This restaurant from Jose Andres was one of the better elevated Mexican restaurants at which I've eaten. I wasn't super starving so I had a fish taco and the enchiladas. The taco was amazing and was some kind of fried catfish! YUM! And the enchiladas were delicious as well. The green sauce cut through the overabundance of cheesy goodness quite well. I like that you can mix and match tacos so you're not stuck with all of the same one. The menu didn't have a ton of choices, which made deciding a bit easier. They had an amazing bar staff too that was absolutely killing it mixing cocktails. The margaritas were on point and the one had a flair of "salt air" foam instead of a messy, sticky rim. Who wants a messy sticky rim, right? read more

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Boss pulled up and said "we're going to Oyamel" and that was the right call. Weekday lunch, Penn Quarter, reservation secured because this place does not slow down for anybody. Pitcher of margaritas for the table: smooth, rich, not too strong. Exactly what a group lunch needs without turning into a whole situation. The guacamole is terrific and they'll adjust the spice level to your liking, which is a small thing that goes a long way when you're feeding a whole office with different tolerances. The tacos are built on house-made masa tortillas and you can taste that they care. I did the Pollo à la Parrilla and the Chilito de Res. Both landed. The beef especially, slow-braised and seasoned like they meant it. This is a José Andrés restaurant, so you already know the room has energy. If you're in the District and haven't made this a regular stop, fix that. read more

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My favorite thing was the chips and salsa. Quite tasty. Chips seemed very fresh and salsa was super tasty and smoky flavored. Ceviche was a laughable portion size. And it served with no extra tostada or chips. Or nearly this wouldn't be an issue when there is it unlimited supply of chips, but even though I'm sitting at the bar the chips were not plentiful. The beef mole tasted good but the beef was tough and not especially warm when it came out. It was good but it was not great. read more

Oyamel was an awesome vibe and even with great company, the small bites were enough and cocktails flowed to satisfy. Friday night we risked with no reservations and was able to snag a table. One glance at the bar it was elbow to elbow, so we dove right into our dinner. Service was quick and friendly. I chose two pescado Baja (Maryland catfish) tacos and one hongos en molito (wild mushrooms and peppers). Both were delicious and the flavors were nicely layered, however my hongos tacos fell apart on first bite. This was a bit saucy and probably better to get the sauce on the side. The chile de arbol in the pescado was so bold, mmm mmm. To compliment my dinner I chose the mezcal margarita and loved it. It hit that perfect sweet spot - bright citrus Magdala liqueur, followed by a gentle, smoky depth of mezcal that lingered just long enough. Onward to the bar to enjoy some after dinner cocktails and I chose the Estilo Ron Cooper. When I say Dua Lipa's "One Kiss" randomly played in my head as I sipped away, the flavors of this mezcal was fun and delicious. Time was fleeting but had it frozen, I may have tried a few more others and had the bartenders spin me something unique. Our bartenders for the night were very personable and engaging. I'm looking forward to coming back soon. read more

Oyamel - Estilo Ron Cooper comes with a side of mezcal. - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I was in DC with my friend to see Romeo and Prince Royce at Cap 1 arena. Since we all know that the food there is expensive and not appetizing.. We picked Oyamel which is another restaurant by Jose Andres. Since I'm a fan of Jaleo I knew that I would be in good hands. The menu is crafted to small plates. I picked taco de Lengua (beef tongue) And chicharonnes quesadillas. Both plates were delicious. I had beef tongue tacos before but not like this. Meat was tender and savory. My quesadilla was delicious. The comp chips were good, but house salsa was served warm. It was good too but the house made guac IS A MUST!! Agua fresca de pineapple ... I'm be honest was a miss... for what they charge I expected better.. No garnishes.. completely watered down. . I don't recommend. The choco flan a miss..... very dry the chocolate part very dry and no flavor. Betty Crocker quality cake. The flan wasn't what expected .. very disappointed. Service was good but a lot of the menu items can be hit or miss.. it's like a 50 50 chance you might like.it or not. read more

