I recently dined at DLena in Washington, DC, and it was outstanding from start to finish. The moment I walked in, I was greeted with warm hospitality and attentive service that made the entire experience feel special. The staff was knowledgeable, friendly, and consistently checked in without ever being intrusive. The food was truly the highlight--beautifully presented, incredibly flavorful, and clearly crafted with care. Every dish felt thoughtfully prepared, from the bold, vibrant flavors to the fresh ingredients. It's rare to find a place where every course impresses, but DLena absolutely delivered. Whether you're looking for a spot for a date night, a celebration, or simply a memorable meal, DLena is a must-visit. Excellent service, fantastic food, and a great atmosphere--highly recommended! read more

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I've wanted to try dLeña for a while now so when I was in the area , after an event one night, I had the chance. We arrived on a Wednesday around 8pm and were seated almost immediately. After we placed our orders, we received a small, tasty half shot of hibiscus juice (palate cleanser?). The two of us shared the Traditional guacamole, snapper tiradito (ceviche), and short rib tacos (3). All of the food was excellent!! The ceviche is served on a platter with ice and when it arrived, the server poured a red sauce around the ceviche that tasted very good! Service, from our waitress and the other staff, was excellent. The ambiance with the low lighting was nice and there is a large bar near the front of the restaurant that I might try on a solo date. Apparently, there is live music Wednesday through Sunday but, due to a private event, there was no live music when we arrived (not a deal breaker). I was able to see the table presentation of their Tomahawk steak and might try it for Instagram! I'll be back again! read more

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What a wonderful tone, on a day after work I stopped in here during their happy hour before meeting a friend and was taken back by the beautiful decor and ambiance of the restaurant! And said surely I have to come back to try their food. I made reservations for dinner about two weeks later and it was a fantastic experience!! The food was perfectly cooked, extremely tasty & came out just at the right time. The waitress gave great recommendations all throughout the night on everything from wines, to entrees, pairings ands desserts! It was also a very lively crowd all throughout the night which only made the atmosphere even more fun and exciting! Will definitely be back again!!! read more

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Not rating the 5 stars I would've loved to because they forgot to bring his drink TWICE! He first asked for a bourbon then another time he asked for a wine. Server never brought it! Stunning interior design! Very boho chic decor and sexy ambiance. The lounge downstairs carried the best vibe. The bathroom was so cute. Obligatory pic of pretty bathroom required. The band I have to say was subpar lacking on rhythm and sound, I would love to have the opportunity to sing here with my musicians. The crowd here was perfect for me, for us. The shrimp was a bit salty to me, he didn't think so so I guess take your luck. They just need to do much better with remembering orders and delivering on that service. Go, enjoy read more

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Henry our waiter didn't steer us wrong at all! He recommended to us what to eat based on the food we enjoy and everything was 10/10. My husband brought me here for date night and I loved it! The staff cleaned up our plates as soon as we finished eating to keep the dinner going seamlessly! Perfect ambience, great food & drinks! read more

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honestly i had a great time all around. service was great, drinks were hitting, apps were good, interior was beautiful.. genuinely no complaints. read more

dLeña - Taco Pescado ala Talla** - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I will walk you through my night at dLeña. We were lucky to find parking on the same road, so definitely check there first. We arrived about 15 minutes early for our reservation, and they sat us right away (love that!). Once we got to our table, we received both the regular and seasonal menus, which was great. The only downside was that it took nearly 15 minutes for someone to greet our table. For a place that presents itself as high-end, I expected a bit more attentiveness. Service was just okay. The food I freaking LOVED! - The Crab Guacamole: get it, you won't regret it. Lumps of crabs. - Greenwood (drink): eh not my fav but i also didn't know what the green chartreuse was before this drink. So maybe that's on me lol the rest sounded good - Seafood enchiladas: my gf liked them! She rated them an 8. - Oaxaca shrimp: This tasted amazing but I craved a bit more! didn't feel like there was enough corn ratio to the shrimp. I will also say parts of the shrimp were mushy maybe from being overcooked - their seasonal dessert: right now it's like a pumpkin creme brûlée with cinnamon ice cream: i could eat this for breakfast lunch and dinner. I loved it!! Overall, I would definitely come here again to try something new! It's a nice dress up kind of place - maybe for a date or a friend dinners. I can also see this place being the spot for happy hour. They also have express lunch for those who work around and wanted to treat yourself lol. It is on the higher end of the spectrum when it comes to spending read more

