clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile
More Maps

These Classic D.C. Restaurants and Bars Are Still Worth a Visit

Bottomless Brunches That Will Turn Your Weekend Into a Blur

The Hottest New Restaurants to Try Around Baltimore

More in Washington DC See more maps
Michele’s downtown patio is flanked with roll-up garage doors.
Leading DC

Highly Recommended Patios for Outdoor Dining Around D.C.

Beat the heat with a breezy seat under shade

by Abi Newhouse and Tierney Plumb Updated
View as Map
Michele’s downtown patio is flanked with roll-up garage doors.
| Leading DC
by Abi Newhouse and Tierney Plumb Updated

To stay competitive during steamy summer months, patio seating doesn’t entail just chairs and tables anymore. Many outdoor dining spaces around D.C. are now decked out with dreamy decor, covered lounge seating, and cooling mechanisms, plus a host of frozen and refreshing drink specials to further beat the heat.

A mix of new and reliable restaurants with prime people-watching, waterfront, and garden views put their best alfresco foot forward this season with all sorts of snazzy setups.

Here’s a list of unique outdoor backdrops for a picturesque summer night out in D.C.

Read More
Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Sonny’s Pizza

Copy Link

You wouldn’t notice while walking by, but this Columbia Heights pizza pad’s back door leads to a sizable covered patio, fully equipped with fans and its own bar with an extensive drinks menu.

3120 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20010
(202) 601-7701
(202) 601-7701

Also featured in:

JIWA SINGAPURA

Copy Link

As the region’s sole fine-dining Singaporean restaurant, Jiwa’s months-old patio features a mini bar, a fireplace, and lounge-style seating. Along with a happy hour, Jiwa also offers “Satay Hour” (for every drink ordered, you get one free satay). The luxe perch offers prime views of its booming Tysons Corner neighborhood. Back in the city, chef Pepe Moncayo’s Michelin-starred Cranes sends out yakitori and patatas bravas across its scene-y Penn Quarter patio.

1702u Galleria at Tysons II, McLean, VA 22102
(571) 425-4101
(571) 425-4101
The tricked-out patio at Jiwa.
Rachel Paraoan

Also featured in:

BRESCA

Copy Link

Little green huts count as partitioned patios at Michelin-rated Bresca. Enjoy prix fixe or chef’s tasting meals in the privacy of your own space while still enjoying prime people-watching along 14th Street NW—just a little quieter from inside.

1906 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
Bresca’s patio is dotted with private dining huts.
Bresca

Also featured in:

Pupatella

Copy Link

Located on the shaded streets of Dupont Circle, you can enjoy Neapolitan pizza while people-watching and pretending you’re in Naples — right where Pupatella gets its recipes from. Right across the street, snag seats under a fringe umbrella at stylish newcomer Vagabond.

1801 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 506-1999
(202) 506-1999
Pupatella’s Dupont patio.
Pupatella

Also featured in:

Apéro

Copy Link

Behind the bar and down the stairs, there is a small, intimate outdoor patio great for late-night dates in the quieter part of Georgetown. There are also picnic tables out front for more casual seating. Caviar-topped pasta just made a comeback for its 2-year anniversary.

2622 P St NW, Washington, DC 20007
(202) 525-1682
(202) 525-1682

Also featured in:

Residents Cafe & Bar

Copy Link

Lose yourself under lemon and orange trees in a citrus-filled patio out front of Dupont’s Mediterranean hotspot, which serves one of the best espresso martinis in town. Summer drinks and dishes just dropped in tandem with its new limoncello look.

1306 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20036
(202) 733-7143
(202) 733-7143
Residents Cafe & Bar’s patio adopts a citrusy look for summer.
Hawkeye Johnson

Also featured in:

Calico

Copy Link

This Blagden Alley hideaway has maximized its limited space outdoors and transformed it into a space for cool cats. The alfresco space is varied and eclectic, with covered options, open tables, and bar seating. Swing by for trivia and bingo nights, along with happy hour deals starting at $2.

