Best Restaurants for Outdoor Dining in Southwest Waterfront

125 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Mi Vida, District Wharf restaurant

1. Mi Vida, District Wharf

4.6

Exceptional(2378)

Price: Expensive

• Mexican • Southwest Waterfront

Booked 18 times today

Chef Roberto Santibañez creates a menu inspired by Mexican street food and traditional home cooking of his country, but in a modern, elevated presentation. Guests can enjoy traditional dishes such as Carne Asada, a variety of Tacos, Seasonal Fish, Ceviches and other Contemporary Mexican creations.

2. Zaytinya - DC

4.7

Exceptional(19299)

Price: Expensive

• Mediterranean • Penn Quarter

Booked 132 times today

Under the direction of celebrated chef José Andrés and concept chef Michael Costa, Zaytinya offers an innovative mezze menu inspired by Turkish, Greek, and Lebanese cuisines served up in a sleek and modern setting. Building on Jose’s deep knowledge of Mediterranean cooking and years of research and travel, the menu features shared small plates of authentic and innovative fare, creative cocktails, and unique Mediterranean wines, making Zaytinya one of the most exciting restaurants in Washington, DC.

A photo of Founding Farmers DC: Foggy Bottom restaurant

3. Founding Farmers DC: Foggy Bottom

4.6

Exceptional(34361)

Price: Moderate

• American • Foggy Bottom

Booked 132 times today

Our award-winning Founding Farmers DC flagship restaurant opened in 2008 just three blocks west of the White House on Pennsylvania Avenue. Open 365 days a year, our team is passionate about crafting dishes and drinks from scratch with high-quality ingredients from farmers and suppliers we know and trust. Join us for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, weekday happy hour, and a la carte weekend brunch. Majority owned by American family farmers, including the more than 50,000 farmers of the North Dakota Farmers Union, our restaurant is guided by a very simple principal: we see and share everything Through The Eyes Of The Farmer.™ We actively care about our guests, our communities, the planet, and the next generation. This all comes together in our everyday neighborhood restaurant.

4. FIG & OLIVE DC

4.4

Awesome(2692)

Price: Expensive

• Mediterranean • Downtown

Booked 5 times today

The heart of Washington, DC is home to a sliver of the French Riviera in FIG & OLIVE DC | CityCenter. Here, guests can escape from the commotion of Downtown DC to indulge in a glass of rosé on our al fresco terrace or enjoy an elegant evening with dinner upstairs in our Orchard Rooms. The bar & lounge are buzzy with our happy hours while the Wine Room is an accessible area perfect for an effortless get together before an event at the nearby Capital One Arena. During the day, F&O DC is a lunch and brunch favorite of CCDC locals and museum visitors alike.

5. The Point - DC

4.4

Awesome(1452)

Price: Expensive

• Seafood • Buzzard Point

Booked 9 times today

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.

6. Tabard Inn

4.7

Exceptional(3749)

Price: Moderate

• Contemporary American • Dupont Circle

Booked 23 times today

Since our early days as a tea room, we’ve been a respite for locals and visitors alike, offering a haven for conversation and memorable cuisine. The tradition continues as our culinary team has curated an inventive and elevated menu through New American cuisine while paying homage to the beloved dishes that have been served at the Tabard Inn for years. Executive Chef Matthew Zafrir came to the Tabard in 2023, bringing with him experience from various fine dining restaurants around D.C. such as minibar by José Andrés, Cranes, Revelers Hour, as well as Woodberry Kitchen in Baltimore, MD. He also shares the Tabard's longstanding commitment to sourcing ingredients locally. Join us for a meal on our covered patio or one of our intimate dining rooms. Or enjoy drinks and light fare in our historic fireplace lounge, where you can enjoy our creative cocktails! A DC institution since 1922, we look forward to offering our guests all the comforts of a home away from home.

7. Centrolina

4.7

Exceptional(2100)

Price: Very Expensive

• Italian • Penn Quarter

Booked 15 times today

Centrolina is an Italian restaurant and market, locally owned and operated by Chef Amy Brandwein, set in Washington’s CityCenterDC development. The Osteria showcases a seasonally driven menu of authentic and innovative Italian dishes offered for lunch and dinner. Chef Brandwein's menu is inspired from the seasons, Italian regionality and the wide variety of Chef curated product in the adjoining market. The market showcases a selection of imported Italian specialty items along with locally sourced meat, sustainable fish, and produce from local farms. The Centrolina kitchen produces daily hand crafted fresh pasta and sauces, antipasti and entrees available for takeaway. For parties of 7 people or more, we do require a prix-fixe menu, please email caroline@centrolinadc.com for additional information.

