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    Bodega Spanish Tapas & Lounge

    3.6 (1.1k reviews)
    ModerateTapas Bars, Spanish
    Closed 12:00 pm - 10:00 PM

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    BODEGA SPANISH TAPAS & LOUNGE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Trendy
    Good for groups
    Outdoor seating

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    Red sangria
    Melanie N.

    Bodega is a cute tapas spot right in the heart of Georgetown. Not a bad place to stop by for a quick bite or to enjoy happy hour to wait out the traffic (that's what I did). I thought the service was basic, but I really had to hand it to them on friendliness. They let me use the restroom without having to pay for anything first, which is much appreciated when you have to go. So I didn't mind spending a few bucks with the establishment. I have to say, the food was just okay. It didn't blow me away. I got the bistek a la plancha and the red sangria (I forgot to take pictures before dogging in ). I sat at the bar, and I could tell that the bartender was a bit distracted, but it took away from the overall experience (i.e. waiting for a steak knife, having to ask for bread, waiting for salt and pepper etc.) I'd go more for the ambiance and location over the quality of the food. Just my take. Hope this helps!

    Pan con Tomate y Queso Manchego
    Sehar M.

    This place is wonderful! One of my favorites is the octopus. My friends and I shared a bunch of tapas. We got the gambas al ajillo, calamari, chicken croquettes, pan with manchego cheese. Everything was great although the chicken croquettes seemed slightly unflavored and could have used a sauce. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The ambiance is great and they had decorations for Halloween.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The service was also great, especially for a Saturday night. For anyone looking for Spanish tapas in the Georgetown area, this is a great spot!

    Erica W.

    Decided to enjoy happy hour but it was so so. Everything from the service to the food and cocktails left a lot to be desired. In the middle of Georgetown, they had a steady flow of patrons. Happy hour is only at the bar My friend ordered a hibiscus margarita and some Gambas Al Ajillo which essentially is thawed shrimp in olive oil - something that could've been made at home. The first margarita was very light and tasted completely like juice but the 2nd was a tad stronger. I ordered a red wine sangria which was just that - red wine with apples - and Datiles Con Tocino - crispy bacon wrapped dates. They were pretty tasty but fried a little too crispy. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The atmosphere is nice and chic but not necessarily a place I would choose to 'have a good time'[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

    Eric B.

    The food was delicious overall. The cheese platter for $15 was disappointing with a few different cheeses, had to ask for crackers and bread to enjoy it properly. No one dish stood out as excellent with the exception of Pimientos del piquilla rellenos... very tasty. We were seated next to the cashier stand and endured the loud gossiping of the cashier who prevented waiters from refilling water or asking if we needed anything else. [[HIGHLIGHT]]In addition to other diners listening to IG post full volume, it made for an unnerving dining experience.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Not so quaint for a Sunday evening.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I think the owner, seated us because no one at the hostess stand was paying attention to our entree into the restaurant. Try and judge for yourself.

    Traditional sausage
    Richard H.

    This is my first time trying a Spanish restaurant. I have to say Spanish food has its own taste even though it seems really similar to other European or American food visually. However the way how it was seasoned is really different. I think if you have not tried, you should try it. The service is good. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The decoration with bullfighting theme is very unique.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Spanish seafood rice dish is the winner after all. I like this restaurant.

    Patatas Bravas
    Ryan B.

    We had Easter Sunday lunch at La Bodega, and it was such a great experience from start to finish. [[HIGHLIGHT]]We sat out on the back patio and pretty much had the whole place to ourselves--it was peaceful and relaxing.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Our server was super friendly and attentive, which made everything even better. We kicked things off with drinks--a pomegranate-tini that was light and fruity, and a Caipirinha that was perfectly refreshing with lime, sugar, and cachaça. Both hit the spot. For tapas, we tried a bunch of dishes and loved them all: * Camarones a la Plancha - Grilled shrimp cooked just right with olive oil and garlic. Simple, juicy, and full of flavor. * Chorizo de la Casa - Their house-made Spanish chorizo was delicious--crispy on the outside, smoky, and just a little spicy. * Patatas Bravas - Crispy fried potatoes with a spicy brava sauce and creamy aioli. Crunchy on the outside, fluffy inside--total comfort food with a kick. * Pulpo a la Plancha - Grilled octopus with a nice char, super tender, and served with olive oil and herbs. Really tasty and not chewy at all. * Dátiles con Tocino - Sweet dates wrapped in crispy bacon with a little cheese inside. Sweet, salty, and kind of addictive. * Setas a la Plancha - Grilled mushrooms with garlic and parsley. Earthy and savory, with a great meaty texture. We also had the house bread with olive oil, and wow--it was so good. Fluffy inside, crispy outside, and super light. We could've eaten a whole basket of it. Overall, the food was awesome--everything was flavorful, well-cooked, and nicely portioned. Not too spicy, not bland--just right. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Great service, great food, and a chill vibe on the patio.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Definitely recommend checking out La Bodega if you're in the mood for tapas and want to try something different than the other Georgetown restaurants.

