The Resy Guide to Outdoor Dining in D.C. — Resy | Right This Way
Updated: April 27, 2026
Washington, D.C. is a height-restricted city — meaning there are few buildings to block those awe-inspiring views from roof decks and patios. We have, in other words, the perfect city for outdoor dining.
Whether you’re looking for a rooftop bar and restaurant with monumental views on Capitol Hill, a brunch alongside the Potomac River, or wine in a backyard garden in Park View, options abound to eat and drink al fresco.
This time of year, when the weather cooperates, it’s almost a given to book a table outside. To help you enjoy it all, here’s a selection of our favorite bars and restaurants that embrace the great outdoors in our nation’s capital.
Newly added: Kayu. Please note prices are subject to change.
KAYU
- Dupont
- Filipino
- $$
Fish Shop
- Washington D.C
- Seafood
- $$
Unconventional Diner
- Shaw
- American
- $
Millie’s DC
- Spring Valley
- American
- $
Fiola Mare
- Georgetown
- Italian
- $$$$
Sequoia DC
- Georgetown
- American
- $$$
Barrel
- Capitol Hill/Eastern Market
- American
- $
Grazie Mille
- Downtown
- Italian American
- $
Dauphine's
- Downtown
- Contemporary American
- $$
Pennyroyal Station
- Mt Rainier
- American
- $$
Boardwalk Bar & Arcade
- Southwest Waterfront
- American
- $
St. Anselm – DC
- Union Market
- Contemporary American
- $$$
Takoda Navy Yard
- Navy Yard
- American
- $
Agua 301
- Navy Yard/Yards Park
- Mexican
- $
The Dubliner
- Capitol Hill - Washington D.C.
- Irish
- $
Cafe Fili DC
- Capitol Hill
- Mediterranean
- $$
The Pub & The People
- Bloomingdale
- American
- $
Hank's Oyster Bar – Alexandria
- Old Town North
- Seafood
- $
Primrose
- Brookland
- French
- $$$
Sonny's Pizza
- Park View
- Pizza
- $
St. Vincent Wine
- Park View
- Wine Bar
- $$
21 venues
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KAYU
Dupont
For Filipino fare served al fresco, head to Kayu’s weather-permitting patio. Savor your delightfully green pandan-bun chicken sandwich, plus a few of their cocktails (we’re partial to the Ube Ube Baby with white rum, coconut, and pineapple) as you take in the Dupont sidewalk scene.
Fish Shop
Washington D.C
For full on nautical vibes, head to Fish Shop on The Wharf for a patio that’s popular during brunch. The greeneries that surround you are fresh herbs used in the kitchen to make dishes like the chives that top smoked trout crumpets, or the basil and parsley that season freshly caught fish grilled on the open flame.
Unconventional Diner
Shaw
The perfect place for breakfast, lunch, or dinner any day of the week is at Unconventional Diner for American-style diner fare dressed up. Think rendang pot roast, pot pie poppers, and crème brûlée French toast. Best of all, the street outside offers a sunnier spot to enjoy your meal when the weather turns seasonal, and you want to sip on Lavendar Frosé al fresco.
Millie’s DC
Spring Valley
Inspired by Nantucket, Millie’s channels all the New England charm of the Massachusetts summer vacay with dishes like lobster rolls, fish tacos, and pan-seared scallops. The patio during happy hour is a hotspot for locals to kick back and socialize. And to any dog parents, your kiddos are more than welcome here.
Fiola Mare
Georgetown
Part of what gives Fiola Mare its staying power is incredible hospitality, all within view of the Potomac River. The patio is also the perfect perch for people watching on the Georgetown Waterfront. Dishes are inspired by Italy’s Adriatic coast, which means the branzino here gets two days of dry aging, turning the seemingly simple into the sublime. Angel hair with lemon and aged parmigiano finds an unheard-of depth, and the wine list reads like an encyclopedia of Barolo.
Sequoia DC
Georgetown
This waterfront restaurant underwent a sweeping renovation relatively recently and offers stunning views at sunset of the Potomac River from the garden patio, with a grand and colorful sculpture called Scarlet. It’s the perfect place to meet in Georgetown for midday drinks or a special dinner, served with a three-tiered seafood tower.
Barrel
Capitol Hill/Eastern Market
This is prime people watching along Pennsylvania Avenue, especially if you’re a whiskey or bourbon lover. Barrel offers a lot more than rare spirits (from a whiskey bible) and expertly crafted cocktails, though. It’s a buzzy restaurant with lunch, dinner, and happy hour specials, plus a bottomless brunch option.
Grazie Mille
Downtown
Kick happy hour into high gear at Grazie Mille. The bar offers drink specials Monday through Friday, where you can sip and savor cocktails at the outdoor bar overlooking the swanky lounge. We suggest ordering a an Elderflower Spritz, with prosecco and grapefruit, plus the $10 cacio e pepe bucatini
Dauphine's
Downtown
This New Orleans-themed restaurant from the Salt Line team brings a covered patio for outdoor eating and drinking whether for a weekend brunch, happy hour, or fancy date night downtown. Both the decor and menu channel the Big Easy. Feast on seasonal favorites like blackened catfish, duck jambalaya, and boudin balls.
