dLeña is loud, lively, and very much a scene. The food and cocktails are solid and clearly designed to impress, but this is not a quiet dinner spot. It gets crowded fast and the energy is high. This is actually a great first-date starter spot. If the date isn't going well, you'll probably have other options in the room. The bartenders were attentive and good at checking in. I didn't pay for this meal, but it's clearly a full-priced DC night. Depending on your date, the goal is either to be seen or to impress. Dress cute and layer -- it gets warm when the room fills. Overall, great execution and strong atmosphere if you're looking for a buzzy DC night. read more

We met with friends at the spot and it didn't disappoint. We ordered several appetizers and had the short rib tacos for dinner. Here's the list of things I remember... corn & beef empanadas, ceviche, queso fundido, and the traditional & Maryland guacamole. The mezcal margarita was really good. Ours servers were very friendly and helpful. There's a bar/lounge in the basement if you want to listen to some music and enjoy a cocktail. read more

dLeña - Short rib tacos - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

The food was 10/10, the service was outstanding, the music playing in the background was chefs kiss. My fiance and I visited this place with no reservations and were able to find good seats in the downstairs lounge. We loved it and will definitely be coming back! read more

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This is an upscale Mexican restaurant in the Penn Quarter. Even though it was busy before a concert at Capital One, the experience was amazing. Cocktails were excellent and the restaurant makes their own Mezcal. They had a variety of food including Wagyu empanadas, which were amazing. read more

Only visited for the happy hour, but loved it! Delicious margaritas (both classic and strawberry) & incredible bartenders. The place is beautiful too. Perfect for catching up with friends or a first date! read more

dLeña - Margarita - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

We have only ever had dLeña for brunch and decided to try out their Valentine's Day dinner menu and had a great time. It was a pre-paid menu, that had about 3-4 items in every section to choose from. They were very accommodating for allergens, which is always a worry when a menu is pre-paid. They also had cocktail pairing, and the cocktails were very large and strong! Each dish felt perfectly curated with a special touch. They really created a great atmosphere for the Valentine's Day vibe. If you haven't tried out one of their special holiday menus highly recommend. I will definitely be back on another holiday. read more

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Hoy fue nuestra primera vez y lo amamos ,el servicio 10/10 la comida 10/10 Lo recomendamos read more

One of my favorite meals of our trip. The ambiance, service, and food were all great. Everything we ordered was a hit. Some highlights see: -lamb shank tacos -ceviche -branzino Cocktails were all so delicious as well. Must go to spot in DC! read more

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Restaurant space wasn't cozy,despite wooden floors,walls and smell of wooden grill. Eclectic design of the bar area mixed with more traditional dining areas and extremely loud atmosphere around. Not my vibe,but food by itself was EXCELLENT!! My hubby is one of the world biggest guacamole critics ),he was extremely impressed,so happy,that he ordered second one! Octopus tacos melted in the mouth,so many flavors in the tiniest tacos you ever seen,especially for 24 dollars .Taste was superb though. My personal favorite was Zanahorias al Carbon,roasted carrots with tofu cashew aioli,yumm... it was topped with chimichurri sauce and everything together created party in your mouth. Saying that,prices to size ratio was off, dishes are very small for the price. Similar mezze concept restaurants in the area have a little less price point for the same size of dishes. All in all,service was superb,just excellent and food left divine aftertaste, so we left in a good mood. read more

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I went for lunch and, given the beautiful day, sat outside. I had tacos, which is always my go-to Mexican food. The service was good, although a little slow, given that the place was packed. The food presentation was very nice--I liked that it came on a wood board. The margarita was good but not great (I always get a skinny margarita, which is basically tequila and lime juice--I could tell the lime juice was not freshly squeezed). Overall, the place and the food were good. However, I live on the other side of town, and it was just not great enough that I would be willing to go across town to eat here. If you are in the area, then it would be a great place for Mexican food. And I suspect the bar scene at night is pretty good. read more

dLeña - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Delicious food & ambiance! We went on a night where they had live music. I had the corn empanadas and they were great, especially with the chimichurri sauce. The seafood enchiladas were also very tasty. read more

dLeña - Such cute decor - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

We were finally able to try the "bottomless brunch" today and it did not disappoint! Since we had other plans today, we decided only to do bottomless food ($49) but will certainly go back and do bottomless food and drinks ($79) next time! Our waitress was very nice and essentially just told us she'd deliver the food from top to bottom of the menu. Everything was delicious, but the true standouts were the shrimp aquachile, chicken and waffles, birria beef tacos, carnitas skillet and my personal favorite-- Cazuela! Definitely should get a reservation, as the bar fills up fast and there typically is no other way to get a seat to have brunch here on the weekends. read more

dLeña - Tuna Guacamole, Roasted Corn Esquites - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Great experience overall! Our server, Paola was very helpful, friendly, and attentive throughout our visit. She was always happy to accommodate our requests and made sure everything went smoothly. read more

dLeña - Empanadas de Wagyu** Pork Belly** - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