50 Blagden Alley NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 791-0134
(202) 791-0134

Also featured in:

BOURBON STEAK

Copy Link

This tony restaurant in the Four Seasons Hotel captures the spirit of Georgetown with its lush patio, elegant cocktail menu, and attentive service. Its stone-lined outdoor area keeps patio-dwellers cozy with sofas and fire pits. This summer, the secluded setup is dressed to the nines with a “Liberty of Color” art installation from Maggie O’Neill. Stop by every Sunday this summer for live DJs from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

2800 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007
(202) 944-2026
(202) 944-2026

Also featured in:

Alta Strada - Washington, DC

Copy Link

Situated right on Mt. Vernon Triangle’s bustling K Street NW corridor, this patio is surrounded by greenery to make the space feel private and beautiful all at once. Enjoy pastas and wines (with happy hour from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. daily) while soaking up city views under a classic red umbrella. 

465 K St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 629-4662
(202) 629-4662

Michele’s

Copy Link

Tucked off Eaton Hotel’s lobby, the plant-filled, pup-friendly patio at chef Matt Baker’s downtown restaurant faces peaceful Franklin Park. Enjoy dinner, brunch, and summer cocktails with names to match, like Dreamsicle and Campfire, in the shade of trees along K Street NW.

1201 K St NW, Washington, DC 20005
(202) 758-0895
(202) 758-0895
Stylish outdoor seating at Michele’s welcomes pups and their pals.
Leading DC

Also featured in:

Opaline Bar and Brasserie

Copy Link

Downtown’s reimagined French darling inside Sofitel hotel sports a spacious wraparound patio overlooking manicured Lafayette Square park.

806 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20005
(202) 730-8800
(202) 730-8800

Also featured in:

Bronze

Copy Link

Forget streeteries for a second and hang out across Bronze’s intimate backyard patio. This Afrofuturist restaurant offers food from the African diaspora (a first-of-its-kind for D.C.), and the private patio will let you take it all in without city distractions.

1245 H St NE, Washington, DC 20002
(202) 478-6833
(202) 478-6833

Also featured in:

Zaytinya by José Andrés

Copy Link

This José Andrés restaurant sits in a prime location near several Metro stops, making it accessible for any local to get to. The patio has a view of the Smithsonian American Art Museum and serves a solid Mediterranean menu. Andrés’s nearby Jaleo and Oyamel are also standbys when it comes to outdoor patios.

701 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 638-0800
(202) 638-0800

Tonari

Copy Link

The patio at Daikaya Group’s wafu-Italian restaurant nods to its roots, with tables fashioned to resemble a classic red-sauce joint. Along with all the summery drinks you could ask for, Tonari is also showcasing a pupusa-inspired pizza topped with summer squash for the season.

707 6th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 289-8900
(202) 289-8900
Tonari’s Italian-styled patio in Chinatown.
Vina Sananikone

Also featured in:

Dirty Habit

Copy Link

The modern, sleek furniture of this outdoor courtyard and bar juxtaposes the white brick walls of its historic hotel, making this Penn Quarter hideaway ideal for after-work drinks and sweet bites like donut holes and churros.

555 8th St NW, Washington, DC 20004
(202) 449-7095
(202) 449-7095

Also featured in:

More in Maps

THE GRILL

Copy Link

Situated near Market Pier at the far end of the Wharf, The Grill is the spot to enjoy wood-fired American cuisine, luscious steaks, and Potomac views for brunch, lunch, or dinner. 

