Oyamel
Home cooking · Washington
Sobre Oyamel
Oyamel is a Home cooking restaurant in Washington. Rated 4.6/5 based on 9,818 reviews on OpenTable. Casual Elegant.
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Opiniones de Oyamel Washington
We had such a great experience at Oyamel. The green ceviche was incredibly fresh and bright, packed with flavor, and the guacamole is an absolute must—made fresh and honestly one of the best we’ve had. We also tried the fresh mango juice, which was super refreshing. Every taco we ordered was amazing and tasted truly authentic, each with its own unique flavor. Everything felt thoughtfully prepared and full of personality. Definitely a spot we’d come back to and recommend.
Delicious guacamole! Wide range of tacos to choose from and other food that I honestly didn't pay attention to. The deserts were amazing! They took their time and made sure the pineapples were delicious. Salsa had lots of flavor. Clean facility, we walked here from the streets of DC and it was a nice break. Recommended for sure
My family and I enjoyed our dinner at Oyamel. The many plates we tried were very tasty. The queso fundido went quickly along with the chips and salsa. One of my cousins couldn't get enough of the guacamole. I really enjoyed the shrimp ceviche and the refried black beans with crema. The chicken tacos, gulf coast white shrimp and the chicharrones quesadilla were also popular. We finished by ordering 4 desserts which were all devoured. The first to go were the chocolate cake and the flan. The service was friendly and helpful.
Fantastic experience! We chose tasting menu ($80) + cocktails pairing ($45) and we absolutely loved it! We had reservation but decided to sit at the bar, Dioren the bartender was simply amazing! Delicious drinks, great wine selection, fast food service, soooo good! We got a complimentary glass of sparkling wine - it was our anniversary. Highly recommend this place!
The absolute best. Sammy was our waiter, great recs for a good reason, we were in the mood to spend and we got our money worth . We had a pitcher of the Serrano marg, ceviche, enchiladas, and quesodillas. Chef Daniel came out and present his own sweet potato flan which was the best dessert I’ve ever had. Great time, loved the atmosphere.
Had a great brunch at Oyamel yesterday. This place has legit Mexican food and good drinks. They even have stuff that is hard to find like nopales and grasshopper tacos (for the adventurous). The sweet potato tamale was really good too.
This place is amazing! From the margaritas to the house-made tortillas. Everything we tried (ceviche, tacos, steak with mole, garlic shrimp) was so rich in flavor and authentically Mexican. I used to work in a Mexican restaurant for several years, so one could say that I have an high standard for Mexican food and this place exceeded my expectations. Our server, Ángel, provided exceptional service! He was fun, personable and made my brother’s birthday dinner truly special. I even chalked up enough courage to try a grasshopper - also delicious by the way! I wish I lived near DC because this would be my go-to-spot for Mexican food. ¡Gracias por tu servicio Ángel y espero que podamos regresar!
One of my favorite Jose Andres restaurants. Highly recommend reservations especially before a Cap 1 Arena event. A great way to start is their guacamole. You can order it mild, medium or spicy. I found the medium spice was just right. My two favorite dishes to share are the Camarones Al mojo de Ajo Negro- reminds me Mexican version of Gambas al ajillo and Bistec Con Mole Coloradito- grilled flank steak with excellent mole sauce. Order this medium-rare, sometimes they overcook it if it's really packed. Their tacos are really good, and most are priced $7 each so you can pick and choose. Fish taco was my favorite out of the bunch. I also liked their chicken enchiladas. Cocktail menu is pretty good but their signature margarita drink is a must.
Was Recommended this place because of the world renowned chef. I knew I would love this place when I saw the sign.. "No hay vida sin Tacos" translation." Not eating tacos is a sin" Or that's what my life motto is... The atmosphere was enchanting, the service was amazing, the food was exquisite, my taste buds where delighted to have such rich flavor that went beyond basic seasonings. I really wanted to order the 4 course meal.. I was torn between ordering 7 dollar tacos.. and other seafood dishes. I went with the Brisket plate, and it came with purple tortillas. Everyone I was with said the brisket was amazing. I also shared a Coctel de Camaron and un Tecate. I will be coming back to this crown jewel next time, and will have to explore the chefs other 2 restaurants on the same street.
