Four Hidden Al Fresco Gems

Outdoor dining often means shouting to be heard over traffic as passersby ogle your food. But some venues offer hidden patios that helpdiners feel they've escaped the hectic city for a secret oasis. Check out four of these gems below.

1) Tabard Inn

This historic inn's restaurant has been the brunch destination of choice for in-the-know DC diners for years, delighting patrons with their house-made doughnuts way before the recent trend, too. Steps away from Dupont Circle, the lush garden setting and ivy-adorned walls provide a welcome respite from the city streets.

2) 1905

It's easy to miss 1905 Restaurant; the restored row house is tucked away just pastthe heart of U street's hustle and bustle. Walking up the narrow stairs into the cozy, dimly lit main room, you would never expect that upstairs is a bright, two-tiered rooftop deck--complete with its own bar-- overlooking the neighborhood.

3) Liberty Tree

Let's face it--evenings on H Street can get downright rowdy. In addition to an eclectic menu ranging from fried whole-bellied clams to crisp-crusted pizzas, Liberty Tree offers diners a hideaway from the H Street madness with its surprisingly large, completely enclosed patio.

4) Poste

Of the hordes of people who pass by the unassuming sign for Penn Quarter's Poste Moderne Brasserie every day, few suspect that the concrete walls house a large, sunny courtyard. In addition to ample table seating, Poste's patio boasts a 24-seat wraparound bar and a wood-fired grill (Thursday/Friday only). It's also home to planters full of herbs, greens, fruits and veggies.