Wonderful experience! Decoration, atmosphere, service, food… everything perfect and authentically Spanish. Very good quality of products and kitchen.

+6

Taberna del Alabardero exceeded all expectations! We had been here once before and the food was amazing. And this time, we came for our Anniversary since our go-to place had shut down, BLT Prime by David Burke in the old Trump building which had an unmatched atmosphere(I'll include a picture). Anyway, in the reservation, I put that it was our anniversary. I normally add in the special occasion but nothing much really comes of it. Well, this is where Taberna del Alabardero exceeded our old go-to spot and any place we'd been before. They gave us a corner booth by the kitchen, fresh rose petals all over the table, and a handwritten Happy Anniversary card. Let me tell you, the look on my girlfriends face, how special it made her night, it sealed itself as the new special occasion go-to. Not only that, the food was amazing as usual, I got the lamb, and the service was impeccable, not over the top annoying but always there the second you need something. So if you're someone looking for a special occasion spot, I wouldn't look anywhere else, they'll take care of you and your significant other to a degree that I haven't seen anywhere else!

Truly a gem in the heart of DC. Authentic Spanish food that does not disappoint. Service was excellent and I thought the prices were reasonable for the portion sizes and quality. The restaurant does have an formal/upscale vibe, and I wouldn’t recommend it for families with toddlers or other small children. Plenty of vegetarian options and even a few vegan dishes as well. I’ll be returning for sure. Pictured from left to right: tortilla de patatas, pulpo gallego, and chipirones en su tinta. Flan was one of the best I’ve ever had.

We chose Taberna for our wedding ceremony and party. Everything was perfect. First of all we would like to thank all the staff for their support and kindness for accommodating all our requests. The ceremony and the party went great. The room for the ceremony was perfect, la granja for the dinner was well prepared and the food and wine were amazing as always. We also want to thank the personnel. They were very kind and professional at our wedding. The flamenco show was amazing as well. We really enjoyed our wedding and we are very happy to have chosen Taberna as the venue for our wedding.

I started with a Spanish gin drink. Then enjoyed the potato salad as my appetizer. Then had oxtail for my main course and a strawberry shortbread cake for dessert. I really enjoyed my meals and I will return because Taberna made my experience wonderful.

Great Spanish Restaurant.. Cozy, a bit posh)), great flamenco band and performance on Friday. Liked the food and ambulance..Was there to meet 2 friends....Were seated very well...Good energy from the evening.

+5

Wonderful spanish restaurant in the heart of Washington, D.C. . The tapas are excellent : the torreznos (pork belly) needed a bit more cooking, but they tasted great; the chorizos and papas bravas are just like in Spain. One thing that I really appreciate is that they have Gluten Free rolls!! Then we ordered the Paella mixta for 2, although we were 3. They brought a huge Paella and charged for 3, so we had a lot of leftovers to take home. The wines are very expensive, especially because we know how inexpensive a bottle of good wine costs in Spain. We had a nice Cava. The atmosphere is refined, with spanish colors and decoration. Very nice, corteous service.

+2

Authentic Spanish style and delicious fresh food. Very nice place with good service. End up eating more than we planned but it was worth it.

+5

Yesterday, we discovered an incredible Spanish restaurant in Washington DC, and it was an unforgettable experience. We indulged in a variety of traditional Spanish dishes, including croquetas de jamón, tortilla de patatas, pulpo a la gallega, paella valenciana, churros con chocolate, and crema catalana. Every dish was excellent, capturing the authentic flavors of Spain perfectly. The service was outstanding, making us feel welcomed and well-cared for throughout our visit. To top it all off, we were treated to a mesmerizing flamenco dance performance, which added a vibrant and cultural touch to our evening. This restaurant offers a true taste of Spain and is highly recommended for anyone seeking an exceptional dining experience in Washington DC.

+3

Spanish restaurants outside of Spain are tricky and most of the time not worth it, but this was a rare and great find in DC! Polite and helpful staff despite we arrived right between shifts. We sat in the terrace, pretty invited (classic Spanish decoration on the inside is appealing as well), and food was amazing! Octopus was very good, and croquetas are amazing! Try the Alhambra beer from Granada, another great deal, and don’t forget to ask for bread, the one made of black olives is insane! Overall, great find!

+2

Delicious and authentic Spanish food. The smells coming out of the dishes around the restaurant automatically transported me back to Spain. Very distinct decorations. Good service with plenty of waiters. Overall, a highly recommended experience.

Great time eating some delicious Spanish cuisine and enjoying the show. The lamb and mushroom rice was delicious. The eggplant with honey was a great surprise. Drinks are strong and tasty. My server gave excellent recommendations and was friendly.

+6

Amazing ambiance outside(Oct. 2020) dinning and the wait staff were so wonderful. I’m going to let my pictures speak volumes about the lobster paella. Everything was so fresh and delectable on my pallet. Mmmm!!! My tastebuds were in heaven because that lobster paella was BIBLE(the real deal). Exquisite food and inventive menu. For my birthday dinner celebration dinner, everything was so amazing! We bought our own bottle of wine and the professional and gracious staff poured our bottle for us. Love, love, love, love this place. I travel all over the world, I find great places to eat, and I have a strong following. I’m telling you, try Taberna out for yourself. You’ll understand what I’m writing about. Excellent food and staff Taberna. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I love, love, love, this place.

