The service is good as well as the ambiance of the restaurant. The plates are relatively small for the price but the flavors are delicious. I tried the salmon with quinoa and it was one of the best combinations I've ever had. Also, the crap dip was really good. Recommended if you would like to try new flavors but be mindful of the portions since they could be small depending on what you order. read more

Botanero Restaurant - Grilled Salmon - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Rockville, Maryland

I visited Botanero for a Saturday morning brunch. While the overall ambiance of the restaurant is light and airy, the tables are somewhat cramped together, so know that you won't have an abundance of elbow room. That aside, the staff was very friendly, attentive and helpful, and I loved the bossa nova covers of 90s songs playing in the background. I ordered the ham & bacon omelette, which was very good and fresh. It's essentially filling (virginia ham, bacon, arugula, red pepper, caramelized onion and white cheddar) wrapped in a thin layer of scrambled egg, which I was very happy with. The omelette was served with a side of home fried potatoes that were seasoned perfectly. I will definitely visit again in the future. read more

Botanero Restaurant - Ham & Bacon Omelette - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Rockville, Maryland

We came here for dinner to celebrate a birthday. Located in King Farm in Rockville, Botanero specializes in small plates. There's free street parking (if you can find a spot) and a bigger lot behind the Safeway. The restaurant was cozy. The main dining area was smaller than I thought, but they do have a bigger room in the back (often used for hosting special events). The ambiance was lively. Sports games were playing on the tvs behind the bar, and many tables were filled with people chatting at their leisure on a Wednesday night. Since it's a small plates place, the waitress recommended ordering two to three plates per person. She explained serving sizes of the various dishes and gave us some suggestions. In addition to their regular menu, they also had a chef's specials menu for the month. We started the evening by putting in an order for the paella Del Mar ($23.50). It takes about 20 minutes for them to make the paella, so be sure to put your order in early. Since we had a party of four, we had the option to order the full-size paella, but since we were ordering other dishes, we opted for the normal (small plate) size. The paella had a good mix of fish, shrimp, calamari, and mussels. Note: the shrimp did not come peeled, so get ready to get your hands dirty. The paella had a delicious crusty bottom, but it was a little oily. 4/5 stars Other plates we ordered: - mushroom and bacon flatbread ($17) - I enjoyed this overall. There were generous amounts of toppings (mushrooms in particular), though I didn't really taste the bacon. The crust was perfectly soft and chewy. The flatbread was topped with arugula which was lightly dressed in a balsamic vinaigrette. I would've liked it better if the vinaigrette was drizzled directly over the flatbread. 4/5 stars - Brussels sprouts ($12.50) - fried and also tossed with bacon. The Brussels sprouts were big and not as crispy as I would've liked. They tasted more soggy/steamed. It was also served with a smoked paprika aioli on the side. 3.5/5 stars - lamb chops ($21) - came with two chops. We ordered it medium rare. I think it was served more on the rare side, but I didn't press the issue. The lamb chops were seasoned well, but one of the chops was primarily fat. The lamb chops were served on a chickpea puree (aka hummus-esque). It also came garnished with a giant twig of rosemary stuffed in a goat cheese and sun-dried tomato ball. I like goat cheese and sun-dried tomatoes, but it seemed out of place with this dish. 3/5 stars - beef empanadas ($12) - came with two empanadas. The empanadas had a crispy exterior and good flavor, but note that it has a little bit of a kick to it. It also came with an aioli dipping sauce. 3.5/5 stars - ricotta and spinach malfatti ($13) - February special. Four dumplings served in a tasty and tomato sauce. Super cheesy (cheese pull alert), but it was pooling in oil. Big portions. 3.5/5 stars - seared scallops ($16) - two scallops served with farro and squash risotto and topped with a pistachio jam. Scallops were cooked nicely, but I didn't care for the risotto. Beautiful plating. 3.5/5 - crab & shrimp fritters ($15) - another February special. Comes with four fritters. Filling tasted like the inside of a dumpling. Served on top of a generous serving of creole cream. I was hoping for more of a crunch with the fritter. It had a vermicelli exterior which lacked that crunchy pizazz. 3/5 stars - for dessert, the birthday boy was treated to their crème brûlée ($10) which was tasty, but didn't have enough brûlée for that signature sugar-breaking. It was also the thinnest crème brûlée I've ever had. 4/5 stars - we also ordered the churros ($10) which came with four pieces and came flattened (think French toast sticks) as opposed to the round ridged sticks that I'm used to. We enjoyed the chocolate dipping sauce that the dish came with, but the churro shape lacked those crispy edges; execution was a little lackluster compared to other churros that I've had elsewhere. 3/5 stars The bill came out to about $50 per person, after tax and tip, which felt fair for the variety of foods that we ordered. We left full. No complaints about service. We had a carafe of water at the table to take care of our own refills. Plates were brought out in a reasonable amount of time. Food overall was 3.5 stars for me - there was nothing that I particularly loved - but I'll round up for pleasant service and ambiance. read more

