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Mezcal Cantina

3.7 (54 reviews)
Closed • 11:30 am - 10:00 pm

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Steak Fajitas
Chad W.

Few work peeps and I had Mezcal for lunch. Server wasn't rude at all but just didn't really have people Skills. Food was fine. Steak fajitas didn't have a ton of flavor but did come out sizzling . Co workers said tacos were ok. Oddly this place is located in China town.

Benny B.

The chips and salsa was good. I had a Mexican coca-cola and my wife had some margarita. The salsa was on the mild side but yummy. The music was relaxing and atmosphere was so chilled. It was a hot day but entering this place helped a bit to cool down.

Steak Fajitas -- not bad but not great . It's hard to get fajitas wrong .
Delana A.

The food is not that great, and nothing on their menu is worth the price you are paying. I tried to give this place another chance, but I was disappointed again. I will probably never come back here again unless I'm in the area & desperate for a drink.

Cabo Fish Tacos
Ashlie J.

I'm always on the hunt for a deal and good tacos and Mezcal Cantina in Chinatown delivers both This under-the-radar gem offers Happy Hour Mon-Fri from 4-6, serving half-priced fishbowl margaritas, nachos, and quesadillas, plus daily specials that'll make your wallet (and your taste buds) happy. Don't sleep on the Birria Eggrolls -- they're a 10/10 must-try! Steal my order below. I liked the Fish Tacos more. Cabo Fish Tacos (Tex-Mex Style) Carne Asada Tacos (would try Mexico City Style next time) Lime Fishbowl Margarita

Birria Grilled Cheese
Erika J.

Came before a concert and sat at the bar. It was good. I had the Birria tacos and my sister ordered the Birria grilled cheese and she said it was good. We also ordered some queso but that wasn't our favorite. The drinks were tasty and the bartender was nice.

Rancho beans
Eric S.

This is a good solid Mexican restaurant. It was a quiet Sunday afternoon. The light was coming in through the windows and the place was festive and cheerful and serious all at the same time. Our server was great, attentive but not in the way. We were asking for all sorts of things, hot sauce, spoons, other sauces, etc and he was there to help and explain. I really wanted to try their birra ramen, but they were out so I settled for the birra tacos..they were delicious and the birra sauce was flavorful.

Mezcal Fajitas
Tori G.

Mezcal Cantina is easily one of my favorite Mexican restaurants in DC. They make the guac right in front of you and the Mezcal fajitas are perfect. Customer service is excellent and the environment is pretty chilled. They have great happy hour specials and I love their Birria eggrolls and birria ramen. I highly recommended you check this place out ASAP!

Fish tacos
Nichele W.

On a rainy summer Friday, some friends and I were craving good Mexican food and stumbled upon this lively gem. The place was packed and we managed to grab the last open table, which was a good sign. The energy was vibrant and welcoming. Our server, Carlos (pretty sure that was his name), was fantastic, friendly, attentive, and quick with both our drinks and food. I had the fish tacos, and they were absolutely delicious... fresh, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. Everyone at the table enjoyed their meals, and the fishbowl margaritas hit the spot. Great vibe, great food, and great service. I'll definitely be back.

Diablo tacos. Spicy and yummy
Leah C.

I have been here a few times and think it is decent Tex mex for the area. I would compare to a slightly better version of Chevy's. So if you are expecting authentic Mexican food you will probably be let down. That said I have not had anything here I wouldn't eat again and have a decent Hh deal with 1/2 off nachos and quesadillas. They also do a carafe of wine for 24 dollars which is a great deal for the area. So would recommend if you're in the mood for some decent Tex-Mex in the Chinatown area

Linnea E.

Stopped in with a friend before a movie to get some tacos. They have a deal for three dollars off their tacos on Tuesdays, which makes them about $17 for three tacos. I surprisingly switched gears and actually ordered the taco salad with shredded chicken. The salad "bowl" was a fried tortilla which is always fun and the chicken was good, but there was a definite lack of salad and way too much sour cream. My salad turned decidedly soupy which wasn't as fun to eat (or look at!) I might go again if I was in the area on a Tuesday, but hold the sour cream please.

