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dLeña

4.4 (1.3k reviews)
Open 11:00 am - 3:00 pm, 5:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Updated 2 weeks ago

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DLEÑA ATMOSPHERE

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Moderate noise
Trendy
Intimate
Romantic

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Recommended Reviews - dLeña

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Ensalata
Lam B.

The flavors were inconsistent and the service was unexpectedly slow. We arrived right at opening and were told that the crab pumpkin soup was unavailable. After placing our orders, the margaritas came out quickly, but the food took much longer. The pacing felt off throughout the meal, and our entrées took the longest to arrive. In total, the experience stretched to about two hours. I noticed that one of my dishes had a residual green substance on it, which I had to ask for a replacement. *Ceviche Amarillo: very little mahi mahi and marinade lacked depth. The mango and orange were barely noticeable beyond adding color, so the dish felt flat overall. I wanted more seafood flavor, spice, or umami to give it some dimension. *dLena Burger: the patty itself was cooked well and the jam added a touch of saltiness. However, the chimichurri was not garlicky or herbaceous enough to stand out. The bun was soft enough but awkward to bite into, and the burger needed more sauce as it leaned dry. It came with a side of fries which were classic and well done. *Pastel De Elote: described as a creamy corn cake, but it tasted more like a dense block of cheese. The texture was heavy and crumbly, and the hibiscus mezcal glaze was too sharp to pair well with it. The corn flavor barely came through. My entire party found it difficult to finish. *Gelato: I chose salted caramel. It was simple but enjoyable, leaning more toward caramel than salt. A stronger hit of salt would have helped balance it. *Margarita Flight: included classic, tamarind, and passionfruit. The classic was well executed with a nicely salted rim. The tamarind had a muddled, earthy flavor that did not land well with the group, though it had potential if the natural sweet and sour notes were more pronounced. The passionfruit was my favorite, topped with hibiscus foam and offering a satisfying balance of sweetness and acidity. The dessert ended the meal on a particularly disappointing note. Overall, the kitchen execution needs work, as the flavors felt unbalanced and not thoughtful. While the portion sizes and pricing made it a decent lunch deal, I would still choose a more consistent restaurant over the quantity and uneven quality here.

La Baja Fish Tacos
Carli O.

Love DLeña's express lunch! Great deal for 3 courses - $28. Typically not busy and you get great food and service. We started with the queso fundido which was tasty and flavorful and the guacamole which was fresh 2nd course were fish tacos and DLeña burger. I enjoyed my burger which was seasoned impeccably. My colleague really likes her fish tacos. By the 3rd course we were stuffed but managed to take 2 bites of both desserts which were great. Highly recommend if you have never been to DLeña before or want to grab a 3 course lunch for an affordable price

Blue corn tortillas were good
Na H.

Came here for brunch while on a staycation in DC. I would suggest getting a rideshare, taking the Metro, or finding a nearby parking garage because street parking is VERY limited in the area. Now, dLena was an experience. It's a Mexican restaurant that specializes in its talked about brunch. We made reservations ahead and were greeted by pleasant staff who escorted us to our table. We were presented with the menu...I thought I had to choose what I wanted to get...little did I know that the menu WAS everything we were getting To be honest, there were roughly 17 items (around 16 for us since I am not a fan of mushrooms and that was one of the dishes) with each one bringing a unique, complex, tasting experience. Some I liked, some I didn't, but there were none that I found outright unappealing. The staff were pleasant, professional, and described every item that was brought to the table, which we really appreciated. The manager came to our table due to a misunderstanding with the party next to us and was so understanding and apologized, which we really appreciated. The ambiance was busy, but chill at the same time, it was a great vibe. All in all, I WILL BE BACK to dLena!

Pescado a la Talla**
Nik W.

Been here twice - first was for a happy hour, second for dinner. Both times the service has been great, the wait staff are super kind and accommodating of food allergies. Kind of a dim lights vibe with a wraparound bar and table seating, as well as a basement area with a bar and live music (you can also order food downstairs!). Very vibey, and my friend loved their mezcal drinks. We tried the corn and wagyu empanadas and both were excellent. The guacamole was also great, but I might pass on the queso next time - lovely presentation, but just isn't my thing. The salsa that came with it was incredible, though! My entree was the pescado tacos. They were excellent, though a little heavy on the sauce, in my opinion. I want to try the birria tacos if I make it to dLeña again.

Tacos
Andrea R.