We popped into grab a quick bite to eat before friends went to the game so time was tight and the area was super busy We got a table in a few minutes and the reception staff helped me get my phone charged up. That there was 10 stars for staff right there. We went to cheese cake factory and the reception staff one of the world rudest humans would not help. We got seated ordered drinks and Sarah was amazing and made some great recommendations with food options The food came out pretty quick and was just so tasty. The tacos were all just so amazing. The chips and salsa had a little heat and Smokey flavour which was great compared to a very bland lunch we had. They had some nice beers, pricey but tasted nice. Always try a local beer, anything international will be overly priced The vibe is great I spoke to the manager and he was a really nice guy helping the staff and customers to enjoy their experience at the restaurant
Delicious from start to finish, including the drinks. Had a reservation, service was excellent and thoroughly pleasant. Very easy walk from Gallery Place Chinatown Metro stop. Will ask for a booth next time as there was nowhere to put my coat but on my chair.
I couldn't be happier about my dining experience at Oyamel. The food was delicious, the service top notch, and the atmosphere was perfect. Highly recommended. The verde tamale was the best I've ever had!
An excellent experience. The food was absolutely delicious, with a very pleasant, homemade flavor that truly transports you and makes you feel at home. Each dish was clearly prepared with care and dedication. I would especially like to congratulate the server Kati Burch for her excellent service—she was very kind, attentive, and always had a great attitude, making the experience even better. Without a doubt, this is a place I would return to and highly recommend.
Good guac and chips with your choice of spice level. Plenty of small plates that are big enough to share. I often come for the tacos that don’t disappoint. Good Mexican option when down in Penn Quarter attending a show or just walking around.
This was a super approachable meal. What stood out to us were the Ceviche and the "hand-made masa tortillas" which enhanced the quesadilla, enchiladas, and tacos! Great attentive service as well.
Fantastic food! Our server was very knowledgeable- provided excellent recommendations. We started out with the guacamole - fresh, spice level to our liking. A can’t miss dish. If you like spicy food, definitely try the habanero salsa! We also got the cauliflower, frijoles charros, and the sweet potato tamal. The explosion of flavors in each of those dishes is indescribable. Especially the tamal. For dessert we had the cafe de olla. It had a very pleasant mix of flavors - coffee, cinnamon, chocolate and little pops of lime. The caramelized bananas complemented the dish quite nicely. We hope to return on our next visit to DC!
Really delicious food, lots of small plates to share. Much more variety than you would get in an average Mexican restaurant. Our favourite was the cauliflower dish. Very busy and loud, creates a good atmosphere but would definitely recommend booking. We came for my parents anniversary and they gave us a small glass of Prosecco each which was a nice gesture.
Time after time, the food and service (thanks James!) at Oyamel is fantastic, and I love their new rotating menu. If you're a Shakespeare Theater subscriber or donor, you can also get a free margerita the day of a show with your Bard card and tickets. We love going after a matinee when it's not too busy (still good to make a reservation).
Oyamel is definitely worth a stop when you are in DC! 🌟 The service is always top notch and the food is simply delicious 😋. I also love their attention to folks with allergies and dietary restrictions! They have an entire menu indicating which dishes are allergen friendly! Can't recommend it enough!
1st time here. My partner had a mushroom taco. Size wise small. Taste was good. Tortillas soup. Portions generous. Flavors very good. I had Albondigas Enchipotladas Basically housemate meatballs in a tomato bisque sauce with queso fresco cheese. It was very good except portions. Only 5 meatballs. Price $11. Averages to $2. Something per meatball. Flavors everything was there.