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Wow, the last time I dined inside was almost 2 years ago. So, this is my updated review. I joined a friend for dinner, and we settled on this spot. It has been a while for both of us, but well worth the visit. The server we had remembered me as I used to frequent this place a lot over the years. This visit did not disappoint. Reservations were made through their website and I arrived on time. The table was ready just a few minutes after. We sat in the second dining room - initially had just a few patrons there, but not too long after that room had plenty more diners. Great evening to be out. After looking at the menu, I decided to try one of their Seasonal Cocktails called "Charlotte Royale". It is described as having Ketel One vodka, sour apple, lychee puree, fresh lime juice and raspberry. It was very tasty and would certainly get that again. From the "Flatbread & Dips" part of the menu, I decided to get one of their flatbreads and settled on the BBQ Chicken Flatbread. It is described as having diced barbecue chicken, mozzarella cheese, red onions, olive, green onion, pepperoncini, and jalapeno aioli. That last ingredient made me think it would have a kick, so I was able to get it on just half of the flatbread. Once it was served, I tried the side without the jalapeno aioli first and then the side with it - next time I will have them put it all over the flatbread as I was able to manage the flavor on the flatbread itself - it was so good. I loved that I was able to taste everything on that BBQ chicken flatbread. Overall, my time here was great. Our server was excellent and I loved everything on this visit. I'll try not to stay away for so long again. read more

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I came here for brunch. The chicken and waffles was good. The chicken was crispy, the syrup complemented the waffles and chicken well. I also tried the ham empanada and it was good. The mimosas were strong [to me]. The service was great, attentive and friendly. The area was nice, clean and really nice for brunch with friends. read more

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Great food, great atmosphere and very nice employees. Would definitely eat there again!

The steak and eggs could've been cooked a lot better, and the seasoning wasn't at its best. However, the crab dip was very good and the drinks were great. I want to give a big thank you to Roger for helping us out and being very patient with our party. The issues weren't his fault at all the cooks just didn't do a great job but Roger's customer service was excellent. Big thanks to him. read more

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I dined in the back room with my friend reserved for her birthday. The food was delicious. I had the shrimp tempura (so flavorful), I ate crispy brussel sprouts, the potatoes were seasoned well, the chicken skewers were tender, the beef empanadas were hot and good. I was too full too eat the flatbread. The service was great! Everything was presented well. I would definitely return. read more

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Botanero is one of my absolute favorite spots, hands down the best tapas in the area. Every time I come here, I leave already planning my next visit. The atmosphere is relaxed yet refined, the service is always on point, and the wine selection is fantastic, thoughtfully curated and perfect for pairing with anything on the menu. The bacon wrapped dates are a must-order every time. read more

Botanero Restaurant - Bacon Bacon-Wrapped Dates, Empanadas - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Rockville, Maryland

So so yummy. The staff were very helpful and nice as well! We also sat outside and it was lovely. read more

Overall, my brunch party had a WONDERFUL experience at Botanero Restaurant. I'll say that the food, brunch cocktails, environment and service were top-notch. First the food. For my dining pleasure, I went with the shrimp and grits. The plate (well bowl) was about $18. Generally speaking, I thought the bowl was was a decent deal considered it was jammed pack with shrimp and sausage. The dish itself was creamy and had just the right amount of seasoning...even though I had to toss a bit Tabasco sauce on it. However, I will not take adding additional seasoning to my grits out on the restaurant because I tend to like things a bit spicy. While I cannot specifically comment on brunch mates' dishes, no one seemed to have any complaints about the food. I thought the prices of the food (most brunch plates ranged from 15-22 bucks) were pretty fair compared to other spots in the area. The service was absolutely remarkable because our waiter had a very friendly personality and constantly checked in on us. I would gladly dine at Botanero in the future...especially now that I know the restaurant has a drag brunch from time to time. read more