    Setas A La Plancha
    Kaya A.

    Everything was off. The best thing about the Paella Marinera con Bogavante was the rice. Which, for a seafood paella, is not okay. The texture was all wrong, and I barely got any meat in the lobster, I felt scammed. The price seemed like a blatant attempt to overcharge tourists who don't know any better. This was my first time eating dinner in Georgetown. A place that, as someone who lives in DC, has never felt very welcoming to the working class. Unless proven otherwise, I feel this part of town is a scam in itself, designed to get you to spend as much as possible in one outing. So, it makes sense that this restaurant relies on its location to make up for the lack of quality in its food. Fancy mall food. The Setas a la Plancha tasted like they were just reheated, and if you didn't eat them quickly, they went cold. The Bistek a la Plancha was overwhelmingly salty. The Pulpo a la Plancha had the oddest chew, and the potatoes were hard and grainy. The biggest plus of my experience was the cleanliness and atmosphere of the building, as well as the kind service.

    Seafood paella
    Lacey L.

    Last minute reservation for our last night in DC. Wow. This place is a must. Their Croquetas were amazing. If my kid wasn't a fan of dates before this, eating their Dátiles con Tocino means he is now. They were so good! My favorite had to be the tomato bread with Serrano. The star of the night goes to their Paella Marinera con Bogavante. All the seafood in it just sings to your little Spanish heart! It also paired pretty well with the red sangria. Im kind of glad this place is on the other side of the country from me...if it was closer it could be dangerous, I would want to go all the time! DC is so lucky!

    Brian S.

    This place is really just soso. More of a touristy restaurant I think. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Pretty inside and on a very buzzy location of Georgetown with pretty ambiance.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The food was lacking in quality and either had lack of, or strange off flavors. House salad had brown ends. Gazpacho wasn't bad but not good either. Lacked the yummy punch of Jaleo's. Potato bravas Romesco sauce had little flavor. The chorizo with peppers and the lamb chops weren't bad though. I'll try another Spanish restaurant next time.

    Starr D.

    [[HIGHLIGHT]]Great place for happy hour or hangout with friends.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Convenient location, easy access when in Georgetown, DC. Walkable with nearby parking garage if needed. [[HIGHLIGHT]]narrow space inside , typical DC vibe, felt a bit tight especially when the waiters started to walking around in faster pace.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Dark interior with slight European decor...interesting and fun to look at.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We ordered steak, shrimp, lamb chops, rosters pepper and bread with cheese, along with drinks. The quality of the foods were great. Meats were juicy & not over cooked. Shrimps was tasty but not very special, so was the Spanish bread with cheese. Steak was full of flavor and easy to chew. Service was attentive but lack of warmth, missing the personal touch to it, we felt just like a number on the clicker. If you like tapas like I do, this place is OKAY, & not great. 仅供参考

    Shrimp
    Taylor D.

    Everything here was absolutely delicious! We came later in the evening and the staff was so friendly and helpful with the recommendations. We opted in for the 2 for $120 special where we could choose two cold appetizers, three hot tapas, and paella, and a dessert for $120. We tried the: bread tapas one with goat cheese and honey, the other with tomato and prosciutto, the garlic shrimp, lamb chops (not pictured but highly recommend), and the calamari. For the paella we chose the seafood paella which came packed with seafood it was amazing. Everything here is highly recommended it was so flavorful and tasted authentic. I would definitely come back when I find myself in Georgetown.

    Wall art!

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    2 months ago

    Amazing food! Even better service and the drinks are amazing. Definitely recommend to anyone visiting DC!

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    3 months ago

    Incredible food, the kindest waitstaff, and [[HIGHLIGHT]]a great vibe[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] love it here! frequent returner for years!!!!

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    Bodega Spanish Tapas & Lounge Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Bodega Spanish Tapas & Lounge

    Can I bring a baby?

