We were visiting the National Portrait gallery and were starved. They have a Courtyard Cafe which has a good selection of food and drink. A little pricey but that is because of location. My wife had a caesar's salad and I ate a turkey wrap. we both had coffee lattes. Delicious. Then you take your meal outside in the huge courtyard with plenty of seating. Great ambiance. Noise level very low.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$10–20
Parking
None. You take the WMATA subway to the Smithsonian metro stop. Close to museum.

Absolutely outrageous prices. Salad bar has decent options and the best value for the money, but it is filthy under the hood. I've posted a photo of the salad dressing section of the bar which doesn't appear to have ever been cleaned. Additionally, I've never seen such high food prices even at theme parks. $11.20 for a dinky pre-made chicken salad sandwich? Outrageous! The second star is present purely because the rest of the museum is free and therefore a good value.

This place is a rip off. They can barely understand what you order. They messed up my order then blame my order (iced coffee) was wrong. I didn’t mind paying more to get the correct order but I didn’t feel like dealing with these nincompup.
Service
Take out
Meal type
Other
Price per person
$1–10

The prices at the Courtyard Cafe are a little high (as with any place to eat in virtually any museum in DC), but it's a great spot to grab a coffee and do some writing or work on a laptop. The courtyard in the Portrait Gallery is one of the best spots in DC, hands-down.

Great spot to stop for a break, grab a snack and coffee, sit down in a beautiful courtyard and get fresh energy for more American art.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Food: 4
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

Cool little Cafe in the courtyard of the portrait gallery. Great place for a drink. Courtyard is covered so good in all weather. Cafe has alcohol. Prices are decent. Lots of seats for those who aren't Cafe customers too.

Pricey but the nice ambiance is worth it. Napoleon vanilla cake was dense and filling. Chicken sandwiches were a hit with my family.
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$10–20
Features
Dine in: Yes

They should update their business hours here. Google maps says they’re open until 7pm. I come to the cafe in person a little before 4, and the cafe is closing already.

Exceptional supply of quick food on the go. Outside seating with a full canopy above. Inside the main building but accessible for free. Handicap accessible.

Perfect spot for quiet chat, especially when you want to be outside but the weather is not cooperating. The prices are ridiculous though.

The food was great and the service was impeccable the people they are ready crying and courteous specially the management.

Really expensive, but you can't beat the location. The courtyard is really gorgeous. It's also currently full of orchids!

Great spot to grab a drink, and enjoy the best indoor spot in DC. Prices are a little high due to the location.

Low key Smithsonian museum cafe. Great place to grab a latte and pasty and enjoy the serine courtyard area.

Bad coffee but cool place, literally and as an adjective specifically the courtyard.

Great for arts.
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

C'est super pour passer un moment de détente entre deux visites.

love the courtyard here any time of the year.