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I like the food but overall I would say the ambience is pretty loud and the service is just okay. They are sticklers about tables and reservations so the first time I went I could only sit at the bar. We had the crab guacomole, which was excellent. The second time we tried the queso fundido for an appetizer and I loved the salsas that came along. We opted to add mushrooms as well. I also got the birria de hongos, I was excited since I can't often get birria as a vegetarian. However it did not have that much consume. It was tasty but felt more like a mushroom taco. My partner got the short rib and loved it as the meat was tender and salsa/veg accompaniments worked well with the dish. All the dishes were served on tree trunks which was eclectic and fun for the spirit of the location. I found the host stand to be kind of rude and the servers to be non attentive. Maybe they have so many people come through but it doesn't feel personalized or warm. read more

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Delicious, upscale Mexican food...and hooray for delicious vegetarian tacos! The vibe in here feels like you walked into Tulum and you're greeted with a little glass of Hibiscus Agua de Fresca - I'm a sucker for free sips and bites. You can't NOT get a margarita - I started with a classic house marg (the Casa) and it was good. The Queso Fundito appetizer is an absolute must, and the guacamole here is solid. The Birria Hongos Tacos were out of this world - mushroom tacos can be a hit or miss but these hit all the flavor marks. They were so small and cute. I ordered a side of Brussels sans the bacon and they were good (but could have been cooked a bit more). The only thing I was not too fond of were the desserts - the crepe cake was not really sweet at all, and the tres leches tiramisu was decent but nothing to write home about. They make a solid espresso martini here as well that is a bit more on the sweet side. read more

dLeña - Birria de Hongos (AMAZING) - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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One year later and I still love this place. I love the ambiance, the quality of the food, and service. The staff is simply amazing. Look forward to continue to support this business. read more

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This is probably going to end up being one of my new favorite restaurants! First of all the aesthetics are gorgeous inside, I wish I had more time to take them in but I took advantage of the outdoor seating. Our waitress was okay, she did take a while to come and check on us and I was often going to find her (probably because we were seated outside), but besides that nothing to really complain about. My friend and I shared the wagyu empanadas as appetizer, I got the pork shank as a main, and we shared the carajillo crème brûlée for dessert. The winner had to go to those wagyu empanadas wow!!! It was the perfect amount of flavor and spice where it wasn't overbearing and melted in your mouth. I enjoyed the pork shank as well but it was missing those same spices as the empanadas. Better when I asked for a spicy sauce. I also loved the coffee flavor of the crème brûlée, it had me wanting more. read more

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Came back for lunch. Had the fish tacos. Mercado Margarita. Good service- although I had to ask for a menu when I came in and sat at the bar. I was the only one but I was sitting there for a couple mins and no one noticed, so I had to say something at some point. Great ambience. read more

dLeña - La Baja Fish Taco** - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Decided to finally try dLeña and it was absolutely delicious! I ordered so much and everything was hot and prepared well. Here's my individual review of each item: 1. Guacamole- chips need salt, guac needs more lime. But it was very good. 2. Short Rib Tacos- DELICIOUS. 3. Chicken al Carbon- Unreal, so flavorful, so moist. This is probably the best chicken I've had in D.C. in a while. 4. Elote Mac & Cheese: AMAZING!! This was my favorite dish. 5. Corn cake: Did not like this at all. But would try another dessert. Overall this restaurant is a must visit if you're in the city. The service was great and the atmosphere was a vibe. I loved it. read more

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We had a GREAT evening at dLena. Service was great. The inside has the vibe of the Sonoran desert. Our server was very friendly and knowledgeable. Started with hibiscus agua Fresca. Moved on to a margarita, guava, and tamarind cocktails. Food order: guacamole, empanadas, pork belly (our fav!), tortilla soup, tacos, mar y Tierra, and churros to finish off. Everything was superb. Would def return and recommend. read more

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This review is only for the downstairs area with live music, which is first come first served. Stopped by on a Saturday evening to hear Brazilian jazz. The band was good with a singer and 2 other musicians. The space is dark and small, with several tables (if you're ordering food), a couch area and high chair seating at the bar. I snagged a spot on the couch for a few minutes until the band took a break. It was nice and I would return. read more

dLeña - Shrimp and crab enchiladas - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Empanadas are crispy and delicious! Dipping sauce is amazing. Burger is out of this world - love the buns that have charred flavor. Thumbs up to all presentation from appetizers to desserts. Very quiet during lunch time so perfect for conversations. Express lunch can be done within an hour! read more