AGUAS FRESCAS
Noel G.

We couldn't help stopping here. They had 1/2 price apps from 4pm to 6m. 1 word: DELICIOSO the nachos have beef and chicken, not greasy at all. Perfect for about 2-3 people We also ordered a steak quesadilla... wow the meat was seasoned just right. We ordered the aguas freacas - horchata. It was very sweet and well worth it ... and you get free refills... not a lot of places do that for the aguas frescas. Service was awesome. Our mesero or server was excellent. Super accommodating and we were outside and even the cook came out and asked if everything was good. The place is nice inside but we loved being outside for the atmosphere and the music is varied not all one genre. Loved it!!!!

Merry J.

Mezcal Cantina was a fantastic find--exactly the kind of spot you want when you're craving bold, flavorful Mexican food in a lively setting. We ordered the combo fajitas for two, and it was an absolute feast. The sizzling platter came loaded with perfectly grilled steak, chicken, and shrimp, all seasoned beautifully and served with sautéed peppers and onions that added just the right amount of char and sweetness. The portion was super generous, and the warm flour tortillas, rice, beans, guac, sour cream, and pico de gallo made it easy to build the perfect bite every time. It was one of those meals where you keep eating long after you're full because it's just that good. Before the main event, we were welcomed with complimentary chips and salsa--and honestly, that salsa deserves its own shoutout. It was fresh, zesty, and had just enough heat to wake up the palate without overpowering it. The chips were warm and crisp, clearly made in-house or at least freshly fried. The service was friendly and attentive, and the atmosphere had a great energy--festive but not too loud, perfect for a casual night out. Mezcal Cantina definitely delivered on flavor, portions, and hospitality. I'll be back for those fajitas again--and maybe a margarita (or two) next time.

Michael R.

Mezcal Cantina almost earned 5 stars from me if it weren't for a few mishaps that took place during my visit. There's a lot to love about this spot! I really enjoyed the food and will definitely be back to try more items on of the menu. However, a few service mishaps kept it from being a wonderful experience. Here's my breakdown of my experience: Environment It's a lovely space with lots of character. They have both outside and indoor dining space plus a full bar and plenty of seating. My only critique: the chairs in the dining area were quite small and really uncomfortable. Other than that, the ambiance was great and felt welcoming. Service The service had room for improvement and is the main reason i deducted a point. A miscommunication around the Taquitos order left us disappointed. The menu described it as "2 chicken, 2 shredded beef," so we assumed we were receiving 4 taquitos. However we only got two and when we asked for clarification, they argued bit that it was clear and then admitted that it was a typo but didn't offer any resolution aside from a quick apology - no discounts or additional taquitos, nothing. This response was underwhelming and put a damper on our experience. I included a picture in my review so future diners can know what to expect. Aside from this, the service was fine, but we were hoping for a little more attention to customer satisfaction. Food and Drinks Now the food was amazing! I had the chicken quesadillas and they were filling and delicious. I will definitely come back just for them and will definitely try other items on the menu. We overall enjoyed the food and are excited to see what else they have to offer. The drinks were fine and i would love to explore more of the cocktail menu to find a standout favorite. Overall Mezcal Cantina offers good vibes and really delicious food. With some improvements to the service and menu clarity, they could easily earn a full five stars from me! I'm excited to return and try more of what they have to offer.

Sangria Margarita and table guac

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3 months ago

Food was great especially after long train ride 10/10 would visit again margaritas were great.

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4 months ago

Worst Mexican food and drink place..period...food was not fresh..read reviews and was fooled

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CR NoMa - Swordfish Nicoise Salad