This spot was close to where I was staying in DC. Normally, I opt for cuisines or levels of service I can't normally get out west, but dang, it smelled amazing when I walked by. Totally surprised to be seated as a walk in. Where do I start? Service, friendly and impeccable. Food? Creative and fabulous. Queso fundito, I ordered the mushroom because I figured to have meat later in my meal. Large and so nuanced in flavor. I easily could have stopped with it, but I didn't. I also had the fresh corn and Wagyu beef empanadas- I know, no one needs two orders of empanadas after all that glorious melted cheese but they were amazing. I also ordered their kale salad - totally original and fantastic. In short, this is a special little place, especially for DC where they aren't known for great Mexican food. This is not a two item combo plate kinda joint. This is a place that celebrates and elevates Mexican ingredients and cuisine. But, they aren't haughty or over priced. Just welcoming and a truly nice surprise. I took my leftovers back to my Airbnb and had a feast the next day as well. I'll definitely be back the next time I'm in town. Thank you folks, your food and service made my trip! read more

I went for a birthday and I was kind of underwhelmed by the experience. The food was great, but the service was lackluster and uninspired. The dining area is warm and clearly inspired by Mexican, rustic living with the exposed beams and the cactus plants in the windows. The dim lighting was good to add a little mysterious ambiance. It was well done. However, the service was lackluster to the point I am very clear as to why they lost their michelin star. I put in my reservation that it was my girlfriend's birthday. The host mentioned it, but the server gave very low energy once we got to our seats. The pallet cleanser (hibiscus sweet tea shot) was a nice touch upon being seated. Other than that, the server was largely absent and seemed to depend on the runners to wait the tables answering questions and fulfilling follow-up orders. It was busy that night, so clearly there are those who still enjoy the restaurant. The experience left a lot to be desired for the price point and I will not be in a hurry back. The kitchen is clearly up to standard, but the front of the house has fallen asleep at the wheel and ruining what would otherwise be a great experience. read more

Maybe it was my high expectations, or bad choice of menu - but I was underwhelmed by the overall experience at dLeña. We went for Saturday brunch. Got chilaquiles, shrimp ceviche and birria tacos. Oh! two margaritas. I will say - they make great margaritas! We had mango and strawberry, both were fantastic. Food, however, was underwhelming. Chips were way too soggy even for enchiladas with mediocre grade sun dried beef. Birra tacos were pretty good / above average- nothing out of the ordinary. Shrimp ceviche like dish was ok; flavors were great but the quality of shrimp was sad. Overall, I think I expected a little more from this place given all the rave reviews. Service was OK, atmosphere was hip / modern. Loved it was family friendly and we were able to eat, pretty easily with a baby. I'm glad I got to try dLeña! Was it worth the hype? Will i be back again? Probably not read more

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What a fantastic find this was, incredible service, amazing atmosphere, great cocktails and exceptional food. I ordered the tomahawk steak, broccolini, carrots, queso fundio, and the kale salad. Steak was cooked to perfection, tender and seasoned well, the carrots were amazing, best carrots I've ever had in life lol. We woke up talking about those carrots lol. The salad was refreshing and very well made. My uncle ordered a cauliflower dish that was terrible, I mentioned it to the waitress because she asked if it was good and we were honest it wasn't lol. Said they would remove it from the bill which wasn't necessary next day I noticed they still charged me for it but no big deal we had a great time and are well. Definitely will be back. Oh yeah can't forget about the oysters de Lena, omg hands down best oysters I've ever had at a restaurant. I thought new Orleans has it locked but these were fantastic read more

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I really enjoyed dLeña's food. Went for brunch, got birria tacos and ceviche, a couple other dishes. The two I mentioned were my favorites. We realized we should have done a bottomless / all you can eat instead of ordering a la carte. Ambiance / vibe is great; stunning decor. Service was pretty fast, exactly what I expected. I will consider coming back with the boys and pig out on the delicious food & drinks!! If you can eat, go for brunch! read more

dLeña - Birria Barbacoa Taco - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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This was very lovely when we first survived we were seated, and the server brought us complementary juice, and that tasted amazing. The service was amazing. Our server checked up on us. I love the setting of the restaurant. I would definitely recommend all of my family and friends to come and try dLeña!! sit read more