Food is a solid 7.5-8.5/10 at Botanero. The menu offers many vibrant and enjoyable small plates--great for both the eyes and taste buds, though not necessarily exceptional. Our favorites were the short rib flatbread (8.5/10) and the deviled eggs (8/10). The chicken wings and crab cakes were good as well. The flaming shrimp looked impressive but tasted pretty ordinary. Like others have mentioned, the portions are on the smaller side. They do offer complimentary bread to help curb your hunger, but we found the staff wasn't particularly attentive with refills. That said, the space is well-designed and nicely lit--overall, a lovely spot to hang out with friends. read more

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Cute little shop that's on the corner of king farm shopping center, the gps and the store front is kind of hard to spot, but you can figure it out when walking around, but it's right across from the Fontina Grill on the other side of the street. The inside is nice a little smaller seating options, but I did notice that they have a separate banquet area that was popp'n when I went through the wrong entrance (oops) I came for a late lunch so it wasn't busy and had gotten a seat right away. Service and host was all nice and helpful! The food, I know it's tapas, a little smaller portions but a bit $$$, everything that I got was pretty great overall. I got the chicken skewers and wow, I was surprised how good it was for chicken breast. Very moist and juicy, very tender and had great flavor, with a nice char taste to it! Two skewers of chicken, good portion size with a very slight spice/kick which made it great! 5/5! The grilled skirt steak had good flavor, good sauce with a nice char of the grill taste to it which is always nice! Most of the pieces of tender and juicy with only a couple of slices that I had to spit out cause it was tough. Overall, I would order again 4/5 Hummus was normal, nothing special or anything, average and I probably wouldn't order it again. 3/5 Overall, would love to come again to try more things! read more

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We ate so much food, haha. The kitchen was incredibly accommodating to allergies, they told me all about their shared fryers and what was safe for me to eat. I got a few things: 1) flaming shrimp - I was not expecting it to be on fire literally but it was impressive. Watch out, hibachi 2) beef short ribs with broccolini - DIVINE 3) salmon with quinoa - by the time this came out I was stuffed so I only ate the salmon. It was well cooked, crispy skin. Our waiter was an absolute peach! It was a packed night but he was accommodating. read more

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I have been wanting to try Botanero for years and finally did. It was not my favorite, but I can see how others might really enjoy it. I would not say not to go, as everyone's tastes are different and you may find value here. I had the beef empanadas, which were flavorful but extremely spicy. The menu did not mention that they were spicy, so I was not prepared for that level of heat. My husband ordered the wings, which unfortunately had a bit of a fishy flavor that we did not expect, so we only ate a few. The calamari was my favorite dish of the evening, and the beef short ribs reminded us more of roast beef. The service was polite overall, though not quite the warm experience we had hoped for. When we asked about a military discount, we were told a rather harsh no. While we completely understand that not every restaurant is able to offer discounts, a simple thank you for service can mean so much, especially for someone like my husband, who is a Wounded Warrior and has made visible sacrifices. It is never about receiving something, but about the kindness and gratitude that make such moments memorable. I am sure this restaurant has its better days, and while our visit was not one of them, I can see why others would enjoy the atmosphere and menu. read more

Botanero Restaurant - Lavender drink, calamari, and wings - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Rockville, Maryland

I freaking love coming here. They have awesome small plates that can be shared. I ordered the following: flaming shrimp, truffle Mac and cheese, beef empanadas, and churro. Wow, they all hit, not a single complaint from me. I think my fav was the truffle Mac and cheese cause it was so gooey and tasty. Service was fast and the interior is cozy. Gotta get lucky with parking on the street lol. I've also been there in the past for New Year's Day brunch and loved the beignets with jam, chicken and waffles, and eggs Benedict. read more

