The Tastiest Spanish in Washington

Tapas Truck

★★★★☆ 3.5 (90) • $

"Holy cow! I feel really sad for the other lunch goers who are waiting in line at the Cosi and other food trucks and leaving this truck wide open for my impatient curiosity to approach because they have nooo idea of what they're missing out on. I've just taken my first bites of my lunch and I am completely blown away the the quality of food for a food truck. And what a great deal too! Two choices for only $9. You don't get much better than that in the lunch price range in the DC metro area. I tried my hand at the Corn Fritters and Chicken Bom-Bom. Let's start with the fact that these things are deliciously crispy including the garlic fries. So yum! The corn fritters are sweet and have a great creamy sauce on top and the chicken bom-bom were so flavorful. Like I said I just took my first bites and I couldn't help but share with my Yelp community how incredible this experience is. Next time this truck is in your hood, go eat there."

El Mariachi

★★★★☆ 3.8 (248) • $$

"Excellent food! The steak was well-flavored, tender, and juicy. Attentive server. The ambiance is quite bright, authentic, and cheery as well! I'll definitely return! (11/7/24)"

Irenes Pupusas

★★★☆☆ 2.6 (57) • $$

"I've only been in twice, once for carry-out and once dine-in. Both times the language barrier was a bit problematic (I don't speak Spanish) but each time there was a male employee there who was completely bilingual and was able to bridge the gap. I avoided Irene's for years because from the outside it looks a hole in the wall, and the Glenmont Shopping Center is dirty and feels dangerous. I finally stopped in recently because I was at the Staples next door and was lured by a craving for a pupusa. The restaurant turns out to be cavernous! It's also pretty dark and neither of us used the restrooms, so I don't have much to say about the reviews that lament a certain level of dirtiness, except that my knife had food stuck to it. I've ordered both bean & cheese and spinach & cheese (not on the menu) pupusas, and the man ordered pork & cheese. He also ordered a beef taco. We both ordered rice & beans on the side. Everything was absolutely delicious. The food did take a while to be served but it was all piping hot and flavorful. Neither of us were raised on Latin American food so we may not have great comparison, but we were both very happy with the food. The one thing that sat ALL wrong with me was the tip that's built into each dine-in check. The menu states that, like in many food establishments, a 15% gratuity is added to parties of 5 or more. Well, that may be true, but our table of two had a 20% tip already added to the bill when it arrived. And there's a line for an ADDITIONAL tip underneath. This is sneaky and makes the place seem shady. Many other reviews mention it and the owners should take note that customers don't like this practice and their Yelp reviews reflect this. It's the reason I gave them 3 stars, not 4."

Guardado's Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.1 (312) • $$

"We just dined here for the first time and my parents have already declared it a new favorite.My favorites:+ Gambas Al Ajillo ($13.95) - This classic sauteed shrimp dish was so good we even ordered a second round and used the bread to mop up all the olive oil in the pan. + Shrimp Quesadilla ($14.25) - I love a shrimp quesadilla but these surpassed expectations--there was plenty of shrimp and the tomatoes added a nice savoriness.+ Plain Plantain ($4.50) - One of the best plantains I've had in recent memory and nice and caramelized on some of the edges. We also enjoyed:+ Calamares Fritos ($12.25) + Pulpo A La Gallega ($12.50) - The octopus was so tender!+ Croquetas ($9.50) - These were just okay and not super flavorful.+ Paella Negra ($44.95) - We prefer our paella rice to be cooked through instead of al dente and was pleased to find it nice and soft. I thought the tilapia was a little fishy but overall we enjoyed it!Despite slight apprehension when looking through the pictures prior to our visit, we were very impressed and will definitely be returning!"

Barcelona Wine Bar Cathedral Heights

★★★★☆ 4.1 (430) • $$$

"Loved the one in Pittsburgh and love this location even more. Super friendly and helpful staff especially when making and helping pick the perfect drink. And we got the happy hour specials of calamari... some of the best ever. Breading stayed on didn't fall off when eating and just the right crunch. Def want to get that again and again! The salt and vinegar chips with ham when first reading thought it meant Serrano like the pepper but it was ham which made me love it more. Really nice happy hour treats before diving in. Then I got the guns and rose drink and had to get another so delicious. For small plates we got the prawns which had a nice spice but a bit overcooked for me but loved how they took off prawn heads and I enjoyed those my friend was grateful cuz she doesn't. We also got the thin potato dish with chive cream sauce and LOVED it. It was like a potato as gratin vibes and I'm here for it. Croquettes are always a must super rich creamy great ham flavor and something great to split with friends. I will def be coming back super cute place and loved the music as well relaxed but still party vibes in the neighborhood."