I was very excited to try out D'Leñas bottomless brunch for my boyfriend's birthday trip. We were coming in from NYC and made reservations way in advance. The menu looked astounding and my bf LOVES Mexican. Firstly, the drinks were plenty to chose from. Multiple mimosa flavors. Micheladas called my attention after never seeing that on a bottomless menu. The michelada and the margarita were the best. The mimosa tasted like really cheap bubbles that almost tasted like beer. They were sitting at the bar in jugs not on ice I think maybe that would help. I would approach this brunch soooo differently had I known the way. They bring out everything on the menu. The best items in our opinion were at the beginning. The skillets at the end are huge heavy portions and the flavors get repetitive. Best things on the bottomless menu are the FRUIT COCKTAIL WOW surprised us soooo much. The fish tacos delishhhhh. The Cesar salad was yummy. All the tacos were good. The steak and eggs delicious. The chicken wand waffles was good! Overall the experience was great. They were super busy but we were treated well and the birthday surprise was so nice! Thank u for that !! I'll leave my boyfriend and I's joint review of our favs which was rated in the moment aside from this review which was written a month later lol! : D'leña: Blackberry and basil: mid Margarita: 5/5 Micheladas: lazy Fruit cocktail: 5/5 WOWWW Aguachile and ceviche : 4/5 Campechano taco: 4/5 Birria: 4/5 Fish taco : 4/5 *would get again * Chicken n waffle good Mushroom taco: after thought, vegetarian friendly Cesar salad: 5/5 Patricia was our server

Bone Marrow & Adobo Pulpo* **
Lauren C.

Went to dlena to celebrate a birthday. We were lucky to get a last minute reservation since our plans to NYC fell through. Upon arrival the hostess was extremely rude and had an attitude. Not sure what her issue was. Our waitress was extremely kind and on top of everything! Glad to know all the staff doesn't have poor customer service. The food for the most part was delicious. My personal favorites were the oysters and the bone marrow. We also got some drinks but they were not memorable at all, we got a Negroni, 2 Mexican beers and a margarita with mezcal. The beers were good, cocktails were a let down. For dessert we got the crème brûlée and it was pretty disappointing. It had an espresso flavor in there which didn't really complement the dessert. They also brought out a birthday dessert which was a sponge cake. It was pretty good. I was confused why they charged $6 for a birthday dessert we didn't ask for but oh well. We spent about $200 not including tip. The inside is a bit small as well but beautiful inside. The food I would give a 4/5 stars. Customer service 3/5...the hostess really affected this rating. Drinks 2/5.

La Baja Fish Tacos and Dleña Crispy Chicken Waffles
Monique V.

My friend and I came here for bottomless brunch. We had a 10:30 reservation and the restaurant was very busy so make sure you have a reservation. Also they're very strict with the 2 hour/table limit so make sure to come on time. We had basically everything on the menu and we enjoyed it all. Dleña is always a good time, can't wait to come back!

Birria de Hongos (AMAZING)
Brianna B.

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.

Traditional Guacamole
Katrina G.

Finally got a chance to try dLeña. What a beautiful space. A group of us came in for some birthday cheer and we started out in the lounge for drinks. After being seated we were served a shot glass of hibiscus water to cleanse the palette. It was very good. We moved on to more drinks and starters - guac and queso, both of which hit the spot. I enjoyed both. The majority of our group got the short rib tacos. There's 3 and they are very filling and very good. One of my friends got the brazino and her plate was completely clean :). Around us at other tables the tomahawk looked and smelled delicious along with the wagyu. With a hearty appetite in tow I'd consider ordering one of those on a future visit. Service was pleasant and prompt. No complaints.

Gerri B.

I stopped by dLeña during my last visit to DC. Beautiful restaurant. The food and service were good. I had an excellent experience. Would eat again.

Eric E.

Allergy debacle. My son has a sesame allergy and despite us disclosing this, and our server clearing our orders, they placed his appetizer in front of him and it was dumb luck that he didn't start eating it before they told us that it had sesame. As did his entree. And the server never apologized. Things devolved from there. Food was good. Bussers were very nice and efficient. Our waitress was horrendous and the first manager who came over with a "what's wrong" clearly was not familiar with the ingredients in the food bc he gave us conflicting information. Then the waitress gave us a bill with several things we didn't order. By (I think) dumb luck, the beverage manager came by to ask how our meal was. To his full credit, he was appalled and appropriately apologetic. That said - not sure I can come here again or tell others to do so. But for luck they would have gotten my son really ill. Be very wary.

