I liked it at Taberna Del Alabardero (in person, not take out).

Del Mar at the wharf serves excellent Spanish food. It comes with a price tag though.

I haven’t been to Jaleo in several years but Jose andres is my fav chef and I’m sure his paella is great too

Taberna del Alabardero has great Paella.

They opened a store /Market Cafe next door and for only $20 you get 2-3 portions .

Seafood + Chicken and chorizo + Vegetarian options .

In their restaurant probably 2-3X the price

Del Mar’s seafood paella, no question. The seafood is sourced from the same places as Fiola Maré, their sister restaurant (Fiola Maré being the best seafood in the city).

The paella at Del Mar is as close to perfect as I can imagine paella to be. It’s ruined every other paella in the city for me.

No, I’m not exaggerating. It’s worth the hefty price tag.

Boqueria or Bodega in Georgetown. Joselito is great for tapas and other spanish dishes, since I havent tried any paella there.

Don’t let anyone tell you in here an answer, I’m Cuban and from Florida and the answer is nothing now. There’s a place in Bethesda that’s not THAT bad by any means, worth it if you’re up there, but Colada for food is downright bad sometimes and certainly not scratching the itch, and Cuba Libre is overpriced and not amazing. Honestly the best version of what you might want that I’ve found is the Cuban Platter at Lauriol Plaza. It’s a super weird suggestion but it truly is the only good scratched itch .

So we LOVED Mi Cuba and our Cuban friend says the only place that is even in the same category is Sabor de Cuba in Frederick. We haven’t been yet but we trust her judgment.

Nothing in DC, I’m not Cuban but grew up in Miami…. Best shot for Cuban is Sabor de Cuba in Fredrick… run by great Cuban family …. REAL CUBAN BREAD…. Make it in house… best option in the DMV.

I enjoyed Castas Rum Bar this weekend! I don't know Cuban food well but I thought it was delicious

Not really Cuban, but the two Dominican brothers who own Mecho's and los Hermanos make a fantastic pernil, rice and black beans, maduros and empanadas.

This is the correct answer. Best street tacos in the district, also amazing birria, and don’t sleep on the torta.

In my opinion, Taqueria Distro Federal was better, cozier, and older and took me back to Mexico city more, but everyone's drive for the new hotness and Habanero opening across the street put them out of business. I haven't tried the new location way north.

Just walk into any spot along 14th in Columbia Heights.

Starting at Mi Casita, Tequila y Mezcal, Anafre, taqueria habanero, Mezcalero. And more a couple of blocks up from the last two.

Also, El Chucho in Columbia Heights really stepped up their food game to match their drinks game recently. All the tacos are good and their other dishes are also good in taste and size.

No, you’re definitely not the only one. Mexican food in DC proper sucks

Cielo Rojo is great but a bit more “highbrow”, not street-style. But tasty nonetheless.

This is the way! Literally all trash to meh. The reason for that is the majority of people from Mexico go to CA, AZ, NM, and TX. DC is mostly people from Central/South America. So different flavors and/or trying to re-create favorite Mexican foods we like.

The solis chef chains (Mezcalero, el sol, anafre, etc.) tends to have the best reputation. Lots of variety in price points too- good luck!

Best introduction to Quesabirria!

Nothing comes to mind that's actually in the city. But, La Casa del Mofongo in Silver Spring area is pretty great. You'll find the only proper Latino food style actually in DC is Salvadorean. The suburbs will have more varied options.

Wepa, boricua, bienvenid@! I moved here last year and always go to Los Hermanos in Columbia Heights when craving stuff from home, best arroz con gandules/pernil you'll find. They also have jugo de parcha natural/Malta India. For mofongo, as the others have said, La Casa del Mofongo in Silver Spring. There's also a restaurant near Eastern Market called Tortuga Caribbean Grill, their mofongo is also a killer. Alexandria has a food truck called Borinquen Box Lunch and they serve on Fridays a rotating menu (but they always have alcapurrias, empanadillas, and flan), it's really good too. If you like Medalla, it just arrived to the area and you can find it in many supermarkets.

La Casa del Mofongo in Silver Spring, MD and Mofongo Steakhouse & Grill in Woodbridge, Va are our favorites. There definitely should be more in the DMV area

I went to Mecho’s Dominican Kitchen in Ft. Lincoln several weeks ago and, while it is Dominican fare, their mofongo (truly PR style, not Mangú) with chicharrón (similar to chunks of chuletas Kan Kan) was very good. The menu also says they have chicharrón de pollo, pernil, tostones and bistec encebollado but I haven’t tried any of those yet. Bonus: heard they had Medalla beer as well. Buen provecho!

