The service was super quick! There may have been a 10 minute wait between ordering our food and…read morebeing served which was perfect. We got the guacamole to start which was some of the best, and most flavorful, guacamole that I've had in DC. Being from Texas, I'm very particular about my street tacos. These were the closest I've gotten to Texas street tacos since I've been in DC, and I've been here for 2 years! The place is small and intimate but full of energy - great place for a happy hour with friends or a more casual date!

Not going to lie, walking up to the restaurant felt a wee uncomfortable but that is no fault to the…read morerestaurant just a note on the neighborhood. Restaurant was bright and welcoming and our waitress was lovely! In order of preference, we got the: Octopus tacos - Outstanding!!! There's a nice smokey char that adds flavor, sauce was fresh, and octopus was easy to bite through. Never had octopus tacos before and these were awesome!! I want to go back for this and to try other things! Huaraches - Bean filled and fried corn underlayer with sautéed steak and cactus on top -- cactus had a sour flavor and a light crunch with just a bit of slime kind of like okra, some folks aren't as into this but I liked it! Scallop tacos - Good sauce and nicely sized scallops. Salmon tacos - Good but did not standout, I'd skip unless you want something safe and it's your go to

Came back for lunch. Had the fish tacos…read more Mercado Margarita. Good service- although I had to ask for a menu when I came in and sat at the bar. I was the only one but I was sitting there for a couple mins and no one noticed, so I had to say something at some point. Great ambience.

This is a really strong four--almost a five. The food was fantastic!! We got the lobster soup, corn…read moreempanadas, short rib carbon, cauliflower, and crème brûlée. All of them were really good--the cauliflower was probably the biggest surprise--it kind of just looks like a big hunk of cauliflower, but it's smokey, charred, saucy, and scrumptious. I'm not a vegetarian, but I could happily eat that as my meal. The brûlée also felt special with a coffee profile. My husband's old-fashioned was very booze forward--I don't think he minded, but it definitely lacked subtlety. The restaurant is beautiful and the presentation is lovely. My only ring is the service. It was attentive, but it lacked warmth.

This restaurant from Jose Andres was one of the better elevated Mexican restaurants at which I've…read moreeaten. 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?

Boss pulled up and said "we're going to Oyamel" and that was the right call. Weekday lunch, Penn…read moreQuarter, 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.

Mi Vida is located along the Wharf, with tons of outdoor and indoor spaces…read more I went with a hungry group of 8 and started with their guac and small plates/apps. We ordered their "most popular apps" for 5 which came with tamales, croquettes, empanadas, deviled eggs, oranges, and fried pork rinds (chips?). The serving size was definitely enough for our group, so I'd only order this for an actual group of 5 if you weren't eating anything else. I had their pork tacos as an entree and tried their carne asada. Both were satisfying but neither stood out. Overall, I'd say this place is a safe place to dine - you know the service will be good and the food will be solid. I wouldn't say that their dishes stand out, but I also mainly tried their basic items.

I really wanted to love Mi Vida because the atmosphere is beautiful and the decor is stunning. At…read morenight, it has such a lively vibe and the service has always been wonderful! I'm giving it 3 stars because the food just hasn't hit for me as much as I hoped. The first time we went, I tried the birria and tacos de pescado. I wasn't a fan of the sauce on the fish tacos, it kind of took away my appetite after a few bites. I had my boyfriend try them (he thought I was being dramatic), and he immediately agreed something was off, though his tacos were great. We went again another time and ordered 3 or 4 things, but the chicken tasted a bit old, which was disappointing. I'd still be open to trying it again in the future, but right now it sits at just okay for me. A cute place for drinks though!

Had a great time and dinner! Chicatana is unassuming and unpretentious, staffed with attentive…read moreservers who do an amazing job (water was always filled and empty plates removed quite efficiently). The decor is simple, no table clothes or frills but it does live up to 'fine cuisine' with excellent food and presentation (another subtle touch is if you leave the table, you return to a nicely folded napkin). We got nearly everything on the menu including all the desserts and Mexican hot chocolate (yum, lightly spicy and piping hot!) . As others have said their guacamole is excellent...do check the charges though bc they added salsa and chips to the tab which we did not order (they removed). Also, the first order of guac came with big bowl of chips, but none with the second order of guac- not a problem though because you do not go hungry. Portions are quite generous. We even tried the ants which was a fun novelty

This was the valentine's day 2026 stop. I had no idea it was in the area it was, but alas, we made…read morethe trek from lowly ballston anyway. After parking in the Giant parking garage (decent price), we walked the few blocks to the restaurant. We spotted it with the poster sign hanging up on the outer walls. Inside you head up the stairs and you're greeted by the host stand. We checked in and got our table, right at the window (hellya). There was a rose and a candle on the table (vday vibes) and we also received a vday specials menu. We landed on queso fundido to start and a cocktail each: prickly pear marg for her, a viva mexico for me. After fundido'ing it up, we ordered our entrees. We're simple folks it was a 2 carne asada tacos, 1 al pastor taco, 1 pescado taco, and 1 chicken quesadilla. Unfortunately we weren't bold enough to try the insectos. Food was great, drinks were great, service was great. You can pay your tab via Toast for no additional fee which was convenient. There are two, single use bathrooms in there too. Overall, solid spot.

This place hit the spot, even toddler approved! We ordered take out and it was prepared pretty…read morequickly. The menu is quite extensive, it took us longer to decide on what we wanted. I got the nachos, my husband got tacos, and we got a chicken quesadilla for our toddler. The nachos were PILED with toppings and so colorful - even in a take out container is looked beautiful. They were SO tasty, very full of flavor and spice. My husband said the tacos were delicious and our toddler actually ate a lot of the quesadilla. Win all around. Highly recommend!

In town for the week, tried to get into Unconventional Diner for brunch...a backup was needed. We…read moreventured down a few blocks looking for anything and found El Sol. Fair sized joint with a smallish patio out front. Having perused the menu on the way, I was looking to try something just beyond "staple of cheap Mexican." Sadly, we were presented with brunch menus, so it was a breakfast burrito for me and the breakfast tacos for her. I was remarkably hungry, so the burrito was eaten (and quickly). But truth be told, it's standard Mexican fare made with breakfast ingredients. No more description necessary - you've had this before and you'll have it again. The service was marginally lackluster- if you're not in a big party, you might get shuffled down in prioritization (or at least I thought we were...once ready to leave I did the 'fidget with credit card' trick to get the staff to close us out. It took frustratingly long. All in all, if I lived in the neighborhood, this would be my cheap Mexican place and more out of convenience than culinary merit.

Such a vibe- beautiful restaurant in a very trendy area. My daughter decided to celebrate her 22nd…read morebirthday here, on the day of. Although she made a reservation for 7, we ended up being able to be sat earlier without a reservation (Wednesday evening). We had a great server who was able to give a rundown on popular dishes and drinks. He did well with serving us and those around us. We had my youngest child in the party (11) and the restaurant did have kid options, although the establishment was more so an adult vibe. The food was on the saltier side, but delicious. Absolutely order the guacamole (spicy for me!). I also ordered birria tacos. Although it wasn't on the menu, I enjoyed a spicy margarita with a tajin rim. Pricing was as expected. I loved it so much, I returned with a plus one on the following Saturday night. It was packed! The wait was a bit long for two-40+ minutes, but we were offered seats at the full service bar right away. The bartender was a gem- she was friendly and answered any questions we had. We had to special order due to allergies, and she was helpful in getting our orders right. Again, the food was a little on the saltier side, but I absolutely loved everything. I ordered carne asada tacos. Absolutely will return again when I'm on this side of town.

El Presidente is described as a neo-retro Mexican restaurant, and they have an extensive menu…read moreoffering brunch, lunch, HH, as well as an all-day menu. We came here for Brunch, but also ordered some items off the all-day menu: +the Churro Waffle - with chocolate sauce +the Presidente Burger - a double patty topped with American, chipotle remoulade, pickled jalapenos, and onions +the Baja Duck Confit - 'peking-style' crispy skinned duck confit with hoisin and flour tortillas +the Nacho Macho - with queso, black beans, ranchera salsa, sour cream, pickled red onions, and jalapenos +a side of Papas Bravas - with morita aioli +and, a side of Fried Plantains - with crema The space is colorful and vibrant, and they have a nice open patio during the warmer weathers. The bar is a fun spot to grab a drink and some bites, too! Staff were friendly and attentive, and there were large groups dining in, so you can tell this place is pretty popular with the locals. +neo-retro Mexican eats +good for large groups

Pisco y Nazca ceviche gastrobar was an excellent experience from start to finish. The chic decor…read moreand modern atmosphere made the restaurant feel stylish and energetic without being overwhelming. The menu was creative and exciting, and the cocktail selection paired perfectly with the food. The service was friendly, attentive, and made the entire evening feel welcoming and relaxed. We especially enjoyed the pork belly bao buns, which were packed with flavor and perfectly cooked. The tacu seco de cordero was rich, tender, and incredibly satisfying, while the arroz con mariscos was fresh, flavorful, and loaded with seafood. Overall, this was a fantastic dining experience with great food, excellent cocktails, and a beautiful atmosphere. We will definitely be back.

We came here for dinner and made a reservation ahead of time to make sure we had a table, though it…read morelooked like they also offer walk-in bar seating. The restaurant is beautifully decorated, and the staff was friendly and welcoming from the moment we arrived. The food was delicious, especially the dessert! We were visiting a friend who recommended this spot, and it definitely lived up to the hype. The atmosphere was lively and energetic, but even with a full house, it was still easy to have a conversation at the table. Overall, a great dining experience and a place we'd happily return to.

If you're looking for the heartbeat of Dupont Circle, this is it. Mission is a D.C. institution for…read morea reason--it's massive, loud, and consistently delivers exactly what you want when you're craving a margarita and a high-energy vibe. Housed in a stunning four-story converted townhouse, the space itself is impressive. Between the rustic wood beams, the huge glass atrium, and the multiple bars, it feels like a high-end saloon that never stops moving. It's the ultimate spot for a birthday, a massive group happy hour, or a rowdy weekend brunch. The Food & Drinks: The Margaritas: You can't come here and not get a marg. Whether you go classic or frozen, they are strong and well-balanced. Their Happy Hour (4-6 PM) is arguably one of the best deals in the neighborhood. Taco Trio: I usually go for the Baja Fish and Carnitas. The fish is crispy, and the tortillas actually hold up to the toppings. Chipotle Chicken Rollups: These are basically a Mission rite of passage. They're the perfect salty, savory bar snack to share with the table while you're a few rounds in. Guacamole & Queso: Solid, reliable, and comes out fast. The chorizo queso is a game-changer if you're looking to go all out. The Experience: The service is impressively fast considering how packed this place gets. Chef Erwin Rodas and the Mission Group team (who also run Mission Navy Yard and The Admiral) have this down to a science. Even when there's a line out the door, the kitchen stays consistent. Pro Tip: If you're planning on Bottomless Brunch, book your table way in advance. It gets wild in the best way possible. If you want a slightly "quieter" experience, try to snag a seat on the outdoor patio for some prime Dupont people-watching.

My wife and I tried this restaurant tonight and it it definitely a keeper! The service was amazing…read moreand the food was excellent. The meals my wife and I had were very flavorful and the portions were perfect. The restaurant was very clean and had a relaxed atmosphere. We will definitely be visiting again and would recommend anyone in the area to as well. I almost forgot and I can't believe I did but the margaritas are amazing as well.

Came in recently on a Saturday with a friend. Had read the reviews before and was a little wary,…read morebut I was pleasantly surprised. We actually came in at a great time without realizing it, it was a happy hour, even on the weekend, that started at 9pm I think. Drinks were half off so that was amazing. We each got two margaritas which were great sizes. My only complaint here is that I wish they had more flavors for the on the rocks margaritas. They only have flavors for the frozen margaritas. I ordered the tacos Al carbon which comes with two tacos, but they are big tacos and are white hearty. I got the beef and it was very flavorful. The salsa was mild and didn't seem so authentic, but it was still good. We sat outside and typically I'm nervous about service quality outside, but here, the servers went above and beyond. It was a little chilly the night we went and even then, the staff was super attentive. I think this is a good fun place to go to locally and would be open to trying other menu items on my next visit!

I havent been here in over 15 years. When I came it was a good experience…read more Service is attentive. The food is good....I had the mariscada saltado. Cery good and delicious. the drinks? A Casa Amigos Margarita in a beer mug with no salted rim or garnish? WTF!!!!