Pastel de Elote
Russell J.

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.

Yin Y.

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!

Creamy Corn Cake

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23 days ago

A DC staple for sure. The live jazz lounge in the tequila bar downstairs is immaculate. This is definitely a top spot in DC for sure!

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dLeña Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - dLeña

What is your return policy or satisfaction guarantee for vehicle purchases?

This is a restaurant. No vehicles are available for purchases here

Are there any current promotions or discounts available?

Not at this time but they do offer a bottomless brunch on Saturday & Sunday from 10am to 3pm.

Is it possible to dine here alone at a small table or a bar?

Yes, the bar is pretty spacious and theyre are a reasonable amount of small tables

Can you order food in the downstairs bar?

Yes

Would there be space for a party of 8+ or are smaller parties recommended?

The restaurant has the space to accommodate a party of 8+ I highly recommend making a reservation with advance notice

Hi, is a COVID-19 vaccination still required for indoor dining?

No, it is no longer required in DC

What are some of the vegan options here?

Hi Adria - We have a few delicious vegan options - including our Coliflor a la Leña (charred cauliflower / chimichurri / red pipian), Zanahorias Rostizadas (roasted heirloom carrot / pistu chimichurri / cashew tofu aioli / pepita), Grilled Avocado… Read more

Is there any area that's first come first serve (the bar etc.)?

Hi Areen - our 15 seat bar, our downstairs mezcal lounge ROJA and our outdoor patio are all first come, first serve / without reservations.

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Benitos Place - Pastelitos

Benitos Place

(174 reviews)

$$

Shaw, Downtown

I've only ordered this to go using the Uber Eats app, which I wish allowed the option or better…read moredescription of the items, including the various sauces packed with the order, because although generous, the 2 types of sauces provided are too spicy for me! Of the dishes I've had: champurrado (yum, except not securely packaged for delivery); chips & salsa (the salsa did not agree with my tummy); sopes carnitas (pork chunks were more fat than meat); tacos fritos de pollo (super dry despite the salad that's lauered on top -- needs sauce!), and the baleadas, my favourite is the baleadas sencillas (good portion, nice flavour, perfect texture).

Freezing, I walked along 11th street on a Tuesday evening searching for Benito's Place. An old…read morefriend had suggested it but..I couldn't find it. I walked a little back and forth, but.. no. Across the street, I saw another Mexican restaurant on the corner, but it looked closed, or even shut down. Maps told me it should be there. Looking across the street my eyes were drawn to the second floor, and a series of neon lights for a tarot card reader and psychic. Taking this as a sign, I crossed. That's when I found Benito's and realized that it's neon sign was out. Walk too fast and you might miss it. A narrow door aside a bay window lit from inside. It's a small place with a warm, cozy feeling. Benito's is very much a neighborhood Central American restaurant, but FYI: no alcohol. Started with guac and chips, usual fare, delicious but nothing that singled it out. I ordered the Pollo a la Plancha and it was rather good. The chicken was grilled through but not tough, it still had moisture and you could cut it. Rice, greens, etc. and the small 2oz solo of black beans, all standard fare. The corn tortillas were interesting, not your usual thin tortillas, so it took my mind a moment to consider what I was holding. It had the thickness of a pancake, maybe a sope base, and reminded me of thick, handmade tortillas when you don't have the press. Curiously, the tortillas were not the same that my friend got with his Mole Poblano, which were thin. Granted, it was a cold Tuesday evening, but in two hours only two other individuals came in to eat. Seems like they do brisk take away business. I expect on a warmer night with higher foot traffic this place fills up quickly. The service was great, did not want for anything. We were served with two containers of sauce, green and orange. Ostensibly green chili, and habanero, I did not learn specifically however. When I dine in DC I can't help but confront the blunt question: Was it worth it? Yeah, it's good food, good people, and a good place. You'll feel comfortable there and leave full. But the price of dining out is too damn high, and this meal is on the higher side of what, ten years ago, would have been $15. I fear that prices will continue to be pushed higher and places like Benito's might disappear, so get over there because the food excellent, the people are nice, and it's just a warm space to hang out for an hour or so talking to an old friend.