CR NoMa

4.4(223 reviews)
0.9 mi•NoMa
•$$

Went here for a work dinner and didn't know what to expect. Just followed the usual Yelp protocol…read moreand sent it. The place was pretty packed with everything from business to a bridal shower party. I really enjoyed how simple and inviting the place was for conversation. Being with other co-workers, I didn't want that place that I was screaming over everyone to have a conversation. More importantly, it wasn't that 20 year old vibe of being 4 deep at a bar begging for a drink. It was an elevated crowd that wanted a drink after work or a place to decompress. Oddly enough, there was even a guy there who whipped his laptop out to work while drinking and eat at the bar. Kinda different but hey, to each their own. Overall, this was a total win for me as it was still a weekday and exactly what I was looking for. Service at the bar was spot on and overall a secret win that Yelp help guide me towards. If you're in the area and need a post-work venue, I can vouch for this place 100% Food Taste: 5 Overall Service: 5 Value of service/food to cost: 4 Facility: 5 Ambiance: Pretty modern feel with that same take on food and value. Definitely fits the food vibe in the area. Repeat customer: yes Dog Friendly: no

I came here with a friend on a random Friday. It used to be open somewhere else in dc although this…read moreis a new location. It was quite loud when we came in, probably because it was Friday night. The service was great though. They were prompt and open to change, as needed. I ordered the pastrami sandwich, my friend got the flatbread and we shared the cigars. Everything was outstanding. I would definitely come back here again for more items.

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CR NoMa - Seating area near the front of the restaurant

Seating area near the front of the restaurant

CR NoMa - Chicken Kebab

Chicken Kebab

CR NoMa - Tea

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Tea

Flight Club D.C - At Flight Club Social Darts, cutting-edge tech meets an elevated menu of shareable snacks, cocktails, and curated beers.

Flight Club D.C

4.5(62 reviews)
0.3 mi
•$$
Free WiFi
Vegetarian friendly

I booked reservations on line for two people Saturday 1:30 which was $15pp. the time slots after…read morethat were $17pp. We took a little longer then expected to find a parking spot so we arrived 10 mins late to our booking time. The staff was so nice they slid our time slot by 15 mins so we could keep to the 90min total duration. We were quickly taken to our bay and was provided instructions on logging in to the system and selecting the games etc. the games were sooo fun! It really showed our competitive spirit! There were lines on the ground denoting your level of expertise so it's customizable to your skill level. We order a few drinks which were delivered quickly and tasted fantastic! The decor and vibe was so awesome!! There was so much to see and surprises at every turn. No spoilers but check it out! Of course we will be back!!

Well, this was my first time playing darts. Apparently at Flight Club, it's more than throwing…read moredarts at a board and hoping you hit the center. There are a variety of games that test your accuracy and precision. The club is intimate with it's Victorian decor. All the games are played and scored electronically. Food was okay. I got the beef sliders and parmesan fries. Items were pricey as the sliders did not include the fries. The patties were a tad too salty as well. Oh, and you get videos of your time there the next day if you enter your email at the start of the game.

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Flight Club D.C - Flight Club is a high-energy, upscale spot where tech-powered, fast-paced darts meet elevated small plates, craft beer, and a...

Flight Club is a high-energy, upscale spot where tech-powered, fast-paced darts meet elevated small plates, craft beer, and a...

Flight Club D.C - Flight Club Social Darts is a chic hangout offering immersive, technology-driven dart games alongside upgraded pub bites and ...

Flight Club Social Darts is a chic hangout offering immersive, technology-driven dart games alongside upgraded pub bites and ...

Flight Club D.C - Flight Club Social Darts is a nightlife destination.

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Flight Club Social Darts is a nightlife destination.

Free State - Hazy IPA

Free State

4.3(151 reviews)
0.1 mi
•$$

Not to be confused with Free State Distillery in Upper Marlboro (though many also call it Arthur…read moreWheeler Spirits haha), this place is located just off of the main street in chinatown, and it's surprisingly lowkey. It's a basement bar with a bit of a dive vibe, but it's hard to ignore the nautical, blue crab theme throughout. Turns out that one of the owners is a Marylander, which is cool to see reflected in the decor in a place in dc, even though it is next door. They have a happy hour and they have a great variety of drinks in general. It's bring-your-own-food (BYOF) and there are a bunch of delicious looking Asian spots nearby, including upstairs. It didn't start getting crowded until closer to 10, which, as I said, is surprising for this part of town to me. Everywhere in Chinatown is not going to be packed and busy, and this place is here to remind you of that. Stop by if you're looking for a more chill vibe. Staff are pretty cool.

