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

OpenTable

Updated December 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!

Cafe Berlin

4.7

4.7 (2325)

$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

JohnVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Wonderful Christmas dinner. Food was delicious and the service exceptional. Beer was good too!

Medium Rare - Cleveland Park

4.6

4.6 (2116)

$30 and under

Steak

Cleveland Park

About the restaurant

A Diner's Choice Award winner for the last 12 years! Legendary Medium Rare offers a unique $28.95 prix fixe dinning experience of artisan bread; a mixed green salad; prime, dry-aged steak; and hand-cut fries (Vegetarian option always available) in a relaxed, fun, environment. Please allow us 15 minutes to seat you after your full party has arrived and after checkin at our host stand. As we do only one thing, we do our best to make the food and experience exceptional and also a good value. We also serve brunch on Saturday and Sunday's with a great prix fixe including French Toast, Steak and Eggs, Eggs Benedict and bottomless Bloody Marys, Mimosas and Screwdrivers. WALK INS and CALL AHEAD seating are always welcomed.

Top review

EricVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Such a great experience. Excellent service, lots of delicious food, and you can’t beat the price.

Discover more

French Toast & Sausage

Mikko Nordic Fine Food

4.6

4.6 (121)

$30 and under

Nordic

Dupont Circle

About the restaurant

The Nordic Experience - MIKKO is the place to try an array of modern, healthy dishes while experiencing the intimate and comfortable environment Chef Mikko easily creates. And he cooks for others. His versatile cuisine is complemented by his innate ability to develop genuine relationships with whoever enjoys his meals.

Local Ingredients and International Flavor.
Rye, seafood, mushrooms, berries, and roots form the fundamentals of Nordic food. Each dish Chef Mikko prepares is an elegant combination of traditional and modern influence. Nordic fare is unique in its simple, yet versatile, presentation. Using traditional cooking techniques such as curing, smoking and pickling, every plate delivers a distinct and refined taste.

Looking forward to seeing you at MIKKO!

Top review

Catherine

Dined on Oct 19, 2024

The food was delicious and reminded me of Finland. What authentic flavors!

Discover more

Experience

Nordic Brunch at MIKKO

Experience

Nothing beats a NORDIC HAPPY HOUR!!

LiLLiES Italian Restaurant & Bar

4.5

4.5 (541)

$30 and under

Italian

Woodley Park

About the restaurant

Just steps from the Smithsonian National Zoo, Marriott Wardman-Park and Omni Shoreham, LiLLiES Restaurant & Bar is a family-owned restaurant which serves a mix of traditional Italian and Mediterranean cuisine with a contemporary edge.

When the weather is warm, diners can relax around mosaic tables on the terrace patio. On cooler days, the hardwood floors, candlelight and exposed brick inside make for a snug retreat. Brunch is served on both Saturdays and Sundays, and offers options for health-conscious patrons, such as a Greek yogurt parfait, and for those looking to indulge—say, in the Nutella-smothered French toast.

Top review

Terra

Dined 1 day ago

This was my second dinner and the food was amazing. The server left me feeling forgotten about. I will definitely return my next trip into DC since their food is amazing.

Bistro Du Jour District Wharf

4.5

4.5 (565)

$30 and under

French

Southwest Waterfront

About the restaurant

The way we French ...

Bistro Du Jour is an all-day Parisian bistro serving traditional fare like Coq Au Vin, Croque Madame, French Onion Soup, Steak Frites and Duck Confit, as well as an extensive selection of bubbly and an exciting list of cocktails and aperitifs. Open for Breakfast, Weekend Brunch, Lunch and Dinner.

Note: We offer full serving dining during Dinner (Daily) and Weekend Brunch only. During Breakfast (Daily) & Lunch (Weekday)

Top review

Patrick

Dined on Dec 22, 2024

Amazing! Every time! This is my favorite place at the Wharf in DC.

The Point - DC

4.5

4.5 (1460)

$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

Sabrina

Dined on Dec 22, 2024

The food was absolutely amazing. Everything was so fresh, and well prepared. The service was impeccable and drinks were tasty. I will definitely return. Job well done!

Dovetail

4.5

4.5 (92)

$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

AndreasVIP

Dined on Dec 10, 2024

We discovered this beautiful and relaxed gem by chance. Advertised as American cuisine it actually shows great international influence and diversity. A few down to earth but exquisite choices and a small but exclusive choice of wines from all around the world. A must visit for a relaxed evening.

Discover more

Experience

New Year's Eve Dinner at Dovetail

Experience

Winter Restaurant Week 3-course Dinner $40

Experience

Winter Restaurant Week 4-course Dinner $55

Rappahannock Oyster Bar at The Wharf

4.4

4.4 (246)

$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

TeriVIP

Dined 6 days ago

We love it here. Christmas Eve dinner was wonderful relaxing experience.

Discover more

Popular dish

Shrimp Cocktail

Piccolina da Centrolina

4.0

4 (7)

$30 and under

Italian

Penn Quarter

About the restaurant

Coming Soon!

Top review

KateVIP

Dined on Sep 12, 2024

Delicious food and drink, and staff was so kind to us.

Lucha Rosa

3.8

3.8 (25)

$30 and under

Mexican

Mount Vernon Square

About the restaurant

Rooftop Bar located at 11th and K on top of the Moxy Hotel.
Specializing in craft cocktails, agave spirits and selected Latin Americana menu items with flare!
Admittance only for guests 21 and over. Physical ID's must be presented prior to entry. (no photos or digital accepted)

NOTE: All reservations that grow to be more than 10 people the day of, are subject to an automatic 23% gratuity charge and require a $250 deposit.
Accommodations will be at management discretion and venue availability.

No outside food and allowed
Corkage fee for wine $50
Plating fee for outside cake $35

Top review

JimVIP

Dined on Oct 18, 2024

Overall good experience. Food, drinks and service were very good. It’s a very nice restaurant. My only complaint is that the music is way too loud. We could not hear anyone at our table. If they hadn’t been able to relocate us to the outside area, we would have left.

Discover more

Explore Diners' Choice best of District of Columbia

Explore more Diners' Choice lists