Best Outdoor Dining Spots for Spring
Lifestyle
With spring in full force and temperatures on the rise, Washingtonians are busy soaking in every second of sunshine. And in DC, being outside is synonymous with drinking and dining outdoors. Luckily, the city is beyond prepared to facilitate our favorite warm-weather adventures, trading in heaters for umbrellas and transforming streeteries into seasonal destinations well worth a trip. So, ditch your jackets and sweaters and sip your way through our list of the best outdoor dining spots around!
#1: Calico
Calico’s urban backyard in Blagden Alley was made for outdoor dining. The walled-in, multi-level space—with a wooden deck terrace and a turf lawn below—is equipped with picnic tables, string lights, lush planters, and a metal greenhouse frame, epitomizing the neighborhood cookout vibe. The menu follows suit, with loaded tots, Philly-style tomato pie, watermelon salad, BBQ brisket sandwiches, plus draft and frozen cocktails. And timed reservations, plus contact tracing, is in full effect for your personal safety
#2: Duke’s Grocery
With two locations in Dupont Circle and Woodley Park, each with see-and-be-seen outdoor seating, Duke’s is an easy option for burger cravings or a boozy patio brunch. You certainly can’t go wrong with the proper burger, just be sure to add an egg on top, or if you’re craving some late-night eats, the “after hours” menu offers Vietnamese fried rice and truffle mac-n-cheese. Reservations are required in advance.
La Famosa features the flavorful cuisine of Puerto Rico. A wrap-around patio makes this highly anticipated restaurant a safe bet for outdoor dining at breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Inside there is an all-day menu and walk-up coffee counter serving a variety of savory and sweet-fried turnovers called Pastelillos, as well as locally roasted beans from Ceremony Coffee in Annapolis. For happy hour, the bar leans into tropical-inspired drinks, like piña coladas, guava smashes, and nonalcoholic batidos aka tropical fruit blended with milk, sugar, and ice.
#4: HalfSmoke
The patio at HalfSmoke is a shady, secluded spot with sofas, picnic-style seating, and globe lights hanging overhead. The entire menu is available outside, but the main event is as the name suggests: a bevy of sausages that can be customized with toppings and sauces of your choosing. The barbecue spot also has snacks like crab fries and mac and cheese bites, plus sandwiches, flatbreads, cocktails, and fully loaded alcoholic milkshakes, ready for their Instagram close-up.
#5: Hi-Lawn
The rooftop of Union Market is the perfect place to meet friends in a safe socially distanced space with a view of the Capitol Building. Just be sure to make a reservation in advance—tables book up fast here. This spring, chefs Greg Algie and Nathan Beauchamp are pulling out all the stops, including raw oysters, tomato soup and grilled cheese, charcuterie plates, and brunch items like French toast, lox platters, and mimosas.
➤ Interested in more local places to visit? You might also like:
