I went to Atxondo hoping to taste the work of a Basque chef, and found out that the new chef is from El Salvador, but has studied cookery in Spain. After having a full meal with cocktails, appetizer, entree, dessert and coffee (about $70 per person), I concluded that Atxondo will be a definite future destination for Happy Hour and light bites, but that my full meal dining dollars will be spent elsewhere. The Patatas Bravas (Fingerling Potatoes) were outstanding, with their two tasty sauces and rich, crispy flavor and texture. The Hibiscus Margarita with its salt and tajín rim was good enough to warrant a second one... but the Sangria was lackluster due to the complete absence of cut-up fresh fruit in my glass. The "Crispy Duck Breast" is no longer served whole, but sliced on a bed of sauteed kale... and, sadly, seemed to be only a shadow of its former self. The Lamb Meatballs suffered from being mushy (a coarser grind would have made a world of difference in the texture) and lacked that meaty exuberance one treasures in any kind of meatball. My serving of Basque Cheesecake was almost comically tiny (at $9 per serving, perhaps not so funny after all). But my cup of Americano came out of the espresso machine strapping strong and piping hot, with a gorgeous head of natural crema from the oil of the coffee beans. So I will definitely return for a future Happy Hour to devour the outstanding Patatas Bravas and sip the good Margaritas, and to try the bargain Manchego Burger and other Happy Hour bites. For serious dining, Atxondo falls short of the mark... but for drinks and bar food, Atxondo turns out to be a real neighborhood gem. . read more

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Very solid 4 stars for Atxondo. Just a note that while there are paper menus, the QR code menu has a lot more options. The service is very nice and attentive an adds to the homey feel. Atxondo really strikes me as an underrated gem. It's only about a mile walk from the Petworth Metro, is right on several bus lines and for us, coming from silver spring, the drive was a very easy ~15 minutes. Intrigued to hear how often people in the neighborhood come here. It's mostly a tapas style, so everything but the paella is smaller plates. Everything is wonderfully tasty. The mini chorizo, with the accompanying chips absorbing the chorizo liquid were awesome and our group also loved the cremini mushrooms. I love a good paella and Atxondo's is a standout. really wonderfull flavored and plenty for our group of 5. They say it's enough for 2-4, but unless its your only meal of the day, I fully think a group of 2 would have leftovers. It's definitely on our list to return read more

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Very homey style restaurant with friendly waiters! We made a reservation but I don't think you would need one. Hot toddy - waiter recommended, it's hot and has honey lemon taste like a tea but the alcohol is also a bit strong 2/5 Pineapple margarita - very very strong almost like straight alcohol lol 1/5 Red sangria - super well balanced and fruity! Very yummy 4/5 White sangria - a little bit sharper alcohol flavor and less well balanced but still good 3/5 Embutido Combo - Jamon Serrano, Salchichon de Vic, Chorizo Iberico - I'm not sure which is which so going by the picture left to right. A little spicy, overall good quality but I do think they put a bit too much oil which made it have an extra oil taste 2.5/5 Middle - like prosciutto this is the best one! Not dry at all in any area and not too salty 3.75/5 Right - least favorite but it is still good overall. Taste a little less yummy than the one on the right even though the one on the right is too oily 2/5 Queso Mahon - rich and cheesy. Not too sticky and very soft. I like the little fruit it comes with too 3/5 Seared scallop - usually squid in rice I feel like is just color but this one was super savory and delicious with a unique taste too that I'm thinking must be from the ink! It's made super well and the crispy sear on the scallop adds so much flavor but also the scallop was not overcooked at all, super bouncy and tender. 4.5/5 Spanish risotto - very moist and yummy! Even though it's just vegetables it's made well 3.75/5 Crispy pork belly - falls apart and very tender. Not dry at all! Unfortunately too salty though. Also very heavy. Meat too salty but veggies it came with like potato that soaks up the flavor was like inedible too salty 2/5 Seafood paella - I think it came out a bit faster than 40 minutes but I didn't keep track. Large serving size! Wish there was more seafood but lots of rice! Very moist and flavorful rice, seafood flavor comes through too! Wish they cooked it longer though since bottom is not crispy at all. Shrimp is overcooked unfortunately but individually seasoned. All the squids and octopus don't have much flavor but cooked well and not chewy at all. Mussels were good too but had some weird webbing on some pieces that made me not want to eat it and size is a bit small. Needs more seafood to balance the rice amount 4.25/5 Crimini mushroom - weird with the poached egg especially since there's a bunch of mushroom liquid below that I think would mix weirdly together. But ignoring that, the mushrooms themselves were very flavorful and actually taste really great with paella! 3.75/5 Basque cheesecake - very heavy and dense. Jam is not too sweet which is nice 1.5/5 Churros - very airy and light inside! The fried part is more than double the inside though so wish that was a little less thick so it can be a little less oily but still overall light. Came very warm and the dipping sauces were very liquidy. Chocolate is on the darker side which is a nice match 3/5 read more

