1. Meats & Foods
8.3
247 Florida Ave NW, Washington, D.C.
Hot Dog Joint · LeDroit Park · 9 tips and reviews
Washington Post: At Meats & Foods, the lowly Frito pie is among the nostalgic junk-food basics given the gourmet treatment with chili that’s made with love — and rich, fatty beef. Read more.
Jesse Thomas: Wow this is a hidden gem. Love everything about this place. Frito pie is of course awesome.
Behrad Eats: Everything here is great, we opted for the Chorizo topped with peppers and onions, Chili topped with cheese, and a Halfsmoke topped with bacon and jalapeños.
3. Jaleo
8.6
480 7th St NW (at E St NW), Washington, D.C.
Tapas Restaurant · Penn Quarter · 256 tips and reviews
Foodspotting: Try the Calamares fritos con alioli
William Donahoe: Get the Huevo Frito Con Caviar, Patatas Bravas, and Gambas Al Ajillo. The Sangria is excellent.
Devin Embil: The Arroz de pato 'Jean-Louis Palladin' and the Dátiles con tocino 'como hace todo el mundo' as far as drinks, the Cava sangria is a winner. A different taste with Cava and sparkling white wine.
4. El Rinconcito Cafe
8.9
1129 11th St NW (at M St NW), Washington, D.C.
Latin American Restaurant · Mount Vernon Square · 66 tips and reviews
Lucie Coureleciel: Excellent Fresh Home Made Food, anything on the menu is fresh and really tasty, they take the time to prepare it. Try the deserts as well.
Vincent Macaluso: Nachos so good you'll slap your mamacita.
Stirling Demby: This place is a hidden gem. Driven by it many times and finally decided to stop in. Smells incredible. The quesadilla is awesome.
6. Boqueria
8.6
1837 M Street, NW (at 19th St NW), Washington, D.C.
Spanish Restaurant · Connecticut Avenue - K Street · 129 tips and reviews
Claus Cibils: Very good food and attention, the cream croquets, alioli awesome and very nice claritas. Brings good memories of 8 years en S-pain.
Thrillist: Try the fried quail's egg and chorizo on toast, shoulder of young lamb with plums and yogurt, and braised rabbit in squid ink. Read more.
Behrad Eats: The squid ink vermicelli paella is a fantastic dish, if you're lucky enough to be there on a night they have it, its a must order item!
7. Los Cuates
7.2
1564 Wisconsin Ave NW (at Q St NW), Washington, D.C.
Mexican Restaurant · Georgetown · 30 tips and reviews
Shane R: The wait staff is amazingly attentive and quick. The guacamole is fabulous, as is the salsa. We had fajitas & were impressed with the freshness, quality and price. One of the best Mexican restaurants.
Behrad Eats: When you can't decide what to get, order everything! Enter Parillada Los Cuates: grilled steak, chicken, baby back ribs, and shrimp!
Jamie Hess: Guacamole is amazing!!!
11. Silvestre Cafe
7.1
3000 12th Street NE (Hamlin St.), Washington, D.C.
Latin American Restaurant · Brookland · 12 tips and reviews
David McCoy: Tamale and pork papoosa with the Bob Marley Mood Black Tea Nuff Said
Tyler Nelson: Corn tamales and Mexican coke, hot damn
Kriz Alin: Rotisserie chicken, plantains, tacos, tamales
Stefanie Spatola: Best dishes: tuna cheviche, brussels sprouts, camarones (shrimp), braised short ribs, chile en nogada (pablano stuffed pepper) and for dessert... de tres leches (amazing). Also get the fresh gauc.
Washington Post: This Mexican playground from creator Jose Andres is a trailblazer. Thanks to recent expansion next door, it's also more comfortable than ever.
Eater: Authentic Mexican food is not one of DC's strengths, but José Andrés does it justice at Penn Quarter's Oyamel — with, of course, the chef's signature twists. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
14. Cuba Libre
7.5
801 9th St NW, Suite A (at H St NW), Washington, D.C.
Cuban Restaurant · Downtown-Penn Quarter-Chinatown · 154 tips and reviews
Franco Fernandez: Great ambiance, food, and service. The Bacan is one of the smartest veg dishes in the DC, the Cafe Cubano is legit and the bay leaf in my frijoles blew my mind! They got so many things right!
Bryan Walton: Take a look at the new Rum list! Over 60 Rums!
Jen Horan: Service SO SLOW I had to take my food home with me when it finally arrived. Over half hour just to get a soda I asked for. Maybe since our server is the mayor he was too busy with foursquare? IDK