If you’re gonna set any where in this restaurant let it be the bar and ask for Antonio. His recommendations and stories really made our experience. He recommended the best drinks and best dessert. Such a hard working guy that you can tell loved his job, he met every question we had with eagerness to answer and excitement to recommend.
We came for lunch and enjoyed “ Almuerzo Rapido. The food was truly delicious and the service was attentive and the atmosphere was infused with a local flair
I had my eye on this place for a long time, and it did not disappoint! Washington, DC has no shortage of incredible Mexican spots, so the bar is high - but this restaurant definitely left a mark on my heart. The guacamole is perfection, the ceviche is bright and refreshing, and the tacos are simply wonderful. Can’t wait to come back!
My first impression of Oyamel is a modern style Mexican other Latin American restaurant with variety of menu to choose from. I enjoyed many of the food here. Ceviche has been my new favorite for a while and I really like the way the restaurant did with theirs. My friend also told me the tacos she ordered were very good. Perhaps the name Jose Andres carry fame and prestige to the restaurant, so the location was very busy even on a weekday. Regardless, the service was fantastic and they were continually taking care of us not too overbearingly but at a good interval to see how we are doing. Also, because it was my friend's birthday they served a free cake for her. It was a fun night.
The last time I was here was 2018, celebrating my 44th birthday. I ordered the grasshopper tacos. They were more braised (covered in a nice, flavorful sauce). They were delicious! Flash forward to just another day in 2025, I decided to drive to DC for some ungodly, unknown reason. Then I realized where I was ... walking distance to Oyamel. I found the cheap street parking and chalked it up to momentary insanity for being in DC so close to an election day. First, I was in total gym hobo mode: Georgia sweatshirt, green Reebok leggings, and matching green Air Force Ones. Yet, I was pleasantly greeted by the staff. They took my order and even offered water while I waited. I had gotten there just before the lunch rush that was unfolding before my eyes. Everyone had their suits and business attire. I was looking like I'd just pulled a double at Bum College (I have three degrees BTW 🤣). I even met a young lady with her coworkers who cheered "Go Dawgs!" It was such a pleasure meeting her. Long story short: I ordered two Chapulines (grasshopper) tacos and a Nopales Asado taco (the taco in the middle) to go. THESE 👏🏾 TACOS 👏🏾 ARE 👏🏾 LIFE 👏🏾! The nopales were so tender and juicy. The spicy salsa molcajete on them was succulent with flavor. The blue corn tortillas are 🤌🏾! Now, we get to the grasshopper tacos. To quote U2: "Even better than the first time...." The crunchiness of these little buddies reminded me of the roasted silk worm pupae I had in South Korea. They were crunchy and packed a punch with what seemed like sauteed habanero, shallots, tequila and guacamole. It was crunchy and spicy and I want to marry it, even though I'm already married. I understand that these aren't for everyone and someone reading this review has their nose squinched up in disgust. Don't get them if you're not adventurous. Take your bland behind somewhere where salt is the spiciest thing you'll have. PROS: Location (I love the National Gallery of Art. It's in walking distance. Seeing the beauty of the city as you stroll is very pleasant.) The Food (YAAAASSSS! So much flavor! And the thing about the heat is that it's not just "match/fuel" heat. This is a heat from peppers that give exquisite flavor. It's an addition, a compliment, that forms a full sentence of taste in your mouth.) The Price (For DC eateries, yeah, I could have spent $75 for lunch at some upscale place, but for tacos $6-8 in DC, at a restaurant by a famous chef, is actually a nice price. If you're trying to be Penny D. Pincher, make a run for the border and head to Taco Bell. They're still good and in your budget.) The Service (Even with as poorly dressed as I was, gym clothes and not really matching at that [think UGA meets Mich. State], the service was still fabulous, impeccable even.) CONS: Location (It's DC. People still can't drive because they've been parked since the last administration. Parking in the decks is expensive, but there is Park Mobile if you can find a space on the street. Just make sure you have enough minutes on your docket.) Price (Only if you're trying to be a Dollar Menu-aire) OVERALL: I will come back more often now. I'm sold on these tacos if they are crispy, crunchy, flavorful like this each time. These meant the world to me, more than when I first had them on my birthday all those years ago. They hit the spot for both my tummy and wallet, and whatever force drove me to go to DC without wanting to be touristy. Oyamel is my favorite taco stand from now on. Now, if I can get them to do that thick, meaty, crispy Chicharrons like I see on TikTok ... I may pitch a hobo tent at the back of the kitchen and live there. 🤣 Thank you for such a wonderful experience, again.