Free State is perfect for a chill bar in the Downtown area. It's exactly the kind of place you want…read moreto share a few drinks and be able to hear the person in front of you. I had a delicious orange crush drink and my friend had a sangria. The bartenders are extremely chill and nice; they only come up when you need it which is nice for good conversation. I'll easily be back when I want to catch up with friends without a speaker blaring in our ears. Great place to introduce to more people!

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Free State - Spiked chocolate

Spiked chocolate

Free State - Bar

Bar

Free State - Small glasses

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Small glasses

Chadol Korean BBQ

Chadol Korean BBQ

4.5(138 reviews)
2.0 mi
•$$$
All you can eat
Full bar

Chadol Korean BBQ was such a fun pick for our monthly dinner series! My friends and I had a great…read moretime and honestly left fullllll. For $45 per person, the all-you-can-eat experience feels like a really solid deal considering how many protein options and side dishes you get. They start you off with a variety of banchan (side dishes), including a salad with this super tasty dressing that had the perfect little spicy kick. For the BBQ, we kicked things off with the spicy bulgogi and butter garlic shrimp, while the others tried the pork belly (I don't eat pork). Later we ordered the steak, spicy brisket, and grilled squid, which were all delicious. The spicy brisket especially was a standout for me. The guys also ordered two rounds of fried dumplings that looked amazing, but since they contain pork, I had to sit those out. I'd love to see Chadol add a veggie dumpling option to the menu! As for the sides, the kimchi and cold glass noodles were both hits at our table, and of course we all added white rice. The "mashed potatoes" though? Definitely more like potato salad and unfortunately very bland. On the other hand, the cheese corn costs extra but is 1000% worth adding. For drinks, the guys enjoyed the Woody Old Fashioned while I had a mezcal margarita-style cocktail that was smoky and refreshing. We also ordered one of the chicken options but never received it and eventually just gave up on it. One of the coolest parts of the experience is the ordering system. Most meats are ordered directly from a machine at your table, and the food comes out quickly on this conveyor belt-style setup which was honestly so fun. Drinks and side dishes are ordered through the servers. The atmosphere was lively and energetic without feeling overwhelming. The restaurant is actually much larger inside than I expected, with a modern setup that works well for smaller groups. That said, I didn't really notice tables for larger parties, so I'm not sure how they accommodate groups bigger than 6 people. Service started off a little rough because our server wasn't very attentive, but after I called it out, he definitely stepped it up and things improved. Overall, Chadol was a really good experience and absolutely worth the price. The 1.5-hour seating limit makes sense too, both to keep things moving and give others a chance to enjoy the experience. I'd definitely go back!

I ate here around a year ago and reviewed them on google. The food is not good, service is slow,…read morefor some reason you can't order certain things with the tablet, and it's really easy to miss the little automated train thing that brings out your food. This place has negative reviews deleted on Google. Spend your money elsewhere, there's better Korean food in DC.

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Chadol Korean BBQ
Chadol Korean BBQ
Chadol Korean BBQ

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Ciel Capitol Hill

Ciel Capitol Hill

4.1(14 reviews)
0.8 mi•NoMa

Omg!! The food was delicious. This was my first time patronizing this restaurant and I was blown…read moreaway. Interestingly enough they have two locations which I did not know. The food at this location was great. The red snapper with the rice and tomatoes was very flavorful. The red snapper could have been cooked a little harder. However, other than that it was great. My friend order the same dish except with salmon. She enjoyed the dish as well but also mentioned that the fish could be cooked harder. We sat at the bar so we didn't get service from the waiter. However, the service from the bartender as great. He was very knowledgeable on the drinks and the food. Unfortunately, I did not get a picture of the drinks. But I ordered a smoked margarita which had a great taste. The ambiance was wonderful. It was very aesthetically please. From the flowers on the ceiling to the rooftop overlooking the Capitol it was great. The roof top provided a chill vibe with low music. It could be a great place for a date night or just a place to go to meet up with friends. I 100% recommend.

