Washington DC’s top-notch outdoor dining scene goes all in on nature, from wisteria-lined patios to panoramic water views.
Grapevines add to the old-world charm at a historic Mediterranean spot. A leafy and nearly hidden courtyard draws crowds for signature cocktails. The Potomac River takes center stage on the waterfront patio at a farm-inspired favorite.
Take in the capital’s breezier side at these standout outdoor setups. Read on for a guide to 12 can’t-miss outdoor dining experiences in the DMV region to book right now.
BARCA Wine Bar & Pier (Old Town Alexandria)
This Catalonian spot takes cues from Spain’s renowned chiringuitos, or beach bars. Sweeping river views and a solid happy hour ($6 sangrias!) add to its unique charm, and so does a striking shipping container facade. BARCA’s generous outdoor dining setup features 200 seats spread across tables, a bar, and a lounge area, all covered by retractable awnings. No matter where you sit, you can’t go wrong with an order of crispy patatas bravas with lemon-garlic aioli and jamón Serrano croquettes.
Dauphine’s (Downtown)
Dauphine’s channels New Orleans’s French Quarter. The NOLA vibes come from a 4,000 square-foot outdoor dining space that includes a lively sidewalk patio and garden oasis, complete with a tiled Spanish fountain and a 30-seat outdoor bar. Executive chef Kristen Essig gives mid-Atlantic ingredients the Creole treatment, resulting in dishes like scallop amandine and wild fish with grilled artichoke—it’s no surprise Dauphine’s has scored multiple honors, including MICHELIN Bib Gourmand status.
Dirty Habit (Penn Quarter)
This secluded Penn Quarter landmark is set in the square courtyard of the Kimpton Hotel Monaco, the district’s first all-marble neoclassical building (and former headquarters of the General Post Office). Fire pits, oversized lamps, and bistro lights add warmth, while cushy sofa lounges urge you to stay awhile. Expect globally inspired cocktail and Creole-accented menus with hits like crawfish stuffed chicken and barbecue shrimp.
The Salt Line (Navy Yard)
The New England vibes are strong at this sustainable seafood spot on the Anacostia River. Tear into oysters, lobster rolls, and baked pimento crab dip on its scenic patio. The Salt Line is adored for its wide beer selection, best paired with river views. The restaurant’s lively outdoor space is now accessible year-round, thanks to clear insulated curtains that let you take in water panoramas even during the cooler months.
Founding Farmers Fishers & Bakers (Georgetown)
Watch yachts, kayaks, and paddle boards cruise the Potomac River from the waterfront patio at this lively Georgetown spot. The restaurant is steered by Dan Simons’s Farmers Restaurant Group (known for a first-of-its-kind farmer-owned structure) so expect plenty of sustainable ingredients in the salad lineup and hearty mains, like lemon herb baked chicken. Consider an in-house barrel-aged cocktail to sip as you take in the postcard-perfect river views.
Mi Vida (Southwest Waterfront)
Washingtonians love Mi Vida for its covered balcony and District Pier views. The colorful waterside setting is a great match for vibrant Mexico-inspired dishes by Roberto Santibañez (owner of the Fonda restaurants in New York City), like braised chicken enchiladas, crab and shrimp empanadas, and churros with chocolate and raspberry sauce. Level up your outdoor experience with a tropical cocktail—Mi Vida’s drinks menu includes six types of margaritas and a large mezcal and tequila list.
Opaline Bar and Brasserie (Downtown)
Parisian sidewalk cafe culture comes to DC at Opaline via an elegant wraparound patio. Here, you can savor French bistro-inspired food like escargot in puff pastry and duck à l’orange while you watch the city buzz around you. Old-world architecture and charming flowers make this one of downtown’s most prime outdoor dining spots, just steps from the White House.
Evening Star Cafe (Alexandria)
Evening Star Cafe is a neighborhood gem that’s been a Del Ray staple since opening in 1997. Residents come for a seat in the laid-back backyard beer garden or on the action-packed porch, a prime people-watching spot. Both setups are fun backdrops for a wine-themed brunch—Evening Star has nearly 1,500 bottles to choose from—or a locally sourced dinner featuring dishes like Brussels sprouts with stracciatella and duck pot pie.
The Grill (Southwest Waterfront)
The Grill, another restaurant by celebrated chef and restaurateur Roberto Santibañez, is an ode to wood-fired food. Set along a pedestrian-only promenade on an especially scenic stretch of the Potomac River, its elevated patio is the place to watch the area’s boats. Dig into expertly grilled steaks and fresh seafood, which take inspo from Santibañez’s Mexican heritage and French training.
Iron Gate (Dupont Circle)
One of DC’s oldest restaurants is set in a former stable and carriageway townhouse that dates back to the late 19th-century. Centuries-old wisteria, twinkling string lights, and grapevines charm diners in its backyard garden patio. Iron Gate’s menu is heavy on the Italian and Greek flavors and known for seasonal mezze-style dishes such as roasted pork gyros and shell bean hummus with Urfa chile.
Tonari (Gallery Place/Chinatown)
If the green-and-white checkered tablecloths and delicate glass vases that line Tonari’s cozy outdoor space evoke an old-school red-sauce joint, it’s no coincidence. The quaint setting is a tribute to the Japanese-Italian restaurant’s Mediterranean roots and a great match for dishes like tempura-textured pizza and pasta—made using Hokkaido flour—with a Japanese curry paste sauce.
Bourbon Steak (Georgetown)
For a secret garden-like atmosphere, head to Bourbon Steak in the historic heart of Georgetown. Its outdoor dining space is shaded by greenery and decked with crackling fire pits and plush, comfy sofas. Whether you’re sipping on a manhattan made with the restaurant’s signature barrel bourbon or savoring a seafood platter stacked with hot miso-buttered lobster, shrimp, and more, the best seat in the house is definitely outside here.
Christabel Lobo is a food and travel writer based between Washington, DC and south India. Her work has appeared in publications including Insider and Lonely Planet, among others.