A photo of Founding Farmers Fishers & Bakers DC: Georgetown restaurant

8. Founding Farmers Fishers & Bakers DC: Georgetown

4.4

Awesome(13785)

Price: Moderate

• American • Georgetown

Booked 67 times today

Located at Georgetown’s Washington Harbor on the Potomac River with a lively dining room, full-service bar, and a covered & heated patio, this farmer-owned restaurant is open 365 days a year serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, weekday happy hour, and a decadent weekend Farmers Market Buffet Brunch. Everything is made from scratch with simple, high-quality ingredients from farmers and suppliers they know and trust. Expansive menus include an array of seafood dishes, sushi, pizzas, tacos, decadent desserts, Founding Farmers Chocolates, classic and tiki cocktails featuring spirits from their DC-based distillery, Founding Spirits. You can also swing by for a cup of house-roasted coffee and breakfast treat from their First Bake Cafe. Mission driven and operating Through The Eyes Of The Farmer,™ they actively care about their guests, communities, and the planet. This all comes together in their friendly neighborhood restaurant.

9. Boqueria - Dupont

4.6

Exceptional(2302)

Price: Expensive

• Tapas / Small Plates • Dupont Circle

Booked 5 times today

An energetic yet intimate Barcelona-style tapas bar serving Spanish favorites, seasonal specials, and curated cocktails in a contemporary space with a lively patio several blocks away from Dupont Circle.Perfect for a shared meal of small plates, happy hour with the team, a memorable date night, or weekend brunch!Let us know if you have any seating requirements when making your booking. Parties of 10 or more will enjoy our Chef's Tasting Menu ($52pp plus beverage, tax, and gratuity).Please note that by making a reservation through OpenTable you are agreeing to receive marketing communications from Boqueria.

10. Iron Gate

4.6

Exceptional(2987)

Price: Very Expensive

• Mediterranean • Dupont Circle

Booked 9 times today

Iron Gate, located near Dupont Circle, stands as one of the district’s oldest continuously operating restaurants and is split between a sumptuous dining room, a wisteria covered patio and a handsomely enclosed carriageway that houses the bar.Chef Anthony Chittum, a native of Maryland’s Eastern Shore, and his team have revitalized the space with a menu that takes inspiration for the cuisines of Greece, Sicily, Sardinian and Southern Italy, interpreting those traditions and techniques using the finest products and seasonal ingredients of the Mid-Atlantic.Iron Gate also serves as an idyllic oasis for fine private events both large and small, so please consider us when planning your next fête, we'd love to have you as our guests.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

P
Peggy
Washington, D.C. Area •1 review
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
We had their Thanksgiving dinner and everything was delicious. The service is outstanding. The GM even stopped by to see if we were enjoying our meal and shared a recipe with us. Highly recommend
More info
The Point - DCPrice: Expensive• Seafood• Buzzard Point
•
4.4
R
Robin
New York City •1 review
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
We sat at the bar for Thanksgiving and the service was friendly, quick and efficient. The main course (plant-based veggie loaf for we vegetarians) was fantastic as were the sides. Highly recommend.
More info
Founding Farmers DC: Foggy BottomPrice: Moderate• American• Foggy Bottom
•
4.6
R
Rachel
Los Angeles •17 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Food was so amazingly good, from the roasted cauliflower to the tender and flavorful steak. The service was friendly and helpful, modifying the chef's menu for our vegetarian with shellfish allergy guest. And the overall enviroment was warm, welcoming, and cozy. My only complaint is that the experience is so good that no one wants to leave their tables! Like a great family dinner. Thank you
More info
Zaytinya - DCPrice: Expensive• Mediterranean• Penn Quarter
•
4.7
A
Allan
Washington, D.C. Area •22 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
Great restaurant in a wonderful waterfront location. Service was timely, food quality was very good and the restaurant design is a feast for the eyes.
More info
Mi Vida, District WharfPrice: Expensive• Mexican• Southwest Waterfront
•
4.6
OT
OpenTable Diner
Virginia •3 reviews
4.0
Dined on 16 Nov 2024
Enjoyed a business lunch meeting on a weekday here. Initially, our table was not ready despite having a reservation so we were seated at the bar. Not a big deal, we then were moved to our table for two which was very comfortable. Service was great, food was prepared fresh and fast. I enjoyed the salad with salmon while my colleague had a chicken sandwich and fries. Interior is well designed and chic, high ceilings, although we found we could hear conversations next to us. One of many dining options nearby and certainly worth at least one visit.
More info
FIG & OLIVE DCPrice: Expensive• Mediterranean• Downtown
•
4.4

Explore OpenTable

Southwest Waterfront

Best Restaurants for Outdoor Dining in Southwest Waterfront

Price

Cuisine

Regions

Areas

Top Rated

Dining Options

Seating Options

Award-winning

Accessibility

125 restaurants available nearby

1. Mi Vida, District Wharf

2. Zaytinya - DC

3. Founding Farmers DC: Foggy Bottom

4. FIG & OLIVE DC

5. The Point - DC

6. Tabard Inn

7. Centrolina

8. Founding Farmers Fishers & Bakers DC: Georgetown

9. Boqueria - Dupont

10. Iron Gate

See what locals rave about

Explore OpenTable