Here are more than 25 tasty options for Northern Virginia outdoor dining where you can relax, indulge, and celebrate the return of warm weather. The outdoor patios and decks at these restaurants are perfect for everything from casual meals to special date nights.
2020 Update: Many of the restaurants on our list are open for outdoor dining with reduced capacity and enhanced social distancing. Always check the restaurant website or social media before heading out to confirm the latest details. Note: Photos below were taken before 2020.
While we love a cozy pub in the chill of winter, warm weather calls us outside. Fortunately, there is plenty of patio dining nearby. Whether you want a barebones picnic table by a parking lot or a more elegant spot with a waterfront view, you’ll find great outdoor dining choices on our list.
Restaurants in our round-up of Northern Virginia outdoor dining are listed alphabetically by town. Our list includes outdoor restaurants in Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, Fauquier, Falls Church, Loudoun, and Prince William Counties and towns. Follow the links for details on hours, price range, and address.
Southside 815, Alexandria
Recommended by Alexandria photographer Chris Militzer, Southside 815 offers great food and a welcoming patio frequented by locals. Chris loves Southside’s location off the bustle of King Street, and the relaxed vibe away from the crowds. Follow Chris on Instagram and Twitter for more of his gorgeous landscapes and nature photography.
Carolina Brothers Pit Barbecue, Ashburn
You can arrive by car, but we recommend a bike ride on the western W & OD Trail to Carolina Brothers Pit Barbecue in Ashburn. The casual restaurant is located at the intersection of the W&OD and Ashburn Road. Carolina Brothers has scrumptious BBQ sandwiches for $5; add 2 sides for an extra $3. We love the pulled pork, but they also have beef BBQ, pulled chicken, and hot dogs. The blueberry pie and other desserts are a great deal too.
Ford’s Fish Shack, Ashburn (also South Riding)
We return to Ford’s often for fresh, authentic New England seafood (those fried clams are so good!). Ford’s patio is next to the parking lot, but it’s nicely bordered with plants and a railing and there are heat lamps for cooler temps. Read our full review of Ford’s Fish Shack now.
Main Street Pub, Clifton
The charming town of Clifton has lots of great history and adorable stores. When you’re ready to sit down and enjoy a bite, we suggest a BLT on the patio at the Main Street Pub. It’s a quiet shady spot to watch the small town world go by.
Plan a visit with our guide: Clifton Virginia Day Trip: A Charming Small Town Near Washington DC.
Tim’s Rivershore, Dumfries
Waterfront restaurants in Northern Virginia are rare, especially if you want to enjoy outdoor dining with your feet in the sand. Tim’s Rivershore in Prince William County is a fun spot on the Potomac River for fresh seafood and a Jimmy Buffet vibe. Arrive by car or boat, grab a spot on the deck or the shore, and kick back with a cocktail while the kitchen cooks up your tasty meal.
Bollywood Bistro, Old Town Fairfax
Bollywood Bistro is located in a group of small restaurants sharing a common patio in Old Town Fairfax. The restaurant, which also has a Great Falls location, offers contemporary and delicious Indian food. We enjoyed the Phool Gobi—a vegetarian dish of cauliflower, potatoes and peas—and Chicken Vindaloo with delicious Rosemary Naan, topped off with a Maharaja beer. Read our full review of Bollywood Bistro.
Griffin Tavern, Flint Hill, Virginia
Griffin Tavern is a wonderful stop for lunch and a pint, on your way to or from a day trip to Shenandoah National Park, especially if you visit during fall foliage season. The friendly deck borders the bar, and there are a few more tables on the lovely curved front porch. We enjoyed a burger with our pints, and we’re eyeing the fish and chips for our next visit.
Old Brogue Irish Pub and Katie’s, Great Falls
When warm weather arrives we love a pint on the Old Brogue patio. It’s our favorite stop after a hike at Great Falls or Riverbend Park. The Brogue’s fish and chips are delicious, and we’re also fond of the Irish Beef Stew, the Irish Banger Rolls appetizer, and the salmon salad (especially in summer). In the morning, order a bagel or breakfast sandwich from Katie’s, and enjoy it on the same sunny patio.
Read our full guide to Northern Virginia Area Pubs Perfect for a Cozy and Tasty Meal
Bagel Cafe, Herndon
Another terrific breakfast spot with a cheerful patio is The Bagel Cafe on Elden Street in Herndon. Order omelets, home fries, bacon, and bagels inside, then grab an umbrella-covered table on the casual patio. The fresh-squeezed oj is delicious! Yes, you have to stand in line to order (a long line on Mother’s and Father’s Day), but the food is delivered to you when ready.