99 Market Square SW, Washington, DC 20024
(202) 916-5996
(202) 916-5996

Also featured in:

Easy Company

Copy Link

The Wharf’s dreamy new wine bar is framed with a massive patio dubbed the Rosé Garden. The glassy space offers an epic, 200-degree view of the Potomac River out front. Daily happy hour—a rare find along its pricey waterfront stretch—includes 10 wines for $10 each, and snacks for $5-$8, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

98 Blair Alley SW, Washington, DC 20024
(202) 478-8446
(202) 478-8446
Easy Company’s year-round patio features operable sides, heaters, and fans. 
Daniel Swartz

Also featured in:

GORDON RAMSAY HELL'S KITCHEN

Copy Link

The celebrity chef’s upscale namesake restaurant at the Wharf offers not one, but two, alfresco seating options. The first faces the Wharf’s iconic boardwalk, and an additional waterfront patio perch upstairs up sits right atop the Potomac. 

652 Wharf St SW, Washington, DC 20024
(202) 558-4450
(202) 558-4450

Also featured in:

Osteria Morini

Copy Link

Navy Yard’s waterfront Italian staple turns 10 this year and celebrates with all sorts of comeback favorites like focaccia. Saddle up to its shaded, wraparound patio covered in Aperol-orange umbrellas and soak up serene views of bobbing boats on the Anacostia River. Cool off with a new frozen negroni or flights of the same gin-Campari-vermouth cocktail.

301 Water St SE, Washington, DC 20003
(202) 484-0660
(202) 484-0660
Osteria Morini just released a new frozen negroni this summer.
Tierney Plumb/Eater DC

Also featured in:

Hi/Fi Tex-Mex BBQ

Copy Link

Neighborhood Restaurant Group (NRG) just turned the patio behind its Evening Star Café into a summery new spot called Hi/Fi Tex-Mex BBQ. Chef Nate Anda puts offset and reverse-flow smokers to work to prepare Texas and Carolina-style meats that make their way into a lineup of tacos, fajitas, and nachos. Beverage director Greg Engert curates a list of 25 beers and ciders on tap at a time, plus chilled wines and draft and frozen cocktails.

2000 Mt Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA 22301
(703) 549-5051
(703) 549-5051
The shaded beer garden-styled setup features bar and table spaces surrounded by cabanas.
John Rorapaugh for LeadingDC

BARCA Pier & Wine Bar

Copy Link

Barca serves tapas, wines, and cocktails along the Potomac River in Alexandria. The gray, white, and blue aesthetic of the dining area along the riverfront gives it a stylish, beachy vibe.

2 Pioneer Mill Way, Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 638-1100
(703) 638-1100

Also featured in:

More in Maps

© 2023 Vox Media, Inc. All rights reserved.
Link copied to the clipboard.

Sonny’s Pizza

3120 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20010

You wouldn’t notice while walking by, but this Columbia Heights pizza pad’s back door leads to a sizable covered patio, fully equipped with fans and its own bar with an extensive drinks menu.

3120 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20010
(202) 601-7701
(202) 601-7701

JIWA SINGAPURA

1702u Galleria at Tysons II, McLean, VA 22102

As the region’s sole fine-dining Singaporean restaurant, Jiwa’s months-old patio features a mini bar, a fireplace, and lounge-style seating. Along with a happy hour, Jiwa also offers “Satay Hour” (for every drink ordered, you get one free satay). The luxe perch offers prime views of its booming Tysons Corner neighborhood. Back in the city, chef Pepe Moncayo’s Michelin-starred Cranes sends out yakitori and patatas bravas across its scene-y Penn Quarter patio.

1702u Galleria at Tysons II, McLean, VA 22102
(571) 425-4101
(571) 425-4101
The tricked-out patio at Jiwa.
Rachel Paraoan

BRESCA

1906 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

Little green huts count as partitioned patios at Michelin-rated Bresca. Enjoy prix fixe or chef’s tasting meals in the privacy of your own space while still enjoying prime people-watching along 14th Street NW—just a little quieter from inside.