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There aren't paintings on the walls nor clothes on the tables. There's nothing special about the decorations at Atxondo, but don't underestimate them. They make up for it with their food. A Spanish Basque Country restaurant, their menu is more affordable compared to many restaurants in D.C. and pack their dishes full of flavor. Everything we ordered, we enjoyed. Our favorites: Manchego cheeseburger, roasted Brussel sprouts, scallops on a bed of squid ink rice, and the Basque cheesecake. The drinks are solid too. The $10 red sangria was how I want all sangria to taste. The guava margarita was excellent too! The staff are so kind, attentive, and personable. I can't recommend this place enough! read more

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Although it was empty when we came, our scallops and squid ink risotto were immaculate and the service was too notch. The flavors and textures were everything you could ever ask for. A must try! read more

Our second time dining at Atxondo while visiting DC, and for sure it won't be our last. Everything is delicious, service is top notch and neighborhood parking is fairly easy. Plus they take reservations. Highly recommend. (Tho oops, we were so hungry. I forgot to take photos before eating.) read more

What a hidden gem....like ... seriously hidden...waaaaaay up 14th Street. In a easy to miss strip of shops in an easy to miss part of DC is a little Tapas Bar serving massive flavors at shockingly good prices. I went with 4 friends, all over 6 foot 2, so we were able to taste half of the menu. Everything we had was stand out good, came out fast and full of flavor. This is now my favorite Spanish restaurant in DC (thank God, cause I was really missing Estadio the other day). The dishes I'll ask for on my death bed are: the scallops over black rice (scrumptious and perfectly cooked scallops resting on the most delicious and most rice....like....the rice might out shine the scallops it's that good); the steak (PERFECTLY cooked and impossibly tender....what the hell did they do in that kitchen!!!!!! We almost ordered another); and the seafood paella (just...get...it.... period)!! Fast and friendly service, solid cocktails and of course sangria. I don't want to gate keep. This place is a hot! Go keep it in business!!!!! read more

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Oh my goodness, if in DC go here! This truly is a gem. Small sized restaurant that cooks each dish to perfection. Our chicken and octopus was as tender as it comes and my husband's Manchego cheeseburger was packed full of flavor with a light heat. I am a foodie, my husband not as much. But he was begging to come back while visiting on vacation. This never happens! Staff was attentive and friendly! Plus pricing was affordable for the area. read more

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Nice food spot in north dc. Went during happy hour. Service was quick and attentive. Staff gave excellent recommendations from the menu. The interior was small and cute. Only con is the lack of parking nearby. read more

