Gypsy Kitchen was another great stop. It's Spanish tapas-style, and everything we ordered was so…read moreflavorful. We shared the tabbouleh, beef kabob, octopus, and croquettes, and everything was on point. Special mention to the chocolate raspberry espresso martini because it was amazing -- I genuinely wish I could've had ten of them. We finished with the olive oil cake for dessert, which was also delicious. Our waitress was awesome too. Such a fun meal overall.

This is such a good place to eat with friends and have a catch-up! I came on a weeknight so it…read morewasn't busy at all. The waiters were all wonderful and did not stop helping us. The food was some of the best tapas I have ever had. Literally everything was delicious and perfectly balanced with umami, tart, spice, sweet. My personal highlights were the mussels, croquettes, grilled kebab, jamon, hummus, and cheesecake. I also grabbed their purple gin drink and it was very yummy!

No matter what city I'm in Barcelona does not disappoint! We have visited Barcelona in three states…read moreand always have a great meal and great service. They are a great spot for celebrating a special occasion because of the atmosphere and decor, liveliness, and complimentary desserts and drinks. At our last visit, we were celebrating a graduation and our server made sure our guest of honor felt celebrated. There was something for everyone on the menu, even our pickiest eater. Some of my favorites are the whipped sheep's cheese, croquetas, pork belly, and gambas. And we always order a pitcher of red sangria. :)

Listen, when it's still 95 degrees at 9:30 p.m. in DC, any restaurant requiring outdoor seating…read moreonly is automatically disqualified. After striking out at two other spots, we landed at Barcelona Wine Bar, and honestly, it ended up being a pretty good save. As expected on a Thursday night, there was a wait for indoor seating, so we did what any reasonable adults would do: grabbed a drink at the bar and waited it out. I started with a Sauvignon Blanc while my friend ordered an espresso martini made with tequila, which was surprisingly delicious. Since we'd already survived happy hour elsewhere and had plans to continue the evening, we responsibly switched to water during dinner. Hydration is self-care, ladies and gentlemen. For food, we ordered the garlic shrimp, crispy mushrooms, chicken thigh, patatas bravas, and branzino. The stars of the evening were definitely the garlic shrimp and the patatas bravas. The chicken thigh was also flavorful and well-prepared. The crispy mushrooms, however, didn't quite do it for us. The flavor itself was good, but there was so much breading that we felt like we were eating the concept of a mushroom rather than an actual mushroom. Now for the plot twist. Everything came out fairly quickly except for the branzino. After waiting about 30 minutes, our server kindly informed us that it would be another 30 minutes before the fish arrived. At that point, we collectively decided that while we enjoy seafood, we do not enjoy it enough to wait an hour for it. So, we politely waved the white flag and called it a night. The service throughout the evening was genuinely good. The hostess was friendly, our server was attentive and communicative, and the bartender was cool despite operating under what appeared to be combat-level crowd conditions. It was packed, so ordering required decisiveness and a strong sense of purpose. The restaurant itself isn't huge, but it's a great size with a lively atmosphere and plenty of outdoor seating--which I'm sure is wonderful during the approximately three weeks of the year when DC weather is actually pleasant. Would I return? Absolutely. I'd just skip the mushrooms, order strategically, and maybe avoid arriving after spending several hours participating in Happy Hour Olympics beforehand. As I always say: I'm not difficult to please. I just have standards.

Retrobottega just happened to be a hop, skip, and a jump from our hotel…read more A friend recommended it, and as soon as we sat down I understood why-everyone is so friendly and accommodating. A gentleman who worked there offered to take a photo of us, after watching us struggle with a selfie, the staff quickly grabbed an extra chair when we had a 5th guest, and our waitress was attentive, knowledgeable and sweet. While waiting for the rest of our party I tried two drinks. I can recommend both- retro passion and bourbon ginger beer concoction. We followed that with arancini and fried artichoke. Yes and yes. For the main meals, they generously let us slip large portions. I tried the short rib parpadelle, and although a tad under seasoned, everything was prepared properly and my pasta was perfectly al dente. Out of the 5 who visited 3 did not care for their meal, but I think we could all agree that the drinks, apps, and portions were on point. *So, we ended up grabbing dinner here two days after our initial visit- I can't say I recommend the octopus, and the beef carpaccio was "take it or leave it", but the gnocchi was pillowy perfection...just know that this is a heavy dish!

Finally a restaurant in Adam's Morgan that I would actually want to come back to!…read more Food exceeded our expectations- I had the ossobuco w veal shank - melted off the bone and the only bad part about the risotto is that there wasn't enough of it! The complimentary bread was absolutely divine. One of us got the bruschetta and it was beautiful (and delicious). The space is small but doesn't feel cramped. What really stood out though was the service. We were a little early on our Resi before the restaurant opened. Rather than have us wait in the rain, the staff let us in. They don't split checks, but they did it for us anyway. It's those kinds of little gestures that really make a difference. Bonus- great leychee martini.