Work up an appetite on the Sugarland Run Trail, right across the street.
Fireworks Pizza, Leesburg (also in Arlington)
The long, wrap-around porch at Fireworks is raised above parking level and offers a mix of covered and sunny seating. The pizzas are delicious, and so are the salads and daily specials. If you still have room after your meal, try the indulgent Chocolate Chip Cookie Sundae.
Extend your fun with these related articles:
- Leesburg Scenic Drive on the Virginia Maryland Border
- Leesburg Getaway in Northern Virginia Wine Country
- 10 Tasty Leesburg restaurants
Sweet Leaf Community Cafe, McLean (also Vienna and Arlington)
Sweet Leaf turns out custom, delicious sandwiches all year long. But it’s especially nice when the spacious patio adds extra seating to the popular McLean lunch spot. Even better, warm weather is the perfect excuse to make an extra stop at the ice cream counter.
Bartaco, Mosaic District, Fairfax (also in Reston Town Center)
In 2018, bartaco opened a second Northern Virginia location in Fairfax’s hip Mosaic District. The large patio grows even more spacious when the garage doors are open for a nice indoor/outdoor seating mix. The tacos are delicious, but save room for an order of churros with a mug of dunking chocolate. Read our full review of bartaco restaurants.
True Food Kitchen, Mosaic District, Fairfax
We enjoy True Food’s curries, pizza, street tacos—with avocado, cotija cheese, tomatillo salsa and anasazi bean plus steak or fish—and seasonal specials. Like everything at True Food, the ingredients are fresh and the quality is high.
Out of the Blue, Gainesville
Out of the Blue recently treated Charles and I to a delicious meal during a live #FunTravelChat Twitter Chat (join the fun every Monday). Owner Ryan Pell tells us their “secret ingredient” is excellent relationships with top notch fisherman, ensuring the freshest local catch. Everything we tried—broiled scallops, crab BLT, king crab legs, and more—was delicious. But the whole red snapper stole the show, and a big pile of steamed crabs is calling us back. There are two outdoor dining patios, two bars, and plenty of indoor seating to choose from.
2 Silos Brewing, Manassas
2 Silos Brewing offers one of the greatest collections of outdoor dining spaces in Northern Virginia. The sprawling campus includes multiple food, drink, and music spaces, and 2 Silos Brewing was the first to open. Grab a seat by the outdoor fireplace, a table in the sunshine, or an Adirondack chair by a firepit. Wherever you sit you’ll enjoy tasty sandwiches, salads, handmade pizzas, and a range of great craft beer. Get the full scoop on 2 Silos Brewing.
Brickmakers Cafe, Occoquan Regional Park, Lorton
Enjoy a lovely view of the Occoquan River from one of the newest patios on our list at Brickmakers Cafe. The cafe in Occoquan Regional Park serves a casual menu and a nice selection of bottled craft beers and wine. Work up your appetite with s short hike in the park and a visit to a historic beehive kiln.
Plan a visit with our guide: Occoquan Regional Park Hike and History.
The Secret Garden, Occoquan
There is no table service on the patio, however “guests will be welcome to sit outside with their to go orders.”
This lovely Northern Virginia outdoor dining spot in historic Occoquan really is a secret. The Secret Garden restaurant is tucked behind an unassuming building and up a few steps. The BLT and other sandwiches are reliably good, and the quiet garden takes you away from the bustle of the street.
Explore Occoquan and more 15 Fun Northern Virginia Small Towns to Visit Now.
Monk’s BBQ, Purcellville
The patio at Monk’s is bare bones, but you don’t come to Monk’s to be fancy. You come for the amazingly good barbecue. The ribs, pulled pork, brisket are all fall off the bone delicious, and they have a nice selection of craft beers to cool you down. They also have a massive collection of whiskeys on offer.
Plan a visit with our guide: 8 Great Things to do in Purcellville Virginia.
Cafesano, Reston (also in Dulles)
The patio is open at the Dulles location only.
Tucked in a corner of the South Lakes Shopping Center, Cafesano’s small deck benefits from plenty of plants and a peak of Lake Thoreau. The pizza, panini, and other Mediterranean dishes are all great, but start off with the Dip Sampler with housemade red pepper hummus and tzatziki. Read our full Cafesano review.