The food is always amazing here plus the ambiance is perfect for a date. Book ahead they are always booked up 90% of the time. Literally you cannot go wrong with anything on the menu everything is good. read more

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I don't have enough good things to say about dLeña. The vibes were so cute and intimate and the bar downstairs was such a great finish to the night. Our waitress was very attentive and made sure all of our questions and dietary restrictions were addressed. The food itself was amazing. The entrees were so well done and yummy. It mains and fajitas were innovate and a very modern take to Mexican food. The one thing I would skip next time would probably be the ceviche. It was good but not as amazing as everything else. We will definitely be back! read more

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We went to brunch at D'Lena and actually opted not to do the bottomless option because the a la carte seemed like a better deal. The bottomless food is $45 pp and the bottomless food and drinks is $69 pp. There is not an option for bottomless drinks without the bottomless food, just FYI. The whole table had to agree on whether you want bottomless foot or not. I think their bottomless option would be great for a big party or birthday brunch. We each ordered an entree and split a couple appetizers and had 1 drink each, and it came out to about $36 pp before tip. The highlights from the menu included the pork belly guacamole and grilled street corn. We split these for the group of 4. My favorite highlight was my own entree, the carnitas skillet! It was a huge portion with warm tortillas and delicious sauces. I would highly recommend the carnitas. My husband had the chicken and waffles, which was a little lackluster. But other than that, the food was great! Our server (I think his name was Troy) was super energetic and fun. He was thorough and prompt and made the whole experience even better! I think we want to come back and try dinner service for a different experience at D'Lena. Overall, I would recommend. read more

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We dined in the private back room, which had a moody, dark ambiance that matched the overall vibe of the restaurant--it's a stunning space and perfect for a group dinner. Corn Empanadas - A surprising standout! I wouldn't typically order these, but I'm so glad we did. The slight sweetness of the corn paired with the spices and dipping sauce made this a must-try. Traditional Guacamole - This was just okay. It didn't stand out much and felt pretty standard. The chips were fresh and crispy, but I'd probably skip this next time. Coliflor a la Leña - This roasted cauliflower dish was a pleasant surprise. It came with both white and purple cauliflower, which made it visually appealing. It was flavorful and even held up well cold the next day. Enchiladas (Shrimp & Crab) - I wanted to love these, but they didn't quite hit the mark. The ingredients sounded exciting, but the flavor just didn't come through. Not bad, just not memorable. Medio Pollo al Carbón - Unfortunately, this was quite dry. The seasoning didn't save it, and I wouldn't recommend it. Milhojas de Pancake Argentino - This dessert was a hit when all the elements were combined in one bite--the crepe, caramel, ice cream, and strawberry worked beautifully together. On its own, the pancake had a bit of a sour tang, but it balanced well with everything else. Service - The staff was pleasant, but we ran into an issue with the minimum spend requirement. We weren't informed how close we were to meeting it until the very end, at which point the kitchen had closed. We ended up ordering a round of drinks we didn't really want just to hit the minimum. It also felt a bit rushed toward the end of the evening, which put a damper on an otherwise enjoyable night. Overall, dLeña is a visually stunning spot with some standout dishes, but a few missed notes and service hiccups held it back from being a five-star experience. read more

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We had a WONDERFUL galentines brunch here and left feeling full and tipsy! $70 is a great price for bottomless drink and food- especially when margaritas are involved! All the drinks were tasty and alcohol was not skimped on at all. Even when we exceeded are 2 hour table time, our waitress was generous enough to let us have 1 last round. The food was so good too, we tried EVERYTHING on the menu and our bellies showed it. Top choices for me was the carnitas, birria and fish taco, and salmon. The fruit parfait was a miss for all of us- too sour. And the steak and eggs was a little dry. Lastly, of course we had to end on a sweet note and the churros did just that ! read more

dLeña - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

DLeña is an incredibly beautiful place, perfect for a celebration or a romantic dinner. We went to celebrate our anniversary, and overall, the experience was good, though there were a few things that could improve. I started with a mezcal and passion fruit cocktail, which, unfortunately, wasn't to my liking. For an appetizer, we had the pork belly, which was delicious, with sweet notes and a very soft texture. For the main course, we shared the 14 oz ribeye. The flavor was good, but it lacked a bit of salt. Additionally, it didn't come with any sides, which seemed expensive for a $63 dish, especially since you have to order sides separately. I also tried the mushroom birria tacos, which were incredible in flavor, but the portion of birria was quite small. To finish, they gave us churros to celebrate our anniversary, which was a lovely touch, and the service was impeccable. read more