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We ordered a ton and finished it all. I'm going to be ranking the dishes from my favorite to least reached for. 1. chuleta de cerdo - this was so well seasoned and the butternut squash puree & crisp elevated the dish even more 2. seared scallops - this was my first time trying squid ink and it had such a depth in flavor with a slight creamy, light bitter taste that balanced well with the scallops 3. roasted brussel sprouts - I am not a brussel sprouts fan, and I am still shocked I am rating this over potatoes, but it was better! I enjoyed the slight char of it 4. crispy fingerling potatoes - I liked how the potatoes stayed crispy even though it was drenched in sauce. However, it did not stand out so much to me as other dishes. 5. tortilla española - for me, it was a lot of eggs and potatoes and that was really all you can taste from this one read more

Stopped in recently for a meal on the patio and it was good, not great. Some nice dishes, some ok. Service was good. Didn't do any drinks. For food, the highlights were: crispy potatoes (bravas), pan con tomate (flavor was amazing, bread was soggy), mushrooms garlic wine sauce with an egg (great flavor but very liquidy/hard to share). We also did the gambas (delicious sauce but the shrimp were overcooked), the octopus (nicely cooked but just not a favorite), manchego cheesebuger (just ok), and the tortilla (not runny inside, no onions, i'd call it a potato omelet). the coconut flan dessert was nice, a touch sweet but not overly so. Overall enjoyed, it's not difficult to get into so that's nice but it's a bit of a trek for me so not sure how frequently I'd go as there weren't many truly standout dishes read more

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Outstanding Spanish restaurant that fills a long void in authentic Spanish cuisine in DC. Amazing happy hour menu with welcoming staff.

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. read more

Amazing food and lovely service. This place is a sleeper and it won't be long before Tom Sietsema 'discovers' it and you have to wait to get in. read more

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Hidden gem! Atxondo puts out quality small plates and entrees in a relaxed atmosphere. Personal favorites include the grilled scallions and the seared scallops. read more

Hidden gem that serves many classic Spanish dishes like tortilla, paella and more! Loved the Brussel sprouts dish and happy hour food + drink specials. Seating available outside or inside. read more

The pork chop with squash puree was so good.. the chicken was very tender as well. I definitely recommend both but my favorite was the pork chop. Chuleta de Cerdo. I also liked the garlic bread and the charcuterie ham was good. The cheese was good. read more

Cam here with friends. We had heard good things and wanted to check it out. Spanish food from the basque region is very good as I have been there and have first hand experience. In the north they call them "pinchos" instead of "tapas." And of course most of the menu is naturally gluten free. We started with the cheese platter which was excellent and I a martini made with Spanish Gin. It was nice and served in a fun glass. In the end we ended having the manchego cheeseburger (no bun for me). I know, not the most Spanish item on the menu. But it was very good. The place is simple and their is actually more seating outside than inside. The prices are reasonable. I would come again if I am in the neighborhood (which is likely since my friends live a block away), but this is not something that I would recommend driving a long distance for. In other words a great neighborhood restaurant. read more

Atxondo - Spanish Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Atxondo was such a lovely surprise. We are visiting DC for the weekend for dance and felt like we were in the middle of nowhere when we saw this place. It was a very chill neighborhood for a Saturday afternoon, and we're so glad we took a chance. The patatas bravas were amaaaaazing, and I was pleasantly surprised that they chose to fuse a curry sauce with their bok choi, rice, and salmon. A smart combination that cuts through to the palate. The smoothie and sangria were refreshing, and I was happy that I came during their afternoon happy hour. Their staff is friendly and the restaurant features an inviting environment. Check them out next time you're passing by; I highly recommend! read more

Atxondo - Fingerling potatoes and Panfried Salmon - Spanish Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Easily one of our favorite Spanish spots in the city. Extremely friendly service and such high high quality food. Went for a friends birthday and had so many dishes - the standout was the whole rock fish - wow! Don't sleep on this gem on upper 14th for amazing food and overall impeccable experience. read more

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A few friends staying around DC picked Axtondo to meet as it was equidistant for all. Did not look very encouraging but we were more than pleasantly surprised. The margaritas were tasty and packed a punch. Because it was mid-afternoon we only had starters, everything was delicious but the garbanzo puree (gotta call it something else) was the best hummus I've ever had! Lovely, relaxed vibe. read more