Chicatana Fine Mexican Cuisine

Chicatana Fine Mexican Cuisine

(95 reviews)

Columbia Heights

Had a great time and dinner! Chicatana is unassuming and unpretentious, staffed with attentive…read moreservers who do an amazing job (water was always filled and empty plates removed quite efficiently). The decor is simple, no table clothes or frills but it does live up to 'fine cuisine' with excellent food and presentation (another subtle touch is if you leave the table, you return to a nicely folded napkin). We got nearly everything on the menu including all the desserts and Mexican hot chocolate (yum, lightly spicy and piping hot!) . As others have said their guacamole is excellent...do check the charges though bc they added salsa and chips to the tab which we did not order (they removed). Also, the first order of guac came with big bowl of chips, but none with the second order of guac- not a problem though because you do not go hungry. Portions are quite generous. We even tried the ants which was a fun novelty

This was the valentine's day 2026 stop. I had no idea it was in the area it was, but alas, we made…read morethe trek from lowly ballston anyway. After parking in the Giant parking garage (decent price), we walked the few blocks to the restaurant. We spotted it with the poster sign hanging up on the outer walls. Inside you head up the stairs and you're greeted by the host stand. We checked in and got our table, right at the window (hellya). There was a rose and a candle on the table (vday vibes) and we also received a vday specials menu. We landed on queso fundido to start and a cocktail each: prickly pear marg for her, a viva mexico for me. After fundido'ing it up, we ordered our entrees. We're simple folks it was a 2 carne asada tacos, 1 al pastor taco, 1 pescado taco, and 1 chicken quesadilla. Unfortunately we weren't bold enough to try the insectos. Food was great, drinks were great, service was great. You can pay your tab via Toast for no additional fee which was convenient. There are two, single use bathrooms in there too. Overall, solid spot.

Pisco y Nazca Ceviche Gastrobar

Pisco y Nazca Ceviche Gastrobar

(2.9k reviews)

$$

Downtown

I had gone here for a family dinner on Sunday,March 22nd. This is my second time dining at this…read morelocation and the food always has a great flavor, the drinks as well. I had made a reservation for 7 but one of my family members had to cancel last minute. When we were walked to our table, we walked past a table for 6 and then we continued walking past it. We ended up being sat at a table for 4 with two chairs on the end of it. We had asked to be moved over but they had said they were going to split the table into two seperate tables. Now, I question where they were going to seat us if we were 7! Personally, I don't like to be bumping knees at the table, especially if we are paying a few hundred for our dinner. I understand that the restaurant wants to make as much money as possible however I believe they can do so without making an uncomfortable experience for their patrons.

