Everything was amazing! A bit pricey in my opinion for the portions. You can only really share with a group of 4 or less. The space itself is beautiful and the servers were amicable. read more

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My bf used to live in DC and frequent Oyamel, so when the Red line of the metro was experiencing major construction and the last stop from Union Station was Gallery Place/Chinatown, it was the perfect opportunity to walk the block down to Oyamel. We arrived around 1:30pm on the Friday before NYE and it was packed. Lots of little kids running around for some reason. The inside is very casual and decorated whimsically. We grabbed the last 2 seats at the bar. The bartender was very friendly, but you could tell he was very busy, so we didn't get that many check ins or water refills. The poor servers at this restaurant! They have to carry the food up stairs from the lower level (where the restrooms are located)! I'm not sure where the confusion came from, but on the day I was there, there were quite a few dishes that were almost given to the wrong people. We shared a couple plates and had a couple cocktails. Everything was very good. José Andrés often has that salt foam margarita (called the Oyamel here) on the menu at his restaurants, and it's so good. The ceviche con citricos was amazing, and the pulpo negro was a close 2nd. I just wish the octopus was more tender. read more

I don't know what the hype except for the atmosphere; drinks are outrageously priced; meatballs doused in enchilada sauce, taco meat, so dry and the quesadilla meat chewy. There are better restaurant; easy pass read more

Good was delicious, service was excellent and the vibe was great. Top level experience from the staff and kind gestures without question. The recommendations of food and drinks were spot on and definitely would recommend this to any and everyone... ask for Albert M he was 10/10 and then some read more

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Very loud when we went, but I believe that was due to a sports game that night. 2/3 of our group wanted to do the chef's tasting menu and our server checked to see if that was possible. She came back after a long time saying no, it wasn't possible and that everyone had to participate. We each ordered entrees, then our server rarely checked on us the rest of the night. Food was good but coupled with the noise and our servers' inattentiveness, I'm not in a rush to come back. read more

I had an amazing valentines day lunch. The food was great, it was packed but it was also valentines day. We arrived late to our reservation but the host was nice to out us at a bar in a restaurant that was jam packed. Their food was yum small portion though but the chocflan was yummm read more

Jose Andres. I think that pretty much sums up this review. Go to Oyamel and have a wonderful meal. Make sure you try the Oyamel margarita with "salt air" and the black beans. On our last visit, we had the tasting menu and it was memorable. I would love to try his ceviches on our next visit. Even the salsa and tortillas are epic. In fact, it might be the best salsa I've ever eaten. Like I said...Jose Andres. read more

This review reflects my experience dining out with celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder that requires me to maintain a diet free of gluten (including cross contact). SERVICE: 3/5 stars DRINKS: 4/5 stars FOOD: 5/5 stars AMBIANCE: 3/5 stars VALUE: 4/5 stars OVERALL RATING: 4/5 stars On Sunday, friends and I brought our book club to Oyamel for brunch. Our nine-person party was seated as we arrived at my favorite location in the restaurant--a large, round table in an alcove off of the main dining room. Our server greeted the first of us who arrived, providing us with water, a separate allergen menu (when I noted that someone in our party had celiac disease), and complimentary tortilla chips. Then... Our server disappeared. As the remainder of my book club trickled in over a 30-minute period, we waited for service (with lots to discuss about this month's book selection, thankfully). Finally, nearly 40 minutes after the start of our reservation, our server returned to take our food and drink orders. For brunch, I had half a basket of those amazing tortilla chips and two tacos. Oyamel has a fryer free of gluten located downstairs, from which they serve chips to diners with celiac disease; the chips from the safe fryer were excellent (though a touch too salty). To accompany my chips, I had the pollo a la parrilla (chicken) and carnitas (pork) tacos; both were decent--overflowing and served on corn tortillas. I did not experience any side effects from cross contact in the two days after eating brunch. As our server took our drink orders concurrent with our food, we only had time for a single beverage. I had a classic mimosa, which was served in a white wine glass. It was a large pour, contained fresh sparkling wine, and tasted as expected. To close our tabs, the server kindly provided individual checks, which were payable through the inKind app. No automatic gratuity or service fee was applied to our checks. While the gap in service prevented our brunch from being a five-star experience, I will return to Oyamel as I know I can eat there safely. Hopefully without such a long wait for drinks next time! read more

Oyamel - Oyamel allergen menu (page 01). Counterintuitively, items safe to consume HAVE the allergy marker present. - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Oyamel is my least favorite Jose Andres restaurant, I'll explain why. Food: This was a miss for me. The ceviche I ordered felt "deconstructed". Ceviche for me should be homogenous, every bite filled with an explosion of flavors. At Oyamel, you're eating a piece of fish here, and a grapefruit slice there. The steak lacked favor and was impossible to chew for how thinly sliced it was. The enchiladas were okay, the chicken was quite dry. And not pictured, the pumpkin dip had a texture like dog food. For much each plate is charged, it's an absolute abomination. Ambiance: This feels like a typical Jose Andres restaurant with its decor, colors, and lights. This is a redeeming quality, it feels fun to be here. Expect this place to be packed on a weekday evening. Would I come back? Probably not. I'd much rather go to Jaleo or China Chilcano. read more

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

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Sat outside with great weather, and enjoyed the steak dish with the guacamole appetizer. Great dish and food, okay service, and a good value for the price! read more

Oyamel was a beautiful culinary experience by Jose Andres that my friend and I were able to enjoy on a sunny Saturday evening. The ambiance and overall restaurant decor was lovely with butterflies and immense colors all over the restaurant. My friend and I sat outside and enjoyed the salsa and fresh guacamole. The guacamole was delicious! So cheesy, crisp with peppers, and perfectly creamy when paired with the warm tortilla chips. For our entree, we each got one Pescado Baja California and Pollo a la Parilla tacos. The Pescado Baja tacos stole the show! The masa tempura-battered fish was so crispy and flavorful. The crema and salsa complimented the fish so well and provided a nice spice to the taco. Must get! The meat in the Pollo a la Parilla reminded me of Indian Tandoori style, but lacked the flavor or the tenderness. The chicken was quite dry, but I did enjoy the salsa and onions on top. However, I probably wouldn't get it again. To drink, we enjoyed glasses of White Wine and a tequila flight (highly recommend). All drinks paired well with the food and complimented its rich flavors. The service was phenomenal. Such a friendly staff that did a great job in helping us navigate the menu! Definitely would like to come back and try more of Oyamel's tacos/drinks! The perfect spot for snacking and small plates - especially on a gorgeous summer day :) read more

Went here for their happy hour menu, and wanted to try the Chapulines (The legendary Oaxacan specialty of sautéed grasshoppers, shallots, tequila and guacamole). Had to try the grasshopper taco, since this is a Jose Andres specialty. I've had grasshoppers in Mexico City before, but it was chopped up in tiny pieces in guacamole so the taste was more subtle. The Chapulines taco was interesting....sore of salty and crunchy, like a grasshopper would taste. Would probably not try it again. Loved the mushroom taco though. The tamal pollo verde was decent, lots of chicken. And the quesadilla de chicharrones was a little dry. Overall, good ambiance and vibe. read more

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Honestly, it's been more than ten years since my visit to Oyamel. What I remember is that the food was exceptional, checking all of my "boxes" - delicious, beautiful eye-appeal, great ambience, and even met the high expectations of my good friend and dining partner, who has VERY high standards. I don't get to Washington, DC as often as I used to. But the next time I do, I will make a point to include Oyamel. read more

Wasn't crazy about the tacos. i had beef and the one with chicken thighs. Chips and Salsa were delicious but $3 . The coffee dessert with bananas was the star of the show. May return just for that. Also would like to try their ceviche and do a tequila tasting in the future. read more

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

I jump at any chance I get to visit a Jose Andres restaurant, and this 7th Street staple was a delight! My friend and I were wowed by the very attentive and kind service. Our waitress was a rockstar and had incredible recommendations! We began with some heavenly guacamole and great warm chips. The salsa was smoky and flavorful. We then tried the tuna ceviche. I've never had real ceviche before, and let me tell you... it was outstanding! The flavor was out of this world, and the texture worked perfectly. I'm not usually a fan of raw fish, but this changed the game. Our waitress suggested the chicharon quesadilla, which slapped! The cheese was grilled to perfection. The tacos we ordered were also quite flavorful. The octopus and vegetable dishes were also incredible. There wasn't a weak spot on the entire menu! We ended with a chocolatey and fruity dessert, which was the perfect cap on a great night. I can't wait to come back! read more

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I went here a couple weeks ago and tried their vegetarian tasting menu! It was delicious and a lot of food! I had to take a couple dishes home but it was definitely worth it. Rich and very flavorful. The service was a bit slow - almost took about 2/2.5 hours for the whole experience but the server was very informed. Otherwise, the place is generally nice. I would have preferred a quieter space to eat but the food was definitely a must try! read more

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The Ambiance is artistic, bright, and cheerful. The service personell were friendly, welcoming, articulate, and on-the-ball. The food was absolutely delicious. The flavors were fresh, smoky, complex, and unexpected. I would eat here again in a heartbeat. Definitely don't skip the made-on-the-spot guacamole! read more

Three Words - Get the Brisket. That's it. That's the review. Best thing I've tasted all year. I didn't post a photo of it because I don't want to spoil it for you. read more

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

This is the 6th chef Jose Andres' restaurant I have tried. We ordered the chef's tasting menu which has 7 courses, from appetizer to dessert, it was pretty good. I like the mushroom rice and tacos, the octopus is also very tasty. read more

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I normally don't have complaints regarding a way that a restaurant seats their customers because I work in food service and understand the challenges that come along with a busy establishment. However, I really found the way that Oyamel Cocina Mexicana treated my friends and I to be highly unusual last night. While we had an outdoors reservation at 8pm, we decided to pop in a bit earlier around 7:15, since we were already in the area, and see if they had capacity to seat us. The hostess was very accommodating and told us it would be a 30 min wait, which was fine with us since we were supposed to dine at a later time anyways. However, when we came to check back in at 7:45, the other hostess was extremely rude and told us curtly that there would be no tables opening up for the foreseeable future and provided no estimated wait. Even when we checked in for our 8pm reservation, we were continuously told that there were no tables yet while numerous parties went ahead of us. We ended up finally being seated around 8:30, which brought our total wait time to 75 min and 30 min after our reservation. We appreciated the complimentary guacamole that was provided for our troubles, but it wasn't impressive enough to make up for the poor customer experience from the one hostess. I wish I could say that this long ordeal was worth the food we were highly anticipating, yet our expectations fell flat once again. We ordered 6 plates to share: the ceviche verde, atun pacifico, camarones al mojo de ajo negro, tostada de salmon, plato de suedero, and pulpo negro. I was blown away by how fresh and clean the sea bass tasted in the ceviche verde, and the dish was flavorful and bright as a whole. In comparison, the tuna ceviche did not taste as fresh and I wasn't really a big fan. I was excited for the salmon tostada, but it was so bland that we had to use the ceviche verde sauce to go with it. The octopus' sweet potato puree and hoja santa salsa just tasted sweet and needed more acidity to deepen its flavor profile. The brisket was okay, but definitely nothing to write home about. The shrimp was delicious and benefitted greatly from the black garlic, but it wasn't worth $17 for 7 pieces. In general, the small portions' exorbitant prices were not thoroughly justified and the free salsa outshined most of the entrees. From the items we tried, ceviche verde and the black garlic shrimp are the only two I would order again. Fortunately enough, I do have positive views on the drinks and desserts that Oyamel Cocina Mexicana has to offer. We got the oyamel and pomegranate margaritas and both were amazing, especially with the unique 'salt air' added on top. I thought that they were also very well-priced for being one of the better margaritas in the city. We also ordered the cafe de olla, and while there could've been more of the coffee ice cream, the chocolate-coffee custard was rich and were complimented well with the lime and pecan shortbread. At the end of the day, I could see myself coming back for happy hour perhaps or for drinks and dessert after a meal. I wouldn't be opposed to trying their other menu items like the steak and trout. When comparing Oyamel Cocina Mexicana with other DC restaurants though, you could definitely get more bang for your buck elsewhere. read more

Came here on a whim as we were walking by. Solid Mexican food for DC. The best part was the service. Our waiter and everyone in the restaurant was friendly, welcoming, and attentive. The day we came it wasn't super crowded so we didn't have to wait for a table. 4/5 stars because the service was great but I've never seen cheese on guacamole. Personally I don't make my guac with cheese. Maybe they are trying to be different but it's not for me. My husband loved the shrimp in black garlic sauce and I enjoyed the tinga enchiladas. Not spicy at all. Overall we would come back. read more

Made a reservation for dinner before a performance at the Shakespeare Theatre Company. Was a wonderful dining experience from start to finish. The space was elegant and festive (love the butterflies decorations). Service was attentive and professional. We had complimentary warm chips and salsa at the start (very fresh). The menu specializes in small plates from different parts of Mexico (never seen at other locations). We shared ceviche verde, the gazpacho estilo Morelia, brussel sprouts, and white beans. The ceviche was the best item (tangy, light and creamy from the avocado). The brussel sprouts had a great char and vinegar to balance. The white bean stew was flavored well and had cabbage. Though they are supposed to be tapas the portions were generous and we were happily full. Will definitely be back again, great place! read more

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I applaud this restaurant for being allergen friendly! What I mean by that is they have a specific menu they can provide that spells out which dishes have the common allergies listed and also which dishes can be made special without that particular allergen. My boyfriend and I came in for lunch on a weekday (January 2024) while we were walking around nearby seeing the national museums and art gallery. It was a short walk from the National Mall and looked inviting. We were seated quickly and I was in awe of the beautiful decorative butterflies and flowers on the ceiling! Our waiter came over, introduced himself and asked if we had any allergies. We were surprised by the question and very appreciative because my boyfriend is allergic to tree nuts and shellfish. The waiter was quick to return with the allergen specific menu and he explained it to us. We were so grateful for this option, it made ordering so much easier! Usually we just have to pick apart each item description and see what's appropriate, sometimes we will have to clarify with the staff who typically have to go back to the kitchen and check with the chef. Our waiter also explained the tapas style so that we knew what to expect when it came to the portion size. We decided on a variety of tacos, something light as we were just stopping in to warm up and put something in our bellies. Chips and salsa were brought out right away and the chips were amazing!!!! Warm and seasoned so nicely. They didn't even need the salsa. You can tell they aren't from a bag. I'm sure guacamole would've elevated them though. They have a guacamole stand if you want to watch them make it. Individual bathrooms were available and there was plenty of seating. I could see this place getting busy in the evening or when there is a big event nearby. All of the colors are so vibrant inside and the bar is well stocked. My only qualm was that when another staff member brought out our tacos (we each order 3 different ones) they didn't explain which one was which. We kind of had to guess and hope we remembered which kinds we ordered. The tacos were delicious and a little messy with the soft shells ripping apart from the juices soaking through. Overall the prices were appropriate for the quality of the food and given the average cost for a meal in the city. We enjoyed our visit to Oyamel and would be very likely to return next time we are in the area. I would definitely recommend to others. read more

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We decided to check out this restaurant after it was recommended by a friend. We didn't have a reservation, so we sat at the bar without any wait. The highlight of the night was by far the guacamole. One of the best we've ever had. You are able to choose between mild, medium, or spicy, and we choose medium and it was perfect. We LOVED our main entres, too, but the one dish that was a miss for us was the Arroz Huitlacoche. It was pretty bland and just kind of weird. I would recommend just ordering the cilantro white rice instead. read more

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We celebrated a birthday brunch at Oyamel and has such a blast! The ambiance here is gorgeous - beautiful bright interior with lots of butterflies in the decor. The guacamole here is so fresh and definitely worth the price - they make it right in the middle of the restaurant. Everything we ordered was delicious & the serving sizes are large. The service was quick and good. They brought out complimentary churros which were very tasty. read more

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The food was authentic and great! The service was fantastic very friendly and helpful. I loved that the atmosphere was not too loud. Will be back for sure. read more

Oyamel - Pork belly quesadilla. - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I was so incredibly pleased with this restaurant. The ambiance is gorgeous as soon as you walk in you feel transported. It's stunning colors, florals and brilliant butterfly patterns. I have celiac, I let them know and immediately they brought out the allergy menu. Extremely well labeled! I was so impressed. Everything we ordered was amazing! I'm extremely sensitive and the food sat very well. The shrimp in particular was incredibly flavorful. Not photographed, the quesadillas with truffle were to die for. For my gluten free peeps visiting DC or in the area this place is incredible I highly recommend it. read more

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Three words: salt foam margarita. This in and of itself is a reason to dine at Oyamel, and still my favorite aspect of the menu even though the food is also good. I'm a huge margarita fan, and always do a salted rim, so this twist on the classic is just a delight and delicious. In terms of food, you can't go wrong with tacos and guac, though I would try snagging a seat at the bar during happy hour to get a better deal. This is a fun, vibey, beautifully decorated spot downtown that's always packed. Probably not the best for a quiet date night or dinner with the parents, but it's a great celebration spot or for before an event at the arena. read more

This is a nice happy hour spot. The food is decent. It is more of a "tapas" style with small dishes on the menu. We came here for a date night but I found it was a bit more casual than I expected. The service was good. read more

I really wanted to love Oyamel but I really think the food lacked. I got one of their specials that night which was the veggies quesadillas. It was alright nothing mind blowing. The veggies really didn't have any flavor and the flavor came from the sauce. What really was impressive was the margarita. It had a salt foam and I've never had something like that before! Every sip had a salty start and a sweet end, it was delicious! I would go back just for the margarita. Although the food didn't hit the spot for me, this place was really nice decorated and definitely worth stopping by for a drink or two. read more

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

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Restaurant Review: Oyamel Cocina Mexicana (Bib Gourmand) - Disappointing Experience I didn't think you could go wrong with Mexican food, but this was another Bib Gourmand restaurant that left me wondering why hole-in-the-wall taco spots taste way better and cost half the price. The menu seemed very vegetarian-focused, with limited meat options. We originally planned to do Restaurant Week, but the options were so limited that we ordered off the regular menu instead. Food: 3/5 Tacos (Carnitas, Beef, and Chicken) - Out of the three, the beef taco was the best, but that was only because I added the $2 habanero sauce. Without it, everything was bland, and the meat was tough. Chips & Guacamole - The chips tasted store-bought, and I'm not sure if they're even made in-house. The guacamole is made fresh at the table, which is a nice touch, but I didn't try it since I don't eat guacamole. Ambiance: 2/5 I did not like the decor--too many animal statues and wall art everywhere. Maybe it's part of the "culture," but as a Christian, it made me uncomfortable and gave off false idol vibes. Service: 4/5 The service was attentive and friendly, no complaints there. Final Thoughts: I understand how the Bib Gourmand list works, I can see that Oyamel likely made the cut for its ingredient quality and preparation, rather than bold flavors. But for me, Mexican food is all about flavor, seasoning, and authenticity, and this place just didn't deliver. I've had better tacos at small, no-frills spots for half the price, where the seasoning is spot-on and every bite is packed with flavor. If you're looking for authentic, flavorful Mexican food, I'd skip Oyamel and head to a good taco truck instead. Final Ratings: Food: (2/5) - Bland, overpriced, and tough meat. Ambiance: (2/5) - Uncomfortable decor. Service: (5/5) - Great service. read more

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

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Great food and fantastic service! Our server was very kind and knowledgeable of the food read more

Oyamel - Pescado California tacos - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Dia de los Muertos Event Review- 5 course dinner with an alcoholic drink pairing for each course (with margarita, chips + salsa pre-event). Hubs and I attended this event during the pandemic and it was intimate, safe, educational, and fun: they spaced out the tables, had plexiglass between tables, and took their time explaining the courses and why each course was chosen- they choose a Hispanic (can't remember Mexican-specific or just Hispanic in general) person and center their dishes around that person. This time, post-pandemic, all attendees share tables (not my thing when I'm paying $150 pp and chatting with people I'll never see again). They still tried to take their time explaining the courses and educating us, but this time, we felt like we were part of a (big corporate) event that they were trying to get through (esp since there was a restaurant outside the event room full of guests.) Summary: Enjoyable dinner with good flavors, but hefty price tag, and not worth the price tag unfortunately. read more

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My wife and I have enjoyed this restaurant for many years, however, our experience last night was terrible. Perhaps they have a new chef. Every item we ordered, except the tuna ceviche, was not up to their usual standards. It began with the salsa which is normally the world's best; it was watery and not as delicious. Next was the sikal pak; there was very little of it spread on top of thin tacos; no taste. Next were the chapulines tacos; way too spicy and having a strange taste. We should have sent each item back to the kitchen, but we were having interesting conversations, so distracted. Also, I would have spoken to the manager, but we were in a hurry at the end of dinner. I hope this was just an off night, because we really like Oayamel. read more

Oyamel offers a fantastic lunch special with sandwich and salad plus chips for a very reasonable price. This is great. The restaurant has a pleasant atmosphere with a guacamole station which is hard not to like. My sandwich was alittle too much bread for my taste but the salad was fine. Service was very fast and efficient. This is worth the visit. read more

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The place is incredibly loud and the food was "meh." Tacos fell apart and the grasshopper taco didn't taste like anything. The $17 margarita was served in a tiny glass with lots of ice. There are a lot better and less expensive Mexican restaurants in the city. read more

Came for restaurant week as I had heard of this place as one of Jose Andres' best restaurants. I am a lover of all things authentic Mexican. This innovative restaurant specializes modern Mexican tapas that still pay tribute to authentic flavors. On a nice Tuesday night, I showed up with three other friends for a casual boys night. We all decided to try out the restaurant week menu that included 4 tapas and a dessert for $45. Our server was amazing and super friendly. The ambience was elevated casual with lots of pops of color and decorative art with a small projected screen in the corner playing black and white Mexican movies. Course 1 was my absolute favorite, one bite and I instantly knew I would have to come back later in the year. The cóctel costeño gave a slightly sweet but savory introduction to our 5 dishes. I was impressed from just the visual appeal, but the beautiful Japanese peanut pieces on top with cucumbers-veggie medley sent me over the top. The albóndigas was originally what drew me to Oyamel as it is a sign of authenticity. They were great as the second course but were outshined by the tender, juicy, and tasty pork rib. After I thought our food had ended, I was quickly reminded we still had a taco left as well as dessert! The taco was good, but honestly over priced. However, I would 100% come back for the famous cricket taco! My family is from northern Mexico, where eating crickets isn't common, so I have to come back to try it! In summary: upscale Mexican restaurant by Jose Andres that doesn't lose authenticity. Shrimp cocktails are a must. Come hungry! read more

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I thought this was a very solid Mexican restaurant, and I'm glad one of my friends recommended this place. Good nachos, and good food. We tried various dishes and all of them were good. Staff were very friendly and helpful, and our food came to us pretty quickly. We liked the tacos a lot (we are taco people!), and all the seafood dishes were great. The restaurant is bustling, and it was very busy when we were there, but somehow we still got pretty good service. I would return if I were ever back in the DC area! read more

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Jose Andres is my favorite food group. I've been to better restaurants of his, but it was still good. I really liked the guacamole, soup, brussels, and desserts. Caesar was nothing exciting. I wasn't a fan of the tortilla on the tacos. Server was nice. Well decorated restaurant. read more

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Forgot to take pictures of the meal -- see pictures of desserts..... EVERYTHING from the staff greeting you at the door to the server who was FANTASTIC to those who took the dishes away to the FOOD -- EXCELLENT to the email THANK YOU FOR COMING ..... This may now be my favorite restaurant of all times !!! YOU GOT TO GO !!! read more

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