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A Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant. Delicious and beautifully presented cuisine,and the butterfly-themed decor added a dreamy touch. Chips and Salsa: Absolutely amazing! Worth coming just for the complimentary tortilla chips. The corn flavor was incredibly rich, with a subtle undertone; the salsa was perfectly balanced between sour and spicy, with the garlic, onion, and cilantro adding a refreshing and pungent aroma. Everything was just right. Ceviche con Citricos: The dish I was most looking forward to, but it was only so-so. The sauce, made with citrus, pineapple habanero, and Fresno peppers, unsurprisingly had a refreshing and tangy flavor, but it was slightly too sweet and lacked spiciness, significantly diminishing its vibrant and stimulating effect; the bass was also bland in terms of oiliness and sweetness. Salmon would have made it much more delicious. Julienned jicama was sweet and crunchy, which was quite interesting. My friend and I initially thought they were pears. Taco de Lengua: My first time trying a beef tongue taco , and it was definitely the most interesting taco on the menu. The beef tongue was clean and odorless, stewed until tender and juicy, with a savory flavor similar to Chinese lo shui滷水. The salsa, white onion slices, and cilantro were fresh and crisp, creating a complicated texture. The tortilla was baked perfectly, not too dry, and had a good chew. Everything was right too. Quesadilla de Chicharrones: The pork belly was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with the fatty parts almost melting in your mouth. It had a rich smoky and marinated flavor, but it was a bit too salty for me. The salsa had melted, reducing its spiciness considerably; it was basically just tomato sauce. The cheese was rich and creamy, softening the flavors--the more the merrier! But that's where the problem lay; the cheese was visibly unevenly distributed. Huarache de Bistec: The bread was very hard and difficult to cut, but the simple, fresh corn aroma was irresistible; the flank steak was tender and savory, and the smoothness of the cream and sunny-side up egg contrasted beautifully with the refreshing salsa. Ladies and gentlemen, please add an egg! Tamarind Juice: Sweeter and lighter than regular tamarind juice. More suitable for a wider audience. The restaurant is very busy, so please make a reservation in advance. Also, since my friend paid the bill, and she went to the restroom while the waiter coming back for the tip and signing, I suggest that we wait for her return, but the waiter refused to wait and insisted that I sign on her behalf. Is this reasonable? read more

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Trivia: What creature adorns a wall as well as evident in several mobiles? Fresh, house made guacamole. Highly worth it. Comes in mild, medium, or spicy. I definitely want to try the medium and spicy next time. The tortillas, as explained in the menu, are every bit unique and delicious. Service was great. Attentive and friendly. I'm a big fan of chips and salsa, and both are terrific. Slightly smoky and smooth. read more

Oyamel - Remnants of the guacamole - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

We had been looking forward to our visit to Oyamel after all the hype about this place. While some of the food was great, the majority of it was more in just "okay" territory. I guess the delta between the high expectations and the average outcome is what brings me to a three star rating. We had reservations for 7pm on a Saturday. No doubt this is peak busy, but fortunately we were promptly seated at a table. The table we were sat at was pretty small considering the tapas style dishes I was expecting. The moment we were seated I was wondering where all the plates would land. To start I ordered a pineapple agua fresca. Folks, let me tell you, this was the most basic, blah agua fresca I had ever ordered. Other places will usually put muddled fruit or some sort of garnish. This was barebones in a small child's glass. That was rather disappointing. However, the chips and salsa were delicious and if I'm being honest, this was my favorite part of the meal. We started out with a fruit salad of "Gaspacho" estilo Morelia, which has chunks of pineapple, jimica root, cucumbers, queso fresco and some chile. This was a good dish and refreshing, but I wish the chunks of fruit would have been cut smaller to elevate the texture of the dish. Another appetizer we got was the Quesadilla Huitlaco which was tortillas with Monterrey Jack cheese, Mexican corn truffles, tomatoes and garlic. Honestly, this was like something my Tías would've made for me as an afternoon snack as a kid, so it didn't quite rise to the level of what I was expecting. I still don't know what corn truffles are because I couldn't find any. I think it's just corn. As our other dishes came out, we began to eat those and soon our table was full of plates which made it very awkward to maneuver around the table. We also ordered the Enchiladas de Queso, Tamal Verde and the Pulpo Negro. Only the Pulpo Negro was a 5-star dish. The others landed at a 2.5 to 3.5 territory. Last we had the Pastel de Tres Leches con Pina. It was about a 4 star dish, but seemed it could've been a bit more restrained in the overall sweetness. Throughout the meal, the noise level was high, but we knew this going in. It looked like maybe the did have some noise abatement panels but there should be more of an effort on this front to make it less boomy. Once thing I really did love about Oyamel was the decor. It was fun, artistic and had a definite point of view. I loved it, but wished the dishes as a whole were able to rise to that level. While a few of the meal components were excellent, the majority of the meal seemed average. read more

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Oyamel is an upscale Mexican themed restaurant with a comfortable feel. I had their shrimp sandwich which came with Caesar salad. Free chips and salsa also came with the meal. The red sauce was thick and rich. My sandwich had crispy bread and included shrimp and vegetables with a tang. The sandwich was decent. Service was fast and friendly. The lunch was very reasonable given what was served. read more

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Incredible dinner experience. Found this place on a "where do you take friends from out of town?" thread and it did not disappoint. Rather large inside so had no problem walking in on a Saturday at 6:30pm and only waiting 5 min for a table for 4. Double sided menu with an extensive drink list. The guac was fresh and made to order and we got à la carte tacos. We didn't wait too long for our order which came out hot. read more

Cute spot for lunch! They have a great lunch combo. Food took a bit too long though.. we waited about 40 mins. Tacos were small and underwhelming. The chicken enchiladas were good. The pozole was under seasoned in with salt and flavor..Overall, enjoyed our meal but may not come back. read more

Oyamel - Chicken Enchilada de Pollo con Salsa Verde - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Oyamel is such a gem! Food is hot, delicious, and flavorful. Cocktails are yummy. And the prices are perfect! We're talking $12 dishes. It is tapas (small plates) but the food is SO good so it feels like a steal. Def coming back. read more

Oyamel - Mole Enchiladas - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

My daughters had been wanted to check this place out, so we stopped in before heading to the theater one night. Our server told us it would be the best Mexican food in DC, so the gauntlet had been thrown! They serve in tapas style, which we love because it gives us a chance to try so many different things! The Atun Pacifico and Coliflor were among my favorites...and I don't ever really like cauliflower! The Queso Fundido was a little disappointing because we kind of expected it to be flambeed tableside. Figuring out the right quantity to order at a place like this is always a challenge, and the recommendations the servers provide are always a little too high. We had 11 items for 4 people, which was probably a bit more than we needed. read more

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I was really impressed with the ambiance here. Super cute and picture worthy! The tacos were delicious, super flavorful, and clearly made fresh. The drinks were great too--well-balanced and worth ordering again. The service was excellent, and what really stood out is that they took care of us at the very last minute without rushing us or making us feel like an inconvenience because we definitely stumbled in right before closing time. That kind of hospitality goes a long way. Overall, a great spot for good food, good drinks, and a welcoming vibe. I'd definitely come back! read more

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

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One of my favorite Jose Andres restaurants. Highly recommend reservations especially before a Cap 1 Arena event. A great way to start is their guacamole. You can order it mild, medium or spicy. I found the medium spice was just right. My two favorite dishes to share are the Camarones Al mojo de Ajo Negro- reminds me Mexican version of Gambas al ajillo and Bistec Con Mole Coloradito- grilled flank steak with excellent mole sauce. Order this medium-rare, sometimes they overcook it if it's really packed. Their tacos are really good, and most are priced $7 each so you can pick and choose. Fish taco was my favorite out of the bunch. I also liked their chicken enchiladas. Cocktail menu is pretty good but their signature margarita drink is a must. read more