Finding a spot open past 10 PM in this area can be tough, so I was glad this rooftop restaurant at…read morethe Marriott Capitol Hill was open until 11 PM. However, the experience started on a rough note. When checking in at the Marriott, the front desk agent was quite rude and incorrectly insisted the restaurant was already closed. The African American guy behind the counter definitely needs some etiquette lessons or at least needs to be trained if he is supposed to be the face of Marriott Capitol Hill. Fortunately, we went up to the rooftop anyway. They seemed short-staffed, but the bartender stepped in to serve us and was absolutely wonderful. Lighting could be better, IMO it's a little too dark for my liking. The food was also a bit hit-or-miss. The sweet chili shrimp appetizer was fabulous, hot, and featured a great portion size. For the entree, I had the Trout a lo Macho. The presentation was beautiful and it arrived piping hot, but unfortunately, the mussels were not cleaned properly and still had dirt in them. For the price, the food could have been a bit more polished, though the portions were appropriate. Pros: Great rooftop views, excellent bartender service, and reasonable on-site parking ($8/hr or $12 for 2 hours, which is great for DC).

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Ciel Capitol Hill
Ciel Capitol Hill
Ciel Capitol Hill

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Bar Betsie - Back area

Bar Betsie

4.4(74 reviews)
1.3 mi

Stopped into Bar Betsie for drinks and snacks and really liked the place. The whole bar has a cool…read moreretro vibe with neon, a disco ball, dark booths, and a long bar that was packed by the time we were there. We grabbed a couple drinks and ordered some snacks while we hung out. The soft pretzel with mustard was good, but the buffalo chicken dip with Cheetos was the winner. It was exactly the kind of over-the-top bar food that works after a couple drinks. The atmosphere is really what makes the place. It was busy and energetic without feeling like a club, and we could still sit, have a drink, and actually talk. Cool spot for cocktails, snacks, and hanging out for a while. Definitely somewhere we'd come back to.

I love the ambiance and service here. I've been a couple times and it's been very consistent. The…read moreinside is dark and moody with a fantastic playlist. I always leave with new songs on my playlist. It is on the smaller side so I wouldn't suggest for a huge group. But if you're looking to grab a cocktail with a few friends or by yourself I definitely recommend. I ordered the Gold Rush! The drink was perfectly sweet and a good intro to bourbon, which I typically don't drink. I can't remember the second drink I got but it was equally delicious. I will note my friend was not a fan of her dirty martini. Overall great experiences.

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Bar Betsie - Quick view of options

Quick view of options

Bar Betsie - Frozen hibiscus pina colada

Frozen hibiscus pina colada

Bar Betsie - A well balanced Old Fashioned

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A well balanced Old Fashioned

The Alchemist DC - Killer Sally

The Alchemist DC

4.2(124 reviews)
1.4 mi•U Street Corridor

When we walked in around 6:45p it was empty. But around 7-7:40pm it started filling up. It's been a…read morelong time since I was back at a true cocktail bar. Cocktails have become trendy and mostly a lazy combination of a spirit, simple syrup and a fancy-sounding ingredient. Not here. Each combination is crafted and tastes delicious. One sign of a good cocktail to me is that it has balanced flavors that somehow combine well together to create complexity that works. It did here. Our bartender was knowledgeable and guided me well after I shared my preferred spirit and flavor profile. The martini I had was off-menu and well prepared. Nostalgia for days of yore when only a handful of places in NYC were known for "cocktails" - not every happy hour menu in town. We did get the happy hour pricing ($12/drink) and yes, 20% gratuity was included. The service was stellar so I would've done that anyways and had no problem with it being mandatory. I will add - someone complained about the incense smells and when I first walked in, it did smell odd. Over time, I saw our bartender switch it out and the second fragrance was more inviting.

Very cool speakeasy type bar with skilled bartenders. They do fun themes such as house of the…read moredragon with smoke bubbles on the drinks. Good place for a one and done drink because they are very expensive... but it is DC so it's expected.

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The Alchemist DC - Bubble machine!

Bubble machine!

The Alchemist DC - Something experimental (no name, yet!)

Something experimental (no name, yet!)

The Alchemist DC - House made!

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House made!

Mezcal Cantina - mexican - Updated October 2026

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