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My experience at Botanero did not live up to my expectations unfortunately. This was my first time back in a couple of years and I was excited to go with a friend because it's fun to share sangria and tapas. We did not have a reservation but checked in with the host, who said a table for 2 would just be a couple minutes as they were cleaning some up. We said we were going to wait at the bar and then we saw 3-4 other parties come in without reservations and get sat before us. It took us going up another 2 times to get sat, which was frustrating and very unorganized from their side. Once we were finalllyyy sat after 30 minutes, it took another 15 minutes for a server to even come to our table. At this point, my friend and I were trying to be positive, but we were just not very happy. The food itself was fine-- the flaming shrimp was cooked well and the drama of the fire was fun I guess. The peewee potatoes were cooked and seasoned well. The beet salad was light and refreshing. The croquettes were pretty standard-- I have had both better and worse. It would have bene an okay experience if the service was just more organized. Do not think I will be back. read more

I've been here several times and always enjoyed my meals. Good service all the time the ambience was nice and peaceful. The other time was lively and crowded, a good mix over several visits. The staff are friendly, and the bartenders are attentive. The food is consistently delicious mind you I normally go there for Happy Hour so I'm not making the decision based on that. I've also had dinner here and I enjoyed my dinner. So give them a try. I think you will enjoy it. read more

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This place is super cute, charming but unassuming. I met a friend for brunch recently and she was already seated when I arrived. There were already menus on the table, and I perused the one in front of me. While I was checking out the menu, the server came over. I ordered a coffee, then the steak and eggs platter. The coffee was good and the steak and eggs looked AMAZING when they arrived. And the food tasted as great as it looked. Unfortunately I was chattering too much with my friend and most of it grew cold. I ate all the steak though, but left a lot of home fries. Additionally I had crème brûlée as a dessert and it was excellent. Service was great and payment was a breeze. I'm not often in the Rockville area but I'd definitely eat here again! read more

Botanero Restaurant - Steak and eggs - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Rockville, Maryland

I enjoyed the food and drinks I had here. The pineapple martini was sweet and refreshing. The old fashioned cocktail was really good. The beef empanadas were crispy and delicious. The flaming shrimp had a cool presentation with the fire and the dish was flavorful. The service was good and the restaurant had a nice, relaxed atmosphere. read more

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The food was great, the service was greaat!! It was tucked in a cut neighborhood... and everything looked great! Can't wait to try them again! read more

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Great place with innovative menu. Attentive and kind service. Crowded but not overwhelming

OMG! I've wanted fresh fish! I stared at UberEats for a long time and the I saw Botanero's "Barramundi Almondine." I knew it vaguely from my travels. The first bite was heaven...perfectly cooked, perfectly seasoned, like fish off the grill in Spain or Italy. That great fish char flavor with tiny, fresh mustard greens as a perfect pairing. I'm embarrassed how fast it disappeared along with the Tres Leche dessert! read more

We wanted to try this place so badly. We were looking forward to it all week. The ambiance was gorgeous, and the service seemed really great. The problem was our lungs were burning from the incredibly heavy scent of scented candles burning at all the tables. We had to leave without ordering anything to avoid the inevitable migraine. Why would a restaurant want you to smell candles instead of their food? I don't get it. And sadly, I won't ever be able to try their food. :( read more

This review is for the drag brunch experience. 10/10!!! The food was really good and the buffet was replenished often. I loved the potatoes and fried chicken. The show was interactive and really well produced. I went with a big group and they were able to sit us all together. read more

For a Monday late afternoon, this place was poppin! Parking is fairly easy, but the parking lot is designed a tad odd and the spaces fill up rather quickly. And not having to pay for parking in MoCo?? Always a bonus haha. It's a lovely wine bar with shelves of wine bottles, a nice long bar, colorful walls, and an overall nice vibe. I was with my parents, and we just stopped in for a quick happy hour to celebrate my birthday. The bartenders were kind, and pretty busy, even though the place wasn't full yet. The wine we all tried was pretty good -- I believe I got a Malbec, which usually never disappoints. They've got quite the array of appetizers and such too, so I need to go back and get food some time. read more