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The waitstaff was knowledgeable and very attentive. 2-3 managers came by to check on us! Our drinks were fantastic. The food was . Would highly recommend to anyone who likes taps They even put us in a table by the window which had a beautiful view! read more

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Came here visiting from out of town and opted for the all you can eat brunch and the vibes were great! I loved the ambiance of the restaurant and the staff were friendly. Food tasted amazing as well! read more

Dleña has become one of my favorite restaurants in DC. We went to have some dinner on a Saturday night to celebrate a special occasion and the experience was wonderful from beginning to end. It is truly one of the most beautifully decorated restaurants I have been to in the city; the ambiance is amazing. Every single plate we ordered was cooked to perfection. Some stand outs for us were the simple yet flavorful ceviche, the corn empanadas, and the half chicken (my personal favorite). Our server was the best ( I wish I could remember her name). We were celebrating a special occasion but we weren't drinking at the time so she offered a non-alcoholic complimentary beverage for the two of us which was very thoughtful. All in all, amazing from start to finish and I couldn't recommend it enough. We will be returning for sure ! read more

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I hosted a business dinner for 30 people here in February 2025 and it was a huge hit! The food was delicious (highly recommend the guac, seafood empanadas and pork!) and the service was impeccable. Even with a group this large, they were attentive and quick to serve. The event planner, Nora, was a joy to work with. It was an added bonus to head downstairs to the speakeasy for some live music with our guests who wanted to continue connecting. I highly recommend D'Lena. read more

dLeña - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Everything was a 10 out of 10! Brought my daughter here for lunch since they had a day off. The birria tacos are amazing! A little small, but the flavors are definitely there. The service was really good. They checked on us just enough to be attentive without overwhelming us. And the ambiance was fantastic. I can see myself returning for a date night with hubby. read more

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A sheik restaurant with Mexican and Latin cuisine, great atmosphere, good food and drinks. I sat at the bar for dinner, dim lighting and clear view of the open kitchen layout. The margaritas are a good place to start, really good. The guacamole and corn empanadas are a nice pairing, enough to share, definitely recommended. For main meal I ordered the seafood enchiladas 3 tortillas filled with shrimp, crab and guajillo sauce. I enjoyed the appetizers more, not as flavorful as expected but filling. The bartender was very cool and helpful. A bit pricey but overall satisfied with the atmosphere, service and meal read more

dLeña - Margarita Tradicional - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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This place is a vibe and is so delicious! We didn't have reservations so we went down to the lounge, and I am glad we did honestly. The service was great, there was live music and was a awesome environment to just chill. AND the food...OMG was literally the best. We had corn empanadas and short rib tacos. I cant wait to go back and try more items! read more

dLeña - I'm still dreaming of these short rib tacos. - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I do not get why this place is so popular. For brunch atleast. This is the second time I've been here for brunch and again the wait staff suckssssss!!!! I am by far the easiest patron to deal with. I don't complain, I don't make outlandish requests, yet the second time in a row I had a waitress that seemed to have an attitude the entire time. Like the people working there either don't want to be there or it's just me. Then after the bill came out and paying that 20% tip on the tablet felt like a slap in the face after dealing with the cold attitude the entire time. This is the last time I'm coming here for brunch probably on my own accord. If someone is having a bday or something there I'll prob have to go but this isn't one of my first choices for brunch anymore. And the food was mid at best. Below that if I'm being honest. Wasn't good enough for the price. Ambiance was okay. But yeah this place is def overrated in my book. Not a fan. read more

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Absolutely amazing experience at Roja at dLeña. We came during one of their Latin jazz nights and it was just great vibes and ambiance all around. It's a dimly lit, romantic space. The jazz trio playing that evening was fun and had great sound. We had the queso fundido with cecina and you can tell the blue corn tortillas they serve it with are fresh. The corn empanadas were yummy with a good strong corn flavor. The short rib tacos were tender and flavorful. We had the crepe cake for dessert and it was to die for, the salted caramel ice cream that accompanies it should be sold by the barrel, it was truly amazing. The I Can Feel It In the Air marg with strawberry air was great and my boyfriend really enjoyed the Don't Mess With a Classic and the Senor Rogers. Excellent service despite being a very busy night. Can't wait to come back! read more