    I don't see why not

    When is Happy Hour? What are the specials?

    Available Sunday – Friday: 4pm to 7PM ----- Drinks:… 

    Do they have live flamenco? If so what days?

    Hello, Bodega has live Flamenco Every Thursday from 7-9PM and every Saturday and Sunday from 1-3PM… 

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    Boqueria Dupont - Gambas al Ajillo

    Boqueria Dupont

    4.0(1.7k reviews)
    1.0 miDowntown
    $$$
    Outdoor seating
    Private events

    Came to Boqueria during DC's Winter Restaurant Week and had a great time! It was a good deal too,…read moreand I left so full. Started off with the "Taste of Spain" which included Pan con tomate, Aged manchego, Jamón Ibérico de bellota, and Boquerones con naranja. Since I couldn't eat the latter two, the server said they could double the first two, which was so appreciated. For my first course, I chose the Escalivada (fire-roasted eggplant, red pepper, labne yogurt, fresh herbs, olive oil, served with focaccia) and Croquetas de setas (creamy mushroom croquettes with truffle aioli). The Escalivada was tasty, but more on the tangy side; the bread was more crostini-like than focaccia. The Croquetas were so good: creamy, savory, umami inside and crunchy outside. Next, I got the Zanahorias (spiced baby carrots, sweet and sour reduction, orange honey yogurt, mojo verde, Marcona almonds) and Patatas bravas (crispy potatoes, salsa brava, pimentón, garlic aioli). When I tell you those carrots had me dreaming about them later, I'm not kidding- all of the different flavor combos paired with the perfectly cooked carrots were amazing. The Patatas bravas was pretty classic- crispy potatoes with creamy aioli and tangy tomato sauce. Finally, for dessert, I had the Tarta de naranja (orange olive oil cake, citrus-honey yogurt), and my friend had the Tarta vasca de chocolate (Basque chocolate cheesecake, macerated strawberries, chantilly cream). Both were tasty, but the Tarta de naranja was so good: perfectly dense cake, refreshing citrus, and great contrast with the yogurt. For my drink, I got the Forget-Me-Not refrescante (butterfly pea flower, thyme, honey, lime, ginger beer). Very interesting drink, not sure I'd order again but it was good. Service was great, super willing to accommodate my vegetarian dietary restrictions. Ambiance is really nice, very modern and elegant. Very accessible by metro, just a short walk from the station. 10/10 would recommend!

    First... man the chairs were UNCOMFY. Theres two types of stools and the padded one feels slightly…read moreslanted forward and small. But anyways Paella was delicious, the flavor profile was super fun. We got the short rib and seafood, and we all preferred seafood as the short rib was a bit heavy. The fish in it was crispy and so good, especially with the green sauce- nice herby and refreshing contrast. The figs were interesting and fun. But not that filling... I did not like the patatas... sauce was good but the potato itself had none of its own seasoning and was tough. Yes crispy but not pillowy inside. The octopus was delicious and super tender. Would come back for seafood paella and charcuterie.

    Photos
    Boqueria Dupont - Shishito Margarita

    Shishito Margarita

    Boqueria Dupont - Paella De Mariscos

    Paella De Mariscos

    Boqueria Dupont - Brócoli con Ajo Blanco

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    Brócoli con Ajo Blanco

    Taberna del Alabardero - Paella de Langosta 
 with Lobster, Shrimp, Mussels and Clams

    Taberna del Alabardero

    3.8(685 reviews)
    1.1 miDowntown
    $$$

    3.5 stars but bumped for 4 for the cocktails, space, and service. Came to Taberna on a Monday…read moreevening and had an overall nice time. Service was great and attentive throughout with multiple waiters serving our table and the space is beautiful and cozy. It wasn't too crowded around 5:30 when we came and wasnt too busy overall. We left a little before 8 and it never got too loud or too crowded. I think walking in without a reservation would be fairly easy. They have a great cocktail list and I really enjoyed mine! It was a unique cherry and almond flavored drink while my friend went for a cucumber type drink. Both great. We shared 4 tapas which were surprisingly quite large and ended up being plenty for the both of us. We did patatas bravas, mushroom croquettes, fried manchego, and calamari. The tapas were good/average but nothing to rave about. Our bill came to about $120 which is probably about standard now but felt overpriced for what we got. They do a 20% service charge with 5% being operational and only 15% going to staff. Not my favorite...I dont mind a service charge but burying an operational charge into it made us confused on whether the expectation was to still tip or not. I wish restaurants were more transparent about this. I wouldn't come back for a full dinner but drinks were nice and service was great so I'd consider spotting in for a happy hour if in the area. Worth a try overall. I hope they consider giving their servers the full 20% of the service charge. 5% for operations should really be baked into the prices or otherwise listed separately.