This is a must visit when in DC…read more I enjoyed this place so much that I dined here back to back with two different groups and both raved about the octopus. We came during happy hour from 4-7 PM, which only applies to alcoholic beverages. The cocktails were excellent and definitely worth ordering. Service was a bit inconsistent, as our first visit had better timing and attentiveness, but both servers were pleasant. Each table was also given a dish of corn nuts to snack on while waiting for food. *Pinazo: the lightest cocktail I tried. The pineapple flavor came through clearly even though the puree was not visible. It was very fragrant, though I could not detect the amarena cherry. The fruit largely masked the vodka. *Lychee Pisco: the lychee puree itself was mild, with most of the flavor coming from the fruit garnish. The elderflower and hibiscus notes were more prominent. As someone who enjoys floral profiles, I liked this, though others may find it more perfumed than expected. *Guapo's Pisco: the passionfruit was again on the milder side, while the ginger beer stood out more. Served in a metal mug, it drank like a sweeter Moscow Mule. *Passion Pisco Sour: the pisco sours had more distinct and vibrant flavors overall, and I would highly recommend them if you enjoy fruit forward drinks with an egg white finish. There is also a flight option, which I would have ordered if not for happy hour. This one was my favorite, with a well balanced mix of tartness and sweetness. *Chicha Sour: more tart than the passion version, with a warmer, spiced undertone. The cinnamon added a subtle smokiness, though it still leaned sweeter than expected. *Ceviche Sampler: includes tradicional, cremoso, and callejero. A great way to try a range of flavors, and everyone in my group had a different favorite. I would recommend asking for crispy plantains, as they were not automatically included and help carry the seafood. The tradicional leaned heavily on acidity, allowing the fish to shine, though it felt a bit one note. The sweet potato helped balance it. The callejero was my favorite, with a noticeable kick in the leche de tigre. The cancha and choclo added nuttiness, earthiness, and crunch. The cremoso sat in between, with more body and a slightly sweeter, richer profile thanks to the sweet potato. My only complaint was that the fish pieces were cut quite large, so we had to break them down further. *Causa Sampler: another trio featuring crocante, tartare, and pollo. These were heavier despite the smaller portions. The whipped potato base was well seasoned and had more structure than typical mashed potatoes. The crocante featured a large fried shrimp with rocoto aioli, though I would have preferred the sauce on the side. The flavor leaned like a standard spicy mayo. The tuna tartare had a Japanese influence, but the aioli was overly sweet, making the dish feel cloying. A thicker layer of avocado could have helped balance it. The wonton crisp was also missing both times I ordered it. The chicken version was the most mild and rustic, and needed more acidity or spice to bring it together. Despite this, the trio had potential with some adjustments. *Plancha Pulpo: a must order. This featured a large grilled octopus leg served with causa and choclo on a sizzling plate. The octopus had a smoky char and garlicky chimichurri, with a perfect balance of tenderness and chew. It rivaled a well cooked steak and was easily the standout dish. *Lomo Saltado: medium rare tenderloin stir fried with onions and peppers. The savory sweet sauce coated the fries, rice, and meat beautifully. The flavor leaned slightly Asian, and the beef was juicy and tender. The vegetables were soft and naturally sweet. *Pionono: fried sponge cake filled with Nutella and dulce de leche. It was quite sweet, but the coffee chip ice cream added a deep, rich contrast. The ice cream alone was standout quality. This dessert is easily shareable among four. *Flan: a classic base topped with grilled pineapple and quinoa tuille. The flan itself was smooth and creamy, though the pineapple's acidity distracted from it. It would have benefited from more caramelization. The quinoa tuille added texture more than flavor. *Suspiro: a polarizing dessert, but one I personally enjoyed. The manjar blanco was extremely rich and sweet, paired with an equally sugary meringue. I would have liked more texture or a torched finish for contrast. The passionfruit glaze was my favorite element, though it was used sparingly and could have helped balance the dish more if incorporated throughout. Pisco y Nazca Ceviche Gastrobar deserves its praise. The portions are generous, and the flavors are thoughtfully composed. While there are small tweaks I would make, the overall execution stands out and feels a step above many other options in DC.

Seven Reasons - Half Dozen Oyster

Seven Reasons

(583 reviews)

$$$

I am a huge DC restaurant week fan as it truly provides an opportunity to experience different…read morecuisines in the area. I haven't heard of Seven Reasons before but now was as good a time as any to check them out. To start, our hostess Ayana - fantastic and she took great care of us the whole evening! A few standouts: Hamachi tiradito - bananas!!! So good we ordered it twice Bread - could miss it but the Brazilian bread was interesting Snapper ceviche - 8/10 Cauliflower peru peri - 9/10 -I didnt know where this dish was going and as a cauliflower lover, I had to try it. Perfectly fried and sauces were so good. Yellow curry rockfish - 9.5/10. I love that they arent afraid to actually use curry! The tenderloin was so tender too!! And the taro cake very interesting, in a good way. A true stand out was the guava cheesecake - absolutely incredible and nothing like you'd think it would be. I love it when restaurants are super creative with food and the play on flavors were top tier during this meail. We also ordered a bottle of the Chilean sauvignon blanc, which paired perfectly with the food and stood on its own with the tenderloin. Our meal was a pleasure and I look forward to returning to this restaurant.

We entered and waited a bit at the stand for some help. We did have reservations and were sat. The…read moreservice was good, our waiter did come around and check in on us. They also refilled our waters constantly! In terms of food: - we did partake in drinks: I had the passion over perfection and my gf had the pina colada. I will say her pina colada tasted more like pineapple juice than anything else. I enjoyed my drink though. - we were recommended by our waiter to get around 4-6 dishes depending on how hungry we were. We opted for 7R ceviche, cheese arepitas, Latin falafel, and seafood jalea. I will say everything tasted so freaking good (with the exception of the falafel because they were on the drier side) but those portion sizes i would expect a little more for pricing - I will also add a side note they were providing sampling of a pumpkin soup. Did j like it? No. Did i appreciate it the ability to say i tasted it and didn't have to pay for it? Yes - we also were greedy and went in for desserts: banana bomb and chocolate and Ron. The banana bomb SOOOOO good! The chocolate and ron was more on the forgettable side. Despite the portions, the food was so good I'd come back in a heartbeat. I would love to see the seasonal things they come up with!

dLeña - mexican - Updated May 2026

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