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First timer at Dlena and the ambience and decor was beautiful. I was greeted at the wait stand by staff but couldn't sit at my table until most of my party had arrived which is typical at a lot of restaurants. Once seated, I ordered the short rib tacos which were tender and well seasoned. I also had the traditional guac which was tasty but the portion was not worth the price point to me. After, I headed to the speakeasy downstairs and listened to music and got drinks. Overall, I would likely come back. I would definitely recommend booking a reservation but it was packed. read more

dLeña - Short rib tacos - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Amazing hidden gem that the food will surprise you and the atmosphere is very relaxed. The staff is attentive and there are so many tasty and exciting choices. Be sure to go downstairs for some amazing music and great vibes. read more

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Just so good! Servers were super friendly and food was pretty fast. Cocktails were so delicious I could have easily tried them all. The pork belly is a must have. I almost ordered a second one. And everything else was really excellent too-the oysters were very nicely done, the corn empanadas were fresh and cheesy, and the tres leches tiramisu was unique and really good. Very crowded, a bit loud, and parking is a bit of a pain. read more

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My Bestie girl and I like to go out this time of year to celebrate our friendship anniversary. She picked this location after hearing great reviews and only hearing the best about their bottomless brunch. We were so excited and booked a reservation for noon (last seating for brunch is at 1 PM and they promptly do last call at 2:45). We arrived on time and upon checking in our table, was not yet ready. I noticed several groups arrived after me and waited a while too one party that arrived after me was still seated before me. The hostesses were not the most accommodating, and I had to check in a few times with the hostess, despite never having left the stand. We were seated around 12:20. We got to our table in the back. The location is much larger inside than it appears. Our server Cesar, was actually wonderful. In fact, I could possibly highlight his hospitality as the best aspect of our whole visit. Keep explaining to us that we could go about the bottomless brunch one of two ways for $45 we could do just the bottom of food or for $69 We could do bottomless food and drinks. We went with the bottomless drinks. He didn't explain that we could go through the entire menu and pick out individual tapas, or just let him know that we wanted to try the whole menu in the food would just be rolled out! We liked that so we ended up doing that and food was constantly arriving. We really enjoyed our drinks. The passionfruit mimosa was delicious. The mimosa with the blackberry juice was also very good and we really enjoyed the margarita we were able to add fresh jalapeños to the mix to give it a little kick in a tajin rim. All in all we were there for several hours we definitely enjoyed our friendship anniversary and caught up. Going down the food appeared decent. I did notice that a lot of the plates had very similar flavor profiles some of the plates all in all just weren't appetizing. The tuna ceviche was so fishy that I had to spit it out The shrimp ceviche. It was sliced so thin and had a vinegar taste to it. Ceviche is not prepared with vinegar. The Mexican street corn had a tartness to it. That was not a natural flavor. I think they might have added some citric acid. I noticed that in one of the accoutrements of my beverage, the hot pepper on it was fuzzy. I quickly brought it to his attention, and he alerted the manager. The manager came to us and explained that was not mold, although it certainly looked like it. For the price and the time it seemed like all in all it was worth the while. However, once we got home, my friend violently threw up and I had indigestion all in all while I know several of my friends suggest this place I am left wondering about the freshness of their food, the preparation standards, and disappointed that I am not feeling my best. My advice would be to go elsewhere for bottomless brunch although I have to say the ambience was very fun. People seem to be thoroughly enjoying themselves so it's possible that I just had a bad batch of something. I would also advise the restaurant to not overbook their tables to such an extent to where reservations are not seated at the time of their reservation. read more