    We came to DC for a long weekend and because I didn't know how the flught would go I didnt make any…read morereservations uoon arrival and decided to wing it. We passed Taberna Del Alabardero on the walk from the subway to the hotel. It looked festuve, pretty and there was outside seating. We glanced at the menu and decided to go back. The staff were friendly, attentive and provided great service. The first place I've been where they poured Gray Goose in my glass in front of me. Fantastic! The decor inside was beautiful and my favorite color, green. The pictures on the wall and the colorful drapes with wood accents made it very spanish and kund of historical lookimg. The food was amazing! We ordered the octopus off the main menu and 2 items off a June experice menu. The octopus tasted smoked to me. I ordered because based on what I read about the restaurant I felt they would do it well.. and they did! The potatoes needed a touch of salt for us, but we are salt people. The Croquetas were so creamy and delicious with the garlic shrimp. The cream cheese on the toast set off the flavors of the carleized onions and whisky reduction pork. The coup de grâce was the Cheesecake desset. It was warm and a combo of airy and dense. The granny smith apples on the side were tart and pallet clensing. So good! We also received shirtbread cookies and a chocolate cookie thing that were delicious! The prices are on the expensive side, but definitely worth it. Great place for sharung and date night.

    Photos
    Taberna del Alabardero
    Taberna del Alabardero
    Taberna del Alabardero - Pulpo/octopus

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    Pulpo/octopus

    Atxondo - Fingerling potatoes and Panfried Salmon

    Atxondo

    4.8(104 reviews)
    3.3 mi
    $$

    I went to Atxondo hoping to taste the work of a Basque chef, and found out that the new chef is…read morefrom El Salvador, but has studied cookery in Spain. After having a full meal with cocktails, appetizer, entree, dessert and coffee (about $70 per person), I concluded that Atxondo will be a definite future destination for Happy Hour and light bites, but that my full meal dining dollars will be spent elsewhere. The Patatas Bravas (Fingerling Potatoes) were outstanding, with their two tasty sauces and rich, crispy flavor and texture. The Hibiscus Margarita with its salt and tajín rim was good enough to warrant a second one... but the Sangria was lackluster due to the complete absence of cut-up fresh fruit in my glass. The "Crispy Duck Breast" is no longer served whole, but sliced on a bed of sauteed kale... and, sadly, seemed to be only a shadow of its former self. The Lamb Meatballs suffered from being mushy (a coarser grind would have made a world of difference in the texture) and lacked that meaty exuberance one treasures in any kind of meatball. My serving of Basque Cheesecake was almost comically tiny (at $9 per serving, perhaps not so funny after all). But my cup of Americano came out of the espresso machine strapping strong and piping hot, with a gorgeous head of natural crema from the oil of the coffee beans. So I will definitely return for a future Happy Hour to devour the outstanding Patatas Bravas and sip the good Margaritas, and to try the bargain Manchego Burger and other Happy Hour bites. For serious dining, Atxondo falls short of the mark... but for drinks and bar food, Atxondo turns out to be a real neighborhood gem. .

    Very solid 4 stars for Atxondo. Just a note that while there are paper menus, the QR code menu has…read morea lot more options. The service is very nice and attentive an adds to the homey feel. Atxondo really strikes me as an underrated gem. It's only about a mile walk from the Petworth Metro, is right on several bus lines and for us, coming from silver spring, the drive was a very easy ~15 minutes. Intrigued to hear how often people in the neighborhood come here. It's mostly a tapas style, so everything but the paella is smaller plates. Everything is wonderfully tasty. The mini chorizo, with the accompanying chips absorbing the chorizo liquid were awesome and our group also loved the cremini mushrooms. I love a good paella and Atxondo's is a standout. really wonderfull flavored and plenty for our group of 5. They say it's enough for 2-4, but unless its your only meal of the day, I fully think a group of 2 would have leftovers. It's definitely on our list to return

    Photos
    Atxondo
    Atxondo - Patatas Bravas (Fingerling Potatoes)

    Patatas Bravas (Fingerling Potatoes)