First time coming. Amazing experience. Absolutely would recommend. Food was GREAT. service was GREATER. Drinks strong and tasty. Nice atmosphere.
Everything was AMAZING. The ceviche was everything I wanted it to be 😭 just the right amount of spicy. Also one of the most interesting margaritas I've ever had. The service was top notch 👌🏾 👏🏾
Just enjoyed a really nice early dinner with family. Since it was early it wasn't overly busy. The weather was pleasant so we sat outside. Our server was nice and took excellent care of us. The chips are gluten free, warm and good. The salsa is actually salsa not just dressed up runny ketchup like so many Mexican restaurants offer. We also ordered the guacamole which had lime squeezed over it and queso fresco crumbled on top, very nice. The bowl of street corn is fantastic! I ordered three tacos: POLLO A LA PARRILLA. $6.00 Grilled adobo marinated chicken thighs with rebosero beans, salsa guajillo and grilled green onions. CHILORIO DE RES. $6.00 Shredded local beef braised in a rich and tangy sauce of pasilla and guajillo chiles, topped with white onions and cilantro. CARNITAS. $6.00 Confit pork with avocado salsa verde, pork rinds, onions and cilantro. All were good. The carnitas were my favorite, great flavor. The chilorio was super wet and I had to eat with a fork. The pollo was good but the thigh meat was dry. I'd definitely dine here again and recommend this to anyone!
Fantastic dinner - highly recommend the fish (we split that and two sides between 3 people and were pleasantly full). Santy was also great at answering all our questions about the food.
Amazing place to eat ,beef was incredibly delicious but what really impressed me was the waitress when we asked for the bill ,she didn’t charge the one dish that we didn’t eat .i have never experienced this kind attitude never before in my life , such an amazing gesture .
I am always a little skeptical of "high-end" Mexican food restaurants because it can be had so cheaply at fast food places as the core ingredients (cheese, tortillas, ground beef, beans) are usually the same. Booked about 4 days out for a Friday night and already all the inside tables were sold out so grabbed an outdoor table. We arrived a little early and were told they would get our table ready (even though the outdoor seating was almost completely empty....only took about 10 minutes). We grabbed a happy hour pitcher of margaritas from the bar (as an odd customer unfriendly practice - they don't honor happy hour menu once you are seated at a table, ONLY at the bar). The outdoor seating area is a marked off area on the sidewalk on the side of the restaurant and is totally fine and enjoyable in nice weather (great people watching!) - it is under some trees with string lights and soft music playing. The staff were helpful and quick at all times. Look, you know what things cost here - at first I thought it was a little expensive ($13 guacamole? really? But it is freshly made in a large charcoal bowl and is a healthy serving and delicious), but our group of 5 spent 2 hours here with drinks and lots of tapas plates sharing various items and only spent $45 per person after tips and taxes. So yes, it is on the high end, but tacos are only $6 and the house made delicious chips and salsa are only $3 after your first complimentary set. Overall, every single person enjoyed the variety of flavors that you just won't get at fast food Mexican place AND getting lots of small plates lets you try a lot of different things. Give it a go!!
Dining at Oyamel was a fantastic experience. With Chef José Andrés behind it, choosing this spot was a no-brainer. We went with the tasting menu, and I was really impressed with how smoothly they handled dietary restrictions and preferences, tailoring the menu without any hassle. Every course was well thought out and full of flavor. By the time dessert arrived, we were beyond full—but the Tres Leches dessert was absolutely amazing - we couldn't get enough of it! Great food, seamless service, and a menu that feels both elevated and approachable.
