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    Best places for tapas in Washington, D.C.

    Great tapas restaurants in the Washington, D.C., metro area

    By Jake Emen | Yahoo! Contributor Network – Tue, Jul 26, 2011
    This story comes from the Yahoo! Contributor Network, where individuals publish their unique perspectives on some of the world’s most popular websites.
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    Going out for a dinner of tapas and assorted small plates can be great with a family, for a group of friends or for a romantic night on the town. Washington D.C. has a wide variety of tapas restaurants both downtown and in the surrounding metro area. Here are some of the best places for tapas in Washington D.C.

    Zaytinya -- 701 9th Street NW, Washington, DC, (202) 638-0800

    Jose Andres offers up Mediterranean influenced tapas at Zaytinya, focusing particularly on Turkish, Greek and Lebanese influences. The wide-open space also features a large bar area. Enjoy the fluffy, hot pita-pocket style bread that's served as you sit, but leave room for the great tapas and drinks to come.

    Oyamel -- 401 7th Street NW, Washington, DC, (202) 628-1005

    Oyamel is another Jose Andres restaurant. This one serves Mexican inspired dishes, including tapas style small plates known as antojitos, or street snacks. Inside you'll find a Frida Kahlo inspired restaurant, and a drink menu that's definitely worth your attention with the Oyamel margarita featuring salt air and Ponche, a traditional Mexican drink.

    Cava -- 9713 Traville Gateway Drive, Rockville, MD, (301) 309-9090

    The strip mall location in suburban Rockville might not seem to inspire great food, but Cava has gained recognition across the entire DC metro area for their great food and drink. They have lots of creative menu and beverage options, and serve Greek tapas. Cava now also has a location in Capitol Hill at 527 8th St SE.

    La Tasca -- Locations in Rockville, Arlington, Alexandria and DC

    La Tasca offers up a large, diverse selection of Spanish tapas. They have a handful of different paellas available, and nearly a dozen different sangrias to indulge in. Keep a lookout for specials offered up at different locations, including unlimited tapas deals and various discounts.

    Jaleo -- Locations in Bethesda, Crystal City and Downtown DC

    You guessed it, Jose Andres back for more action. Jaleo offers Spanish tapas, rounding out the collection offered by Zaytinya and Oyamel. You'll find everything from a selection of paellas and sangrias to a variety of other Spanish fare.

    Bodega -- 3116 M Street NW, Washington, DC, (202) 333-4733

    Located in Georgetown, Bodega thrives from its dark black and red interior, that's equal part restaurant, lounge and bar. They serve a large selection of Spanish tapas and have a small outdoor area as well. It's also a great place to grab a quick drink and just hang out for a bit.

    Relic -- 4936 Fairmont Ave, Bethesda, MD, (301) 656-1209

    Relic is owned and operated by the same folks at Bodega, and you'll a different take on eye-catching decor and style, and a restaurant that once again operates as a lounge. Come early and grab a seat on a comfy leather couch and enjoy some more rustic tapas, including lots of burgers and steak options.

     

