Diners' Choice: Great for outdoor dining restaurants in Washington, D.C. Area

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are great for outdoor dining in Washington, D.C. Area? 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 favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Barca Wine Bar & Pier

4.7

4.7 (1860)

$30 and under

Mediterranean

Old Town Alexandria

About the restaurant

BARCA is Old Town Alexandria's newest riverfront neighborhood restaurant. Located in Robinson , BARCA (Spanish for boat) styles shipyard chic and Catalonian coastal influence into a waterfront Pier and Wine Bar. Both indoor and outdoor locales serve up Spanish-Mediterranean small plates, wine, sangria, and cocktails plus weekend brunch.

Top review

Zuleyma

Dined 6 days ago

My Experience was amazing Food tasted amazing Beautiful View

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Java Nation - Silver Spring

4.6

4.6 (52)

$31 to $50

American

Silver Spring

About the restaurant

Introducing Java Restobar, the ultimate destination in downtown Silver Spring for an extraordinary fusion of artisan cocktails, exceptional coffee, and delectable dining experiences from morning till night. With its innovative concept, Java Restobar seamlessly blends the worlds of mixology, coffee craftsmanship, and culinary delights, offering a truly immersive and unforgettable experience for all.
Java Restobar invites you to indulge in the perfect harmony of flavors, ambiance for breakfast, lunch and dinner with live music. Step into a realm where coffee, cocktails, and culinary creations converge, and let Java Restobar become your ultimate destination for all-day dining bliss.

Top review

BarbaraVIP

Dined on Jun 5, 2025

Loved dining al fresco on a night in which the weather was perfect.

Mission Navy Yard

4.5

4.5 (584)

$30 and under

Tex-Mex

Navy Yard

About the restaurant

Welcome to Mission Navy Yard, a lively bar and restaurant located adjacent to Nationals Park and Audi Field. Known for our vibrant bar scene, daily happy hour, spacious private event and outdoor spaces and delicious Tex-Mex food, we opened in July 2018. Our sister restaurant, Mission Dupont Circle, has been serving strong margaritas and tasty tacos since 2014.

We refuse to believe that a restaurant only has one purpose: we aim to provide a bustling bar scene, comfortable dining and versatile private event spaces that can accommodate groups of all sizes. Our spaces are created to be welcoming for brunch, happy hour, dinner and private events, as well as those looking to rewind in a vibrant weekend late night atmosphere.

Top review

Drew

Dined on May 23, 2025

Bartenders taking forever is the only downside to this place. But they have a good pour

Lauriol Plaza

4.3

4.3 (18)

$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

James

Dined 7 days ago

Everything was amazing and fantastic!!! The ambiance was great. Service was exceptional. Food was fantastic. It all would have been perfect if I had not received a text message 30 minutes after my reservation time from the restaurant asking if me and my party were going to honor our reservation all while having already been sitting at our table for 40 minutes, dining on delicious chips & salsa and amazing appetizers served by funny and engaging servers waiting for our entrees to be delivered. After I let the server know about the text, a hostess came over to me/my groups table while our entrees ARE being served and berating me why I got the text (I don’t know, I didn’t send it to myself), and if we are still going to eat there (she LITERALLY had to move out of the way for the servers to deliver our entrees 😳). Beyond that, AMAZING!!!

The Saga

4.2

4.2 (8)

$50 and over

Spanish

Foggy Bottom

About the restaurant

The Saga is the continuation of our story. It’s the link between our path and our future, a reflection on our group’s growth.

It showcases our evolving culinary approach to top-tier hospitality. For Chef Enrique Limardo, this restaurant has been decades in the making and represents the maturation of his culinary talent and the country where he honed his talent: Spain.

The interior concept was developed by OOAK, the award-winning designers of MICHELIN-starred Imperfecto. There are two main focal points of the space: the vast bar with an intricate wood light fixture resting above the space and the open kitchen where guests can watch Chef Enrique and the team at work.

Top review

SteveVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Great food. Great service! Sangria was excellent!

Sette Osteria - 14th St

4.0

4 (759)

$30 and under

Italian

Logan Circle

About the restaurant

Sette, Italian for seven, exudes luck and tradition. Our restaurant blends comfort and Italian charm with exposed bricks, creating a cozy yet sophisticated vibe. Sette Osteria isn't just a spot; it's a destination drawing people in from the streets. Our open pizza station is a visual delight, and our windows showcase the vibrant scenes of 14th street. Rustic and refined, Sette captures the essence of Italian culture with an international buzz. It's not just a place to eat; it's a celebration. Come for the food, stay for the vibes, and let Sette elevate your dining experience.

Top review

JosephVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Very nice staff and very good food…I”m a sauce snob and the bucatini carbonara was excellent.

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Experience

Bottomless Brunch

Agua 301

3.8

3.8 (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

Etheal

Dined on May 24, 2025

Really affordable and excellent food. If you want real mexican food, this is the place!

Sly Rooftop Bar

3.7

3.7 (15)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

NoMa

About the restaurant

High above NoMa, SLY is where the city unwinds in style. Perched atop The Morrow Hotel, this rooftop bar by Marcus Samuelsson and Chef Anthony Jones serves up hand-crafted cocktails, seasonal plates & seafood, and DC skyline views that steal the show. Golden hour hits different up here—come for the food & drinks, stay for the vibe.

Top review

Jeffrey

Dined 4 days ago

Excellent restaurant in the middle of the city . I will be there again

Canopy Central Café & Bar

3.5

3.5 (713)

$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

ScottVIP

Dined on Apr 20, 2025

Beautiful day to have brunch outside! Always great food at the wharf!

matchbox Reston

3.1

3.1 (163)

$30 and under

American

Reston

About the restaurant

Just a few steps outside of Wiehle-Reston East metro station on the Silver Line, you’ll find matchbox Reston Station welcoming you in for great food, refreshing drinks, and an energetic vibe. Situated in the iconic Google building designed by Helmut Jahn and surrounded by businesses and luxury apartments, matchbox is a place for you to take a break from work, catch up with friends, or enjoy time with family.

All are welcome to gather and join our community. Come and enjoy our 3.6.9 mini burgers, blazing hot pizzas, or any one of our chef-crafted dishes. We have something for everyone. Our casual, warm ambiance and friendly staff will make matchbox feel like your home away from home.

matchbox Reston Station also features a private dining room for event bookings and a covered outdoor bar to enjoy those hot summer days and cool nights.

Top review

RogerVIP

Dined on Mar 14, 2025

Good dining experience. Food and service good and reasonably priced.

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Experience

Social Hour Food + Drink Specials

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