Diners' Choice: Great for outdoor dining restaurants in District of Columbia

OpenTable

Updated October 05, 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are great for outdoor dining in District of Columbia? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Canopy Central Café & Bar

4.8

4.8 (699)

$31 to $50

American

Southwest Waterfront

About the restaurant

Enjoy Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner with a beautiful view of the Wharf. Located above Hanks and Boardwalk Inside the Canopy by Hilton Hotel

Top review

Jon

Dined on Aug 11, 2024

Great View and Friendly Service Wonderful 5 Stars

Cafe Berlin

4.7

4.7 (2297)

$30 and under

German

Capitol Hill

About the restaurant

Café Berlin has been serving authentic German cuisine on Capitol Hill since 1985. It occupies the ground floor of three townhouses whose front yards serve as Biergarten for outdoor dining. The interior features a small bar and two cozy dining rooms. The restaurant is located within a short walking distance of Union Station and the U.S. Capitol. It draws politicians, congressional staffer, and tourists as well a loyal following of neighborhood residents. The traditional dishes are authentically prepared with lighter touch by chefs with extensive experience in German cuisine. In addition to the regular menu, the restaurant offer seasonally changing menus that feature fresh asparagus in the spring, salads and light fares in the summer, Bavarian dishes during Oktoberfest in the fall, and wild game in the winter. Desserts which are freshly made in-house include apple strudel, black forest cake, and luscious cream tortes. The bar offers a selection of imported German beers and wines.

Top review

Diane M

Dined 1 day ago

Better schnitzel than in Berlin! And as always, the service was excellent. I only wish I had saved room for dessert.

Discover more

4.7

4.7 (2968)

$50 and over

Mediterranean

Dupont Circle

About the restaurant

Iron Gate, located near Dupont Circle, stands as one of the district’s oldest continuously operating restaurants and is split between a sumptuous dining room, a wisteria covered patio and a handsomely enclosed carriageway that houses the bar.

Chef Anthony Chittum, a native of Maryland’s Eastern Shore, and his team have revitalized the space with a menu that takes inspiration for the cuisines of Greece, Sicily, Sardinian and Southern Italy, interpreting those traditions and techniques using the finest products and seasonal ingredients of the Mid-Atlantic.

Iron Gate also serves as an idyllic oasis for fine private events both large and small, so please consider us when planning your next fête, we'd love to have you as our guests.

Top review

Franklinvip

Dined 3 days ago

Wonderful restaura overall. I don’t come to DC very often, but the last time here, I had the best mussels ever at the Iron Gate. This time, although lovely time, I did not love the menu. The Buffalo was underdone and the swordfish was a bit fishy. I would have preferred at least a few traditional options. I did not complain because in the past when complaining about an underdone cut of beef, it always comes back overdone. Anyway, I’ll come back again, but I’ll check the menu first. Thank you

Via Sophia Washington DC

4.6

4.6 (734)

$31 to $50

Italian

Downtown

About the restaurant

Via Sophia reimagines the osteria experience for downtown D.C; where classic Italian dishes and fresh-from-the-oven pizzas are paired with bespoke beverages and a discerning wine list. With a focus on quality, consistency, and hospitality, we offer a warm and welcoming atmosphere for every guest, at any time of the day.

Top review

lindavip

Dined 5 days ago

first time at this spot. I did not disappoint! food was outstanding. service also excellent!

Discover more

Three Course Prix Fixe Lunch

Pinstripes - Georgetown

4.6

4.6 (373)

$30 and under

American

Georgetown

About the restaurant

Where Sophisticated Fun Meets Exquisite Dining. With over 30,000 square feet of entertainment space, indulge in scratch-made Italian-American cuisine, handcrafted cocktails, and a robust wine list. Enjoy our weekday happy hour from 3-6pm, or don't miss our famous bottomless brunch buffet on weekends. Experience modern bowling and bocce with full-service dining and entertainment options. Perfect for corporate gatherings, celebrations, or family events, our versatile spaces accommodate parties of 20 to 1000 guests. Book your unforgettable experience today!

Top review

Pamela

Dined 1 day ago

Food was good. Omlette line was prohibitively long.

