1. Boqueria
8.9
777 9th St NW, Washington, D.C.
Tapas Restaurant · Downtown-Penn Quarter-Chinatown · 4 tips and reviews
Elizabeth Burstein: Loved the bfast paella, the meat and cheese plate, cherry lime sangria, shishito peppers
D F: Take green beans and meatballs for kids. Consider patatas brevas as filler but since portions so big- no need
Joaco M: Service and their tapas are awesome!
2. Jaleo
8.4
480 7th St NW (at E St NW), Washington, D.C.
Tapas Restaurant · Penn Quarter · 256 tips and reviews
Washington Blade: Our dining writer says: 'serving up the Sakura D.C., a cocktail comprised of gin, cherry blossom syrup and Triple sec' during Cherry Blossom Festival Read more.
Jeff Grandstaff: Everything we had tasted awesome. Spicy shrimp, pork tenderloin and shrimp paella. Yum!
Washingtonian Magazine: Tapas we’ve been loving for years include goat-cheese-stuffed red peppers, crusty bread rubbed with tomatoes & layered with thinly sliced Manchego, a textbook gazpacho, & warm dates wrapped in bacon.
3. The Round Robin Bar
7.6
1401 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, D.C.
Hotel Bar · Downtown-Penn Quarter-Chinatown · 33 tips and reviews
JL: They have the best blue cheese stuffed olives I have ever tasted 🍸
Library Lady: “You adopt the universal habit of the place and call for a mint-julep, a whiskey-skin, a gin-cocktail...for the conviviality of Washington sets in at an early hour,” wrote Nathaniel Hawthorne in 1862
Jay Solly: Jim Hewes is one of the best bartenders in DC. Great history from this guy.
6. Penn Commons
700 6th St NW, Washington, D.C.
American Restaurant · Chinatown · 27 tips and reviews
Elle Brick: This is our favorite pre wiz game spot. Incredibly reasonable prices for great beers and the apps are delicious. The bbq chicken egg rolls and the dips are our favorites.
Washington Post: Get the pulled-pork hand pies with Carolina barbeque sauce. The crispy, meaty pies are big enough that you could order them with a side and call it a meal. Read more.
Behrad Eats: The Pulled Pork Hand Pies with Carolina Sauce are a great bar snack to accompany the great beer selection.
7. Rosa Mexicano
575 7th St NW (at F St NW), Washington, D.C.
Mexican Restaurant · Penn Quarter · 123 tips and reviews
David Ray: The Guacamole en Molcajete (which is prepared table side) is a must. Ordered the Mole de Xico enchiladas which was very good. Also recommend ordering one of their margaritas (La Tradicional)
Melinda Gibson: Some of the best Margaritas in DC and table side guacamole.
Tina Anthony: Get the guac made at your table, if eating that doesn't make you happy you are hopeless.
8. Art and Soul
7.6
415 New Jersey Ave NW (btwn D & E Sts. NW), Washington, D.C.
Southern Food Restaurant · Downtown-Penn Quarter-Chinatown · 106 tips and reviews
Maggie A.: Drink the Lincoln's Garden (Hendrick's gin, basil, chili oil). Eat the fried green tomato ahi tuna and whatever your waiter/waitress recommends. They know their stuff.
Behrad Eats: No questions about it, must get the fried chicken. The breading has the perfect crunchiness to it and the chicken is very moist and juicy.
Jeff Surprenant: Get the Picnic Basket Ho Cake!
10. Zaytinya
9.0
701 9th St NW (at G St. NW), Washington, D.C.
Mediterranean Restaurant · Downtown-Penn Quarter-Chinatown · 414 tips and reviews
Lynn Miller: If they have the cucumber soup special, try it! Pom Fili drink was great, not too strong, despite the vodka & triple sec.
Eater: The buzzy restaurant has delicious brussels sprouts, flatbread and octopus small plates, and a number of fun festivals throughout the year, celebrating events like Greek Easter. Read more.
Kara Allan: Shrimp with Dill, Escargot, Crab Cakes and Scallops are the best!