We had a great meal at Oyemel; this chef clearly cooks with super high quality ingredients and it shows. The salsa was unusually fresh tasting; the guac was superb. All the dishes were excellent except the palm heart salad, which was fine but not special. Wonderful mezcal margarita. Server was jovial and helpful. Ambience is pretty lively but you can still carry on a conversation. We were impressed. Well done! read more

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

Solid taco experience (definitely not the best I've had). The bartender was incredible! The ambiance was nice. The bar area was pretty cool. Tried the cricket taco which was an experience of a lifetime. Not my favorite Jose Andres restaurant but a solid choice if you're in the mood for some tacos read more

A friend & I went here yesterday and it was understandably very busy and vibrant for a Friday afternoon. Ambiance was pretty typical of that of a Mexican restaurant. Our chips and salsa came relatively quickly. Our waiter was pretty decent but towards the end, he rarely came over to check on us. We both ordered the Chicken tortas for furloughed workers in the DMV area. Oddly, while cooked properly, the tortas were severely under-seasoned/ bland. The melted cheese my friend ordered was super greasy & hard and they didn't seem to want to rectify that particular dish for her. I asked for slightly extra refried beans, salsa guajillo, & crema, not a lot. I had no idea they charged $2.50 extra EACH, was not communicated to us. Needless to say, my experience was rather disappointing because I heard and saw so many great reviews about Oyamel. I will lilely not return on my own. read more

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Amazing. That's the best way to describe this restaurant. Every dish, drink, service, and detail in the environment is carefully examined and deliberately placed or thought out. The servers and chef were exceptionally friendly and took the time to explain each dish thoroughly. We chose an entirely vegetarian menu, and the flavors exceeded my wildest expectations. I've never tasted anything so magical and refreshing. My favorite part was the salad, a vibrant mix of crisp greens, juicy cherry tomatoes, crunchy nuts, and a tangy vinaigrette that created an explosion of flavors. I loved it so much that I went two nights in a row. read more

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I came up for a weekend to visit a friend. We wanted a good dinner, so we hit the Michelin Guide, and found Oyamel. The menu leaned more Mexican Mexican than Mexican American, and it had some things I had been meaning to try, so we jumped on it. Ambiance was awesome. Inside was embellished with lots of traditional Mexican decor. I can't go into detail, because we got a lovely seat outside in their Covid-era streetside outdoor patio. Weather was beautiful, so we were delighted. Service was ok. It was actually painfully slow. The dude seemed very aloof. I don't have his name, and I wouldn't throw him under the bus anyway. Maybe it was a process flaw because of the outside seating? Something to consider. But the food more than made up for it. Three stars for the service, seven stars for the food. I started off with the Quesadilla Huitlacoche (Tortilla with melted Monterey jack cheese and Roy Burns Mexican corn truffles with a blend of tomatoes, corn and garlic). I've been wanting to try huitlacoche for a very long time, and this was my chance. It was lovely. It was basically very mushroomy, smothered with cheese, pressed into three separate little quesadillas, perfect for sharing. Earthly, cheesy, with the bright green salsa served on the side. Then I got a couple of tacos. I got two, the Pescado Baja California (Crispy masa tempura-battered seasonal fish with shredded cabbage, chile arbol mayo, Mexican crema and salsa Mexicana) and the Chapulines (The legendary Oaxacan specialty of sautéed grasshoppers, shallots, tequila and guacamole). The fish taco was excellent. Expertly fried, a nice-sized filet with a lot of flakiness and juiciness inside. A nice crema and some fresh tomato salsa outside. I also really liked all these blue corn tortillas I was getting. The flavor is better than regular store-bought corn tortillas that we're all used to. Then, it was time, after many years, I was face-to-face with the chapulines. I do not want to describe this mouth feel in too much detail, but if you curious at all about this taco, I would recommend it. The little crickets are fried to heck and are crispy poppable like popcorn. The shallots and the guac help with alternative textures. Definitely worth a shot. Pulpo Negro (Grilled salsa negra marinated Spanish octopus served over creamy sweet potato, topped with an hoja santa chimichurri). This was sooo good. Octopus can be so tough, but they made it so tender. The deep salsa negra, the just sweet enough sweet potato, and the bright, herbaceous chimichurri, just so good. This was an A+++ dish. Overall, wow, I could not believe our luck with finding Oyamel. DC has countless ethnicities of cuisines, and we found the best Mexican food I've had in a long, long time. So glad I came, you should also come here. read more