Troy is an absolutly amazing server. Despite living in DC for a long time we'd never been to dLeña. We visited for brunch and had an amazing time. The steak is delicious. Troy always makes sure your drinks are full and our orders are coming out as requested. The brunch menu is diverse and has something for everyone. My wife is a vegetarian and there are a good amount of brunch options for her. The restaurant is pretty. They also took some time to make their outdoor patio feel like a special space. Accessbility: The restaurant could be better. The entrance can be very tight, so it can be hard to get into. The restrooms are downstairs. I'm not sure if there is an elevator or not but it isn't ideal. read more

dLeña - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

What a wonderful experience! To start, our server Henry was attentive, approachable, and every single one of his recommendations and suggestions was taken and none of them disappointed! He is well versed in the menu and products of the restaurant which was already an A+ for me! We started with the wagyu empanadas and the oysters recommended by Henry. Now, I don't like oysters guys, and when I say these charbroiled oysters were so flavorful, smoky, and delicious! We had to fight over who would get the last one! The empanadas were cheesy and fried to perfection as well. I ordered a couple of prickly pear margaritas and then Henry suggested a few mezcal drinks that were delicious and definitely had me feeling great by time the entrees came! For entrees we ordered the branzino, wagyu tacos, brussel sprouts and broccolini. The tacos came on a hot stone plate so I recommend ordering your steak under so it can cook up to temp by the time it gets to you. The meat was so tender, flavorful, and paired well with won't be veggies and aioli that was served. The Brussels were by far my favorite! I love a good Brussel and these did not disappoint. I didnt get a chance to have the broccolini but my friend did say it wasn't their favorite. For dessert we ordered the churros and the coffee tiramisu tres leches and boy was that a perfect ending to the night. Overall, absolutely amazing experience from staff and the food was top notch. read more

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I visited dLeña with my friend who came to DC for a work trip. I had here bookmarked for a while so I'm glad I was able to get a reservation. The inside gave me a rustic feel and the ambience was pretty chill. Our waitress was kind, helpful, and attentive. We ordered the following: Empanadas de wagyu- 8.5/10 Ceviche Amarillo- 8/10, a lot going on but in a pleasantly surprised kinda way Grilled Oaxacan shrimp- 9/10 Seafood enchiladas- 8/10, blah Esquites Mac & cheese- 9/10, didn't expect this dish to be mostly corn but I enjoyed it. Guava me please- 8.5/10 Tamarindo margarita- 7.5/10 Ultimately, we enjoyed our dining experience...will I return? Jury's still out! read more

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Not your typical Mexican or Latin cuisine. Also not your typical brunch cuisine. The atmosphere is nice, but the food is not the best.

I'm always on the hunt for a good lunch deal that I can go to with coworkers. Good food at a good price point (but still in a fancier setting) is hard to find. Thankfully, dLeña really hit the mark with their $28 express lunch menu! While I've been here before for dinner and remember really loving their tuna guacamole, I was really excited to try their other lunch express menu. They offer it during the week from 11-3 PM. For my appetizer, I got the ceviche Amarillo, which was the perfect punchy sour I needed before my hearty Medio Pollo al Carbón. The chicken is seasoned well and very moist. It was served atop grilled broccolini, which is my favorite preparation style for vegetables! I didn't love the dessert options and chose their corn cake. It just wasn't my favorite flavor and was more savory than I was expecting for a dessert. Our server was really nice but we did have to occasionally flag him down. read more

dLeña - Medio Pollo al Carbon** - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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This is one of the cutest restaurants I've been to in a while! I went for their lunch special and it didn't disappoint! (3 courses for $28) The decor is so cute and I can tell it would be even better at night! I had the cheese fondu, chicken empanadas and birria tacos. Everything was soooo good and flavorful. My favorite was the empanadas. We also added regular tortilla chips on the side to use for the cheese fondu and they were perfectly made. I will definitely be back again for dinner. read more

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Just left the express lunch. Very very good! The portions were just enough for lunch, the table side lobster bisque recommended by Christiana was very good! She was such a great hostess with spot on recommendations! My colleague and I can't wait to come back! read more

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We went on a crowded Saturday night, and after tasting the food, we completely understood why. This is upscale Mexican done right--bold flavors and beautifully executed dishes. We had the shrimp tacos (my fave of the night, the sauce made them unforgettable), wagyu empanadas, pork belly, short ribs, and chicken. The wagyu empanadas were cooked to perfection--hands down the best empanadas I've ever had. I'm not usually a pork belly person, but this one was seasoned perfectly, and the short ribs were fall-off-the-bone tender. The vibe was fantastic--swanky, lively, and celebratory. Our waitress was exceptionally friendly and even surprised us with churros for dessert, even though they weren't on the menu. There's also a downstairs bar lounge that many people head to after dinner. Highly recommend and will definitely be back when I'm in town! read more