Got the prix fixe menu with drink pairings, great selection, great drinks. A really good value and an opportunity to try something you might not normally be bold enough to get a main dish. I highly recommend it.
Oyamel is absolutely fantastic! The margarita here is hands down the best I’ve ever had—perfectly balanced and refreshing. The ceviche is truly unique, bursting with fresh flavors that you won’t find anywhere else. The atmosphere is lively, the service is excellent, and every dish we tried was top quality. Definitely a must-visit in DC
One of the best ceviche I’ve ever eaten! Oyamel is a fun and vibrant restaurant with courteous and friendly service. I ordered just the tuna ceviche with pecans and avocado, which was truly mind blowingly spectacular. As I entered the restaurant, I was told to wait for the host to seat me, but unfortunately since he was on the phone for far too long, I ended up seating myself at the bar. Nevertheless, it was the perfect spot for someone sitting alone. Right away I was served a complimentary basket of chips and salsa, which were surprisingly tasty. I can’t vouch for the rest of the menu, but I’m sure to return someday to do my best to work my way through it.
Fantastic food. Service a little slow even during mid week. Expect to stay for 1-2 hours to enjoy the nicely curated food and beverages. Great for small to even large groups. Book in advance
I am a California-based Mexican restaurant reviewer with hundreds of reviews of some of the best locations in California. I know good Mexican food, and this place is an outstanding restaurant. Highlights include the delicious small-plate offerings, free “fresh” chips and salsa, amazing cocktails, and the overall vibe. This place screams quality. Located just a 3-minute walk from the National Archives metro, it’s very conveniently located. If you drive, parking can be tricky, but the area is safe and it’s convenient if you’re sightseeing on the National Mall. Upon walking in, you’re welcomed into an intimate yet spacious indoor area. There’s a large bar with seating and two distinct seating areas with booths and standalone tables. It’s not cramped, and the decor is modern without being overwhelming or overly flashy. Service is excellent. Everyone was friendly and worked as quickly as possible, considering how insanely popular this place is. Definitely make a reservation or plan to sit at the bar. The staff deserves credit for managing the high demand so well. If you’re like me and start with cocktails and chips, you’ll be happy here. They offer free chips and salsa, which are freshly baked, authentic, and delicious. The cocktails are outstanding. Do yourself a favor and get a margarita. The margarita has a foam made of salt on top, which is a unique twist that complements the sweetness beautifully. It brings a distinctive touch to the place. It would be even more amazing if they squeezed the limes to order, but that might add time to the preparation and isn’t a dealbreaker. Definitely a 9/10 for cocktails — I wish I could have tried more. The food is excellent. It’s mainly small plates, which I prefer, as it lets you sample multiple items in one sitting. Every single item I tried was delicious. I had a marinated pork taco topped with pickled red onions and cheese enchiladas covered in mole sauce. I enjoyed mixing and matching the dishes between drinks and walked away completely satisfied. Overall, this is one of my favorite restaurants in DC and definitely meets the standards I expect from a high-quality sit-down Mexican restaurant. It stays true to its Mexican roots while being approachable to people from all over the world. Highly recommended.
