Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Oyamel

    3.8 (3.5k reviews)
    ModerateMexican, Tapas Bars
    Closed 11:30 am - 10:00 pm

    Order Oyamel Takeout or Delivery

    Oyamel Photos

    Business Info

    OYAMEL ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Trendy
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

    Recommended Reviews - Oyamel

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Estilo Ron Cooper comes with a side of mezcal.
    Kris P.

    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.

    Mommy lengua taco..soo good.
    Shelly J.

    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.

    Taco de Lengua
    Ying X.

    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?

    Remnants of the guacamole
    Nathan B.

    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.

    Tamal Verde
    Michelle T.

    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.

    Adam C.

    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.

    Chicken Enchilada de Pollo con Salsa Verde
    Narei K.

    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.

    Mole Enchiladas
    Rasheeta T.

    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.

    Queso Fundido Con Tequila
    Dave W.

    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.

    Arista W.

    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!

    Glenn S.

    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!

    Lakeisha S.

    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.

    Lime ice-cream with mango and tajin
    Sofia B.

    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.

    Pescado Baja California taco, Chilorio de Res taco

    See all

    8 days ago

    Helpful 43
    Thanks 13
    Love this 35
    Oh no 0

    24 days ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alyssa C.

    Alyssa C.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Scott H.
    140
    3974
    4369

    1 month ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alyssa C.

    Alyssa C.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kris P.
    104
    283
    1463

    1 month ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alyssa C.

    Alyssa C.

    Helpful 8
    Thanks 4
    Love this 9
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alyssa C.

    Alyssa C.

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alyssa C.

    Alyssa C.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alyssa C.

    Alyssa C.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alyssa C.

    Alyssa C.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alyssa C.

    Alyssa C.

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 1
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alyssa C.

    Alyssa C.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alyssa C.

    Alyssa C.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    22 days ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alyssa C.

    Alyssa C.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alyssa C.

    Alyssa C.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alyssa C.

    Alyssa C.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alyssa C.

    Alyssa C.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alyssa C.

    Alyssa C.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alyssa C.

    Alyssa C.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alyssa C.

    Alyssa C.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alyssa C.

    Alyssa C.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Chris A.
    1082
    991
    3215

    10 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alyssa C.

    Alyssa C.

    Helpful 9
    Thanks 1
    Love this 8
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alyssa C.

    Alyssa C.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alyssa C.

    Alyssa C.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alyssa C.

    Alyssa C.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alyssa C.

    Alyssa C.

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alyssa C.

    Alyssa C.

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alyssa C.

    Alyssa C.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    14 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jay S.
    104
    374
    3009

    5 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alyssa C.

    Alyssa C.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alyssa C.

    Alyssa C.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alyssa C.

    Alyssa C.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alyssa C.

    Alyssa C.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alyssa C.

    Alyssa C.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alyssa C.

    Alyssa C.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alyssa C.

    Alyssa C.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alyssa C.

    Alyssa C.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alyssa C.

    Alyssa C.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alyssa C.

    Alyssa C.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Andrea U.
    5000
    3455
    27937

    1 year ago

    Helpful 12
    Thanks 2
    Love this 15
    Oh no 0

    17 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alyssa C.

    Alyssa C.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 89

    Oyamel Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Oyamel

    Do you offer takeout or delivery services?

    Hi Viola, Thank you for your question. While we do not directly offer a delivery service, we are… Read more

    Near by parking?

    Street parking or there are multiple garages you can pay for.

    View All 4 Questions

    Barcelona Wine Bar - Paella Mariscos

    Barcelona Wine Bar

    4.2(2.4k reviews)
    1.3 miLogan Circle
    $$

    Pablo was the best server ever! He was very informative, helpful, and accommodating to the parties…read moreallergies. To the point where he circled what food could be eaten/be modified/to avoid. He was awesome all around, please give this man a big fat raise. The place was super loud but if you II sit away from the bar (ex. Inside/outside) you can still have a great time. Went on a Thursday with a 9:45 reservation and did not get seated until 10. Do with that what you wish. Regardless the hostess was very nice! Food was amazing and very quick service with both drinks and tapas. Next time I go I will be trying some more tapas because everything u had was amazing. Perfect place for a social scene, I would not say first date vibes only cause it's blaring loud. But blaring loud with chatter because the place host the best vibes and environment. Will be back. MAKE A RESERVATION

    My experience here was so unfortunate it's funny. D.C has some excellent restaurants so it's…read moreshocking this wine bar can stay competitive in this environment. First, a friend made a reservation at least a week in advance for a table of three. We all got there on time, if not a few minutes early. The hostess then told us there was not a table ready for us, and worse, was unable to give us a time estimate on when a table would open up because "we do not time our tables." So what is the point of making a reservation? Hilariously he said we can wait for a table outside instead, but they Won't be turning on the heaters. Happy to know they want us cold and hungry. We ended up waiting by the bar area, which was uncomfortably packed, for a drink while a table opened up. The bartender there was nice and respectful! Eventually, after waiting for some time we got a table inside. It was quite loud in the main room. There were three separate birthday parties. We were glad to start ordering. We ordered the oyster mushrooms, patatas bravas, chicken thighs, seafood paella, and the pork belly. The pork belly had to be comped because they forgot about it until I reminded them over an hour into the dinner. To note, all of the food was lukewarm/cold with the exception of the pork belly because they forgot about it and it was prepared late. Even the paella, which is served on a cast iron, so it has the optics of being piping hot, was actually just warm. The rice felt a little hard. The mushrooms had too much breading in each bite. I enjoyed the green sauce in the chicken. A runner asked if we wanted complimentary bread with our green sauce, which we responded positively towards. But soon after another runner picked up the plate with the sauce and swooped it away. Then the first runner came back with the bread right after, noticeably confused by the lack of sauce. It felt comedic. I enjoyed the wine and the pork belly most. Truly unforgettable service.

    Photos
    Barcelona Wine Bar - Dining

    Dining

    Barcelona Wine Bar - Gambas al ajillo

    Gambas al ajillo

    Barcelona Wine Bar - Indoor dining area

    See all

    Indoor dining area

    Gypsy Kitchen DC - Assortment of Small Plates & Cocktails

    Gypsy Kitchen DC

    4.3(1k reviews)
    1.5 mi
    $$
    Happy hour specials
    Rooftop seating

    We came to Gypsy Kitchen for our anniversary, and it was the perfect spot! The service was speedy…read moreand kind, and the decor/ambiance was beautiful. We ordered a bottle of the Cava, and four small plates, which was plenty of food. The mussels, labneh and Patatas bravas were all very generous portions. Labneh: 5/5, delicious, served with plenty of pita Patatas bravas: 5/5, with great flavor and crispy roasted potatoes Mussels: 4/5, generous portion size, and the sauce was very good but I wished the sauce was more white wine-based Tuna crudo: 5/5, not a ton of food but the flavor was absolutely delicious, very citrusy and fresh Labneh cheesecake: 4/5, served with a sauce that was a bit like cough syrup but otherwise absolutely delicious

    We paid $130 with tip for croquettes, lamb skewers, tuna crudo, hummus, and two 50 Shades of Purple…read more(drinks with butterfly pea gin). We sat outside on the patio and it was a gorgeous day. The decor is perfect and I love that they've added plants to cover the staircase. Drinks were delicious and the food came out quickly. Our water glasses were rarely empty. Service was kind. Food wise if I were to stack rank I would say the hummus is the best of what we ordered. The pita bread is thick and garlicky and oily and massive. The croquettes would be at the bottom of my list simply because they're dissimilar from any I've had before and a little bit underwhelming. The tuna was fresh but it's a small dish and not much to write home about. The lamb skewers have a subtle kick to them and they're pretty substantial. I'll definitely be back to try more! Highly recommend on a warm summer day as you're covered by the canopy above, if you're looking for a rooftop vibe.

    Photos
    Gypsy Kitchen DC
    Gypsy Kitchen DC - Hummus, Lebnah, & Flatbread

    Hummus, Lebnah, & Flatbread

    Gypsy Kitchen DC - Rooftop Patio

    See all

    Rooftop Patio

    Boqueria Penn Quarter

    Boqueria Penn Quarter

    4.2(611 reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$
    Private events
    Outdoor seating

    The food was so good! We tried the Patatas Bravas, Croquetas de Setas, Gambas Al Ajillo, and…read moreBoquerones con Naranja; everything was flavorful and well prepared. Each dish had something special, and we honestly enjoyed all flavors. It was very busy and a bit loud to make conversation, but the server was really nice and attentive despite how packed it was. Overall, such a great experience and I'll definitely be back!

    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.

    Photos
    Boqueria Penn Quarter
    Boqueria Penn Quarter - Shishito Margarita

    Shishito Margarita

    Boqueria Penn Quarter

    See all

    Atxondo - Fingerling potatoes and Panfried Salmon

    Atxondo

    4.8(104 reviews)
    3.7 mi
    $$

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

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

    Photos
    Atxondo
    Atxondo - Patatas Bravas (Fingerling Potatoes)

    Patatas Bravas (Fingerling Potatoes)

    Atxondo

    See all

    Taberna del Alabardero - Paella de Langosta 
 with Lobster, Shrimp, Mussels and Clams

    Taberna del Alabardero

    3.8(677 reviews)
    1.1 miDowntown
    $$$

    Came in because our other options were closed for Holiday Hours!!! What a blessing!!…read moreWill greeted us and ask," Dinner or Happy Hour?" We replied, Both!!! "Vale!!!" Will say us in the corner where we had the great view of the old rustic style Taberna! Amazing Callos Madreños, Pulpo a la braza, broccolini a las brasas, y patatas bravas...( brava sauce ) on the side... super delighted and also excited to try their house bread- pasas, olivo, y blanco... what a blessing! Much cheaper to visit La Taberna del Alabardero and Chef Malo than to fly and visit Madrid! Venga!!! Highly recommend this beautiful place!

    This is a solid old-school Spanish restaurant in DC. Despite living here for over five years, I had…read moreno idea this place existed until a friend hosted her birthday party here. One of the highlights of the evening was the live flamenco performance, which created a lively and memorable atmosphere. The service was very attentive, and the staff were kind, welcoming, and helpful throughout the night. Overall, the food was decent, with a few standout dishes. The mushroom croquettes and fried eggplant were especially enjoyable. The patatas bravas and paella, however, were just okay. The paella in particular was quite mushy and lacked depth of flavor. The complimentary birthday dessert was a thoughtful touch and tasted great. While I'm not sure this will become a regular spot for me, since I personally prefer tapas restaurants like Boqueria or Barcelona Wine Bar, I still had a very enjoyable experience overall.

    Photos
    Taberna del Alabardero
    Taberna del Alabardero
    Taberna del Alabardero - Pulpo/octopus

    See all

    Pulpo/octopus

    Oyamel - mexican - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...