    28 comments

    • Daniel
      Daniel  •  9 mths ago
      Jaleo and La Tasca are both very average. I'd go to Guardado's in Bethesda over both.
      • dmichael66
        dmichael66 9 mths ago
        clearly you know little about food.
      • audaifan
        audaifan 9 mths ago
        Guardados is delicious and you are quite rude.
    • coogan
      coogan  •  9 mths ago
      La Tasca?? Are you kidding me? It's like the Olive Garden of Tapas restaurants. What is up with this guy?
    • LaShell
      LaShell  •  9 mths ago
      Zaytinya I would totally agree with. I've eaten there many times and loved the food always. The selection of dishes with their Middle Eastern influence are amazing. But Jaleo and La Tasca left something to be desired. The atmosphere in both places were great but I thought the food was too fatty and greasy.
      • what
        what 9 mths ago
        did u mean mediterranean
    • AkwasiC
      AkwasiC  •  9 mths ago
      Cava is completely amazing.
    • Pablo P
      Pablo P  •  9 mths ago
      I've been to most and agree with nearly all the choices... however, La Tasca shouldn't be on there--it's an abomination to tapas. Las Tapas in Old Town, like Ron T mentioned, should be.
    • Dan
      Dan  •  9 mths ago
      Tapas in the DC area are not that good, tapas are pretty much overpriced little plates for yuppies and yuppies wannabes in neighborhoods affected by gentrification. You want to try real ethnic food, go to a little hole in the wall restaurant. Not too many of those in DC, you need to go into VA or MD in places like Wheaton or Springfield for real tasty food, not for big plates with little food and a lot of nothing.
    • LG
      LG  •  9 mths ago
      Thanks, but risking life and limb to go into a $hi7h0le like DC for tapas is not at all appealing.
      • portnoy
        portnoy 9 mths ago
        If that's what you think of DC, we don't want you entering the city anyway.
      • Michael
        Michael 9 mths ago
        You've never been to DC have you.
      • dmichael66
        dmichael66 9 mths ago
        stay in the suburbs sheep.
    • Katherine
      Katherine  •  9 mths ago
      This guy probably doesn't even live in DC -- La Tasca's food is a joke....
    • Kat
      Kat  •  9 mths ago
      Agree with the other comments. I do like Jaleo, but that’s because it’s around the corner from me and I usually get good service there (Arlington). La Tasca in Chinatown almost ruined my first date with my husband. The waitress spilled sangria on his shirt AND knocked some food of my plate and she didn’t notice and walked away. I had to call her back and she didn’t replace it.

      We tried Bodega a few months ago and I wasn’t impressed. While the service was ok, the food was SO salty; I couldn’t finish my meal.

      Has anyone else been to Agora on 17th in DC? I’ve been in the evening once and it was a pleasant experience with friends, wine and tasty small plate dishes. And their pice fixe brunch is one of the best in town! I highly recommend it.
    • Joey D
      Joey D  •  9 mths ago
      By including Jaleo and La Tasca, the author reveals him/herself as having no taste...buds. Sure, these places are popular by virtue of their ambiance and location, but for truly great tapas they fall far short. Then again, you can get me to eat their food after a few pitchers of their happy hour sangria. Guess they've figured it out.
    • DrewPBalzac
      DrewPBalzac  •  9 mths ago
      Graffiato is putting out some nice plates now that it is open. Former Zaytinya chef's new place.
    • Laura
      Laura  •  9 mths ago
      What about Estadio???
    • Aunt Blabby
      Aunt Blabby  •  9 mths ago
      Aunt Blabby likes pie.
    • Thomas
      Thomas  •  9 mths ago
      I've eaten at MANY tapas places in the DC area and my favorite by far is Guardado's. La Tasca is average if you eat at the right one in DC. The other locations are HORRIBLE.
    • A Yahoo! User  •  9 mths ago
      Bummed by the negative comments about La Tasca, I have to say their Sangria is amazing and their tapas are quite delicious. Plus the waitstaff is exceptional. Something to be said about a knowledgeable and pleasant staff, that's for sure.
    • Michael
      Michael  •  9 mths ago
      I work right by Cava, they are indeed awesome!
    • ingo
      ingo  •  9 mths ago
      over a $ 100 for ordinary dishes for two???
      No taste and no brains
    • MarkS
      MarkS  •  9 mths ago
      Unfortunately, the list did not include "Panache"; this place is a real gem!!!
    • joseph t
      joseph t  •  9 mths ago
      Zantinya was the first to come to mind, a little pricey ($100+ for two). Grasshopper (yes, the insect) tacos at Oyamel were fun but tasted like lemony salt and a little texture, sorry not much to report there other than the "gross-out" factor which was fun.
    • Ron T
      Ron T  •  9 mths ago
      so why isn't Las Tapas in Old Town Alexandria on the list. I mean really the freaking name is Tapas not to mention where else can you sit right in front of Flamenco dancers for free two night a week. As though only Bethesda and Arlington have restaurants.
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