Boqueria Penn Quarter brings the energy and flavors of a lively Spanish tapas bar to the heart of…read moreD.C. The small plates are perfect for sharing, with standouts ranging from crispy patatas bravas to flavorful paella and perfectly prepared grilled meats. The sangria and cocktail selection complement the food beautifully, while the vibrant atmosphere makes it an excellent spot for date nights, celebrations, or a fun evening with friends. Great food, attentive service, and an upbeat ambiance make Boqueria a place you'll want to visit again and again.

A very swanky place. Me and a date were walking around Galleryplace for a place to sit and when we…read morewalked in and we knew immediately to ask for a table. The dark warm mood lighting, the corrugated wall, the intimate seating, and of course the small share plates makes for the sexy experience tapas is suppose to be! It is typical of Spanish flavors, heavily relying on high-end cured meats and cheeses, and classics such as croquetas. There is something very special that goes into tapas because its suppose to satisfy you based on good taste over quantity. Large shrimp in a generous skillet of olive oil and slow cooked garlic slices and a iberico mac and cheese are some examples of how they elevate classics we are familiar with. We really liked that they learned into garlic and spice. We found dried Aji Caballero in our meal, great attention to source country. They have a very robust and generous drinks menu. Loved watching others not dining alone and embracing that share quality of the menu design. Perhaps it is not the best tapas I had, I would have liked to see a balance with lighter citrus flavors but maybe that was an ordering issue. At some point, since the menu heavily leans towards rich and decadent, its better to plan around that. Our waitress was amazing, she explained the questions we had on the ingredients and was on it with the refills.

A wonderful experience! We loved coming here and getting to try lil bites of as much as we wanted…read more We sat outside which I wouldn't reccomend, the atmosphere wasn't as comfy as inside. But service was efficient and food was excellent! Def come hungry so you can try all the things. Flatbreads and lasagna were a 10/10

Visited here once in 2024 and again in 2026 during Restaurant week. The price has increased over…read morethe years and there is a restaurant service charge on top of tax and tip, so coming during restaurant week felt a little more "normal" price wise for lunch ($35 per person for all you can eat plus dessert). Service was pretty fast, though we did come in on a weekday during lunch hours. It wasn't super packed which made it a relaxed vibe. The appetizers and the main meals were outstanding. Every time we go to Ambar, the Balkan Salad, the beet tzatziki, and the veal soup are our non-negotiable starters. The bread basket that comes with the spreads is always warm as if it came out of the oven which is a nice touch. This time around we got to try kajmak- tasted like fresh butter from a farm. The orders we kept coming back to in particular were the grilled shrimp, the sesame crusted salmon, and the beef goulash. It's easy to get full quickly, but if you're eyeing on dessert, pace yourself! Unless you love decadent cakes, I would pass if dessert is an extra cost. The dessert menu was quite underwhelming to me and, besides the baklava, doesn't give traditional Balkan dessert vibes. If I were to recommend going to Ambar, definitely head in during restaurant week! And if paying full cost, I would say brunch has a nicer sweets selection over the dessert menu offered during lunch and dinner.

Came to Boqueria during DC's Winter Restaurant Week and had a great time! It was a good deal too,…read moreand I left so full. Started off with the "Taste of Spain" which included Pan con tomate, Aged manchego, Jamón Ibérico de bellota, and Boquerones con naranja. Since I couldn't eat the latter two, the server said they could double the first two, which was so appreciated. For my first course, I chose the Escalivada (fire-roasted eggplant, red pepper, labne yogurt, fresh herbs, olive oil, served with focaccia) and Croquetas de setas (creamy mushroom croquettes with truffle aioli). The Escalivada was tasty, but more on the tangy side; the bread was more crostini-like than focaccia. The Croquetas were so good: creamy, savory, umami inside and crunchy outside. Next, I got the Zanahorias (spiced baby carrots, sweet and sour reduction, orange honey yogurt, mojo verde, Marcona almonds) and Patatas bravas (crispy potatoes, salsa brava, pimentón, garlic aioli). When I tell you those carrots had me dreaming about them later, I'm not kidding- all of the different flavor combos paired with the perfectly cooked carrots were amazing. The Patatas bravas was pretty classic- crispy potatoes with creamy aioli and tangy tomato sauce. Finally, for dessert, I had the Tarta de naranja (orange olive oil cake, citrus-honey yogurt), and my friend had the Tarta vasca de chocolate (Basque chocolate cheesecake, macerated strawberries, chantilly cream). Both were tasty, but the Tarta de naranja was so good: perfectly dense cake, refreshing citrus, and great contrast with the yogurt. For my drink, I got the Forget-Me-Not refrescante (butterfly pea flower, thyme, honey, lime, ginger beer). Very interesting drink, not sure I'd order again but it was good. Service was great, super willing to accommodate my vegetarian dietary restrictions. Ambiance is really nice, very modern and elegant. Very accessible by metro, just a short walk from the station. 10/10 would recommend!