A really good tapas restaurant in the area! I really enjoyed their non-alcoholic beverage options. I ordered the assistant and the beverage was nailed both aesthetically and taste. I also enjoyed the mushroom/bacon flatbread and scallops. We were recommended the short ribs (also delicious), shrimp, paella and duck confit. The short ribs taste amazing and they literally fall apart because it's braised so well. We were also recommended the beet or kale salad and opted for kale. The lamb skewers were cooked very well. All our dishes came out hot and seasoned perfectly. Service was very nice. You're welcomed immediately upon arrival and it's a cozy restaurant with some outdoor seating too. I didn't have to ask for refills on my water and my table was checked in several times throughout our dinner. It's a nice place for a semi-casual date night out or quick bites with friends. Would definitely come back with family. read more

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Saturday 1/11/2025 I first visited this spot for dinner in November 2022, and I remember it being a pretty good experience (especially the bourbon wings). This time around, I'm coming back to try their brunch for the first time, as I've heard plenty of good things about their brunch. We came in for a sit-down visit and were able to try the crab cake eggs Benedict $17, cheddar Mac n cheese $9, botanero beignets $9, steak and eggs $19, chicken & waffle $18, and the tres leches cake $10. - When it comes to the crab cake eggs Benedict, the crab cake wasn't anything special, and the dish itself was okay, but we found a hair strand in the potatoes, which wasn't good. Luckily, they gave us a fresh serving of potatoes and a complimentary dessert: tres leches cake. - The cheddar Mac n cheese was alright, but it wasn't anything special or unique. - The botanero beignets were flat out AWFUL as they were overly fried to the point they were hard & crispy beignets, so we sent the item back. - Now for the steak and eggs, it was alright: the steak was ordered to be medium, and that was present in the inside, but the outside was burnt & charred, making it seem like maybe they didn't clean the grill properly. - Chicken & waffles: the chicken was alright, but the waffle was hard & crispy, which is far from what I come to expect, as I like my waffles to be soft, fluffy, and moist. - The tres leches was complimentary, and above average, but my mom said that she's had plenty better & that she wasn't a fan of all the cream. In conclusion, the brunch experience was pretty underwhelming for the high expectations I had and I definitely wouldn't be back for it. The dinner options (small plates) are way better than the brunch options and are something I'd return for. read more

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Came in for brunch and was not impressed. Having been pleased by lunch and dinner experiences, brunch was disappointing. I came in when the AC was broken, so my party ended up sitting outside. Though humid and warm, it was still warmer inside. If I knew the AC was broken, I wouldn't have made the reservation, but it's ok we were hungry! Right off the bat, I will say that our server was sweet. He gave us recommendations and helped to accommodate allergies and food adjustments. I ordered the braised beef omelet without mushrooms and it came with home fries. I will say that the omelet overall was good because the beef was so tender and tasty, though I added a bit of salt and pepper to the actual omelet because I couldn't taste the eggs at all. The home fries were flavorful, but a tad bit dry for my liking. Unfortunately, there was one stray mushroom in my omelet so I'm not sure if it was almost accidentally added. Thankfully I saw it and was able to remove it. My friends ordered beignets which were overcooked, slightly burnt and dry. So I wouldn't recommend those. Prices and options for brunch are great. Though this particular experience wasn't great, I am hopeful that it'll be better if I come back for brunch. But for now I'll stick to lunch/dinner. read more

Botanero Restaurant - Braised beef omelet - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Rockville, Maryland

We were in town visiting and gave this place a try with great results. Food was fantastic and the portions were great for a tapas style restaurant. Different aioli sauces were amazing - wish I could have bought some to take home. Prices were also reasonable. Service was fast and attentive, checked in during the meal without overdoing it. Very cute style and easy to access location. Was a bit too noisy and hard to communicate but everything else overcame that bit of frustration and it was a Saturday evening. Would probably be more 4.5/5 because of that, but not an option and I felt everything else was great about it so I'll make it 5. Hope to be back next time we visit. read more

The food here is great, a little pricey, but you get what you pay for. One of my favorite memories of this place was ordering the risotto dish and working on a project on my laptop during a weekday lunch. That must have been the best risotto I have ever had. I also will say their brunch is great, especially if you like to drink as they have a good selection of what you can have on the bottomless menu. read more