    Atxondo

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    Boqueria Penn Quarter

    Boqueria Penn Quarter

    4.2(614 reviews)
    2.1 mi
    $$
    Private events
    Outdoor seating

    A very swanky place. Me and a date were walking around Galleryplace for a place to sit and when we…read morewalked in and we knew immediately to ask for a table. The dark warm mood lighting, the corrugated wall, the intimate seating, and of course the small share plates makes for the sexy experience tapas is suppose to be! It is typical of Spanish flavors, heavily relying on high-end cured meats and cheeses, and classics such as croquetas. There is something very special that goes into tapas because its suppose to satisfy you based on good taste over quantity. Large shrimp in a generous skillet of olive oil and slow cooked garlic slices and a iberico mac and cheese are some examples of how they elevate classics we are familiar with. We really liked that they learned into garlic and spice. We found dried Aji Caballero in our meal, great attention to source country. They have a very robust and generous drinks menu. Loved watching others not dining alone and embracing that share quality of the menu design. Perhaps it is not the best tapas I had, I would have liked to see a balance with lighter citrus flavors but maybe that was an ordering issue. At some point, since the menu heavily leans towards rich and decadent, its better to plan around that. Our waitress was amazing, she explained the questions we had on the ingredients and was on it with the refills.

    We wanted to try it for a while and finally we got the time. It's week day lunch, and it was quiet…read moreand nice. Waitstaff were pleasant and helpful. It's a typical Spanish tapas food, we ordered a few dishes, and we both loved MONTADO DE BISTEC Y CHORIZO. I have been thinking about going back to try other dishes.

    Photos
    Boqueria Penn Quarter
    Boqueria Penn Quarter - Shishito Margarita

    Shishito Margarita

    Boqueria Penn Quarter

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    Del Mar - Paella de Pescado Y Mariscos

    Del Mar

    3.9(1.1k reviews)
    2.7 mi
    $$$

    Happy hour. Every. Single. Day. Three to six, seven days a week, and the prices are genuinely…read morereasonable for food this good. There aren't a lot of places in this city doing that, and certainly not at a location like this. If you want a great deal at one of the best spots in town, this is it. The food is outstanding across the board. I'd say they have the single best seafood tower in all of DC. Fiola Mare used to hold that title for me, but they went all crudo, so Del Mar wins now. If you want exotic Mediterranean seafood, this is where you go. They also have Ibérico ham that they hand slice the way you get it in Spain, which is worth ordering by itself. The tapas are great too. The garlic shrimp is outstanding, and those little stuffed peppers with cod inside are divine. Then there's the steak. It's expensive, no way around it, but the strip is hands down the best steak I've ever had in the Washington area. Not exaggerating. You sit out on the water and it genuinely feels like you're in another country. My one complaint is parking. It's expensive as heck around the Wharf and really hard to find. Fifty dollars is extreme in my opinion, especially when you have to hunt for a spot to pay that much. But here's the trick: come for happy hour at three and parking is wide open, because nobody's there yet. The nightmare starts in the evening. Honestly, you could make a business selling your parking spot to the people who've been circling that lot for an hour. That's the reality down there. Come early, park easy, eat well, pay less. Best happy hour in DC.

    Given we were visiting the Wharf district in DC for the second time, we wanted to try some…read moredifferent spots. Through my Yelping, I found Del Mar, which offers excellent Spanish cuisine with gluten-free options. We arrived during happy hour, so we took advantage of their specials at their cylindrical bar with curved architectural accents. The bar's design is a wicked-cool setup that creates separation from the main dining area, with smaller nooks that allow for more personal conversation without being drowned out by other parties. The bar chairs were a vibrant nautical blue that contrasted well with the red stripes of the exterior bar panels. For my money, you can't go wrong with freshly shucked oysters that were half-priced. Crisp and delicious, they made a great starter that paired well with the jamon, olive, and sardine skewers. Additionally, they offered gluten-free pan con tomate and bread that was quite magical, which paired well with the Spanish Negronis we enjoyed - made with Spanish fortified wine and Amontillado sherry that gave the Italian classic a sophisticated twist. I would return on my next trip for the opulent interior and fantastic cuisine and cocktails.

    Photos
    Del Mar - Spanish tortilla

    Spanish tortilla

    Del Mar - Sangria

    Sangria

    Del Mar - The Wharf right out front. Beautiful golden hour.

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    The Wharf right out front. Beautiful golden hour.

    Bodega Spanish Tapas & Lounge - tapas - Updated August 2026

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