Casa Teresa

★★★★☆ 4.2 (76)

"First time at Casa Teresa, and absolutely loved it! The restaurant has a vibrant atmosphere, and the staff is incredibly welcoming. The waitress took her time to explain the concept of the menu and offered us recommendations on a few of her favorite dishes. She did a splendid job, ensuring that there was no cross-contamination with gluten, which I truly appreciated. We decided to try a variety of items from the menu. Some of my favorites were the ensaladilla, grilled vegetables, and the grilled potatoes. My sister lived in Barcelona for about two years, couldn't stop raving about how the food reminded her of her time abroad. The octopus and steak, however, were a bit overcooked for our liking. Nonetheless, these are minor things that could easily be improved. The tarta de queso was good though I've definitely had better elsewhere. Overall, the ambiance, the friendly staff, and the delicious food make Casa Teresa a place worth trying and returning!"

Sabores Tapas Bar

★★★★★ 4.7 (147) • $$

"I am the worlds pickiest eater. I did not try one bad thing. 10/10 recommend their unlimited brunch. It was affordable ($32pp). This is a great way to try different foods from different Latin American countries."

El Quetzal Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.2 (37) • $$

"We had the Garnachas & the Pork Rib as suggested by the guy that worked there.The Garnachas were delicious but a little burnt on the bottom I would order them again but I hope they don't burn them again. The rib was tough but had good flavoring. We ate all of our food & the price was good, I would try them again but not order the ribs.As others stated the food takes awhile to prepare, I watched the two lady cooks talk and talk the entire time they leisurely made our meal. Good to enjoy your work! As long as you can stop burning your food"

SER

★★★★☆ 3.8 (504) • $$

"I randomly found this place on open table when looking for a last minute reservation. It did not disappoint! The service was great, the ambiance and decor were lovely and the food was amazing! Items tried:- sangria (red) 10/10- garlic shrimp 10/10- Patatas Bravas 10/10- kale caesar salad 10/10- egg plant 8/10- grilled steak 10/10- octopus(didn't try but my friend liked it)"

Botanero Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.3 (748) • $$

"I love coming here! It's such a hidden gem! Their main menu is served all day, tapa style. And everything you get has such good flavor and is just simply delicious. Not just saying this but HIGHLY recommend!"

Atxondo

★★★★★ 4.8 (90) • $$

"Dc's new hidden gem. Estadio's old chef opened this spot. He knows what he's doing. Top dishes:- Gambas al ajillo. Wow. Better than other Spanish restaurants.- Pork belly. Incredible. Crispy yet soft and perfect accompaniment. - Crispy potatoes. These kill the Jaleo patatas bravas. Decent dishes:- Croquettas: definitely decent but not wow. - Shishito peppers: v tasty but they could add more seasoning. - Churros: these were just ok. Greasy and needed more sugar coating and cinnamon. - Mussels. Great sauce but they didn't taste very fresh. Great corkage ($15). They need new wine stemware (it's very average) and a decanter. The atmosphere is meh. But the staff is super nice and relaxed - we loved them. Otherwise this is my new favorite restaurant in DC."

Bodega Spanish Tapas & Lounge

★★★★☆ 3.6 • $$

"INCREDIBLE experience!! Came with four people, one of whom has a severe dairy intolerance. The staff was so great about knowing which tapas on the table were some she could eat or at least enough to know she should avoid. Everyone we met was kind, friendly and so knowledgeable! We all had more than enough to eat. Favorite dishes at the table; steak tapas, mussels in wine, jamón Serrano bread, pulpa and rissoto. But honestly, not a bad plate. Although a big restaurant, its narrow and maintains a careful intimacy, my chair was close. To the table beside us but never heard them. We couldn't decide on what we all wanted and I'm so glad we picked Bodega and tapas. Incredible!"

Boqueria Penn Quarter

★★★★☆ 4.3 (569) • $$

"Beautiful ambience - highly recommend for a classy date night or just night out.The service was amazing. The servers are working hard, constantly walking around and checking on all customers.The FOOD:- Patatas bravas (no pic) 8.5/10Very crispy potatoes and lovely aioli sauce- Croquettas (jamon) (no pic) 8/10Awesome if you like the texture of croquettas! Mind you, you only get 3!- Seafood paella 9/10Hit the spot for my paella craving! Not too greasy and oily and just the perfect amount to taste! Highly recommend trying this here.- Lamb skewers 8/10Lamb was cooked perfectly and didn't have any of that distinct smell. Went very well with the toppings and sauce."