I often find Jose Andres restaurant to be hit or miss, but today had a great experience with friends at Oyamel. We were sat immediately, despite a busy Saturday lunch rush. We shared the iconic guacamole (a MUST). Both the guac and chips are top tier. I got the carnitas and chilorio de res tacos (former was good not great, latter was excellent). My friends raved about the quesadilla de chicharrones and pescado baja California. read more

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He Said: We came into town in late January (my birthday!) primarily for a Caps game and secondarily to visit with some of my coworkers. We were searching for a pregame pregame spot and knew a Jose Andreas restaurant would be a great choice. She has been lucky enough to go to another of Jose's, but I have not. I am glad we made this a priority. So busy, but handled so well! We got a spot at the bar and settled in for a late lunch of margaritas and, for me, chilaquiles. Wow! Prices were good, location was perfect, and our bartender was top-notch. She Said: I couldn't decide what to order on our first trip here, so our wonderfully enabling server and I agreed that I should get both Arroz con Hongos Salvajes and the sweet potato tamal. Was it way too much food for one person? Yes. Yes, it was. Do I have any regrets? No. No, I do not. Everything was perfectly cooked and delicious. My margarita was tasty too. We enjoyed our visit so much that when we were looking for a post-hockey game spot we found ourselves bellying up to the Oyamel bar again. This time I was looking for a glass of red. Our server rightfully steered us away from the Pinot (ask for a taste before you commit) and we liked her suggestion so much (a cab, I believe) that we got a bottle and settled in with that and some guacamole. The service was exemplary, the company of the others at the bar made the night even better, and we can't wait to visit Oyamel again soon. Potty Points: 4/5 potty points. Never a wait despite how busy things were and clean! read more

Came here with family (party of 6) to celebrate my sister in law becoming a U.S. Citizen. The food was really delicious. Loved the ceviche, the pork taco and the tamal verde from the Restaurant Week prixe fixe along with drink pairings for each course. Service left a lot to be desired. Firstly, I had to flag down the manager to have our waters refilled. Also, everyone had to wait at least 20 minutes to receive our drinks. I can understand that a party of six is challenging especially on a Saturday night when half is doing restaurant week menu and other half is ordering a la carte. But there was a serious lack of communication between the server, the management and our table. Also, if you are going to call something a course there should be some time between them. And if you are going to call the drinks pairings it should come with the appropriate course. I wished our server or the manager had at least stopped by our table several times with an update, an apology or some form of explanation-"sorry we're slammed. Sorry the drinks took so long. Etc." Jose, I love your food but please train your staff in service. read more

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Best meal in DC so far. We came here from the air and space museum. It's about a fifteen minute walk so not bad. I'm so glad we found this place because it was the best food and drink we had. I got a salt air margarita and a tomato margarita (which was a special option). I know, tomato margarita sounds weird, but I love trying things that are unique and this was delicious. It doesn't taste strongly like tomatoes, just a subtle, welcome flavor. The salt air margarita was amazing as well. For kids, they have either a cheese or chicken quesadilla. These are good quality quesadillas. It's basically two taco tortillas filled with cheese and chicken. I usually suffer through eating my kids leftovers, but this was so good. They didn't give the kids mediocre food (like different tortillas) like some restaurants do, but the same quality as adults. We also got a chicken tamale and the flank steak (I think it was flank steak?) The meat was perfectly cooked at my requested medium rare. That's a must get. The tamale was good, but the casing was a little thicker than I like. We also got one brisket taco and one beef tongue taco. Both were phenomenal, the meat was so tender. I highly recommend both of them. The tortillas are also superb. They bring free chips and salsa to the table. I found the chips to be ok, but the salsa was very good. Service was fantastic. Our server was attentive and made sure we had everything we needed. This meal was one of our more expensive lunches, but being that it's the same menu for dinner it would be a comparable dinner to others. Very enjoyable and I would definitely come back. read more