1906 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
Bresca’s patio is dotted with private dining huts.
Bresca

Pupatella

1801 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

Located on the shaded streets of Dupont Circle, you can enjoy Neapolitan pizza while people-watching and pretending you’re in Naples — right where Pupatella gets its recipes from. Right across the street, snag seats under a fringe umbrella at stylish newcomer Vagabond.

1801 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 506-1999
(202) 506-1999
Pupatella’s Dupont patio.
Pupatella

Apéro

2622 P St NW, Washington, DC 20007

Behind the bar and down the stairs, there is a small, intimate outdoor patio great for late-night dates in the quieter part of Georgetown. There are also picnic tables out front for more casual seating. Caviar-topped pasta just made a comeback for its 2-year anniversary.

2622 P St NW, Washington, DC 20007
(202) 525-1682
(202) 525-1682

Residents Cafe & Bar

1306 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20036

Lose yourself under lemon and orange trees in a citrus-filled patio out front of Dupont’s Mediterranean hotspot, which serves one of the best espresso martinis in town. Summer drinks and dishes just dropped in tandem with its new limoncello look.

1306 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20036
(202) 733-7143
(202) 733-7143
Residents Cafe & Bar’s patio adopts a citrusy look for summer.
Hawkeye Johnson

Calico

50 Blagden Alley NW, Washington, DC 20001

This Blagden Alley hideaway has maximized its limited space outdoors and transformed it into a space for cool cats. The alfresco space is varied and eclectic, with covered options, open tables, and bar seating. Swing by for trivia and bingo nights, along with happy hour deals starting at $2.

50 Blagden Alley NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 791-0134
(202) 791-0134

BOURBON STEAK

2800 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007

This tony restaurant in the Four Seasons Hotel captures the spirit of Georgetown with its lush patio, elegant cocktail menu, and attentive service. Its stone-lined outdoor area keeps patio-dwellers cozy with sofas and fire pits. This summer, the secluded setup is dressed to the nines with a “Liberty of Color” art installation from Maggie O’Neill. Stop by every Sunday this summer for live DJs from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

2800 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007
(202) 944-2026
(202) 944-2026

Alta Strada - Washington, DC

465 K St NW, Washington, DC 20001

Situated right on Mt. Vernon Triangle’s bustling K Street NW corridor, this patio is surrounded by greenery to make the space feel private and beautiful all at once. Enjoy pastas and wines (with happy hour from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. daily) while soaking up city views under a classic red umbrella. 

465 K St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 629-4662
(202) 629-4662

Michele’s

1201 K St NW, Washington, DC 20005

Tucked off Eaton Hotel’s lobby, the plant-filled, pup-friendly patio at chef Matt Baker’s downtown restaurant faces peaceful Franklin Park. Enjoy dinner, brunch, and summer cocktails with names to match, like Dreamsicle and Campfire, in the shade of trees along K Street NW.

1201 K St NW, Washington, DC 20005
(202) 758-0895
(202) 758-0895
Stylish outdoor seating at Michele’s welcomes pups and their pals.
Leading DC

Opaline Bar and Brasserie

806 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20005

Downtown’s reimagined French darling inside Sofitel hotel sports a spacious wraparound patio overlooking manicured Lafayette Square park.

806 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20005
(202) 730-8800
(202) 730-8800

Bronze

1245 H St NE, Washington, DC 20002

Forget streeteries for a second and hang out across Bronze’s intimate backyard patio. This Afrofuturist restaurant offers food from the African diaspora (a first-of-its-kind for D.C.), and the private patio will let you take it all in without city distractions.

1245 H St NE, Washington, DC 20002
(202) 478-6833
(202) 478-6833

Zaytinya by José Andrés

701 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001

This José Andrés restaurant sits in a prime location near several Metro stops, making it accessible for any local to get to. The patio has a view of the Smithsonian American Art Museum and serves a solid Mediterranean menu. Andrés’s nearby Jaleo and Oyamel are also standbys when it comes to outdoor patios.

701 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 638-0800
(202) 638-0800

Tonari

707 6th St NW, Washington, DC 20001

The patio at Daikaya Group’s wafu-Italian restaurant nods to its roots, with tables fashioned to resemble a classic red-sauce joint. Along with all the summery drinks you could ask for, Tonari is also showcasing a pupusa-inspired pizza topped with summer squash for the season.

707 6th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 289-8900
(202) 289-8900
Tonari’s Italian-styled patio in Chinatown.
Vina Sananikone

Dirty Habit

555 8th St NW, Washington, DC 20004

The modern, sleek furniture of this outdoor courtyard and bar juxtaposes the white brick walls of its historic hotel, making this Penn Quarter hideaway ideal for after-work drinks and sweet bites like donut holes and churros.

555 8th St NW, Washington, DC 20004
(202) 449-7095
(202) 449-7095

Related Maps

THE GRILL

99 Market Square SW, Washington, DC 20024

Situated near Market Pier at the far end of the Wharf, The Grill is the spot to enjoy wood-fired American cuisine, luscious steaks, and Potomac views for brunch, lunch, or dinner. 

99 Market Square SW, Washington, DC 20024
(202) 916-5996
(202) 916-5996

Easy Company

98 Blair Alley SW, Washington, DC 20024

The Wharf’s dreamy new wine bar is framed with a massive patio dubbed the Rosé Garden. The glassy space offers an epic, 200-degree view of the Potomac River out front. Daily happy hour—a rare find along its pricey waterfront stretch—includes 10 wines for $10 each, and snacks for $5-$8, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

98 Blair Alley SW, Washington, DC 20024
(202) 478-8446
(202) 478-8446
Easy Company’s year-round patio features operable sides, heaters, and fans. 
Daniel Swartz

GORDON RAMSAY HELL'S KITCHEN

652 Wharf St SW, Washington, DC 20024

The celebrity chef’s upscale namesake restaurant at the Wharf offers not one, but two, alfresco seating options. The first faces the Wharf’s iconic boardwalk, and an additional waterfront patio perch upstairs up sits right atop the Potomac. 

652 Wharf St SW, Washington, DC 20024
(202) 558-4450
(202) 558-4450

Osteria Morini

301 Water St SE, Washington, DC 20003

Navy Yard’s waterfront Italian staple turns 10 this year and celebrates with all sorts of comeback favorites like focaccia. Saddle up to its shaded, wraparound patio covered in Aperol-orange umbrellas and soak up serene views of bobbing boats on the Anacostia River. Cool off with a new frozen negroni or flights of the same gin-Campari-vermouth cocktail.

301 Water St SE, Washington, DC 20003
(202) 484-0660
(202) 484-0660
Osteria Morini just released a new frozen negroni this summer.
Tierney Plumb/Eater DC

Hi/Fi Tex-Mex BBQ

2000 Mt Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA 22301

Neighborhood Restaurant Group (NRG) just turned the patio behind its Evening Star Café into a summery new spot called Hi/Fi Tex-Mex BBQ. Chef Nate Anda puts offset and reverse-flow smokers to work to prepare Texas and Carolina-style meats that make their way into a lineup of tacos, fajitas, and nachos. Beverage director Greg Engert curates a list of 25 beers and ciders on tap at a time, plus chilled wines and draft and frozen cocktails.

2000 Mt Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA 22301
(703) 549-5051
(703) 549-5051
The shaded beer garden-styled setup features bar and table spaces surrounded by cabanas.
John Rorapaugh for LeadingDC

BARCA Pier & Wine Bar

2 Pioneer Mill Way, Alexandria, VA 22314

Barca serves tapas, wines, and cocktails along the Potomac River in Alexandria. The gray, white, and blue aesthetic of the dining area along the riverfront gives it a stylish, beachy vibe.

2 Pioneer Mill Way, Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 638-1100
(703) 638-1100

Related Maps