Dovetail

4.6

4.6 (87)

$31 to $50

American

Logan Circle

About the restaurant

Exploring the crossroads of southern hospitality and Mid-Atlantic cuisine, Dovetail draws from regional ingredients to innovate with the dynamic flavors of the Northeast. Situated on the District's 14th Street corridor within Viceroy Washington DC, the indoor-outdoor restaurant offers rotating seasonal menus featuring the freshest ingredients from East Coast farmers, fishermen and purveyors. Relax on our all-weather outdoor patio for brunch or dinner while enjoying a destination raw bar with chilled Maine lobster and Chesapeake oysters, tantalizing appetizers like deviled eggs with kimchi or pork rinds with homemade ranch, exquisitely prepared dry aged steaks paired with fresh local vegetables, and sweet seasonal treats. Don't miss our happy hour where Dovetail's formidable beverage program is the star - highlighting local spirits, a selection of new and old world wines, craft brews, and inventive cocktails. At Dovetail, we're always up for sharing a good meal.

Top review

Yvonne

Dined 7 days ago

The crab deviled eggs and pork chop were lovely. The service took a while to receive some of our entrees. They have a kids menu, which was helpful. My husband’s birthday treat was a nice touch.

Discover more

Experience

Dovetail Happy Hour

Experience

Dovetail Thanksgiving Experience

Experience

New Year's Eve Dinner at Dovetail

The Salt Line - Navy Yard

4.5

4.5 (2596)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Navy Yard

About the restaurant

The Salt Line - Navy Yard offers indoor STANDARD seating and OUTDOOR Patio Seating. Our OUTDOOR riverfront patio seating has been winterized and is now comfortably available all year round. The OUTDOOR reservations area has been tastefully enclosed in clear insulated curtains that still provide a scenic river view and is well protected, well heated and honored all weather. Additionally we offer FIREPIT LOUNGE reservations in our large outdoor bar area and first come first served bar, hightop and lounge seating. Please note: the Outdoor Bar area with hightops is covered and well heated but the fire pit and lounge seating is uncovered and so weather permitting. If your desired reservation is not available online or of you have any reservations questions please call the restaurant for more up to the minute information and assistance. For groups larger than 14 contact events@thesaltline.com.

Top review

Drs. Thaddeus and Natashavip

Dined 1 day ago

The Salt Line - Navy Yard is one of our favorite spots to visit whenever we are in the DC area. We were hosted/served by Olga on this particular occasion, and she was amazing from start to finish. Thanks again to all of you for being awesome, and we will see you again when we return to DC!

Discover more

4.4

4.4 (813)

$30 and under

Mexican

Navy Yard

About the restaurant

Aqua 301 celebrates the culture and cuisine of Mexico taking contemporary Mexican cuisine and infusing it with modern flair. This is not Tex Mex! Chef Jaime Pelayo tweaks traditional Mexican ingredients and flavor profiles through experimental ingredient combinations and serves it up waterside in Yards Park.

Top review

Kapeka

Dined on Aug 18, 2024

Great place and great service the food was really good and they had a great experience

The Point - DC

4.4

4.4 (1440)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Buzzard Point

About the restaurant

The Point brings the thrill and robust flavors of open flame cooking with the freshest seafood in the city. Perfectly situated at the confluence of the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers, our contemporary design, tranquil open-air patio and premium fire pits, compliment the picturesque and panoramic views. Although we cannot guarantee outdoor patio dining for all of our guests. We will try to accommodate as many requests as we can on a first come first serve basis.

Top review

Enriquevip

Dined 4 days ago

I've missed a gem for pre or post DC United games at Audi Field. Great outdoor deck and bar area overlooking the water. I'll be back.

Discover more

Experience

THANKSGIVING ON THE RIVER

Bammy's Modern Caribbean

3.9

3.9 (13)

$31 to $50

Caribbean

Navy Yard

About the restaurant

Celebrated chef Peter Prime joins together with seasoned restaurateur Bernard Gibson to reopen as Bammy’s Modern Caribbean in Navy Yard at Yards Park. An updated showcase of ties to Caribbean food and culture. Named for the cassava root “flatbread” staple of Jamaican cuisine, the menu boasts an assortment of jerk options, curries, stews, oxtail, & more. Ample indoor/outdoor seating & takeout available. Frozen Daiquiri bar coming Summer ‘24!

Top review

monica

Dined on Sep 7, 2024

Terrific food with a bit of a kick. Everything was delicious: jerk chicken, rice and beans, beef turnover (empanadas?). Service was horrifically slow—only a problem because we had a show to get to.

Explore Diners' Choice best of District of Columbia

Explore more Diners' Choice lists