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One of my fav happy hour locations as far as drinks in dc so far!! The classic margarita was delicioussss, I got two and thoroughly enjoyed them. HH is only at the bar so make sure u grab a spot early if you can. Also loved the complimentary salsa & chips they start you with. I ordered the happy hour chicken tacos and they were just enough to hold me over. I definitely want to come back for happy hour again and for regular dining. A convenient location off the metro & a nice dining experience read more

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Come with friends and enjoy small (emphasis on small, but ironically they have a really sizable Cesar Salad), tapas style plates. I think the idea of having smaller plates is that they are able to control the quality of the food coming out the kitchen. Each ingredient gets its own special attention and it really pays off since the bites are moreso one offs, but they are indeed delicious. Come with friends to share. Attention to the interior design of the space, it truely captures that new spirit of Mexican cuisine breaking the fine dining space. Its roots in embracing heritage in a contemporary format is also translated in the food for a really great immersive experience just off of the GalleryPlace-Chinatown Metro Station. The lighting is sexy and moody, and well lit enough to have a great wine down with friends. Our waiter was attentive despite being peak dinner hour and thoroughly explained the menu and the flavors we would be tasting. read more

Oyamel - Minilla Veracruzana - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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We dined last weekend. José, wake up! Someone from JAG needs to pay attention before this restaurant goes under. We've been coming here from almost the time Oyamel opened - often ordering the same favorite items. We have hosted a large private party here. So there is a basis for comparison. This was the most disappointing experience ever. I'll start with what was right. Both the lengua and cochinita tacos were great - lovely meat texture, well-seasoned. The Ron Cooper margaritas disappointed: what used to be a shot glass of mezcal is now ¼ shot and with little discernible tequila compared to the past. And our second one was the odd cucumber version, which was NOT what we ordered. Our atun, which has always been a favorite which we order on every visit, was excessively salty and completely missing the advertised toasted amaranth, which used to contribute welcome texture and flavor. No chapulinas available. The low point of the meal was the Queso fundido con tequila. No tequila flaming (if done in kitchen beforehand, why bother?) Rayas not roasted but actually raw, contributing an unpleasant vegetal flavor. We ordered it with chorizo and got flavorless bits of ground pork - the whole swimming in orange grease (source? well not from chorizo). The cheese was almost impenetrable. Our server had too many tables to deal with to provide attentive service. When Oyamel first opened, it really was the only game in town for Mexican food with a degree of authenticity. But today there are dozens of restaurants doing authentic Mexican food - with respect for ingredients and for knowledgeable customers. Meanwhile Oyamel slumbers and declines. Maybe all that matters now is the NYC version. Sad read more

Six years later, I returned here with my partner and a friend, so we were able to try many dishes, which leads me to say that I enjoyed the small plate setup that this place offered. When I first came here six years ago, I only tried their chips and guacamole, which was amazing, and I loved seeing how they still had an open station allowing customers to witness guacamole being made. Out of all the dishes, I enjoyed the Camarones al Mojo the most because the shrimp was sautéed very well. I could taste the mixture of shallots, árbol chile, Poblano pepper, lime, and garlic very well because that combination provided a lot of flavor. The Quesadilla de Chicharrones tasted pretty good as well. The salsa made a difference in defining the taste because the pork belly itself didn't have much taste, despite there's cheese and onions inside with the pork belly. My partner had the Frijoles Refrito con Queso and they said the texture was consistent and the dish was pretty good with no other highlights to mention. As far as tacos go, most of them are good, but I wouldn't say they were spectacular enough to justify the prices. There wasn't much for me to offer in terms of constructive criticism, but having a $8 lengua taco that tasted just as good as what I can get from another joint that offers me the same taste for much less is how I would approach reviewing all of the tacos we have tried. We also had the Pastel de Tres Leches con Piña for dessert, which essentially was a tres leches cake with pineapple chunks, whipped cream, and roasted coconut ice cream next to and on top of it. The ice cream was a great addition because it helped define a taste. The pineapples tasted a bit off, like it had too much vanilla (or vanilla extract), therefore there was a bitter taste. The hint of rum flavor was pretty nice, especially combining that with the ice cream and the cake, which could alleviate the potentially unpleasant taste that some people may find. Overall this was a good spot to have a nice meal at. The vibe was modern which I thought was an indication of its thematic emphasis. Servers were very good at taking our plates away upon seeing that we had finished some of the dishes. I would definitely recommend anyone to at least try the food here once. read more