The Food, Service, and Ambulance was Amazing. Will definitely patronize this establishment again! read more

Atxondo - Kale Salad, Black Rice, Seared Scallops, and Pineapple Margarita...Delicious!!! - Spanish Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I wish I could give 4.5 stars on Yelp. The potatoes were a great starter, the steak wasn't a true medium rare but it was still well seasoned. Also the seafood paella was presented beautifully but the only gong and why I would give it 4.5 stars is that the seafood was a bit over cooked. read more

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Paella paella paella. You won't regret it. It's the best in DC. The order serves 4 for $60 which is great value. It's better paella than some places in Spain. You get plenty of seafood with rice and the flavors are incredible. When you order at the restaurant, the rice will come out crispier on the top but getting it take out is just as good. The happy hour is long and great as well, fantastic margaritas. read more

Love this place! Truly a hidden gem, in a residential section of NW DC that is not overrun with traffic and tourists. Street parking is easy, even on a Saturday night. The quality is outstanding and the prices are extremely reasonable given the high quality of the cooking. It's rare to finish an amazing dinner with wine and cocktails and find yourself pleasantly surprised at the check. Some nice Spanish wine selections are offered at much lower than typical prices, including by the glass. The beer menu is somewhat limited, and could benefit from the addition of a local microbrewery option. The interior of this small restaurant is somewhat spare, with wood floors and well spaced tables; while not a luxurious environment, the simplicity here is to our liking. Staff was gracious and welcoming. Now for the food: we ordered the tortilla espanol (ended up taking this to go, since we were completely full after polishing off the other three dishes), roasted Brussels sprouts with a lovely sauce on top, *outstanding* tender duck breast served on a warm kale salad, and salmon with deliciously smoky vegetables and rice on the side. Each dish was bursting with such a harmonious melding of flavor. For folks who care about delicious food more than being part of a "scene", this is a perfect date night. Note that they encourage reservations but are also happy to take walk-ins. Noticed that they offer catering as well. You cannot go wrong with this talented chef in the kitchen! read more

This is my favorite restaurant in DC. The first time I visited ATXONDO was at their GRAND OPENING back in March, 2020; ever since, I've been a loyal customer. I love the flavors of their dishes, they are so succulent it's almost impossible to describe... The service is 10/10, the bartender and manager, Jose, makes the best cocktails you can ever have. Every time I go there, I stay at least, 4 hours or more, just enjoying the relaxed ambience of this small and cozy place. It's truly a Gem!! I recommend it 100%. You won't be disappointed. I have tried: Tortilla Española. Roasted Brussel sprouts. SAUTÉED KALE SALAD. Crispy Fingerling Potatoes (A must have!!!). Spanish Risotto. Mixed Vegetables. Manchego cheese. Yogurt-Salsa Verde garnish. Gold Beets. Asparagus Asados. Gambas Al Ajillo. Another MUST HAVE!! Seafood Paella. Seared Skin-On Salmon. Delicious!! ROCKFISH - Panfried whole. Chuleta de Cerdo. Argentine RIBEYE STEAK. This is my #1. Grilled Chicken. Manchego Cheeseburger. (My favorite). BOTIFARRA. (Not my favorite but it's good). Manchego Cheese. Enjoy! read more

Great food and service, definitely gonna go back. Loved the burgers and the sausage is next level

WOW! What a sleeper this place is!!! We came here with family who was familiar with the chef/owner and knew this place had to be amazing based on where he was previous to making this restaurant. He wasn't joking... the service was great, the food was outstanding!! For tapas this is one amazing joint, better than the "popular" place in DC owned by the very popular chef. The place is very clean and service was excellent! Prices are GREAT, this is another area that makes Atxondo better than the other tapas place, it's more affordable with larger portions here. We tried several (actually "many") items from their menu and each was outstanding!! I highly recommend giving Atxondo a try!! read more

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This restaurant was a pleasant surprise! The location and exterior are unassuming but the food is wonderful. We ordered both aperitifs to start. The aperitifs are full sized beverages so don't expect little glasses. For food we ordered: Crispy fingerling potatoes 5/5 Spanish risotto 5/5 (delicious!) Gold beets 5/5 Grilled octopus 4/5 Manchego cheeseburger 4/5 The food was delicious and the coquito is a must order! I can't wait to come back and try more items off of the menu. read more

Took a photo on my next visit. The scallops and the veggie risotto are out of control good. Didn't see that coming on the risotto. read more

Atxondo - Veggie risotto (in background) and seared scallops on squid ink rice. Delish! - Spanish Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I continue to LOVE this place. The food is delicious and sauces are so good you'll ask for more toast to mop them up. The service is warm, prompt, and thoughtful. The environment is chill. There is plenty of parking. I recommend coming up to the neighborhood. read more

Don't wait in line at Jaleo- check out this lovely restaurant instead! We ordered vegetarian items and were so pleased by the plating and flavors. We loved the patatas bravas, cauliflower, chilled tomato soup, and beet salad. The cocktails are delicious and reasonably priced. The servers are attentive and kind. One star deducted because the menu is only accessible via QR code. I didn't have a great signal in the restaurant, so it took a while to pull up the menu and it was hard to peruse on my phone. read more

This place deserves so much more business. Best cheese steak i've ever had and the chips are freshly made. Everything was perfect. read more

Atxondo - Steak and Cheese sandwich with potato chips. - Spanish Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

We ordered take out this evening and every dish was scrumptious. My favorites were the Asparagus Asados, Tortilla Española, and the flan for dessert. The staff was very helpful when I picked up the food. We'll definitely be back for takeout and in-restaurant dining. read more

Delicious food! I almost don't want to leave a review for this place in fear that when more people discover this place, reservations will be harder to come by. We loved the no frills just great food ambiance of this restaurant. The drinks were yummy as well. Our favorite dishes of the many we tried were the scallops and the shrimp but everything we ordered was really good. read more

I had the BEST whole rockfish and grilled octopus I've ever had in my life today!!!! You will NOT be disappointed. Also recommend the hibiscus margarita. Run, I mean run, to Atxondo!!! read more

Food and service were great! Definite hidden gem for Spanish tapas. Paella was excellent! We will be back.

This might be my favorite restaurant in DC. There's no frills but the service is always incredibly friendly and the food is phenomenal. The Gambas Al Ajillo may be one of my favorite dishes in the city and the chicken was the surprise dish for me- I can't believe how good it is. This is the type of restaurant that I debate telling people about because I love the neighborhood home in the wall vibe, but it's that good. Don't walk but run to Atxondo, best Spanish food in the city by far. read more

Simply amazing. The value and quality is unbeatable at Atxondo. Asparagus - smoky and deep flavor, balanced with tomato Pork belly - perfectly cooked (crispy exterior + soft interior) and wonderfully marinated, definitely get this Scallops - great price! the scallops are perfectly cooked the rice is buttery, everything melts in your mouth Mussels - good mussel flavor and cheese forward sauce, very solid Brussels - jammy raisins and melty cheese on crispy brussels Octopus - smokey as well and nice meaty texture Mushrooms - deep mushroom flavor sitting in some mushroomy sauce, topped with an egg! melty squishy goodness! Potatoes - perfectly cooked, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, topped with a creamy and refreshing sauce Overall everything was very good, hard to find a place like this where they consistently deliver quality service and food! They were even kind enough to provide us a complimentary glass of sangria. The drinks are strong and worth your money. Will definitely be returning! read more

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This place is so delicious. A hidden gem. Completely worth the quick drive to get there. The staff are lovely and have terrific suggestions. The whole vibe of the place is great. And oh, that food. Yum yum . read more