First... man the chairs were UNCOMFY. Theres two types of stools and the padded one feels slightly…read moreslanted forward and small. But anyways Paella was delicious, the flavor profile was super fun. We got the short rib and seafood, and we all preferred seafood as the short rib was a bit heavy. The fish in it was crispy and so good, especially with the green sauce- nice herby and refreshing contrast. The figs were interesting and fun. But not that filling... I did not like the patatas... sauce was good but the potato itself had none of its own seasoning and was tough. Yes crispy but not pillowy inside. The octopus was delicious and super tender. Would come back for seafood paella and charcuterie.

This restaurant has a lovely ambiance being in the expansive lobby of a fancy hotel. The Denver…read moresteak was also delectable but really expensive. The oxtail croquettes were very good, with the bechamel sauce being lovely and good quality. The cocktails were interesting, especially the liquid nitrogen. The service was attentive and kind. The salmon though came in a su vide bag and they made a show of cutting it in front of us which I thought was weird. It's a lot of money to pay for food that isn't even fresh and cooked in plastic. I also didn't love the taste though my husband did. I thought it was kind of bland. I overall thought it was very good and enjoyable experience particularly the ambiance and steak, but very expensive for what it is. I don't think I'd come again.

Upscale Dining. The waiter was such a delight and personable!…read more We really enjoyed the oxtail croquetas and potato's bravas. We did the Chuleton Ribeye which was good but not mind blowing. The smoked oysters were great quality! The caipirinha was refreshing and the old fashioned was strong.

Drink of Choice: water during the work day but the sangria is definitely great to try!…read more Food: Flauta de Queso This is my go to place for lunch during the week! Their lunch specials are priced well and are filling!

Great business lunch! Pleasant energy imbues the whole of the restaurant. Service was excellent…read moreand servers were all friendly. Tomato bread, a signature dish, was refreshing. Gazpacho had a nice subtle spice and was full of flavor. Salad was quite fresh and well prepared. The vegetables were the stars. I did not try to the Patatas Bravas but loved the way the dish looked!

I haven't been here in awhile and forgot how amazing the food is at Amazonia! Loved everything…read moreordered! I ordered one hot and one cold dish. The Cebiche Clasico is exploding with flavor, I would order this time and time again. I also ordered the Patarashca which was the market fish. The fish was coooked perfectly and I enjoyed the red sauce. However, I didn't really care for the fried plantain and they seemed a bit out of place. The only negatives are the portion sizes are smaller than ideal and the server rarely came around. Overall, great restaurant and will be back!

Stumbled into Amazonia after not being able to secure reservations at Realm Lounge up the street…read moreand still wanting to be on a rooftop. Amazonia is located in a back alley off of 9th street and is surrounded by a whole bunch of other restaurants and bars that I head people rave about all the time. We were quickly able to get seated at Amazonia. Causa their sister restaurant that is a prix fixed menu that you pre pay for was all booked up. Heading upstairs the decor was beautiful and I loved all of the fresh plants everywhere. We decided on doing their restaurant week menu so we could try a lot of different things. I can't recall what the dishes were exactly but they were all really tasty with the steak dish with veggies being a stand out. I loved how every dish was very unique and unlike anything I'd had before. I loved my first drink a tropical Negroni and then the drink with the bubbles was even better. Service was great also by the way. Our server was amazing at making recommendations. Overall the bill came out to about $300 for 2 people this place is def not cheap and I would probably only come back for a special occasion and being treated.

Zaytinya never disappoints. The decoration, interior and exterior, sets the moods from the D.C…read more sidewalks. The service is as one would expect of any upscale restaurant; responsive, attentive and courteous. The menu offered a variety of dishes that would satisfy, dare I say, any and all types of diets. My order, "Lamb Baharat" was full of flavor, enhanced by the smooth tahini sauce. The savory meat dish was complimented well with grilled vegetables with a slight char. But truthfully, it is their french fries that stole my taste buds. The simple dish is enriched by a buttery poached egg for dipping. Accessible, delicious, and variety of dishes for anyone's taste pallet.

I was in Washington D.C. for the weekend and tried this amazing Mediterranean place for lunch. My…read morefriend who recommended this place has been obsessed with the food here and I can totally see why. We ordered mushroom kapnista, Halloumi pide, zaatar pide, htipiti and everything was so delicious. I'm not sure if I enjoyed the combination of dates and mushrooms together but really loved the smoky mushroom by itself. I was also very impressed with the Zaatar pide, it was cheesy and delicious. For desert we ordered greek yogurt with apricot and it was probably the best thing we tried here. The ambience is classy and they have ample of seating space. The overall meal didn't cost us as much as I thought it was, the prices were fairly reasonable!