Went with a girlfriend of mine. We had an amazing time from the atmosphere to the service to the food. Our server was knowledgeable and very helpful. We ordered a pitcher of their seasonal sangria which was very nice. The food came very timely. We got our appetizers quick, then when we were basically done with those we got our small plates. The plates are perfect to share or eat alone. Everything was tasty. We ate too fast to take pics but I managed a photo of the fried mozzarella. I'll be returning very soon! read more

Botanero Restaurant - Fried Mozzarella - Really good but you have to eat it fast - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Rockville, Maryland

A first time visit! I came here with my mom and just missed happy hour which was a bummer but for sure want to come back for that! The ambience was very welcoming and the decor was subtle but very pretty. Started off with the calamari which was a nice combination between lemony flavor and crispy. I then got the mushroom, bacon truffle flatbread and opted to have no bacon. The pizza was so delicious and very filling for it being considered a small plate. My mom got the crab cake and I am not a huge crab cake person but even I would consider ordering that next time. Finished it off with an espresso martini, I wish it was a little bigger of a size for the price but was still the perfect blend of bitter coffee but also milky and not overly bearing of vodka! Highly recommend read more

Botanero Restaurant - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Rockville, Maryland

Came here for happy hour with my friends, got their seasonal sangria- white wine with peach, cherries, and pomegranate, it was really good! A little sweet but that's how I like my drinks. All the food in the picture we ordered was really good- we also added on the wings later on but found them to be really dry. The sauce was good but chicken was really dry. Overall would definitely recommend a good happy hour place! read more

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Fun, hip tapas restaurant with excellent food. The vibe feels very "weekend night" - dark, moody, a little loud and lots of black. We sampled the IPA on draft and I'm glad I did, because it wasn't in my zone and I shifted to a reliable Dogfish 60min. My brother got a glass of sangria and didn't love it; very little fruit flavor. We started with 3 items for the 3 of us: lamb chops, flaming shrimp and brocollini. The lamb chops were very good, although a tiny bit overcooked. They were a little smaller than I expected ($20) but good flavor. The flaming shrimp is just fun. The shrimp have a nice Cajun flavor. It comes with some bread, but I didn't think the shrimp oil was great, so bread was dipped in gravy from lamb. Broccolini was very good, cooked well and nice green to go with the meal. A little overpriced for this dish at $9. We were still hungry, so we ordered the grilled salmon. That was the best item for us, wow, so tasty!! Despite the char on the outside, it was exactly the Medium Rare we ordered and so moist. The quinoa and lemon butter sauce went perfectly. Service was friendly. Overall, we left full and happy! read more

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Great pineapple martini and the poach eggs were so yummy. Also grab the biscuits cause they are yummy. The service was really good and everyone was so nice. read more

I've been wanting to try Botanero for a while now, so I was looking forward to trying a variety of their small plates. My friend and I share their short rib flatbread, brussel sprouts, chicken skewers, chicken croquettas, and tres leches cake. The short rib flatbread didn't have much short rib on it. Instead, it was a little overpowering with onions. The brussel sprouts were my favorite small plate. The chicken croquettas and skewers were also really filling. From the picture, it may look small, but we were stuffed and took some home. The whipped cream on the tres leches cake was really good and fresh tasting. Unfortunately, the cake was a little too thick for a tres leches cake. It wasn't terrible but I would recommend ordering a different dessert. read more

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Fantastic spot with tasty tapas. Botanero had an open dining area with a lively bar. The dining room had a healthy crowd and service was fast and friendly. I was alone a in the mood for something lite. Fantastic Old Fashions, warm spot on a chilly night. read more

What a little gem in King Farm - everything is great at Bota's! Their entire menu are delicious tapas. I'm crazy about the seared scallops & the flaming shrimp. Chad at the bar will make an incredible crafted cocktail or you can enjoy a wonderful glass of wine. I hear the brunch is amazing & it's necessary to make reservations cause it's so popular. On the way out I caught a glimpse of a beautiful paella dish being served to a table - I am absolutely getting that next. Check out this adorable, delicious little tapas place! read more

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! read more

Botanero Restaurant - Short rib and Brie flat bread, seafood paella, truffle Mac and cheese, and duck confit! - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Rockville, Maryland