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Wow, amazing is all I can say! Went here with my sister for happy hour and dinner and everything was lovely! We got the Branzino, Diablo Shrimp, Potatoe (I forget the name of it), and of course margs! The flavors were outstanding! Will definitely be back! read more

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We did the bottomless brunch here for my birthday and it was to die for. You can try anything on the menu! I can't wait to come back! All of the food we tried was amazing so it's hard to pick a favorite. I remember the tacos really stood out to me and the enchilada. I'm so happy I came by. The server was also very attentive and got our food to us quickly. The restaurant itself is also beautiful. Can't wait to return. read more

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On a Tuesday, a friend of mine and I walked into dLena to their basement mezcal bar. They don't take reservations, but we easily got a table. The entire space is slick. The menu includes mezcal and tequila cocktails and even flights. Their full food menu is available by request. Hungry, I ordered their guacamole and corn empanadas. Both were good, but the corn empanadas were the winners. Their version of a margaritas refreshing! read more

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Let's just say if I lived in DC I would probably eat here every weekend! One of the best meals I had all year! My service started off with a smile and was a good turnaround for my night since I tried to find a table of one at a nearby restaurant and I was told they don't see tables of one. Needless to say I moved right onto margaritas and guacamole and I was not disappointed! The vegetarian tacos were a 10 out of 10 and I highly recommend any vegetarian looking for a flavorful beautiful delicious dinner to try them! I sat outside and enjoyed the beautiful weather and the patio area was organized and clean overall it was a very enjoyable night and I look forward to coming back next time. I'm in town. read more

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My sister in law took us here for brunch and the food was really good. We sampled the whole menu so it was really filling. We couldn't even finish the food. But the service and ambiance were great. We would definitely come back again. read more

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Stunning restaurant and delicious menu. You have to get the tomahawk steak (comes with front row seat to cooking it right at your table) along with the explanation of how they prepare it. Wagyu tacos?! So good. Perfect for date night in DC. read more

dLeña - Tomahawk* Zanahorias al Carbon - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Okay so I've been a handful of times... once for lunch with coworkers, once for the 'speakeasy' experience, and most recently, the chef's table for someone's birthday! I've had my fair share of their dips, tacos, ceviche, and other miscellaneous items. But by far, the most memorable experience was the 8-course chef's table that I absolutely do not want to spoil. But I loved how we got to sit behind the big bar and have a front seat to the kitchen with all of the colorful dishes coming out. The executive chef talked to us, was super friendly, and walked us through everything we would experience. I am inspired to experience other chef's tables now, and if you haven't tried this one yet... do it. It's 8 courses, but if you are hungry, you won't be overwhelmed. They have an additional drink pairing you can add, but I decided to just stick to alvarinho which was delightful. dLena is a huge restaurant, but it fills up! So I would recommend making a reservation... and if you want to get to experience downstairs... keep your party small and try to avoid peak times. You're in for a treat! read more

I've been here twice now, once for dinner and once for brunch. Love the ambiance of this place, they really do try to have it be a whole vibe. The food is really good! Though to be totally honesty, nothing incredible or super memorable. I only say this because this place has so much hype, so maybe it was a little short of my very high expectations... but again, still delicious and no complaints! Service is good, I made a last minute change to my reservation and they accommodated me without any issues. I will say... disappointing Bloody Mary, small portion, needed more flavor, and it had a pure salt rim (?) and no garnish (!)... not even a single celery!! That being said, still would definitely without question highly recommend this spot for upscale Mexican/latin cuisine read more

First time in DC and we've been trying to find all the good restaurants since everyone comes to us for recommendations. First of all, our server Rebecca was amazing and took great care of us. The food was also great. We tried the Wagyu empanadas, lamb shank, tiramisu, and crème brûlée. All were great but the crème brûlée is a must. We will come back in a few days and try some other items. We also accidentally discovered that there's live music downstairs and got to enjoy that for a while before leaving. This place has everything you need and we look forward to our next visit. read more

dLeña - Tres Leches Tiramisu and Carajillo Crème Brulée - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Went for lunch here over the holiday and tried the three course tasting experience. My favorite dish was the barbacoa tacos by far. I'd go back just for those. They were accommodating to remove the peanut sauce for my allergy. For the app I had the chicken empanadas which was good but not what I expected. There was mostly just cheese and a couple small pieces of chicken. So I wouldn't order them again unless I wanted lots of cheese that day. I also thought the dessert wasn't that good. read more

dLeña - Dessert - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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