Clyde’s, Reston
Several Clyde’s offer Northern Virginia outdoor dining, but our favorite for people watching and a tasty meal is the Reston Town Center location. The large outdoor seating area is right next to the pavilion and across from the fountain, so there is always something to see. Clyde’s crab cakes and monthly specials are reliably good. Unfortunately, paid parking has cut back the weekday lunchtime fun, but you can still park free after 5:00 pm and on weekends.
Kalypso’s Sports Tavern, Lake Anne Plaza, Reston
Lake Anne Plaza, the first neighborhood center of Reston, really comes alive in summer. Kalypso’s offers lunch or dinner near the fountain with a relaxing view of the lake. In 2020, the restaurant celebrates 10 years of serving authentic Greek and Italian dishes from this family-owned favorite.
Lake Anne Coffee House, Lake Anne Plaza, Reston
A bit further from the lake, under a nice shade tree, the Lake Anne Coffehouse adds another outdoor dining spot to Lake Anne Plaza. Visit on a Saturday for brunch and shopping at the extensive Farmer’s Market. Stop by the Lake Anne Brew House for a craft brew on their lakeside deck.
Explore more with our guides: Van Gogh Bridge in Reston Virginia and Hidden Art in Reston Virginia
Red’s Table, Reston
It can be hard to find restaurants on the water in Northern Virginia. Happily, the pretty patio at Red’s Table overlooks Lake Thoreau in Reston’s South Lakes Plaza. Stop by in the early afternoon for a Happy Hour drink by the lake, or visit for lunch, dinner, or Sunday brunch. Locally sourced, fresh ingredients make for very tasty dishes all day long. Take a closer look at Red’s Table.
Add a hike to your visit on the Lake Thoreau Loop Trail in Reston Virginia.
Hunter’s Head Tavern, Upperville
Hunter’s Head Tavern is another English Pub that we love to visit on a scenic drive in Virginia’s Hunt Country or after a hike at Sky Meadows State Park. The pub’s menu is sourced with organic local farm meats and produce harvested from neighboring Ayrshire Farm (which shares the same owner), so the food is fresh and delicious. We love their fish and chips and fresh salads and veggies. In summer, you can’t beat a spot in the lovely courtyard patio.
Caboose Brewing Company, Vienna and Fairfax
Caboose Brewing Company, right next to the W&OD bike trail in Vienna, combines wonderful craft beer with delicious, locally-sourced food in an inviting space. The location next to the bike trail in downtown Vienna draws a steady crowd on two wheels, by car, and on foot.
In the Mosaic District, Caboose Commons serves a similar delicious combination of craft beer and food. The barn-like indoor space is paired with a huge outdoor patio. Try the tasty fries, deviled eggs, pork belly, and popular hamburgers. Read more about Caboose Brewing Company
Extend your fun with our guide: 8 Great Things to Do in Vienna Virginia
Taco Bamba, Vienna and Falls Church
Taco Bamba has been a favorite for authentic and tasty tacos ever since Chef/Owner Victor Albisu opened his Falls Church location. The Vienna location adds more seating and a full bar to that same great menu. Everything we have eaten here is delicious, including the drinks. The small patio borders the parking area but your focus will be on the food. Read our full review of Taco Bamba in Falls Church.
Find more: Favorite Places to Eat Tasty Tacos in Northern Virginia
There you have it; more than 25 of our favorite Northern Virginia outdoor dining options for enjoying a warm weather meal. What’s your favorite spot for an outdoor meal?
Please share your feedback in the comments below or join us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram for more places to visit, things to do, and travel in and from Northern Virginia and the Washington DC region.
This article was published in 2016 and updated in 2018, 2019, and 2020.
Lena’s Oasis in Alexandria takes reservations as does the Carlyle in Shirlington. Both have outdoor seating with socially distanced tables.
Thanks so much for the suggestions Janet. We’ll have to check them both out. Happy dining!
Two errors on this list. Fiona’s Irish Pub is in Kingstown and Pane e Vino closed months ago.
Thanks very much for the feedback, Rhoda. We updated the article to correct those two errors.
Fionas isn’t closed. They just posted your link on their FB page.
It was Pane e Vino that closed, Fiona’s just needed a city correction. Thanks for the tip on their Fb post!
Well you just brightened up my weekend! Since moving to Virginia, I am always on the hunt for new eating establishments. Thanks for all the recommendations, and I can hardly wait to some them. Now I just have to figure out how far I am from each of the cities haha.
That’s fantastic, Susan. We love to try new places, especially when we visit a new park or town. Let us know what you think and pleas tip us off if you find a new patio for us to try.