+2

Delicous Spainish food with excellent service, probably the best I've had when it comes to Spanish cuisine. The staff is very attentive. The live flamenco is Friday and Saturday starting at 8pm, provides a great atmosphere. Highly recommend reservations. The only item I wouldn't recommend is the pork tenderloins in their tapas menu, everything else was outstanding.

+4

Amazing restaurant. It is a piece of Spain in Washington. The quality of the food is very high same as the professionalism of all the staff. We really felt at home. It was a great experience for our Spanish family that after five months in US is really missing our country delights. Highly recommended if you want to have a good time and food!

+6

I’ve had the pleasure of dining at Taberna del Alabardero, and every visit has been exceptional. The restaurant perfectly captures the warmth and elegance of Spanish dining — from the beautifully crafted tapas to the rich, flavorful paellas. The service is always professional and attentive, creating a truly memorable experience. Isabella, one of the hosts, greets every guest with genuine kindness and makes everyone feel right at home the moment they arrive. Highly recommend Taberna del Alabardero for anyone seeking authentic Spanish cuisine and outstanding hospitality

Loved this place, awesome ambience, quite traditional look of the restaurant. Sangrila was irresistible, had multiple pitchers. Great selection of wines. Food was too good. Pulpo a La Gallega was yummy, both shrimp n chicken ones were yummy. They have few veggie options though.

+5

Found this delicious Spanish food around our hotel. Travel with my daughter to celebrate her graduation from junior high to the States and the waiter is very friendly. The smells transported me back to Spain. Good service and love to re-visit this week.

+1

Objectively great food. The price is high (which I thought was more noticeable on my salmon and shrimp dish) but it was delicious and the vibe was remarkable. This would be a phenomenal date spot or place to celebrate special occasions.

I really enjoyed Taberna. The service was probably my favorite part. My server made sure I had a perfectly selected experience. I came alone and ordered the octopus and Croquetas and was guided on a couple selections of wine. Definitely would come again! Wonderful restaurant.

Classic DC restaurant that specializes in Spanish cuisine. We were able to get reservations for Sunday night to celebrate a birthday. At time of reservation I mentioned it was birthday celebration. When we arrived, we were greeted quickly and sat. They had a nice, cozy table reserved with a very nice Happy Birthday card written for our special guest! We started out with tortilla de patata, friend manchengo cheese with raspberry sauce and the cherry & mango gazpacho. Everything was superb, the favorite was the cheese with the raspberry sauce. We ordered a chicken and seafood paella to split with everyone. It was spot on with both the texture and taste one would expect from paella. The seafood that came with it were clams, mussels and shrimp. For dessert we ordered the churros with chocolate and the warm cheesecake. Not were very good and just the right size. We were surprised yet again with a very special Happy Birthday plate written in chocolate with some berries, chocolate and cookies. Very good and will look forward to coming back here again soon.

+3

WOW! First time customer that is coming back! Service, timely, food quality, ambience, attitude, the list goes on. This was a perfect night for a couple’s date night and we’re definitely coming back.

+2

A very authentic restaurant of Spanish cuisine! We had a fantastic dinner there. We were served very well, the dishes were brought out quickly. This evening we decided to try several dishes from Tapas and one dish from Appetizer. From tapas I really liked “Txipirones en su Tinta con Arroz”. The dish has a very delicate and pleasant taste like a small paella but with a creamy taste. We also tried “Gambas al Ajillo” and “Mejillones a la mantequilla”, shrimps and mussels were spiced very well and the sauce, in which they were served, tasted perfect with their bread with nuts. If you like pork in sour sauce, then try the appetizer “Solomillo de Cerdo al Whiskey con Patatas”. And dessert, I definitely recommend their Millefeuille with almond cream, very crunchy, very tasty, just melts in your mouth.

+2

Everything we had here was good. This was the first time coming to the restaurant and definitely not the last. UPDATE: So we used a special from Travelzoo. This gave us an opportunity to try many things in the tapas area and the paella. I have done this twice now and I am never disappointed. The service is A+. I will be going back again as it is one of my favorite restaurants.

+3

We booked a table for two for date night the Tuesday before thanksgiving. I was surprised by how empty the place was. This is an authentic Spanish restaurant. We ordered tapas though they do have main courses and paella. Everything we had was delicious. I was in Spain not long ago and this put me right back. Service was spectacular. They have a lovely private dining space for a large party. Coat check took. 10/10. I highly recommend.

An amazing experience. I’m from Texas. We went for my wife’s birthday. It was definitely the highlight of our trip. The entire staff was so tremendous The food was sooo savory. We tried sooo many diff things. The wine was very good Will be sure to drop in again one day

Attentive service, elegant atmosphere. We had two tapas each (4 total), all were good. The fried calamari didn't taste too greasy and they were still juicy, the blood sausage was excellent with the sauce. Way too much paprika on the octopus for me, so I'd pass on that next time. I look forward to coming back to try out more dishes.

