Dishes like pwason roz (red snapper) and beregèn with bef (beef and eggplant casserole) are on the menu at this Haitian restaurant in Silver Spring, which offers outdoor seating on a patio covered with brightly painted murals.

The building that houses Old Angler’s Inn goes back to 1860, and the stone patio outfitted with umbrellas and a fountain is a tranquil spot for post-C&O Canal hike meals. Hearty fare includes options like crab cake sandwiches, seared Amish chicken, and steak frites.

The owners of Takoma Park’s Cielo Rojo built a patio parklet hemmed in by flower boxes, a serene setting for the taqueria’s heirloom corn tortillas and vegan flan.

Adams Morgan’s acclaimed Middle Eastern cocktail bar has its own charming, postage stamp-sized patio overlooking the bustle of 18th Street NW. Try mezze-spiced fries and Saz’iraq cocktails.

Big Bear Cafe’s vine-strewn patio has always been a favorite, but now the coffee shop and casual restaurant is offering wood-oven bagels and pizza in addition to farro bowls and breakfast burritos. Order outside via “touchless” registers with contact-free payment methods. 

Explore Latin American market La Cosecha, which sells everything from pupusas to dulce de leche soft-serve topped with crushed tortilla chips, then head outside to eat.

The patio at Iron Gate Restaurant feels like a secret garden: according to the Greek-Italian restaurant’s website, the wisteria overhead dates back to the 1800s. Try dishes here like lamb neck osso bucco, focaccia, and caramelized ricotta gnocchi.

Michael Mina’s tony hotel steakhouse in Georgetown helmed by Hazel alum Robert Curtis is a favorite for duck fat fries and lobster pot pie, as well as a stunning courtyard framed by ivy and sculpted gardens. An outdoor extension dubbed “The Ranch” peers into a gallery filled with pop art.

H Street’s Kitsuen, a ramen, hookah, and cocktail bar backed by rapper Pusha T, built its own modern patio with fire pit and dangling ferns. 

Maketto’s minimalist courtyard feels like a true extension of its dining room (and retail and coffee shop). The three-in-one project from Erik Bruner-Yang connects the interior and exterior spaces via a catwalk, with dishes like crystal shrimp dumplings and Cambodian noodle salad on the menu. 

CityCenterDC’s high-end, glassy Palmer’s Alley in downtown D.C. is a much-Instagrammed spot (check out the cherry blossom pink art installation), and Centrolina chef/owner Amy Brandwein offers outdoor dining right in the middle of the action. The Italian restaurant is known for its pastas and entrees from a wood-fired oven.

This blue crab destination is tucked away in Arlington’s Fort Meyer neighborhood, with a low-key outdoor patio perfect for messy crab feasts.

No detail was spared at chef Nicholas Stefanelli’s tri-level culinary playground Officina at The Wharf, and the outdoor dining spaces are stunning, with sleek furniture, firepits, and greenery.

Fake a beach vacation at The Salt Line’s patio, which serves up buttered lobster rolls with a waterfront view. 

Stroll down historic King Street in Old Town to the water and snag a seat overlooking the Potomac River at Vola’s patio, where diners can order platters of oysters and crab hush puppies. (Check out its very new waterfront sister establishments Ada’s On The River and Barca Pier & Wine Bar, constructed out of freight containers.)