Angel's Pupuseria

★★★★☆ 4.3 (13) • $$

"Good People...there were dozens of folks in my inbox about this Salvadoran Pupuseria Restaurant in Landover. YUNG...they got off menu pupusa (a round grilled corn or flour cake with cheese, and/or meat in it) TACOS!! PuTacos!! I had to get here!!.Where I am: @angels.pupuseria.Location Reviewed: 6431 Landover Rd., Hyattsville M.D..Menu Includes:Breakfast, Soups, Pupusas, Quesadillas, Tacos, Yuca, Wings, Salads, Ceviche, Fajitas, Plantains, Burritos, & Much MORE!!.Items Reviewed:Their Boquita Mixta (with 3 pupusas, a Quesadilla, Yuca con Chicharron, & a Fajita Mix $79.95).Their PuTacos: *all come with cilantro, lime, green salsa & onions* (3 tacos-steak, chicken, & chorizo all on cheesy grilled Pupusas $6.50).The Steak Putaco...STAMP!! Superbly seasoned steak, plentiful, & soft shell cheesy!! Lime it up, & dip it in that salsa!!The Chicken PuTaco...STAMP!! Again well seasoned chicken, thick, & ridiculously delicious!!The Chorizo PuTaco...STAMP!! Y'all the chorizo, chicken, & steak are TRULY seasoned well!!Their Boquita Mixta (with 3 queso Pupusas, a chicken quesadilla, Yucca, Chicharron, & a steak, chicken, shrimp Fajita Mix, fried chicken wings, red,& green salsa, ranch, & Pico de Gallo $79.95).The Pupusa's...STAMP!! Cheesy, grilled, tasty!!The Chicharron (fried pork)...STAMP!! I'm not a fan...until TODAY!! Crispy, meaty, dipped in their salsas...YES!!Their Yucca...DELICIOUS. Hot, but just good.Their Fajita Mix...LIKE THAT!! Very well seasoned, meaty, juicy, with the juice from the red, & green peppers!!The Quesadillas...LIKE THAT!! Cheesy, crisp outside, & seasoned well!!The Wings...DECENT. I needed more flavor, crispy, good.The Horchata & Sorell (homemade, $3.50 each). STAMP them both!! Thick, sweet horchata, & refreshingly tasty Sorell!!.Online Navigation: Easy.Parking: ROUGH!!.Recommendations: The PuTacos, and everything else STAMPED!!.Music:YouTube-Backyard Band 4/12/015 Stars=STAMP4 1/2 Stars=LIKE THAT4 Stars=DELICIOUS3 Stars=DECENT 2 Stars=PASS1 Star=NAH#Bigschlimsreviews"

Tarmac Lounge And Restaurant

★★★☆☆ 2.7 (7)

"Unfortunately the food was terrible. We order jolloff rice with chicken, beef and fish and it was the worst. They gave us tiny pieces. The food looked old and overcooked. The meat tasted old and was rubbery. As if it had been outside since the day before. We spent $110 on this food..... and it was the worst. Never again ordering from this place"

Tia Pepa

★★★★★ 4.6 (19)

"Ordered delivery from here--glad I did and I'll be back for more very soon!Pork and manchego sandwich: 4 stars. Generous portion of nicely cooked pork and the perfect amount of cheese. The real star was the bread, which was fresh and pillowy. I wish there'd been a little more heat or something tangy to add to the flavors, but overall very good, especially for the price. Could feed two people (or one person twice).Shrimp salad: 5+ stars. Delicious, fresh, good portion, excellent flavors. The brûlée on the goat cheese rubbed off on the box in transit but oh well. I would not be disappointed to find a comparable salad at a white-tablecloth restaurant for twice the price. (Not that I'm suggesting anyone raise the price...)Rice pudding: 5 stars. Nice depth of flavor, and the rice still had some chew to it which is my preference for rice pudding. Also a portion for two easily. My order also came with a Chupa Chups lollipop which is a nice touch."