I came up for a weekend to visit a friend. We wanted a good dinner, so we hit the Michelin Guide, and found Oyamel. The menu leaned more Mexican Mexican than Mexican American, and it had some things I had been meaning to try, so we jumped on it. Ambiance was awesome. Inside was embellished with lots of traditional Mexican decor. I can't go into detail, because we got a lovely seat outside in their Covid-era streetside outdoor patio. Weather was beautiful, so we were delighted. Service was ok. It was actually painfully slow. The dude seemed very aloof. I don't have his name, and I wouldn't throw him under the bus anyway. Maybe it was a process flaw because of the outside seating? Something to consider. But the food more than made up for it. Three stars for the service, seven stars for the food. I started off with the Quesadilla Huitlacoche (Tortilla with melted Monterey jack cheese and Roy Burns Mexican corn truffles with a blend of tomatoes, corn and garlic). I've been wanting to try huitlacoche for a very long time, and this was my chance. It was lovely. It was basically very mushroomy, smothered with cheese, pressed into three separate little quesadillas, perfect for sharing. Earthly, cheesy, with the bright green salsa served on the side. Then I got a couple of tacos. I got two, the Pescado Baja California (Crispy masa tempura-battered seasonal fish with shredded cabbage, chile arbol mayo, Mexican crema and salsa Mexicana) and the Chapulines (The legendary Oaxacan specialty of sautéed grasshoppers, shallots, tequila and guacamole). The fish taco was excellent. Expertly fried, a nice-sized filet with a lot of flakiness and juiciness inside. A nice crema and some fresh tomato salsa outside. I also really liked all these blue corn tortillas I was getting. The flavor is better than regular store-bought corn tortillas that we're all used to. Then, it was time, after many years, I was face-to-face with the chapulines. I do not want to describe this mouth feel in too much detail, but if you curious at all about this taco, I would recommend it. The little crickets are fried to heck and are crispy poppable like popcorn. The shallots and the guac help with alternative textures. Definitely worth a shot. Pulpo Negro (Grilled salsa negra marinated Spanish octopus served over creamy sweet potato, topped with an hoja santa chimichurri). This was sooo good. Octopus can be so tough, but they made it so tender. The deep salsa negra, the just sweet enough sweet potato, and the bright, herbaceous chimichurri, just so good. This was an A+++ dish. Overall, wow, I could not believe our luck with finding Oyamel. DC has countless ethnicities of cuisines, and we found the best Mexican food I've had in a long, long time. So glad I came, you should also come here.
My friends and I were visiting DC and stopped by for lunch. The place was packed, so we grabbed seats at the bar and were totally fine with it. Carly, our bartender, was amazing! She was so kind and welcoming, hustling to make drinks while still giving great attention to everyone eating at the bar. Great service often goes unnoticed, and I just wanted to take a moment to recognize Carly for the fantastic job she was doing. Thank you for making our visit so enjoyable!
This was the best restaurant all of my party has been to in a while, with beyond reasonable pricing and spectacular food. The portion sizes for the price were very reasonable, and the quality of each dish- especially the tortilla soup, mushroom and poblano taco, and verde chicken enchiladas were incredible. We will definitely be coming back every visit to DC, and are so lucky to have tried our new favorite. They also had an entire section of their menu for vegetarians with abundant options, making it ideal for some of the vegetarians in our family. Highly recommend!
Late lunch at Oyamel Cocina Mexicana on Jan 2 with four adults and one baby. The upscale Mexico City vibe is spot-on—stylish, energetic, and inviting. Service was attentive without hovering, which we appreciated. The menu offers elevated Mexican classics with some adventurous options. We ordered the quesadilla de huitlacoche, tacos de chapulines, nopal asado, lengua, minilla veracruzana, hongos en molito, guacamole, and atún pacífico. Flavors were bold and well seasoned, and everything was nicely presented. At this price point, I expected slightly more refinement in execution, but the meal was still memorable and enjoyable. Overall, a great spot for an upscale Mexican dining experience, and I’d happily return to explore more of the menu.