I know this is not near DC, but if you ever go to Virginia Beach, go to De Rican Chef. When we stay over there for the weekend or longer, we just have to eat at least twice there.

Around here, we live closer to Mofongo Steakhouse in Woodbridge, but we like more La Casa del Mofongo.

It's not the response you're looking for, but I'd start getting into other Latin American cuisines that are better represented in this area, like Salvadorean, Columbian, Peruvian.

Also, just because it hasn't been mentioned, Tacos Y Tortas on Columbia Pike has pretty decent tacos, but nothing that's going to remind you of home.

I should say, I feel your pain! I am from an area that is world famous for a certain cuisine and I have given up eating that cuisine outside of my hometown. I am the kind of person to get really annoyed by poor facsimiles of great food and would rather have nothing at all. Which is why I eat limited Mexican food in the DMV.

Others have mentioned trying other Latin American foods. Maybe because of my aforementioned inclination for grumpiness, I find those make me feel worse. I know Salvadoran food is beloved, but I find it mostly bland and unsatisfying because what I really want is excellent Mexican food and they really are very, very different.

We have this question every few weeks. There are basically 2 camps:

1. People who think there is no really good Mexican food in DC.
2. People who insist that X place in MD or VA is so authentic and good, it’s worth the trip.

As a Californian, I have not found a Mexican restaurant in the DMV that is as good as the food in CA. I just make sure to have some really good Mexican food when I visit CA and the rest of the time I make my own at home.

1. Lower your standards
2. That said, Taqueria Habanero and Taqueria Xochi are both very good. And if you feel like venturing to Baltimore, Clavel is also very good.

Seems like a lot of suggestions for El Sol, will absolutely add it to the list. Thank you

Surprised nobody has said Mi Cuba Cafe. Best Cuban food in DC, which isn't saying much, but I moved here from Miami and still think it holds its own really well.

El Chalan in downtown is good Peruvian. But Peruvian is not the same as like pan-latin american like you're asking.

Since you are grouped Peruvian & Latin together, I'd go out and recommend Los Hermanos in Columbia Heights. It's actually Dominican but very good home cooking served cafeteria style with big portions. FWIW, my Cuban friend from Miami loves it as well.

> I once dated a Peruvian chick on a cruise in the Caribbean

Did it just last the span of the cruise?

Anyways, go to Pollo Rico in Arlington. My fav Peruvian rotisserie chicken in the area.

Sardis in College Park

Reset the counter. Cielo Rojo on Takoma Park or Los Patroncitos food truck that bounces between Hellbender and Streetcar 82. Nothing else compares.

Source: LA Native

I like Mezcalero in Columbia Heights a lot. Also Hyattsville has the best hole in the wall taco places as thats where the biggest Mexicans population is.

I can’t believe not one of you has mentioned Tacos El Chilango on V St. It’s such a stellar hole-in-the-wall.

That was for positive karma. Now for something that will get me shot. It’s no where near as good as you’re used to, but District Taco now has California burritos.

That’s if you’re in a pinch and need fries in a burrito.

Muchas Gracias 5029 Connecticut Ave NW . The entire menu is always amazing.

I mean ....we are on the east coast far far far away from Mexico so why wouldn't you get the "east coast" version lol

I’m from Florida moved here 10 years ago. There is very few if any good Latino Caribbean spots in the DMV.

Edit: my favorite is probably los hermanos a Dominican cafeteria style place in Columbia Heights.

Qui Qui on 7th st NW!

Qui qui Que Rico La Famosa

I'm from Florida and moved here a year ago, so I also ask this

following, I'm also coming from florida interested in this

If you’re open to dishes outside of paella and/or tapas, see if the menu for Mfk appeals to you. Very small spot with great food.

Unpopular opinion, Emilio’s in Hillside. Unpopular only because it’s not within the city and not accessible via public transit. Was there last night. Their food is awesome! And their Paella is awesome, worth the wait.

Boqueria is somewhat of a chain and has better food than Ba Ba Reeba. That place has an amazing happy hour and that’s the only time I’d go.

Tapas Barcelona in Evanston is our favorite Spanish place.

Yes. I saw Little Madrid had better reviews than BBR, especially newer ones. I have a feeling I'll be changing my reservation! Thank you!

I dream about their grilled octopus often. so gooood.

I used to live in Spain, and I'm always lamenting the lack of affordable Spanish food here. Little Madrid is a worthy splurge for the quality though.