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The view might be of the skyline, the surrounding coastline, a romantic interior courtyard, or simply your date backlit by the cityscape. Whatever the venue, summer is the time to dine outdoors, catch a breeze, and relax as if you are on vacation, even if you’re in the city you call home.
Best Outdoor Dining in....
Best Outdoor Dining
D.C.
Café du Parc 1401 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, White House, 202-942-7000 cafeduparc.com
The Draw: The capital’s most elegant outdoor cafe is situated just steps from the White House, on the cusp of the lively Penn Quarter. Other cafes may claim Parisian ambience, but this one delivers, with its sublime bistro fare and its views of the city’s sophisticates on parade. The Scene: Partly shielded from traffic by little Pershing Park, the cafe’s wide patio offers cushioned seating at round tables beneath blue umbrellas. A cross-section of Washington surrounds you, including diplomats staying at the Willard, romancing couples, and theatergoers (the National Theatre is close by). Hot Tip: The terrace cafe is lovely anytime, but it’s most enchanting at night when street lamps, moonlight, and illuminated grand facades—particularly the Willard’s, which is right next door—cast a romantic glow over this stretch of Pennsylvania Avenue.
Poste Brasserie 555 Eighth St. NW, Penn Quarter, 202-783-6060 postebrasserie.com
The Draw: Through Poste’s stone archway entrance, once the carriageway for DC’s 1839 general post office, this private, stone-paved interior courtyard of the historic Hotel Monaco makes for a gorgeous oasis and nightly hotspot for fans of Poste’s specialty cocktails (try the Bitter Vengeance, a mix of vodka, juices, and grapefruit bitters) and delicious, fresh-from-the-garden cuisine. The Scene: Chef Robert Weland’s lush vegetable and herb gardens serve as a the evening’s backdrop. Diners—many of whom collect in the courtyard for happy hour on weeknights—find this space a lovely spot for al fresco meals like gazpacho made from the restaurant’s own garden-fresh heirloom tomatoes. Hot Tip: Poste has become famous for its “Poste Roasts,” held in the courtyard every night but Thursday and featuring chef’s table dinners of hickory-wood, spit-roasted meat and fish.
Zaytinya 701 9th St. NW, Penn Quarter, 202-638-0800 zaytinya.com
The Draw: People-watching is just one reason DC natives like to settle themselves on the expansive patio at Zaytinya and watch the always-remarkable stream of Penn Quarter passers-by. Another reason? The outdoor tables might actually be quieter than those inside at this exuberantly noisy restaurant. The Scene: The city’s hungriest hipsters perch here, slurping up Aphrodite’s Pear cocktails (pear vodka, lime juice and elderflower cordial) and noshing on Zaytinya’s Turkish/Greek/Lebanese mezzes, like the kolokithokeftedes (zucchini and cheese patties with caper-yogurt sauce). Hot Tip: Unusual among restaurants in the city, Zaytinya welcomes diners’ canine companions at its sidewalk cafe.