Abi Azteca Grill & Bar

★★★★☆ 3.8 (140) • $$

"So I never knew this place existed and I've driven around this plaza for ages... but a quick search for something new... and here we go! It's pandemic time so key facts:Call or online order if picking up. You're gonna have to go in to get it. There is indoor and patio seating.Food: got a pork and cheese pupusa and tamal de Pollo (chicken) and carne asada and large horchata.Horchata- large means large! And not overly sweet so a nice treatTamal - yum!! Best one I've had in the area, and i have tried many... will be back for this. The flavors are complex and on point.Pupusa- good but not the best ever. I would get it again but not my go to thingCarne- thin and cook as specified. Not bad.Overall, will be back but may try other items..."

Barcelona Reston

★★★★☆ 4.2 • $$

"First time trying this tapas restaurant and I enjoyed the service and the food. I'm still dreaming about how good the whipped sheep's milk cheese was! Ended up trying different tapas including the shrimp, empanadas, and some other dishes. Loved the selection of wine and the overall vibe of the restaurant."

Lauriol Plaza

★★★☆☆ 3.4 • $$

"The food here is okay. But it's great for the vibes and drinks. It's large! Tons of seating and windows and it gives you that indoor/outdoor atmosphere.We shared a pitcher of the margarita. Solid! For entrees some of my table mates got steak, chicken tacos, salmon fajitas, tostones, or the taco/enchilada/tamale combo. I got the tortilla soup which came in a big bowl! Delicious!The ingredients were odd. They had a third of a carrot and a huge chunk of zucchini in my soup. And the fajitas also had the same veg and even celery along with the peppers. Interesting touch.I did enjoy the fresh guacamole and the salsa with chips. So good!Service was good. Pretty quick. They kept our glasses filled with the margarita. It's a large restaurant that can accommodate bigger groups. Pretty loud here too. It seems to be popular in the neighborhood. Parallel parking is your best bet. But having a car in DC is a double edged sword."

Del Mar

★★★★☆ 3.9 (995) • $$$

"Tried this place for lunch for the first time; have had many successful delicious dinners. I had the fig salad on the express menu and it was ok. I also got the croquettes (amazing, as always), the grilled artichoke (killer- highly recommend) and the Branzino filet (absolute perfection). Paella was a disappointment."

Barcelona Wine Bar

★★★★☆ 4.2 • $$

"This location for Barcelona is in a quiet part of DC with a lot more parking than the busier area of DC. The service was super fast on a busy Friday night & our server, Gianna, was super sweet. Very accommodating for a table of 8. It was a night of first tapas for many of my friends, but for the price and dishes, they were super happy. We regretted going to the Wharf for desserts instead of the menu here shortly afterwards. The croquettes were a crowd pleaser and I didn't leave crying about the Paella price for quality here vs a previous review I did for Del Mar. Would definitely not mind coming back for special occasions in the future."

Top Spanish Cafe & Catering

★★★★★ 4.5 (114) • $$

"The food was authentic! The jamón ibérico was delicious. I wish I lived in DC so I could go every week! The paella was to die for and the drinks were on point. If you're in the DC area you need to hit this place up. I haven't been to many spanish restaurants in the US, usually they're knock offs or because certain ingredients are hard to get in parts of the US it usually throws the recipes off but this place was right on point! I'll be back next time I'm in DC for sure!"

Perlas Sabor De Mi Tierra

★★★☆☆ 2.8 (19) • $$

"Newly opened in the Sunrise Plaza. between Seoulia and the under-construction future site of Swahili village, Perlas is worthy of its neighborhood. Bare room so far, two booths and a dozen tables of varying size. I may be coining a phrase, but Latino Fusion comes to mind, as the menu includes Guatemalan, Peruvian, Honduran, and Salvadoran dishes as well as Mexican. I tried the carne asada, nicely marinated but cooked a bit well done for my taste. It was accompanied by a bit of undressed salad (lemon squeeze salt and pepper worked OK), some chufa rice, a ramekin of savory smooth re-fried beans, and very authentic tortillas that make me hopeful that the Mexican tacos will be worthwhile when a run to Taco Bar doesn't fit my schedule. I also enjoyed the Chicha Morada, a sweet Peruvian beverage made from purple corn and spices. The taste might be described as like lingonberry, sweet and tart, with a bit of allspice. No soda or tea listed on the menu, no alcohol. Friendly service, plenty of parking. Hidden for sure, gem you might have to stretch to semi-precious. I'm expecting this one to improve with age."