My husband and I regard this as one of the very best Spanish restaurants not merely in DC, but also in the United States -- so much so that we drive several hours, from our home in central Virginia, merely to dine here. In addition to outstanding food --including an adequate selection of vegetarian options for flexible vegan people such as ourselves-- the superb service we have received deserves to be highlighted and commended. Our first visit was on our tenth wedding anniversary, and everyone (from the Maître D' to all the servers) went out of their way to make us feel welcomed. Equally importantly to us, La Taberna del Alabardero is one of those rare restaurants these days in which outstanding food is coupled with timeless refinement and attention to detail. Upon walking into this restaurant, we always feel as though we have been transported to a fine-dining restaurant in Madrid's historic downtown. Special thanks to Antonio (and all his dedicated staff) for the extraordinary service and food. We look forward to many more memorable dinners at La Taberna del Alabardero. ¡Salud!

+6

My boyfriend and I had an amazing anniversary/Valentine’s Day date here! I only requested a nicely located seat for the event, but they went above and beyond! Rose petals, candle, drinks and a lovely dessert! We were blown away by the attention to detail. A sign of great service is when servers refill your glasses, and I can assure you that our glasses were never more than half empty! The food was great, though it was my first time trying Spanish food so I have nothing to compare to. The seafood paella portions were amazing for 2, and we were so full we had to take it to go! The presentation was wonderful and much appreciated. And last but certainly not least, there was a live band and Spanish dancer - not only did we get an amazing meal, but also an amazing show! Hiiighly recommend for a date night or special event ❤️

We went Uesterday evening. Reserved using Open table Casual- elegant place Food is authentic. We have been in Spain many times and can appreciate authentic Spanish Cuisine They also made chicken nuggets for our Son, were not in the menu. Sangria an wine excellent

+1

The lobster paella (paella de langosta) was delicious. At $44 it was of course not cheap but I really think it is great value for what you get. The portion size is very large and a large percentage of it is all kinds of seafood. Compared to other paellas I've had its easily the best taste and best value. Service was great and parking was right across the street and free with the restaurants validation. Very convenient! Update: Came back again for the Oxtail and Mushroom Paella. It was also much better taste and value than other paellas I've had. The oxtail was so tender and there were other ingredients like chicken and artichoke that I did not expect but were a welcome addition. I would have liked a bit more oxtail but overall the portion size was great. I would say I still like the lobster one the best though. The potato salad and octopus tapas were great as well. The octopus was very tender, not rubbery at all and both tasted great without being salty. I would say this place has cemented itself as one of my favorites in the area and would definitely recommend people to get any of the paellas.

+6

Live flamenco music and dancing on Saturday night, we had great November weather so we sat outdoors with heaters. Amazing service, food was great! We had a paella and the price you see on the menu is per person (we didn't understand that) but it was still reasonable because we didn't even finish it. We would go again.

Hands down, one of the most unforgettable dining experiences I’ve ever had! From the moment we stepped into Taberna del Alabardero, we were transported to the heart of Spain — the ambiance, the service, the food, EVERYTHING was simply extraordinary. The bar area is elegant yet inviting, and we chose to sit right at the bar where the energy and buzz of the restaurant truly come alive.  The highlight of our evening was our bartender, Jorge — an absolute rockstar! His mixology skills are out of this world, and every drink he crafted was nothing short of perfection. He made us feel like VIPs the entire night, always with a smile and an impeccable attention to detail. His recommendations were spot-on and elevated our meal beyond expectations. The Spanish cuisine was rich, flavorful, and beautifully presented — every bite felt like a celebration of authentic, time-honored flavors. The wine list was phenomenal, the sangria was delightful, and the tapas were some of the best I’ve ever tasted. Every dish showcased the passion and craftsmanship this restaurant is known for.  If you’re looking for a five-star experience with world-class drinks, incredible hospitality (shout-out again to Jorge!), and mouthwatering food in a stunning setting, this place is an absolute MUST. I can’t wait to return — already planning my next visit!

I had a great time here last night! The service was very professional, attentive, and the flamenco was great too! The croquettes were tasty. I enjoyed the sangrias and the waiter gifted me a little dessert wine with my flan which went perfectly together. I thought it was sweet that a waitress handed me a rose ☺️Loved the guitar and the dancers, I felt transported back to Sevilla! I recommend this place for anyone that wants a little slice of Spain in DC 💃🇪🇸❤️

This is a stand-out restaurant in Washington DC. The service is absolutely impeccable, the food is authentic and to die for, and the flamenco is just out of this world. It feels like you’ve been transported to Spain to Madrid in the 1980s. It doesn’t get better than this. Highly recommend for a wonderful night out!

Everything was wonderful! We started with gazpacho appetizer -- beautiful presentation and excellent proportion (see photo). The bream and snapper dishes were really good. The bream was cooked in an "igloo" of salt which imparted a nice flavor and not too salty. Shout-out to our server Antonio who was first-rate.

+1

Gorgeous unique decorated interior, best appetizers I’ve ever had & best service I’ve ever had. The staff truly turned service into an art form.

+4

When you gotta go classic Spanish this is the spot, food was great, service was awesome. I unfortunately do not remember the gentleman from Spain with the glasses that took me thru the wine list. He's a gem, service A+.

This is a truly exceptional restaurant. The food was outstanding; service was equally exceptional; the little touches the restaurant added for Valentine's Day was wonderful. For Valentine's Day dinner, they greeted waiting guests with complimentary Cavas and long-stemmed roses. The food was truly outstanding. We love good Spanish tapas, and the dishes we had (pork belly, crispy eggplants, Spanish cheese board, and wild mushroom from the "sides" section) were all better than those we've had at even some of our favorite Spanish restaurants in the region. The pork belly that they prepared using their own house style was especially memorable: crispy, perfectly seasoned, good texture. The seafood paella with lobster was also a wonderful surprise. It came with a whole lobster, and the table-side presentation was a very nice touch for the special dish. We were disappointed they didn't have the flamenco dancing that they supposedly normally have on regular Saturday nights, but before we could ask about it, one of the staff explained that because there were so many guests, they didn't have the space that they usually do to accommodate the dancing. That was understandable, and my wife and I will definitely have to come back for the dancing and to try more dishes from their menu. We would highly recommend Taberna del Alabardero for special occasions or just good food.

Elina Khalitova

I had lunch from Restaurant Week menu, the food was amazing, service was fast, friendly and very attentive, thank you so much !

Mario Alex Gonzalez

A spectacular dining experience that feels truly Spanish at every turn. The ingredients are fresh, the food is delicious, and you can never get enough. Every dish we had was delicious and i would highly recommend making a stop here. Fantastic place to be.

+6

Carolina Martinez

Everything at La Taberna del Alabardero was absolutely delicious! We started with the patatas bravas, gambas al ajillo and eggplant, both packed with flavor and perfectly prepared. Then came the stars of the night, the mar y tierra paella and the black rice… ufff ufff ufff! Truly incredible dishes, rich, hearty, and unforgettable. If you’re craving authentic Spanish cuisine done right, this place is a must-visit!

+7

Claudia Viscarra

Excellent spot for celebrating a special occasion! 5/5 in every single category. If you love a live performance with great service and food, you cannot miss Alabardero. We went to celebrate my sister’s birthday - they sat us at a table with a great view to the flamenco performance, greeted us with a lovely birthday card and even invited her to do a sevillana! The attention to detail and service provided by everyone made this such a wonderful occasion. Cannot wait to return!

+1

Claudia Javenkoski

Fantastic Tuna salad, just like I grew up enjoying it! Mushroom croquettes were delicious, so we ordered twice. Paired w wonderful Garnasha for a great happy hour. Place is nostalgic!

+2

Usha Rani

I highly recommend this classy restaurant. The food, ambiance and service is excellent!! We got great service from Elmer, and Maria. They were very attentive, excellent service. Kudos to them! The flamenco performance as part of their scheduled programming is a treat for the eyes. Just beautiful!! I felt i had a mini trip to Spain!

Norman Williams

Great atmosphere and the food was delicious. The Flamenco dancing was the highlight. Only downside was that they couldn’t locate my reservation. I was still able to get a table with my family because it wasn’t that busy when we arrived. Highly recommended.

Romeo Simoes

My wife had never been to D.C. so I made sure to research restaurants ahead of time. This was a Spanish Tapas restaurant, which was different than the restaurants in the area. We ate outside even though it was still hot that week (July 16). Our waitress was great with us from the get go! I’m sorry but I forget her name but I remember she was from Spain. Knowing this was a tapas restaurant, my wife and I decided to order the patatas bravas and the croquetas de Jamon Serrano. Wow, amazing especially the patatas bravas with that brava sauce with the garlic alioli! For entrees, my wife got the Alaskan salmon and I got the shrimp with something else. I don’t think it was on the original menu. We capped it off with creme brulee as dessert! Definitely my favorite restaurant of 2025!! Highly recommend!!

Eric Lee

The dining experience was outstanding, with both the food and service exceeding expectations. The dishes arrived promptly, allowing us to savor our meal without a long wait. Having explored numerous Spanish restaurants in the area, I can confidently say that this establishment stands out as one of the finest. The flavors were vibrant and authentic, making it a truly memorable experience.

James Trotta

Came here Friday night around 6:15 during restaurant week. Much less crowded than I expected. Food was great and they didn’t surprise us with a service fee like some other DC restaurants. For appetizers we had sausage and croquettes. Main meal was mahi mahi with really good creamy rice. Also rib eye steak which was very good, better than we expected. Almond cake with a bit of ice cream was excellent. Service was friendly, better than we’ve had in many other DC restaurants.

+2

HonestReviews

We celebrated our wedding anniversary at this delicious spot in Washington DC, just a few blocks away from the White House. From the host, waitress and staff everything went smooth. Our table was decorated elegantly and the atmosphere is classy with beautiful Spanish sty decor. The food and desserts were delicious. We also enjoyed live music and spanish dace outdoors. It will be a memorable moment.

+3

Jake Clemen

Was in town with friends for a tennis tournament and stopped in here for dinner. The atmosphere is very distinct and enjoyable. We came on a weekend night and so there was live music and salsa dancing for entertainment, which we both enjoyed and did not expect. For food, we had patatas bravas, eggplant crisps, seafood paella, and snapper with squid ink risotto. All of it was excellent, but the snapper and paella were particularly standouts with flavor. We really enjoyed that they brought the paella cookware out from the kitchen and served it on our plates that way. The service was professional, somewhat stiff, and unobtrusive. A bit more warmth from our server would have been welcome, but he did take care of business well. I definitely plan to return next time I'm in town.

+2

Very on point Spanish food! The lobster in the paella was perfectly cooked. I mean it was so perfect that I don’t remember when the last time I had a lobster like it. (And I live on seafood) I will definitely be back when I am in town next time. The dessert was also very good. One star off because the servers here are cold and not as engaging as I expected.

Old school D.C. restaurant, classic service and ambiance serving fine Spanish cuisine that no longer overwhelms you but will satisfy your Iberian peninsula cravings. Tapas for dinner is the way to go, variety and well executed, albeit small portions. Outstanding wine list, only the very best varietals from all the growing regions in Spain. Grilled Bronzino, Chilean sea bass and grouper specials are highlights. Expensive paella options not my favorite.

Spain meets Dorothy Draper on the decor, pretty awesome. Food was great, serrano leg sitting in front of you getting sliced. Sadly we got a piece of bone with the serrano. The food was good, and so was the service. We enjoyed the flamenco dance and music around 830pm.

+6

Very pretty and elegant spanish restaurant. Authentic spanish food. Attentive service. Good variety of chouces. The croquettes were good. Had ham and cheese. The cheese plate was pretty good. Wished it was an charcuterie platter. Would have made it excellent. The chicken and seafood paella was generously proportioned. Decently priced. Great for special occasions. Worth the try.

+2

Impeccable service and lovely atmosphere. The food was delicious, but sadly had limited vegetarian options outside of salads

I came here with a friend for a light dinner and was immediately stunned by the interior -- a beautiful blend of Victorian elegance. - CROQUETAS DE JAMÓN SERRANO: Crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside, and uniquely shaped into cubes. Absolutely delicious! - CALAMARES A LA ANDALUZA CON ALIOLI DE AJETES: Perfectly fried calamari, incredibly crispy, and elevated by the flavorful scallion aioli -- an excellent pairing. - MEJILLONES CON SALSA MARISCADA: The mussels were fresh served in a bland broth. I've had better. Overall, it was a fantastic dining experience. The food and atmosphere, I'd happily recommend it and plan to return to explore more of the menu!

We had lunch here during DC's restaurant week. It's usually not within our budget. The food was very tasty

The service was excellent. We had a few appetizers, but the calamari wasn't good. Taste double fried and kind of burnt. The waiter did take it off. We ordered scallops and the branzino. It was so, so. We didn't see good handcrafted drinks and settled for sangria. Taste like fruit juice. Nice experience. Won't go back

Reservations for Saturday night, we were warmly greeted and seated. Unfortunately due to the busy night, we were only able to order 1 kind of paella for at least 2 people. So we ordered the lamb and cod. Both were yummy. The squid ink sticky rice was so fun. We ended with complimentary pastries. Live band and dancer were the cherry on top! Such a great experience, we will be back.

I just got a take out on the memorial day weekend. I ordered Alabardero classic salad，Fried Manchego with Raspberry and Griddle-fried crab cake. Overall the food taste good，will try again.

+1

spectacular!!!! Alejandro attended us, the service was great. If you accompany the dinner with the flamenco show they give, it's perfect. the taste of Spain, it feels close! but if you only go for the food ... it's a bit expensive. (that's why I do not put 5 stars) 🙌thanks

We've had our eyes on this place since we came back from Spain. We were mostly drawn to it because of the live Flamenco shows. It was easy to find and surprisingly we found street parking directly in front. I was willing to pay the park mobile since we could see my vehicle from the window. The food was great. That paella was amazing. Very nice portion sizes. My only issue was the dish was made to serve 2 ppl. The waiter explained that they couldn't change. So we each other a different style of paella and packed up the other half to take home. The drinks were good. We ordered a bottle of wine which it was just OK. The wine list is extensive and I couldn't digest it all so we asked for a recommendation. It wasn't the greatest after we explained that we didn't like sweet wines. We ended up order drinks (martini's, margaritas, etc). Nonetheless, the birthday dinner was successful. The Flamenco show was nice. Their placement was a bit awkward in the restaurant but I guess they didn't have much of choice or option.

Atmosphere was really cute, friendly and European. I loved their decoration and roomy seating options. Food was nice although potatoes were little bit raw but overall it was a nice experience.

The gambas were excellent as was the olive bread dipped in the gambas oil. Lovely atmosphere. This was a nice respite after braving the museums. I enjoyed the Albariño with the tapas. I’d pass on the octopus. Potatoes were good. Spanish tortilla was fine.

+3

Good Spanish Restaurant. excellent service and good cuisine m. A few things to say. The jam croquet is flavorless, good technique but zero flavor, the veal solomillo is not the best beef, maybe is a choice beef but I don’t think so. And the meat was to compress, dense rest of the plate was good. I think if you expect a Michelin star restaurant this is not Michelin star. It is just a good restaurant

+3

Definitely a refined Spanish restaurant! Beautiful interior and all staff look/act professionally. Ordered a few tapas to go and the food did not disappoint. The pulpo gallega was fresh, tender, and cooked just right. Fried calamari was equally delicious. Fresh calamari, crispy batter. First time having mushroom croquettes and liked them a lot. A little on the pricy side, but is justified by the quality of food. One wish was that they would have given us to go utensils or even napkins. Maybe I was supposed to ask. Clearly I didn't.

+2

Connor Finn

Food was amazing. We ordered the Paella which was fabulous. We haven’t had that good of a Paella since we were in Spain. The Sangria was also very good. The service was also top notch. All the staff were extremely professional and welcoming. The vibe was really good too. The restaurant is really elegant and it set the mood in a great way. There is a 20% service charge no matter the party size so that’s something to keep in mind.

jose antonio Bodas

If you're looking for a true taste of Spain, this restaurant is a must-visit. From the moment you step in, the atmosphere transports you straight to a traditional Spanish tavern. The food is absolutely good. We tried a variety of classic Spanish dishes (chipirones en su tinta, jamón ibérico, croquetas de boletus, torreznos, and pulpo. About the drinks—seeing Mahou and Estrella Galicia on the menu was a true joy!

Dhusn Dhend

Wonderful place for dinner. We loved the Spanish decor, and that the servers also spoke Spanish. The service was impeccable, attentive, and prompt. We had the Paella de Pollo y Txistorra and Paella de Marisco for our main course. Both were excellent!

+1

The overall experience was quite disappointing. My husband's lamb chop lacked flavor, and my oxtail was extremely small. My daughter and mother shared a chicken and vegetable fideuà that was overpriced at $35 per person (It was just noodles, chicken, and some veggies). The sangria was also lacking in wine flavor. My dessert was mostly whipped cream, and the service was very slow. To add to our dissatisfaction, we were surprised to find additional charges on the bill, including a 5% wage fee and a 5% service fee, in addition to the suggested tip of 15-22% of the total bill. This felt like excessive pricing for the level of service we received. Furthermore, despite making a reservation several days in advance, we were seated at a table near the kitchen entrance, which was a safety hazard due to the risk of trays falling on our guests' heads. When we politely requested a different table, we were informed that all other tables were reserved, even though they remained empty throughout our entire visit. I regret to say that I cannot recommend this establishment to others.

Yo odio poner estas opiniones pero debo ser honesto. Hicimos reservación para celebrar un cumpleaños pedimos estar cerca del show y nos sentaron lejos en una esquina atras. El show fue excellente las Damas dieron el 100% . El mesero atendio bien aveces si aveces no un 50/50. Segun los reviews que eh leido la paella para dos es $60 me pregunto por que me cobraron $43. Por los tres en vez de $30. El sabor the la paella , el arroz estaba humedo y los mariscos no tenian sabor for a Hispanic person like me having decendents from Spain let me tell you , you can't fool me you can fool other ethnicity but not me , I highly recommend Tio Pepe restaurant in Baltimore Maryland for service and taste this recommend place is far better. The flan of the abuela I don't understand why people can't make a flan like I do a real piece of art because after all it's hard to make a good flan in the picture you can see what a real flan should look like if the caramel is dark it means that is burn the flan caramel shouldbe of a golden look . Let's talk about the coffee every body knows that a good strong coffee comes from Spanish countries to go to a Spain restaurant and ask for coffee and you get Lavazza Italian coffee wow what a disappointment. Another experience was that the lady seated next to us got some water drops on her hand and thought we wet her but then she realized it was condensation from the a/c vent on the ceiling dropping down on her arm . The room felt hummed so the probably have a air conditioning control problem or humidity control problem . I put five star for the dancers and because Normally either the owner or the automatic response system it hardly responds to negative reviews. IT'S FUNNY HOW I GET A COMMENT FROM OWNER SAYING WE ARE HAPPY THAT YOU LIKE US . CLEARLY THIS WAS A AUTOMATED BOT SYSTEM BECAUSE IF THEY READ HOW DISSAPOINTED I WAS WITH THERE RESTAURANT THEY WOULDN'T BE HAPPY ABOUT MY REVIEW.

This restaurant has a lot going for it. It’s location, which is close the White House; and it’s interior, which is sparkling red like you might find in a historic castle. However, I did not leave elated. I ordered the lunch menu for $30 which included a salad, main course and dessert. The special lunch is a good value when you compare to menu items individually. Thumbs up to the warm bread and salad. The pork skewers and the flan dessert not so much. All items were presented well and the dessert was too pretty to consume. However, the pork was tough even to cut and it was drizzled with a less than inspiring gravy. For such an upscale restaurant, I left feeling like it was not worth the cost.

+6

Came for a private group dinner. Food was okay, service was okay. Dessert was the best thing of the night. I’m not sure exactly what it was, but the servers just seemed like they were unhappy. They weren’t rude to us at all, but the interactions I did see with what appeared to be supervisors/managers seemed unpleasant if that makes sense. Personally that was enough for me to not want to return. I also think food was really over priced.

The atmosphere was pleasant(they had a flamenco show), and the service was good. While some of the dishes were delicious like eggplant and croquetas the main course (the ink paella) was overcooked and tasteless. It was a big disappointment. My friend and my mother that accompanied me said it was decent, but we all knew it was not worth its $88 price.

Very authentic Spanish restaurant but not all dishes were great. The good: Pulpo Gallego - very tender, well flavored and prepared nicely. If done wrong it can be very chewy and flavorless but they did this very well Spanish olives - not on menu but ordered and it was delicious and reminded us of Spain Bread - the bread basket brought around was very good bread (we love bread done well) The not so good: Gazpacho - one of our favorite dishes when in Spain and this missed the mark big time. The color itself looked liked tomato paste mixed with red bell peppers which is exactly what it tasted like. Had high hopes and was very sad at what we got Truffle and mushroom croquettes - literally just breaded and dried mashed potatoes. We couldn’t find a single hint of regular mushroom or truffles inside Swordfish over basil rice - so salty I drank two full glasses of water just to get through it Wished for more but did not meet our expectations. Great staff and flamenco music but food fell short.

+2

I had really high hopes for this experience and it fell a bit short. Perhaps it was my own expectations due to the reviews and experiences from other friends but this just wasn't it. The food was okay (presentation was nice), the table service was really good, as the servers were attentive. The drinks were a little too boozy, making one Old Fashioned in-consumable. I've had better Paella at Caliente Cab Co in West Village (NYC). This place is overrated for sure. The bill was a minor issue as well. 44% in service charges (20/2/20/2), with "additional tip optional"!?!? That's what a service charge is... SERVICE CHARGE. Maybe it was an error (or maybe not), but nobody caught it before it landed on my table. This place obviously doesn't give a shit about their employees, expecting patrons/clients to pay their staff for them. This place is 3 Stars at best.

Joshua Nolte

This place has been on my list for awhile and finally went last night. It was extremely disappointing. The boquerones were fine, the ham croquettes were somehow under salted, the tortilla was terrible (overcooked inside, no color on the outside), the fig salad was delicious, the paella was one of the worst I've ever had (rice overcooked, flavor completely flat, no socarrat to speak of) and the octopus was cooked unevenly (though the mojo sauce they served it with was one of the best tasting things we had that night). They have a super small wine by the glass list and a strange cocktail menu. Spent $300 for two people (food listed above and two glasses of wine), which I pay regularly and happily for a great experience at other restaurants all over the world. You can get way better meals in DC for under $100 and get meals that will blow your mind in DC for the $300 I spent. I'll never be back.

Deniz Yazicioglu

I tried it as a solo dinner experience during summer restaurant week in DC. The ambiance and design were lovely. There was even live music. The food was generally good. I ordered the Croquetas de Jamón Serrano as a hot appetizer. And as a seafood lover, it was absolutely delicious. It tasted a bit like fish cakes. For the main course, I ordered paella, which was dry and flavorless. Also, why was there chicken in a seafood dish? And the chicken was terrible. The cocktails were excellent. I especially recommend trying the Sherry Mojito. It was fresh and delicious. Lastly, I was disappointed. There's a mandatory 20% service fee on your bill, so keep that in mind when you want to go.

Rosie Yu

We came in with high hopes, excited by a friend’s recommendation for the paella—but sadly, we left completely disappointed. We ordered two paellas (both in 3-person portions): one seafood, one squid ink. Along with that, we tried the lamb chop, oxtail meloso, garlic shrimp, octopus leg, and octopus carpaccio. Unfortunately, the paella rice was far too soggy and lacked the rich, layered flavors we usually expect—it was overwhelmed by a single, flat squid note. To make things worse, the server didn’t ask if we’d like to take a photo of the paella before serving; they jumped straight into plating it for sharing. The highlights of the meal were the croquettes and garlic shrimp. Ironically, the arroz under the lamb chop had a better paella-like texture and far more balanced seasoning. Overall, this will most likely be a one-time visit for us. We’re left wondering if the portioned paella cooking method affected the taste and texture. Also, for parties over six, be aware they add a 22% gratuity after tax, which is worth noting.

Food was 3.5, only tried two of their appetizers, the crabmeat one was better than the potatoes. Service was dismal, they wouldn’t seat us because it was already 8pm though they close much later. The host was rude to first turn us away when there were other customers who still haven’t ordered yet. But then decided to seat us. We rushed to order then the host came by and asked if we wanted dessert, to which he said to take our time!!! We could have stayed to enjoy our meal. Ambiance is a 2, a little dated in decor and paint.

We went for brunch and we ordered: The service was great ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Patatas bravas, this entrance in the best from this place, ,,,⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Queso manchego friend⭐⭐ Sangria ⭐⭐⭐ Churros ⭐⭐⭐ Paella de rabo de toro ,⭐. I do not recommend this dish, the chef should not call it paella 🥘. The patatas bravas are the best. The food was fine, the price was a little high. There are definitely many other places in DC that you can eat better for this price.

I used to visit this place multiple times but yesterday was quite disappointing. They are charging an extra 20% on your bill for “service fee”. The food is not worthy for the prices they have. Also the manager validated our parking ticket and once we got there what a surprise it wasn’t validated and we paid for the parking spot. I’m not gonna lie the service is more than excellent. It’s a shame that this restaurant is keeping 5% of the service fee they charge, the employees just take the 15%. I forgot to mention the tipping is optional. This place is so expensive.

Avoid these scammers. 20% fee, 22% fee, 2% fee and then they still want a tip

We went to eat at this place to celebrate a birthday and the entertainment was good, the place looked very nice but the service was very bad, we felt pressured by the waiter to order quickly, we did not receive good information about the dishes and finally because of the pressure from the waiter, our order ended up being very expensive and I personally could not eat my main course because I lost my appetite. I can say that we paid a lot of money to receive a very bad service that ruined the birthday celebration.

Came to the restaurant with my girlfriend. We ordered the croquettes, octopus and paella. Food was super disappointing. Octopus was mushy, paella tasted like it came out of the microwave. The only thing good was bread and olive oil.

It’s one of the most disgusting service in Washington DC. Very misleading and tricky charged us $60 for a Paella when in the menu it said $30 they don’t clarify properly. They should just say is $60 for the Paella instead of just putting $30. The bread was hard that it can cut your lips. Our Server disappeared on us and never came back. We had to ask the host for our check. Would never go back to it and wouldn’t recommend to anyone.

I almost never write a review but these time I need to. These is restaurant week in Washington DC and they offer a promotional lunch menu. I was the first to arrive and they gave me the normal menu and I asked the restaurant week menu and they provided to me. I thought they just forgot, but as other people arrive at the restaurant they did the same tactic. If you don’t want to give a special promotional menu, simply don’t do it. But don’t hide it when you have it, just to try to push the costumer to spend more money. Food is bad. These is a glorified McDonald everything comes in a box. I saw (because you can see the kitchen) how they took the duck’s cannelloni from a box (it was already assembled) they put the bechamel sauce (which probably is from a can) and assembled like a fast food. The bread is the classic white bread from grocery store. All the food that I try was tasteless and I was able to see that almost everything comes in a box and is just reheated and put it in a plate. I’m not the first one to comment on these as after I finish I start reading other reviews from costumers that had the opportunity to try real food and compare to these. Every restaurant needs to have some prep food and they are certain things that are going to come in a can. But if you can’t make 80% of the food from scratch you are a fast food to me. Last and not less the tax. DC tax is 10% for food in restaurants. That’s mean for 25 dollars the tax should be 2.5 and they charge 3 dollars. 50 cents is nothing for an individual but multiple for all the costumers and you have a lot. What I learn is that any restaurant in Washington DC that the average meal would cost you between 40 to 60 dollars (these is their normal price for these restaurant) they should have minimum 4.6 % positive reviews. Anything below that it would be a glorified McDonald.

Fiona Fu

We chose this restaurant for a group gathering and made a reservation for 10 people in a private room, with a $200 deposit. At the time of booking, we were informed there would be a $500 minimum spend. About a week in advance, our group size changed to 7, and we proactively contacted the restaurant to move to the common dining area instead of the private room. After communicating with the coordinator, Rosemarie she agreed to waive the $500 minimum spend and instead apply a $55 minimum per person, which should have totaled $385. We appreciated her flexibility at that stage and felt everything was clearly agreed upon in advance. However, when the bill arrived, there were several issues. First, the $500 minimal still applied due to bad internal communication. The mandatory 22% service charge appeared to be applied twice. Additionally, a $13 room fee was included, even though we were seated in the common area and did not use a private room. As a result, the total service-related charges were not reasonable and far exceeded what we had agreed to or expected. We raised these concerns and had to ask multiple times for the bill to be revised. While the one double charge was eventually adjusted, there was very little explanation provided and no apology for the confusion. The lack of clear communication between management and billing staff made the experience frustrating and uncomfortable. The food itself was okay, but the billing issues and unreasonable service charges overshadowed the meal. With clearer coordination, transparency, and better communication, this experience could have been handled much better.

Mary Miri

Hidden 20% service charge buried in tiny grey print never mentioned (see the photo) until the bill. If I lived in the U.S., I would honestly consider suing for these surprise charges. The food was awful: rice was soggy, half the shrimps were empty, lamb chops were tiny and dry, and mains forced us into overpriced “for two” portions. Service was just as bad, the waiter kept snatching plates and glasses before we were even finished, and we were handed three random pieces of bread with no clue what they were for. To top it off, the AC was off on a hot, humid night, making the whole experience unbearable. Overcharged, tasteless, and borderline deceptive, avoid this place at all costs!!for what you see in the photos plus 2 soft drinks and one cocktail we had to pay £198!!

+1