Six years later, I returned here with my partner and a friend, so we were able to try many dishes, which leads me to say that I enjoyed the small plate setup that this place offered. When I first came here six years ago, I only tried their chips and guacamole, which was amazing, and I loved seeing how they still had an open station allowing customers to witness guacamole being made. Out of all the dishes, I enjoyed the Camarones al Mojo de Ajo Negro the most because the shrimp was sautéed very well. I could taste the mixture of shallots, árbol chile, Poblano pepper, lime, and garlic very well because that combination provided a lot of flavor. The Quesadilla de Chicharrones tasted pretty good as well. The salsa made a difference in defining the taste because the pork belly itself didn't have much taste, despite there's cheese and onions inside with the pork belly. My partner had the Frijoles Refrito con Queso and they said the texture was consistent and the dish was pretty good with no other highlights to mention. As far as tacos go, most of them are good, but I wouldn't say they were spectacular enough to justify the prices. There wasn't much for me to offer in terms of constructive criticism, but having a $8 lengua taco that tasted just as good as what I can get from another joint that offers me the same taste for much less is how I would approach reviewing all of the tacos we have tried. We also had the Pastel de Tres Leches con Piña for dessert, which essentially was a tres leches cake with pineapple chunks, whipped cream, and roasted coconut ice cream next to and on top of it. The ice cream was a great addition because it helped define a taste. The pineapples tasted a bit off, like it had too much vanilla (or vanilla extract), therefore there was a bitter taste. The hint of rum flavor was pretty nice, especially combining that with the ice cream and the cake, which could alleviate the potentially unpleasant taste that some people may find. Overall this was a good spot to have a nice meal at. The vibe was modern which I thought was an indication of its thematic emphasis. Servers were very good at taking our plates away upon seeing that we had finished some of the dishes. I would definitely recommend anyone to at least try the food here once.
Happened to be in DC doing a Museum visit and stumbled across Oyamel that's a great spot post perusing the galleries on a breezy Fall afternoon. The atmosphere was very warm and inviting upon entry into their large dining area with several sections wuth different. motifs adorning the walls. A large lengthy bar splits the room in half from the dining room to the upper seating area as well as sectioning off a rear private dining space. Also tucked away in the corner is their Guacamole bar piled high with fresh avocados ready to be mashed and tear tables chiice if mild or spicy!
Fantastic spot for tacos and margaritas! The carnitas tacos were juicy and flavorful, and the salt foam margarita was a fun, tasty twist. Loved starting with fresh chips and dip before ordering! The staff were friendly and super knowledgeable, and everything was clean and inviting. The area may be a bit quiet, but inside it’s all good vibes and great food!
Pretty good dinner. Far more casual than I expected though. The restaurant is quite noisy. But the food spoke well for itself. It was less expensive than I expected, so that's nice. Happy hour could be expanded to include the entire bar, not just the bar seats themselves. I came here for happy hour, I sat at the tables in the bar section. I was about 5 feet away from the bar stools. For some reason, the people in those stools were being served better priced drinks than me. So that kind of sucked. I had the ceviche and octopus. They were good. The pulpo was definitely too spicy for many, but I enjoy a good amount of heat. It was good, not great. I'd probably try to go back to get the happy hour again, but wouldn't recommend it for a nice dinner date out. But a casual weeknight dinner is a good deal.
I visited Oyamel for dinner and found the atmosphere to be fantastic and not crowded at all, which made it easy to find a seat at the bar. The margarita arrived quickly and was delicious, and the chips and salsa were really good. I also ordered ceviche and a quesadilla. However, the ceviche took quite a while to arrive, and there was a mix-up with the order, resulting in a flavorless dish that needed extra seasoning. The quesadilla was also served cold. Additionally, I was charged extra for a small amount of salsa, which felt unnecessary given the wait. Overall, while the food was decent and the ambiance was great, the service and some of the details left a bit to be desired.
Oyamel offers a reputable experience with a well-thought-out menu and great service. I had the Plato de Suadero Chile morita and árbol braised beef brisket, served with roasted Cambray onion, avocado, house-made corn tortillas, and salsa verde. We also had a lot of guacamole, which were served in an 13 pounds mortar (for real) . The flavors were good, not mind-blowing, but well-balanced and satisfying. The kids had quesadillas, which they enjoyed, but I was surprised to find that the restaurant doesn’t have a dedicated kids’ menu. One downside? No plantains. That alone gives Guapo’s an edge, especially considering Guapo’s offers larger portions at a more affordable price. Oyamel is definitely on the pricier side, but you’re also paying for the ambiance modern, vibrant decor that adds to the experience. Just be prepared for a crowd if you visit on a weekend; the place gets packed. Plenty of butterflies in the decoration . Parking was a bit of a hassle. I ended up in a public garage with a $16 flat rate, so unless you’re getting dropped off, factor that into your visit. Overall, Oyamel is a great spot if you’re looking for quality Mexican food in a lively setting. Not the best value for money, but the service and atmosphere make up for it.