Boqueria Dupont

★★★★☆ 4 • $$$

"We came here for a girls night out and it did not disappoint. Apologies for the lack of pictures, the food was so good that we dug in before we could get a picture of all the different dishes we ordered. The service is great. We were checked on regularly and our waiter was attentive and made great recommendations. I had the tinto sangria and it was delicious and light. It had citrus fruity tones but it also wasn't overly sweet which I loved. We ordered a bunch of tapas to include the anchovies, pan con tomate, croquettes (different kinds), salad, olives...I'm definitely missing a few. Everything was delicious! The food came out in stages so we weren't overwhelmed to eat everything at once, which was perfect. We got to take our time and try the dishes while sipping on our cocktails and not feeling rushed. The restaurant is very clean, and has a very warm and inviting atmosphere which would be great for catching up with friends, drinks after work, or a date. I came here many years ago and had enjoyed my experience then. I'm not sure what took me so long to come back, but I'm so glad I did. Can't wait to come back again!"

River Club

★★★★☆ 4 (56)

"I was so excited to come here, but it was a big disappointment. Everything about it was odd. The location, the decor, the drinks, and the service. The decor really throws me off. There is no uniformity and it's all just kinda all over the place. It reminds me of a hotel luncheon room. It made me feel like I was dining in the Holiday Inn or something. The drinks were awful. Bizarre, watered down, and just not very flavorful. None of them were well made. I tried three cocktails and don't remember what any of them were called because they were all forgettable and tasted like water. Really disappointing since this is the same ownership as Residents, which is known for amazing cocktails. The hummus, pita, chicken skewers, roasted carrots, and mujadara were all good, thankfully. The mujadara (rice with lentils and cripsy onions) was excellent actually and the portion was pretty big. The chicken skewers are flavorful, but definitely on the small side.It took a long time to be acknowledged after we sat down, and people who sat down after us were attended to before us. The server was actually behaving very strangely the entire time, and we had to flag down other people to help us. We were also stuck in a corner next to a lady who kept screaming very loudly whenever she laughed, and no one said anything to her. The server was laughing right along with her though (instead of acknowledging us)."

La Malinche

★★★★☆ 4.2 (611) • $$

"Still just a good! Good portion sizes. Excellent flavors. The tinta is heavenly but if you like sweeter drinks go with the Cava. You won't be disappointed! Food is almost as authentic as it gets. The only tapa I didn't like was the croquetas de pollo. Taste more like a fish stick. Loved both empanadas but the chicken was the winner. Waitress was excellent!"

Xiquet by Danny Lledó

★★★★☆ 3.6 (97) • $$$$

"I'm headed to Valencia next month so I wanted to give Xiquet a try. It's not the best Michelin star restaurant I've been to, but it's not the worst either. I went on a night when they were still tinkering with their seasonal menu. My dishes were very meat heavy - there was lamb, partridge, and pork. That's on top of the hake and two paella dishes. I was definitely full and had to bring some of the food home. Other diners complained about their meals being too salty - I actually thought some of the dishes weren't salty enough. They could've also added a little more heat to them. I found some of them to be a little bland. The main course (Wellington Iberic pork) and dessert (rhubarb/avocado cake) were by far the best parts of the meal.I was charged $12 at the end of the night for "water service" which was a bit of a surprise. I opted for sparkling water. I don't know if it would've been the same price for still water, but a heads up would've been nice. Honestly, I would've been fine with tap water had I known I was going to be charged for it. They also don't have any soft drinks and no cocktail menu. They have what appeared to be a full service bar on the middle floor, but I was only given a wine menu. It's cheaper to get the wine pairing, unless you want to pay hundreds of dollars (or thousands) for a single bottle. Even a single glass was upwards of $50 so I opted to just stick with my $12 water.They charge you a 20% service fee which they say goes to all of the staff, but on top of that, when you receive your bill, there's also a line that prompts you to tip. It's very confusing. Furthermore, they charge you $50 when you make a reservation (which is eventually deducted from the bill), but I was actually charged $51.75. Apparently there's a $1.75 fee as well which wasn't made abundantly clear. I ended up spending close to $300 with no alcohol.I went on a Wednesday night around 7 PM and I was a little surprised by how vacant the restaurant was. There was just me and one other couple. Their dining room appeared to sit about 20-30 people, though I do have to give them credit for allowing single diners. Many Michelin star restaurants won't even give you that option.Service was great and staff were very friendly. What I found unique was they give you little cards with descriptions of each of the dishes. I'm not sure I'd come back, but worth a visit I suppose, especially if you like paella."