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

OpenTable

Updated May 05, 2025

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!

Cafe Berlin

4.7

4.7 (2346)

$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

Bob

Dined on Apr 23, 2025

My friends and I had a great meal! It's always a good idea to consider having the dinner specials as they are always fantastic!

La Tomate

4.7

4.7 (1429)

$31 to $50

Italian

Dupont Circle

About the restaurant

Since 1987, La Tomate has been Dupont Circle's neighborhood bistro, featuring affordable regional Italian cuisine in a warm ambiance.

A window-clad bar and dining room offer charming avenue views onto Connecticut avenue. Enjoy an extended season of “al fresco” dining on our lush outdoor patio.

We are committed to providing quality service and excellent food in a warm and friendly atmosphere. We invite you to join us for breakfast a casual lunch, happy hour, dinner, weekend brunch or group events.

Top review

WillVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Always a wonderful experience. Excellent food, service and ambience. Sitting outside on a beautiful night is perfect.

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Dupont Italian Kitchen

4.5

4.5 (180)

$30 and under

Italian

Dupont Circle

About the restaurant

In the mood for some fresh homemade Italian food? Dupont Italian Kitchen has been serving up fresh homemade Italian dishes since 1986. We offer great food, unbeatable prices, and we’re conveniently located in the heart of Dupont Circle. Stop by and visit us.

Top review

SteveVIP

Dined on Apr 24, 2025

Eating outside at DuPon Italian Kitchen is always fun. Great service and great food, and good for people-watching. It's a nice, casual, relaxed ambience.

Thunder Burger & Bar

4.4

4.4 (599)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Georgetown

About the restaurant

Thunder Burger & Bar brings an edgy, rock & roll dining experience to the heart of Georgetown. Our mouth-watering juicy and generously sized signature burgers are affordable works of art. A full selection of appetizers, refreshing salads, creative entrees and decadent home-made desserts offer a variety of dining options. Whether seated at the trendy bar, the graffiti highlighted banquettes and booths, or our ivy covered library room, sample from a large selection of American craft micro-brew beers and fine whiskeys. No matter the occasion, intimate dates, groups and families alike, enjoy the comfortable and energetic atmosphere with highly attentive service. Weekend Brunch now available, and a late-night menu is also available every evening.

Top review

Stuart

Dined on Apr 21, 2025

Had the blue cheese burger. Can’t recall its name but it was excellent. Would enjoy it again. Didn’t have the beer I fancied and was a bit warm to dine inside, so opted for the outdoor seating which was fine. Great burger place for tourists in the area. Recommended.

Treehouse Rooftop

4.4

4.4 (19)

$30 and under

Fusion / Eclectic

Mount Vernon Square

About the restaurant

An intimate jungle sanctuary elevated in the sky. Treehouse blooms as a lush oasis featuring internationally influenced food and imaginative cocktails - All with cascading greenery within a beautiful historic building. This warm escape full of flavor and style rests five stories above the buzzing Union Market neighborhood, organically sprouting from what was once the Bolgiano Seed Company turned boutique hotel, HOTEL NELL.

Top review

DougVIP

Dined on Apr 28, 2025

Great staff! Fun environment! All day happy hour on Monday! Tocos are wonderful!

Lauriol Plaza

4.3

4.3 (9)

$30 and under

Latin American

Adams Morgan

About the restaurant

Lauriol Plaza is a lively restaurant in Washington, DC, serving a delightful mix of Spanish, Mexican, and Latin American cuisine. With a diverse menu that includes traditional dishes and innovative options, there's something for everyone, including vegan and vegetarian choices. Experience a casual yet sophisticated atmosphere, enhanced by the enticing aroma of freshly prepared meals. Enjoy the vibrant outdoor patio or the cozy mezzanine, making it ideal for gatherings, celebrations, or romantic dinners. Start with appetizers like Peruvian-style ceviche or crispy fried plantain maduros. For the main course, savor marinated bistec Cubano, spicy lomo saltado, or mesquite-grilled pechuga de pollo. Don't miss the signature cheese and jalapeno stuffed shrimp brochette for a unique taste. Finish your meal with their delicious tres leches cake or classic flan. Be sure to check out their daily happy hour specials, featuring refreshing cocktails like the lime and strawberry swirl margarita.

Top review

KimberlyVIP

Dined 7 days ago

I've dined at Lauriol Plaza on several occasions. For this visit, the server was not customer friendly and lowered the overall experience.

Rappahannock Oyster Bar at The Wharf

4.3

4.3 (276)

$30 and under

Oyster Bar

Southwest Waterfront

About the restaurant

Rappahannock Oyster Bar (Wharf) occupies the restored historic oyster shed (circa 1912) building at the Municipal Fish Market (the oldest fish market in the United States). The restaurant serves a line up of small plate offerings, wines, craft beers, unique cocktails, and of course, our very own celebrated shellfish.

Top review

KristinVIP

Dined 7 days ago

It was delicious and great to be by the water when the sun is shining and the humidity is low.

Dovetail

4.3

4.3 (115)

$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

FrankVIP

Dined on Apr 11, 2025

Good fixed price selections and Ala carte options as well. Great service with a very well paced experience.

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Experience

Mother's Day Brunch at Dovetail

Experience

Mother's Day Dinner at Dovetail

Experience

Dovetail Happy Hour

Alero - U Street

4.2

4.2 (20)

$30 and under

Mexican

McPherson Square

About the restaurant

Alero Restaurant is an intimate, colorful Mexican eatery on U street. Known for margaritas, traditional Mexican food & a lively scene. Two large patios blends the scenery of vibrant U street.Opened for over twenty years and taking great pride in our food and service, Alero Restaurant invites you and your amigos - old and new - to sit back, relax and enjoy your dining experience for we guarantee it will be a memorable one!

Top review

Mrs. Christina

Dined on Nov 16, 2024

I going for dinner bday every was good only one thing my daughter didn’t like empanadas and she asked wait. Can she send them back and tell her no I didn’t like that I think she should got a choice get something else

Agua 301

3.9

3.9 (812)

$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

Dined on Apr 7, 2025

DELISH!!! Fantastic food and drink options. Service was great! It was midday on a rainy weekday, so I can’t speak to the normal volume but we enjoyed fairly quiet ambiance. Can’t wait to return and sit outside when the weather improves!

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