D.C.’s Destination Spanish Restaurants

From tapas to pintxos to paella, these places reign supreme for Spanish cuisine

by Tim Ebner Sep 26, 2018, 11:50am EDT

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by Tim Ebner Sep 26, 2018, 11:50am EDT

Spaniards know a simple rule in life: Good food doesn’t have to be overly complicated or fussy. Instead, it has to be made fresh, from the highest quality ingredients, and paired with the perfect wine, beer, or cider.

Luckily for DC diners, Spanish cooking—reminiscent of Madrid, San Sebastian, or Barcelona—can be found locally, thanks to a plethora of options that excel at the cuisine.

Whether you’re in the mood for sidra (Basque cider) and pintxos (northern Spain’s version of tapas) or prefer tortilla española paired with the perfect glass of Tempranillo, there’s likely going to be a Spanish restaurant somewhere in DC that feels like it’s somewhere on the Iberian peninsula.

Note: Restaurants on this map are listed geographically, from north to south.

La Malinche

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Sitting in plain sight in Silver Spring is La Malinche, a half-Spanish, half-Mexican tapas bar known for its happy hour specials, like $20 pitchers of sangria and $5 glasses of Tempranillo.

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8622 Colesville Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20910

(301) 562-8622

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Anxo Cidery & Tasting Room

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Tucked into an alley off Kennedy Street is Anxo’s main cidery which serves up traditional Basque ciders, as well as its own batched varieties. For an expanded look at Basque culinary favorites, like bacalao (salted cod) and squid ink croquettes, head to Anxo’s original bar, located at 3rd and Florida Avenue, NW.

711 Kennedy St NW, Washington, DC 20011

(202) 722-2696

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Barcelona Wine Bar Cathedral Heights

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Yes, this is a chain restaurant, but Barcelona Wine Bar does not compromise on quality. The Spanish charcuterie and cheese options take up half the menu, and its newest DC location, in Cathedral Heights, is less noisy and crowded than its 14th Street companion.

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3310 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016

(202) 800-4100

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Mola

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One of the newest additions for Spanish cuisine in DC is Mola. The space here feels bright and cheery, albeit a bit cramped, and it seems to have taken hold as a go-to neighborhood spot for Mount Pleasant. Menu highlights include an extensive sherry list, paellas, and spicy patatas bravas.

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3155 Mt Pleasant St NW, Washington, DC 20010

(202) 849-3247

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Estadio

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Along 14th Street, Estadio stands tall as the best Spanish restaurant. The bar is known for serving up boozy slushies, expertly-made gin and tonics, and porrons meant for chugging. Meanwhile, the menu sticks to Spanish classic fare, like tortilla española, sardine filets, and Cantabrian anchovies served in Spanish olive oil.

1520 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20005

(202) 319-1404

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Boqueria Spanish Tapas - Washington, D.C.

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Sitting at the bar at Boqueria feels somewhat like a busy counter or bar experience in Seville or Madrid. Off in the corner is a leg of Jamón ibérico, and it’s one of the few places where to find Kas soda (a Spanish favorite). For a fun all-you-can-eat experience, visit the restaurant for brunch on Saturday or Sunday, when the menu becomes bottomless.

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1837 M St NW, Washington, DC 20036

(202) 552-0392

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Taberna del Alabardero

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Taberna del Alabardero feels more like a Spanish castle than a downtown dining room. The walls are ornately decorated in rich red wallpaper and there are old-school portraits hanging everywhere. Whether it’s lunch, brunch, or dinner, this is one of Washington’s oldest institutions for classic Spanish cuisine.

1776 I St NW, Washington, DC 20006

(202) 429-2200

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Jaleo

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Where would Washington be without José Andrés? DC certainly would be lacking in Spanish cuisine. Jaleo is Andrés’s stand out spot for fun and playful takes on traditional Spanish fare. And no visit is complete without an order of jamón sliders, made from acorn-fed, black-footed Ibérico pigs.

480 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20004

(202) 628-7949

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Pamplona

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Last year, Clarendon got a fancy new Spanish restaurant named for Hemingway’s favorite city in northern Spain—Pamplona. As the name implies, dishes skew northern in influence — the Basque region, to be specific. Favorites include pintxos, patatas bravas, Serrano ham with olive oil ice cream, and horchata flan.

3100 Clarendon Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201

(703) 685-9950

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Joselito Casa de Comidas

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This family-owned establishment run by Javier Candon and Christiana Campos brings Madrid to Capitol Hill. Executive chef David Sierra happens to hail from Spain’s capital and offers a three-course menu of dishes found frequently there. It’s called “menu del dia” and is offered at lunch for $22.

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660 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Washington, DC 20003

(202) 930-6955

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Joselito Casa de Comidas on Capitol Hill.

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SER Restaurant

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This year’s rainy weather, caused SER to take a brief hiatus for roof repairs due to a pipe burst and water damage. Fortunately this Ballston restaurant is back in action serving a new chef’s menu—a six course menu that pairs Spanish wines to Spanish dishes.

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1110 N Glebe Rd, Arlington, VA 22201

(703) 746-9822

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Del Mar de Fabio Trabocchi

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Looking out at the water from Del Mar, it’s easy to image a seaside city like Barcelona. Maria and Fabio Trabocchi were some of the first restaurateurs to open at The Wharf, and now Del Mar has turned into a critically acclaimed spot for Spanish fine dining. Can’t-miss dishes include the seafood paella and churros served in a rich chocolaty sauce.