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Best tacos, mole and dessert! Honestly, can't go wrong with anything on the menu. The food is super high quality and delicious. It was our first time having the cafe de olla as it was recommended by the server. Can't really explain what's in it specifically but the texture from the crushed graham, coffee ice cream, and brûléed bananas sprinkled with lime was so good. All the different tastes and textures blended smoothly. The tacos were so so good. Couldn't stop talking about it after the meal! read more

Oyamel - Bistec con Mole Coloradito - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Had 2 tacos de lengua and a carnitas (which had a chicharrone too) and they were so delicious! Especially the lengua which was probably the most tender melt in your mouth beef tongue I've ever had. Amazing! read more

Oyamel - Taco de Carnitas and 2 tacos de lengua - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I am a bit of a tapas snob...and equally a Mexican snob. But when I heard who the chef was, I really wanted to try it. My sister recommended it and she, like me, has dined at some pretty amazing places. So, I knew it was a "can't miss" food opportunity. She had never been here, but had a wonderful time at the sister restaurant that is less than a block away. We ran late of our reservation due to a downpour that made it hard to get a timely Uber. The restaurant staff still welcomed us with open arms despite our tardiness. They seated us as a table along the back wall. The place was pretty full and everyone seemed to be having a good time, so we were excited. Our waiter - Sammy - was great. He explained the specials and some menu items and he was very attentive the entire night. The team really does focus on creating good memories for their dining guests. The specials included and octopus taco and countless other wonderfully sounding dishes. We opted for more of the standard menu. In all, we must have ordered 11 different food items and they came out about two at a time over the course of a couple of hours. The pacing set by the kitchen and waiter was perfect. We first were served the ceviche and a raw tuna dish. They both were incredible. The umami flavors of the tuna dish made me want to make it at home. And the ceviche was delicious, light and fresh. The next round came with the chorizo and queso Fundido. That was followed by some cheese-filled refied beans with tortillas and a carnitas taco (with homemade portions on top) and some roasted cauliflower. The queso cheese was so perfectly paired with the chorizo that neither over powered the other. Another round dished up barria tacos, Brussels sprouts and a great shrimp. All were incredible! One of the top moments of the night was the signature Salt Air Margarita. You just have to try it...trust me. Often celebrity chefs get caught up in their own press, clippings and forget about the importance of making a good meal that makes One want to return. Not José. From the service, to the decor, to the incredible small plates, to the revolutionary drinks - Oyamel is top tier enjoyable. Be prepared to eat a lot (and spend - dinner and drinks finished north finished above $300 for z3 people). I had an amazing time with my sister and her best friend. This is a must if you are ever in DC....this, from a real snob! read more

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Great spot but lacks quick service and flare. You will not be disappointed - great Mexican food, plenty of familiar options, comfortable seating, and cozy ambiance. I wasn't blown away, but maybe that should be expected from Oyamel? Dishes are on the smaller side, but the wait staff are transparent and provide good, tailored recommendations. The salt foam margs are nice, but otherwise I was not moved by any other dish or drink. read more

Oyamel - Pulpo Negra - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Delightful. We started with chips and salsa and then a round of margaritas. The first sip of the margarita with its sea salt foam top had us gasp, saying, "Nostalgia!" we were brought back to our living in Hawai, tasting the sea salt, as we played on the beach. The server quickly brought out an allergy friendly menu to help those of us with celiac better navigate the menu. We ordered the Burgos rancheros and some tacos. We were all thrilled and delighted A must visit when in DC! read more

Oyamel - Huevos Rancheros - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Amazing food and service. Very accommodating to seating us without a reservation! Highly recommend! read more

This place is absolutely incredible. Very good with the gluten-free and dairy free food allergies. Just very fresh made from scratch cuisine. Quite authentic. We ate here twice on our trip to and from Connecticut so it was that good. On our first trip in I had the wild caught Golf shrimp as well as the crispy rocky Hollow Farms pork belly tacos. My wife had a couple of the hand made tacos as well and they were quite tasty. On our second visit, I had the Milanese de Pillo or the crispy breaded chicken breast served with the Watercrest avocado salad. It was quite amazing. The service was absolutely incredible and the atmosphere is very cool and eclectic.... read more

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We paid to go a BBQ event close by but it was too hot so we left and ended up here for lunch instead. They offer complimentary chips and salsa and we ordered: Guacamole Ceviche Hearts of palm salad 1 chicken taco 3 fish tacos Tres leches Lemonade The tortilla chips were good. My husband loved the salsa because it wasn't chunky. The guacamole was good. They have someone dedicated to making it in the dining area. The pieces of citrus in the ceviche were a nice treat! The lemonade was homemade and refreshing. The chicken in the taco was burnt on one side. The kitchen shouldn't have sent it out like that. The fish tacos were excellent and made up for the chicken. The tres leches was the BEST I've ever had! I would come back just for that! Service was satisfactory. The restaurant is beautifully decorated with metal butterflies hanging from the ceiling. It was one of the better meals we had in DC and I would come back. read more

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Oyamel came recommended by my cousin as a favorite from his time spent living in DC in college. It's clear why this place is always so busy! The food was so flavorful & is fun to share as it's small plates. In all fairness I missed getting photos of a few dishes because we dug right in, but it was all great! We started with the complimentary chips & salsa. The salsa was Smokey and just spicy enough. We then had the ahi tuna ceviche - I wanted to try the bass verde ceviche, but they were out of the fish, so I was unable. We then got an assortment of tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas, and the guacamole. The veggie taco was actually my favorite and the guacamole was incredible (the tomatillos in it were a nice touch!) As for the drinks, my friend had the classic margarita which she enjoyed and I opted for the pomegranate salt air margarita. The "salt air" is a foam made from sugar, water, and salt which is meant to mimic the salt on the rim, but rather sits atop the drink. It was a nice twist on the classic and the pomegranate was not overly sweet. We really enjoyed everything & would also recommend a reservation to ensure you can be sat without a long wait! read more

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Very busy Jose Andre Mexican restaurant near the Smithsonian. There was a long wait to sit indoors so we opted for an outdoor table. It was noisy with sirens & planes. It was chilly and the heat lamps kept us toasty. Service was very slow & we were charge twice; our bill was incorrect. We started with warm chips & a delicious smokey salsa. We shared the brisket with avocado, onions, salsa & tortillas. It was full of flavor & was satisfying. One portion was enough for 2. The medium flank steak came out almost raw & was sent back. Tacos were individual and a la carte. read more

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Oyamel is always such a fun time. Their drink menu is great and the service is always super quick. It's such a great vibe for a happy hour or weekend dinner. I ordered the beef tongue tacos and wasn't the biggest fan honestly, but I hadn't had beef tongue before and that was definitely my fault for ordering them. Otherwise, great time! read more

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Oyamel embodies a fun Mexican spirit with its vibrant, lively atmosphere and creative menu. I always start with their delicious house margarita and the guacamole. The shrimp tacos and quesadilla are my top orders and never disappoint. It's usually busy, so I recommend grabbing a reservation if you can, though the bar moves quickly for walk-ins. read more

Oyamel - Quesadilla - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia