. More...

Hudson Restaurant & Lounge American
12/20
2030 M St. NW
Washington, DC 20036
202-872-8700
For the young and restless---and hungry---Hudson has just about any dish you might want on its all-American menu. More...

Ici Urban Bistro French
14/20
Sofitel Washington DC Lafayette Square
806 15th St. NW
Washington, DC 20005
202-730-8700
Sophisticated French food with an American spin; the desserts are standouts. More...

Iron Gate Inn Restaurant Mediterranean
13/20
1734 N St. NW
Washington, DC 20036
202-737-1370
An old-timer that really shines when warm weather allows alfresco seating in its charming courtyard. More...

Johnny’s Half Shell Seafood
13/20
400 N. Capitol St. NW
Washington, DC 20001
202-737-0400
Solid American cooking yielding terrific seafood dishes. More...

Marcel's French
16/20
Dining Room at Marcel 2401 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20037
202-296-1166
Chef Robert Wiedmaier cooks in the French style but with Flemish accents. More...

Michel Richard Citronelle French
19/20
Dining Room at Michel Richard Citronelle, Washington, DC Latham Hotel
3000 M St. NW
Washington, DC 20007
202-625-2150
Let Michel Richard take your senses on an exhilarating thrill ride. More...

Nooshi Pan-Asian
14/20
1120 19th St. NW
Washington, DC 20036
202-293-3138
Take some noodles, add sushi and you have Nooshi, with trendy Asian cooking. More...

The Occidental Restaurant American
13/20
1475 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20004
202-783-1475
A DC dining institution basking in its former glory with today's upscale menu---and those famous photos from a bygone era. More...

The Oval Room Contemporary
14/20
Dining Room at The Oval Room, Washington, DC 800 Connecticut Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20006
202-463-8700
This Oval Room is a watering hole that serves up contemporary cuisine, and makes for great celebrity-watching. More...

Oyamel Cocina Mexicana Mexican
14/20
401 Seventh St. NW
Washington, DC 20004
202-628-1005
Another gem in the José Andrés constellation. More...

Perrys Contemporary
12/20
Dining Room at Perrys, Washington, DC 1811 Columbia Rd. NW
Washington, DC 20009
202-234-6218
Campy, kicky, trendy...Adam's Morgans coolest destination. More...

Poste Moderne Brasserie American
14/20
Hotel Monaco
555 Eighth St. NE
Washington, DC 20002
202-783-6060
Sleek and upscale, Poste recalls Washington's glory days. More...

Proof American
13/20
Dining Room at Proof, Washington, DC 775 G St. NW
Washington, DC 20001
202-737-7663
Glossy and pricey wine-and-drinks bar-restaurant with trendy foods. More...

PS 7’s Contemporary
15/20
Dining Room at PS 7’s, Washington, DC 777 I St. NW
Washington, DC 20001
202-742-8550
Peter Smith shines with his well-crafted food and super-charged flavors. More...

701 Modern American
15/20
Dining Room at 701, Washington, DC 701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20004
202-393-0701
A swanky setting for chef Bobby Varua’s innovative Modern American cuisine. More...

Smith & Wollensky Steakhouse
14/20
1112 19th St. NW
Washington, DC 20036
202-466-1100
An all-American steakhouse with bountiful portions and prices to match. More...

Sonoma Restaurant & Wine Bar Modern American
14/20
Dining Room at Sonoma Restaurant & Wine Bar, Washington, DC 223 Pennsylvania Ave. SE
Washington, DC 20003
202-544-8088
Chic, sleek, political eats. More...

Tabard Inn American
14/20
Dining Room at Tabard Inn, Washington, DC Tabard Inn
1739 N St. NW
Washington, DC 20036
202-833-2668
A DC landmark, the inn is redolent with tradition and charm, with food to match. More...

Tony & Joe's Seafood Seafood
12/20
Washington Harbour Complex
3000 K St. NW
Washington, DC 20007
202-944-4545
It's seafood all the way at this popular waterfront location. More...

Zaytinya Mediterranean
15/20
Dining Room at Zaytinya, Washington, DC Edison Place
701 Ninth St. NW
Washington, DC 20001
202-638-0800
Zaytinya puts the Mediterranean on DC's map. More...

Back to Outdoor Dining

Washington DC Dining

Restaurant Awards

Our annual restaurant issue features the Best Cheap Eats and our top 40 U.S. selections, including Alinea in Chicago, Per Se in New York and more!