Pennyroyal Station
Mt Rainier
Whether you’re going for lunch, dinner, or weekend brunch, Mt. Rainier neighbors gather outdoors on the covered patio for soul-filled food. The best-known dish to order at Pennyroyal is the fried chicken sandwich served with pickles and ramp ranch on a brioche bun. The “penny-saver” happy hour is another great reason to visit. Cocktails, like the Green Goddess, made with lime, basil, peppercorn, tarragon, and cachaça, make this place well worth checking out.
Boardwalk Bar & Arcade
Southwest Waterfront
This arcade bar at The Wharf brings a vibrant and easygoing vibe for those weekends when you can’t sneak out of town to the beach. The menu also leans toward boardwalk fare with loaded hot dogs, jumbo pretzels, and Maryland’s quintessential summertime cocktail — the orange crush. A massive outdoor bar and picnic-style patio overlooks the Potomac River, offering sunset views.
St. Anselm – DC
Union Market
There isn’t a better table in town for a group meal to celebrate a special occasion. St. Anselm offers ample dining options including reservation options for parties of up to ten guests. It also includes covered patio space, and a private dining room with a menu offering something for everyone — from butter biscuits with pimento cheese to a juicy butcher’s steak with garlic butter.
Takoda Navy Yard
Navy Yard
Takoda has one of the largest outdoor rooftops in Navy Yard, and it’s directly across the street from Nationals Park, making this the destination pre- or post-game. Happy hour is an especially lively affair, with discounted frozen cocktails and platters of truffle tater tots.
Agua 301
Navy Yard/Yards Park
Agua 301 offers a refreshing perch from which to take in the waterside views of Yards Park, which is complete with a wading pool for when the temperature rises. Spicy margaritas and tacos pair perfectly on the patio, and this is a place where large groups up to 14 can gather outdoors with a reservation.
The Dubliner
Capitol Hill - Washington D.C.
This Irish pub has been around for decades and includes live music every night, plus plenty of bar space to watch your favorite team play. The sidewalk patio is where you’ll want to when the weather cooperates. No visit is complete without ordering a pint of black-and-tan paired with the Guinness burger. The late night specials menu also runs all week long.
Cafe Fili DC
Capitol Hill
This Mediterranean spot offers brunch, lunch, and dinner alongside a cozy patio adjacent to Union Station and close to the Metropolitan Branch hiking and biking trail. Order up hummus, shawarma, or mezze, and if it’s happy hour, the deal is $2 off drinks like the seasonal sangrias and housemade tonics in flavors like hibiscus.
The Pub & The People
Bloomingdale
The year-round, heated patio here looks more like a secret garden, complete with fire pits and immaculate landscaping. The Pub & The People, as you might guess, is also where the people, as it were, gather in Bloomingdale for happy hour or pub-style fare, including a prized chicken sandwich. After hours, you may want to sneak downstairs and into the basement speakeasy, where ‘70s-style retro vibes are in strong supply.
Hank's Oyster Bar – Alexandria
Old Town North
With three locations in Alexandria, The Wharf, and Dupont Circle, Hank’s Oyster Bar has got you covered, including patio space (also covered), for when D.C.’s summer heat and humidity turns into a torrential downpour in an instant. The specialties here are Mid-Atlantic seafood, including Chesapeake oysters, Eastern Shore crab dip, and pan-seared salmon.
Primrose
Brookland
Primrose offers a relaxing patio setting (that’s walk-ins only) along a tree-lined neighborhood street in Brookland offering well-tuned French fare and wine. The menu reflects deep brasserie sensibilities, from steak frites to lion’s mane au poivre. It’s a great option for a casual dinner with friends or celebrating a special night out with a loved one.
Sonny's Pizza
Park View
When an apartment hang is too small for scale, head to Sonny’s Pizza for a backyard pizza party. The pizza garden is a massive space, fully covered, heated, and equipped with fans to keep the mosquitoes away. Sonny’s menu includes slices, side salads, chicken parm, and natural wine, plus pitchers of beer and cocktails. Reservations are accepted for parties of uo to 16.
St. Vincent Wine
Park View
St. Vincent has one of the most prolific wine menus in Washington, D.C., and it has become a year-round gathering point to eat, drink, and listen to live jazz. The large outdoor garden and second-story deck offer dual options to enjoy the great outdoors, plus a wine club and bottle shop to take personal favorites home.
Tim Ebner is an award-winning food and travel writer. He has contributed to The Washington Post, Eater, Thrillist, Travel & Leisure, and Edible D.C. Follow him on Instagram. Follow Resy, too.
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