We stopped by this very well regarded and long-standing DC restaurant before a basketball game. Unfortunately — this place is massively overrated and was such a let down. Nothing to represent CDMX at all — an insult to one of the best food cities in the world. This is flavorless and poorly cooked Mexican pretending to be upscale at an “approachable price”. I would compare the quality of the food and the execution of the cooking to that of a mid tier all-inclusive resort poolside, or a slightly above average hotel lobby restaurant / bar in third tier city. Also, avoid the left side of the restaurant in winter as it’s poorly insulated and absolutely frigid. Even the booth we sat on felt like a bleacher at a snowy football game. Chips were good, Guajillo salsa was great. Unless the laws of physics have been broken in this restaurant, there is no physical way that the supposed “made to order” guacamole is in fact made to order. It came out abruptly and appeared to be very smooth. Beef entree was flavorless, tough, and sat on top of a rather underwhelming and thin mole sauce. You needed to slather the meat in the sauce to have a respectable bite. Cauliflower side was excellent. Fried but not breaded, make sure to get all of the stuff on the dish in one bite. Tacos were extremely disappointing. Tortillas might be made in house but were clearly not fresh and couldn’t support any of the fillings. Every single tortilla fell apart at the bottom and was a soggy mess. In terms of the individual tacos - Pibil was flavorless which I didn’t know was possible, I’ve had better fried fish tacos pretty much anywhere else, and lengua tasted like grocery store pastrami. I want to return to the fish taco which was so poorly executed that it deserves an individual section. Every mistake that is made with a Baja fish taco was made here. Too much thin sauce bathing in slaw that in turn soaks the bottom of the tortilla, too small of a fish portion to the point where most bites were vegetarian, and a sad not crispy and flavorless bite of fish. One of the saddest fish tacos I’ve ever had. The tres leches dessert was good. This place may have once been great but has lost its way. Jose Andres has better food and better cooked beef at the DCA capital one lounge. Additionally, there is better Mexican food pretty much anywhere else whether it’s in a truck or shopping mall.
I was very disappointed with the portion size of the food I received from this restaurant’s to-go menu. For a $50 check, the amount of food provided was shockingly small and felt like a poor value for the price. This was a terrible experience, and I honestly feel we deserve a refund! I’ve attached photos as proof.
I have really enjoyed Oyamel in the past but yesterday's experience was bad enough I won't be back. I had a reservation and arrived a couple minutes ahead of time. There was a large crowd at the door so we were not seated until after our reservation time. The table was small but also in busy walking path for the staff and I was bumped into multiple times with not a single acknowledgement or apology before we even got water. It took close to 15 minutes for our order to be placed. I also expected at least a bit of guidance on the menu and portioning from the waiter but he seemed to be more interested in getting to the next thing as he was clearly over stretched. Our meals arrived about 10-15min a part which made for a very awkward time. If this delay was communicated , we could have adjusted but instead I had to wait until my food was cold before realizing her's wasn't coming. Having finished my water before the meal arrived, it also took another 15 minutes to flag someone down to get refill. At this time I also requested a new fork and I am still waiting for that. I suspect I won't be getting one. However, through all that, the worst part and why I am leaving a review is the complete lack of allergy protocols it seems. In my reservation and before and that the time of the order, I let them know of allergies for both people at my table and both of us had cross contamination reactions. Thankfully not emergency room bad but enough to ruin the rest of our night. Why ask if you don't do anything?
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401 7th Street N.W.
Washington, DC 20004
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