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I've heard so many good things about this restaurant, so I'm glad I finally got to try it out myself! There is indoor and outdoor seating, which the inside was smaller than I expected. I came for the RW lunch deal which included 3 courses. My server was Troy and he was so full of energy and did a wonderful job checking on me throughout my meal. The corn empanadas were different than I expected as it dripped with cheese and corn with every bite but not bad. The tacos were the best!!! They are street taco size but tasted so good! The cheesecake was in high demand and they were close to running out but luckily Troy had my back and made sure I got it! So good!!! read more

This was our second time visiting dLeña, and it was such a treat. The dining room is welcoming, the staff are friendly, and of course the food was 11/10. I was especially impressed with our server, Kristyana-- I've worked in a fine dining restaurant and her service was on-par with that level. She got all the details right (it was my wife and I's anniversary) and gave just the right level of attention. As for the food, we loved the maryland crab guac, seafood enchiladas, short rib tacos, and the crepe-based cake (I forget the actual name). We can't wait to come back! read more

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One of my favorite places to go for bottomless brunch. dLeña was nice enough to accommodate a party of four for a last-minute reservation. The food was amazing as always. I just wish the server would've worked with me a little bit more. I have celiac and have eaten at dLeña before, and they have accommodated me to partake in most dishes. However, this time around, the waiter kept saying "imposible, imposible". At first I was annoyed, if they've done it in the past. What was the difference this time? In the end, I just went with the flow. The food tastes delicious, the drinks are amazing. My favorite was a margarita. It a great time! Note, it can get rowdy, so don't expect to come to brunch to have an intimate time. read more

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Brunch at dLena is a vibe. Beautiful restaurant filled with happy people enjoying life. There's a bottomless food & drink option that is a good deal. This is tapa style brunch, small plates. You'll want to order more because the food is tiny , although yummy. Service was efficient given how busy brunch was. It's very pricey given the portion size. I'd call this a celebration brunch spot. read more

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Updated review as of 8/3/24 It was my birthday celebration and my girls took me to the bottomless brunch because we are all foodies. I think we put a nice dent in the menu with a couple of things to spare. But, this time I was able to try the Carajillo Crème Brulée and OMG I tasted brûlée before at other places but nothing like this. Please do yourself a favor and save room for this; figuratively, it's to die for. Let me know your thoughts. Ambiance is always inviting and on this occasion we had the best waiter, "Troy". He was so attentive to out every need. He was my personal birthday hype guy. My niece invited me to the Bottomless Brunch on Saturday. Little did I know what to expect when I got there. Yes, I perused the menu slightly before going. But sometimes, things look different once they are right before you. Since she is a Gen Z (and I trust her taste), I let her take the lead in ordering for my sister (her mother) because she had come here before. She started with the Seasonal Fruit Cocktail, Dleña Caesar Salad, Steak and Eggs, and Dleña Crispy Chicken Waffles. Then we felt the need (since our eyes were bigger than our stomachs) for this incredible Crab Guacamole (which was extra, which was every bit worth it, OMG). Then it continued with every dish, more delicious than the next. I intentionally tried not to eat much in the morning because I knew I wanted to try (if possible) a bite or two of everything on the menu. It had nothing to do with the cost of the brunch; it had everything to do with wanting to write a comprehensive review of the meal/experience. I'm so sorry to report that it didn't happen. When the waiter brought the last couple of dishes, I couldn't muster enough strength to put another thing in my mouth. But, it's funny, I was able to take two bites off a Churros before leaving; go figure...don't judge me. My mother was a professional caterer for decades, and she was meticulous about not only the food's taste but also the presentation. dLeña's bottomless brunch was fantastic. Chef Richard Sandoval's food was so flavorful, and every dish presentation was just as meticulous. It is a true sign of a professional who cares about his name and what it represents. More importantly, he loves what he does, which shows in the meal. Thank you, and I look forward to returning to one of the other dining experiences. Unfortunately, I was not thinking about taking photos this round because I was fixated on the many dishes coming out. The next time I go there, I will. read more

dLeña - Carajillo Crème Brûlée - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Outstanding experience from entering the door through desert. I has the barbacoa tacos and was amazed. This isn't just your typical taco. The meat is layered in a savory sauce and topped with a radish. Whatever else is probably written in the description, so see for yourself, but let me tell you that every bite is a dream. read more

dLeña - Agua Fresca - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia