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    Taqueria Al Lado

    4.0 (195 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 12:00 AM (Next day)

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    TAQUERIA AL LADO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Outdoor seating
    Good for groups

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    Shrimp taco, al pastor taco, quesabirria taco
    Emily K.

    I came here with a couple friends after finding our first choice was closed and it was really nice! It's a small space with a few tables in front and a larger back room that was maybe previously a patio or open air - a bit chilly out there in the winter but it is heated. Our server was kind and accommodating when we needed some more time to decide. We started with chips and guac which was solid. The guac was really limey (which I love) but the portion was a little underwhelming for $7. We didn't try the margaritas but I heard they were strong! I tried the shrimp, al pastor, and quesabirria tacos. The shrimp was probably my favorite! The quesabirria was also really good. The al pastor could have been a bit more tender, I don't love super chewy meat. Overall solid meal and I'd likely come back!

    Sandizcal, pepino and chill, margarita
    Sophia M.

    Very cute place with fun cocktails and, most importantly, a fully gluten free menu! I felt safe enjoying the chips. The salsas that came on the table were a little too spicy for me. The vegan jackfruit tacos were flavorful but a little too wet/drippy for the tortillas. The battered cod taco was outstanding! I got the sandizcal, which was a little too mezcal-y to taste the watermelon, but still good.

    Menu
    Michelle B.

    I am once again disappointed by East Coast Mexican cuisine :( I came by during a day trip to DC per a recommendation by someone who rated this spot as 9/10, which left me excited to try! Parking nearby is tricky; you can turn by the nearby vinyl shop onto the residential areas and try to get lucky with someone leaving so you can secure free street parking. There is 6 indoor tables (for two) + a bench that faces the sidewalk where ~5/6 people can sit at. There is also outdoor (?) patio selection (I did not see this but I heard a group head there and I'm assuming patio = outdoors). Chips and Salsa 3/5, firstly; price wise it's hard to beat; at $2. This came out first and very quickly. The chips are standard, and I was disappointed that the salsa doesn't come out in a small sauce bowl to dip which gives the appearance that it isn't fresh since it comes out of squeezable ketchup style bottles. I tried the green salsa which is mildly spicy and didn't taste bad but again I had no way to see if this was fresh or made in house etc. Al Pastor taco 2.5/5, I would have rated this a 3/5 but given that this was $4.50 for a SINGLE taco I must rate this lower. That price is insane. Cilantro is minimal and the taco is predominantly meat + onion. Some of the onions tasted sweet I almost thought this was corn or pineapple?? The meat was fine. The lime that I got with this was minuscule and barely had any juice to squeeze out Suadero Quesadilla 1.5/5, genuinely so confused what cheese they used for this because it tasted so unique compared to quite literally every other quesadilla I've ever had. The meat was fine but this was predominantly cheese based which would have been fine if I had liked the cheese. I ended up opening the tortillas and eating the meat and leaving the cheese and tortilla behind by my third.

    Carnitas Quesadillas

    When I visited this restaurant, my friend and I were seated at a bar-style window seat, which was actually pretty fun. The window was open, and it felt like I could almost reach out and high-five people walking by. It's a great spot if you enjoy people-watching or soaking in the street atmosphere. The restaurant itself is quite small, but we were seated right away on a Friday night, which was a pleasant surprise. Service was decent, though it took a little while to get my water filled and the check at the end. I ordered the pork carnitas quesadillas. They were okay, but not my favorite. They were very cheese heavy with more cheese than meat, and essentially nothing else inside. The flavor mostly came from the sauces provided. The tortilla had a nice texture and some crispness, but mine was a bit soggy in spots. Overall, it wasn't bad, just not particularly memorable. I'd give it 3 out of 5 stars. It is worth trying once, especially for the atmosphere, but not something I'd rush back for.

    Huarache with chicken

    I went to culinary school. 3/5 stars. There were some good elements, but I would not return. I ordered the Huarache with chicken. The pros were the service and ambiance, that the lettuce was crisp, and everything seemed fresh. The seasoning on the chicken was good, as was the green salsa. I would not return because of the very small portion of chicken served. I expected at least 4oz, however after weighing it out, it came out to just under 2oz. The taste was good, but it does not make a meal. I also found the tortilla (which seemed homemade) to be slightly undercooked. I also had an issue with the red salsa, it had a strong briny flavor, almost as if it were made with anchovies.

    Pork - Al Pastor Quesadilla
    Jasmin A.

    Al Lado used to be our taco spot when my boyfriend and I lived in Adams Morgan, so we were excited to visit again while in the neighborhood. Sadly, the quality has dropped. My quesadilla was much smaller than before, the tortilla was dry, and there was barely any cheese inside. I even took a photo of my last bite to show the inside, and it looked the same in every slice. The fish taco tortilla was also very dry which makes me question if they stopped hand pressing their tortillas as they say they do on their website. Sharing this feedback in hopes that they can bring back the quality that made us love Al Lado in the first place!

    Pork - Al Pastor Taco

    Got my order through UberEats. The tacos were very good but I was very surprised by the size of them. They were very small, especially the birria tacos. I think they should double up on tortillas for the Al pastor tacos bc my taco was falling apart. We also ordered guacamole and I think if you're going to charge $10 for guacamole, it should come with chips . Overall everything tasted good but the portions were not what I thought they would be.

    RaeLynn F.

    This taqueria is in such a cool spot, with a great bar area opening to the street. They had a fairly extensive menu and I decided to start off with some chips and salsa. It was ok, the salsas were not my favorite. Then I got two tacos -one pastor and one beef. The pastor was underwhelming. I didn't love how they sliced it and that seemed to dry it out, there was no sauciness and it needed more pineapple. The beef was ok, a bit fatty and not a ton of flavor. The tortillas were good and obviously homemade. Service was good and staff was friendly. Overall not my favorite but not bad.

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    2 days ago

    Hidden Gem. Must try! The tacos and service are amazing. I'd love to see this place thrive!

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    6 months ago

    Great service, excellent food, plenty of gluten free options, lots of nonalcoholic drink options, full bar. A neighborhood gem.

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    7 months ago

    Great tacos and great service. A highlight on Columbia rd. Some of the best food in the neighborhood. Worth the trip to Adam's Morgan.

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    Press Club Bar Of Record - Nights over Egypt

    Press Club Bar Of Record

    4.7(51 reviews)
    0.8 miDupont Circle
    $$

    Girl, put your records on! Press Club deserves a spot on the World's 50 Best Bars list immediately…read more From the moment we walked in, this cozy basement hideaway set the tone for an unforgettable night. The cocktails? Absolute chef's kiss. The service? I wanted to be friends with every single person behind the bar. Everyone was genuinely warm, welcoming, and seemed like they were having just as much fun as the guests. The whole place feels like you've been invited to the coolest house party in the '80s, complete with the perfect soundtrack and an atmosphere that's impossible not to fall in love with. If you're a sucker for a little nostalgia (and honestly, who isn't?), do yourself a favor and make Press Club your next stop. I promise you'll leave smiling!

    Walking up to Press Club Bar of Record, we were immediately drawn in--it had that cool, funky,…read moreeffortlessly hip vibe that makes you feel like you've stumbled onto something special. As tourists, we had no idea how intimate the space was (or that reservations are recommended even just for drinks!), so we felt incredibly lucky when a staff member took pity on us and offered an outside table. I wish I could remember his name--he truly made the experience. He brought so much energy and personality, setting the tone for the whole night. After scanning the QR codes on the "records" for the menu, we each ordered something different. I went with the Take Me Out--a mix of mezcal, pineapple, amontillado, tamarind, mango, coconut, and lime--and I was not prepared for just how delicious it would be. It was layered, refreshing, and completely memorable. The presentation and attention to detail were next-level. My drink arrived with a perfectly round ice sphere and was paired with a sugared, vegan mango gummy that added a fun, unexpected twist. Our host also elevated several of the drinks tableside--adding custom tinctures and even creating a smiley face with drops of oil and basil in one cocktail nearby. It felt thoughtful, creative, and a little theatrical in the best way. We spent the evening outside, enjoying incredible drinks, easy conversation, and a warm night under the stars. It was one of those experiences that just sticks with you. I'm already looking forward to my next trip to D.C.--and Press Club Bar of Record will absolutely be on my list to revisit. Highly recommend, and maybe make a reservation!

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    Inside

    Press Club Bar Of Record - Bar area

    Bar area

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    Astoria DC - Fried chicken wing flats

    Astoria DC

    4.3(630 reviews)
    0.9 miDupont Circle
    $$$

    Astoria completely lived up to the hype. It's one of those coveted DC reservations that's…read morenotoriously hard to get, and after having it on my list forever, I can confidently say it's 100% worth the wait. Tucked into the heart of Dupont Circle with its unmistakable bright blue awning, the restaurant is intimate, moody, and always buzzing. Inside, you'll find dim lighting, a handful of cozy wooden bar booths, seats along the bar, and a few outdoor tables. It's not a huge space, which only adds to its charm and makes every reservation feel like a win. The atmosphere is perfect for sharing dishes and lingering over dinner with friends. The food was incredible...I genuinely loved every single bite. Just be prepared: the Sichuan spice is no joke! If you aren't expecting it, it'll definitely sneak up on you (in the best way). My must-orders? The chili wontons, Dan Dan noodles, and beef noodles. Every dish was packed with bold flavor and left me wanting to come back for more. If you've been trying to score a reservation, keep at it. Astoria is one of those places that's absolutely deserving of its reputation, and I'll be thinking about those noodles until my next visit.

    There was a line waiting to go in before opening and I think it's still be easy to get a seat if…read moreyou arrive right at opening time but it definitely got filled by the time we left! Inside had small tables and a kinda casual cocktail bar vibe Beef Noodles - the highlight and actually very good! The noodles are long and handmade and chewy. They hold onto the sauce very well! The sauce has a slight kick and is very savory. The beef is soft and also flavorful! I feel the price for the portion is kinda expensive though 8/10 Chili wontons - skin is silky and soft, sauce is savory with a small kick as well! Even though the sauces look similar to beef noodle they taste very different. The fillings had good flavor and overall were good but were a bit tougher and dryer than I would prefer. 6/10 Crab fried rice - crab is slightly overcooked but naturally sweet. It has a light curry taste throughout and was pretty good but didn't really stand out 5.5/10 Mapo tofu - slight kick and nice savory taste in the sauce! However I think they cut the tofu pieces way too large or the tofu they chose had way too much tofu flavor that overpowers the sauce. I'd prefer a very light silky tofu but this was a soft tofu. 6/10 Vpod - at first it just tasted like orange juice but then the other flavors peek through on the after taste and when I mixed it more. Even though it was good, it still felt very basic 5/10 Philadelphia Scotsman - it's pretty ginger forward. Technically the level of ginger spice is fine but strong but then the rest of the drink got completely overpowered and so this just wasn't that great 2.5/10

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    Astoria DC - Interior dining space. Narrow but really nice on the inside.

    Interior dining space. Narrow but really nice on the inside.

    Astoria DC - Fried rice

    Fried rice

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    Death & Co DC - Fool's Gold

    Death & Co DC

    4.2(114 reviews)
    1.5 miShaw, Downtown
    $$$

    I've been eyeing this bar for several weeks now, and the other day, I finally decided it was time…read moreto give them a try. I know reservations are probably highly recommended, but we were fortunate to walk in at just the right moment and snag a seat. The seating is cozy and inviting, perfect for a relaxed evening. The atmosphere is just my style, an elegant, dark, grown and sexy vibe that really sets the mood. The decor is striking, with thoughtful touches that create an inviting space to unwind. While it leans a bit on the pricier side, the exceptional service more than justifies the cost. Jordan and the team were incredibly knowledgeable about both the drinks and food menu, offering suggestions that perfectly matched our tastes. We tried two standout drinks that I can't recommend enough: the Attractive Nuisance and El Tiburon, (which is an Old Fashioned made with gin). The bartenders here clearly know what they're doing, each drink was crafted with care and precision. The good music in the background added to the overall ambiance, making it a delightful spot to spend an evening.

    We were here to get drinks and apps to kickstart our friend's birthday celebration. Unfortunately,…read morewe didn't have a reservation for that evening. Because the last time we were here, we could find a seat easily. So never thought about making a reservation. As we walked in, the place was packed. Lucky we got a table in the corner for an hour. One of us had to stand unfortunately. Drinks were great but felt overpriced. Food was delicious too. Fried potatoes and tartar is a must have. The service was great. Ambiance is amazing as well. Slightly on the darker side in the inside. They also have outdoor seating.

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    Death & Co DC - Please and Thank You

    Please and Thank You

    Death & Co DC - Mutineer

    Mutineer

    Death & Co DC

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    Taqueria Al Lado - tacos - Updated July 2026

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