Came in because our other options were closed for Holiday Hours!!! What a blessing!! Will greeted us and ask," Dinner or Happy Hour?" We replied, Both!!! "Vale!!!" Will say us in the corner where we had the great view of the old rustic style Taberna! Amazing Callos Madreños, Pulpo a la braza, broccolini a las brasas, y patatas bravas...( brava sauce ) on the side... super delighted and also excited to try their house bread- pasas, olivo, y blanco... what a blessing! Much cheaper to visit La Taberna del Alabardero and Chef Malo than to fly and visit Madrid! Venga!!! Highly recommend this beautiful place! read more

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This is a solid old-school Spanish restaurant in DC. Despite living here for over five years, I had no idea this place existed until a friend hosted her birthday party here. One of the highlights of the evening was the live flamenco performance, which created a lively and memorable atmosphere. The service was very attentive, and the staff were kind, welcoming, and helpful throughout the night. Overall, the food was decent, with a few standout dishes. The mushroom croquettes and fried eggplant were especially enjoyable. The patatas bravas and paella, however, were just okay. The paella in particular was quite mushy and lacked depth of flavor. The complimentary birthday dessert was a thoughtful touch and tasted great. While I'm not sure this will become a regular spot for me, since I personally prefer tapas restaurants like Boqueria or Barcelona Wine Bar, I still had a very enjoyable experience overall. read more

You can find this at the bottom of any bill, or even on their website: "Tax and service charge not included. A 20% service charge will be added to all bills. This is not a gratuity. 15% is shared among our service team; 5% is retained by the restaurant to support operational costs. Additional tipping is optional" This should be illegal. Never, ever visit this establishment. Revolting policy. read more

This was such a nice ambiance - we ate at 4 so it was quiet, and cozy yet classical. Tables were a generous distance apart which we appreciated. We had 2 tapas - patatas bravas and a manchego cheese with raspberry sauce. We also ordered a paella - all were good. Service was attentive. read more

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The restaurant had a nice atmosphere and the staff were polite. Food presentation was good, but some dishes were a bit too salty for my taste. Overall it was an okay experience, just not as memorable as I expected. read more

More like a 3.5 as the Fabada Asturiana carried the team with a 5/5. The good: they did a wonderful job making the place look and feel like a Spanish Tasca. The service was excellent with attentive and knowledgeable staff. The Fabada Asturiana, which was the soup of the day, was incredibly flavorful and loaded with chorizo and morcilla, I could've had a lot more of it! The bad: the tapas are based primarily around bread, the bread was stale! Came in a basket that was clearly sitting out, uncovered, one slice at a time. C'mon now, bare minimum is to have fresh bread, and don't skimp on it! We had a table full of tapas with 1/2 a slice of stale bread each... make it make sense. It was very pricey, but it was expected given the location. With quite a few other Spanish cuisine options in the area, I'm not expecting to come back. read more

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We went to Taberna Del Alabardero when my parents were in town because my mom really wanted paella. The food was good, and the flamenco dancing was fun entertainment, but overall, I wasn't blown away by the experience. We had booked a reservation on Open Table, and I called to confirm the day before. When we arrived, the host was a bit flustered and couldn't find our reservation, and then he seemed to find it and led us to our table. We did have great seats! Basically right up close to the flamenco dancing! The service was okay. The server did her job but wasn't warm or adding anything to the experience. My biggest complaint is that it was so hot in the restaurant! I run cold and always bring a sweater, but I was sweating because there was no air flow at all in there. It was super uncomfortable and really took away from the experience. The flamenco music and dancing was awesome and definitely the highlight of the night! I loved the guitars. We had a great view of the show. The appetizers were all tasty! The food was very good. The paella was good but not the best I've had. We tried two different seafood paellas. I preferred the squid and octopus paella. The servings are very generous! Each portion is about $42. Overall, a mixed experience. I loved the decor of the restaurant and the flamenco. The food was good but not amazing. And I felt the service left something to be desired. read more

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My wife is from Spain so when she says it's the most authentic Spanish food in the dmv I believe her. Try to get a table around 7 pm in view of the flamenco performance that starts at 8 on weekends. It's excellent too. read more

We tried to come for happy hour and didn't know this was a white table cloth establishment! I felt a bit underdressed and dissapointed that the happy hour menu was likely not served in the main dining room. Anyways, we decided to order from the regular menu. While the patatas bravas were fine, these are not a must order here. Do order the gambas al ajillo - perfectly cooked succulent shrimp with crispy garlic chips on top. Chef's kiss! The waitress recommended octopus dish and wow I'm glad she did. It was so tender and flavorful and the potatoes paired nicely with it. The flan was not my favorite (a bit too dense, not light enough). The complimentary butter cookies were very good - so maybe that'll be dessert next time read more

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Delicious! I went on a Tuesday evening around 7pm. It was fairly empty. I was going to sit at the bar because I was on a time crunch but it was so lovely inside I got a table right away. Bread service was prompt and I tried the black olive bread that was tasty. The waiter suggested a wine (vina otano) based on my preference for medium bodied. It was divine!! I wanted the crusted baked fish but the waiter told me the wait time was 45 minutes. I ordered the grilled option and it took about 20 minutes. The vegetables and fish were cooked to perfection. I browsed the dessert menu but I didn't want to be late to my next destination so I skipped. I will be returning in the near future. Lastly, a 20% service fee is already included so pay attention to your receipt. read more

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When we were in Spain last year, we loved having tapas. The small portions were perfect and allowed us to taste a variety of things without feeling like we just ate an entire chicken or a side of beef. Surprisingly, we haven't had tapas since we've been back in the States, even though there are tons of great options in NYC. When we found ourselves in DC, Yelp recommended this place and I read some reviews and immediately said "Sold!" and off we went. And it was delicious...everything was wonderful to me and they did a great job with pacing. We started with a tuna tartare over avocado appetizer which I loved. Then we started with tapas. They brought out 2 or 3 at a time so the table was never overcrowded and we got to enjoy each dish individually. I loved everything and standouts included the crabmeat fritters and the gildas. Garlic shrimp was amazing and the fried eggplant with honey was almost ethereal in its texture, like eating a crispy cloud topped with honey. The rustic bread was also wonderful. I had two rye old fashioneds which were not only expertly made but delivered in the blink of an eye. Very impressive. The atmosphere is warm and cozy and service it top-notch. I would definitely recommend. read more

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Popped in while visiting DC and was seated right away. The restaurant is very cozy and cute with lots of Spanish-influenced art and decor. The service is upscale and the staff are professional and friendly. They were good at answering questions about the food items. We ordered tapas and the food did not disappoint! We ordered the fried eggplant with honey, the Serrano ham croquettes, and the tuna and potato salad. The wait staff brought us freshly baked bread and they offered a selection of olive bread, white bread, and wheat bread. The table has a small olive oil cruet. The eggplant was delicious! It was a bit different from the eggplant I had in Barcelona last spring. It was still yummy! The potato and tuna salad was amazing. It was fresh and had good chunks of tuna. It was delicious with some olive oil on top and the perfect accompaniment for the bread. The Serrano ham croquettes were delicious!! They were crunchy in the outside and smooth and creamy on the inside. The bread I had was the olive bread and it was so good. It was fresh, had a nice crust and was very soft and pillowy on the inside. Of course I dipped it in the olive oil on the table for extra yumminess. Our desert was delicate and light and packed with flavor! We ordered the lemon tartar with mango sorbet. It was refreshing and cleansed the palate, which was the perfect way to end our dinner! I definitely will come by again and try other items. I have my eye on the duck liver entree! Yum! Enjoy! read more

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Great food , great service Carmen is the best she was attentive, extremely nice , knowledgeable, professional and courteous . I will come more often an ask to be sitted with Carmen. Outstanding food , service , great flamenco show, all the staff went the extra mile to give us the best expperience. German Montserrat read more

We stopped by Taberna del Alabardero to celebrate a low-key birthday. First, the service team was very top-notch and left us waiting for nothing. Actually, we had a very personal experience because we were two of 4-6 people in the restaurant. Since we arrived for an early lunch, I think the restaurant is a little more busy for dinner service. Also, the ambiance of the restaurant makes you feel like you stepped into a bar/restaurant in Madrid. For our dining pleasure, we had a nice spread of delicious bite, which included Croquetas de Boletus y Trufa, Gildas, Pulpo a La Gallega, Gambas Al, Ajillo, Tortilla de Patatas, Ensaladilla de Atún, Patatas Bravas, and Paella Mixta. While I do not remember how everything tasted, I definitely remember taking multiple bites from the various tapas. Yes, we had quite a bit of food for two people. All in all, if you want a pretty decent, low-key tasting Spain, this is your spot. There are other (perhaps more popular) Spanish restaurants in the area, but this one seems to be less busy so it might be easier to get a table here. I thought the prices of our tapas and main course were reasonable compared to other Spanish restaurants in the area. read more

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I came here with a friend for a light dinner and was immediately stunned by the interior -- a beautiful blend of Victorian elegance. * CROQUETAS DE JAMÓN SERRANO: Crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside, and uniquely shaped into cubes. Absolutely delicious! * CALAMARES A LA ANDALUZA CON ALIOLI DE AJETES: Perfectly fried calamari, incredibly crispy, and elevated by the flavorful scallion aioli -- an excellent pairing. * MEJILLONES CON SALSA MARISCADA: The mussels were fresh served in a bland broth. I've had better. Overall, it was a fantastic dining experience. The food and atmosphere, I'd happily recommend it and plan to return to explore more of the menu! read more

Taberna del Alabardero - CROQUETAS DE JAMÓN SERRANO - Spanish Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I swear I've reviewed la Taberna del Alabardero at least twice. Didn't your own review used to pop up first when you went to a restaurant's site on Yelp? Anyhow we had a fabulous meal with great service in a lovely atmosphere. And if you subtract the cost of drinks, it was very reasonable. See started with an appetizer of txiporones en su tinto con arroz. This was a larger than expected portion of small squids in their ink over the most luscious rice I've ever had anywhere. The main was dorada en sal -- a whole fish baked in salt. It was accompanied by roasted vegetables and a wonderful garlic sauce. Our waiter, Alvaro, broke the thick crust of salt, and very carefully filleted the fish. This dish was obviously meant to be shared. The fish was fabulous -- almost a religious experience. This was the best meal we have had anywhere -- since we were last in Spain. We've eaten at La Taberna maybe four times in the past two years. This was the first time we've tried txiporones or the fish baked in salt. Now I want to explore the whole menu. What a wonderful meal and wonderful evening. We'll be back. read more

Taberna del Alabardero - Alvaro. - Spanish Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

We visited Taberna for the first time for valentines day. It seemed like they bit off more than they could chew. Most reservations were delayed around 30minutes. The resturant has no where you can stand so you just keep getting pingponged around the hostess area. The food was very tasty but the service was pretty bad. To top it off they add a 20% service charge to the checks but explicitly claim it is not gratuity. 15% of the 20% goes to the staff.....so gratuity. While the remaining 5% goes to the restaurant to keep it running. Honestly it was really tasteless and definitely put a sour taste in our mouth. Like I said above the food was very tasty but I wouldn't go back just on the fact that the service was bad and the service charge was bogus. read more

Taberna del Alabardero - Spanish Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Celebrated our 60 wedding anniversary with 10 people.Table ws decorated with rose pedals and a very sweet card.Service was very good, waiter was knowledgeable and very pleasant.The food was excellent and served hot. Ambiance was excellent with the music and flamenco dancers. We had a genuinely fun evening. read more

The restaurant smelled like bleach. The food was fine, not crazy pricey for DC, but they added a 20% gratuity automatically, and we were a small party with no split bills. I guess they just do that on every bill. So tacky. read more

We visited this spot during restaurant week and had a great time. Friday night they have flamingo dancing at 8pm which was great to see. The food was great! Solid options for appetizers, entrees, and dessert. The chicken paella and flan were standouts. Definitely be sure to stay for dessert. read more

Taberna del Alabardero - Chicken Paella - Spanish Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

This rating was difficult for me to make. The restaurant was beautiful, and I was impressed with the event spaces. The staff was very polite and professional. The tapas were delicious. However, the paella was the worst I've ever had, and it really ruined the experience. The rice was severely overcooked; the lobster was unseasoned, and its texture was mealy; and the flavor was bland. Four of us had the lobster paella, and we all thought it was not good. We had had high hopes, but none of us were impressed. I picked this restaurant for our party in large part BECAUSE of the paella. What a let down! And what an embarrassment! Everyone else in our party, who ordered other main courses, were delighted with their food. So, while my personal experience was a 2 or 3, I'm giving this place a LOW 4. If my guests and I hadn't had the paella, I think this place would be a strong 4. Don't order the paella! read more

I had dinner here with a friend last weekend and we both really enjoyed it. She started with the gazpacho and had the crab ball appetizer as a main dish. I was afraid she wouldn't have enough food, but she definitely did. I started with the octopus -- pulpo a la gallega -- which I thought was a bit light on octopus (vs. potato), but it was very good. I had the shrimp-stuffed salmon roulade as a main course. I didn't really notice the shrimp, but the salmon was very moist and good. The menu says that it comes with a green asparagus sauce, but didn't say that it came on top of a delicious asparagus-flavored risotto, which I definitely liked as much as the salmon. For dessert, I had the crema caramel and my friend had the chocolate mousse. We relished both. Seeing a huge wonderful-looking paella come out to a neighboring table, I'm going to try harder next time to persuade my companion into paella (which is served in portions for two). Another dish I want to try next time is the fried manchego with raspberry sauce appetizer. I really liked the old-fashioned elegance of the setting. Service was friendly and efficient. The menu says there is a 20 percent service charge added to all bills, which is "not a gratuity" but consists of 15 percent shared among the service team and 5% retained by the restaurant for operational costs. Our bill did NOT include the service charge. Not sure whether the restaurant has abandoned the charge or not, but it definitely was not imposed on us (even though I still see it in the online menu.) Wheelchair accessibility notes: There is a handicap equipped restroom tucked away in a side room on the main level. No steps to enter. Some dining areas are up a couple of steps, but others are on the main level. read more

Service was terrible. They force 20% gratuity onto customers and do not provide service worth even a 5% gratuity. The people on both sides of our table got served and finished before us, even though we were seated before them. The waiters did not check on us at all. Saw them 4 times total. 1. Took our drink order. 2. Took our food order. 3. Took our desert order. 4. Brought us our checks. Pathetic Service. Good good read more

After seeing the White House from afar, we walked a few blocks over to Taberna del Alabardero for an early dinner. When browsing quickly on Google, I completely overlooked how elegant the restaurant would be since I was just excited for some tapas. Needless to say, we felt fairly underdressed in our vacation-wear, but the staff didn't seem to mind and took great care of us throughout our meal. With this being more of a fine dining spot, pricing is steeper. Some sections of the menu note that the listed price is per portion (like for paella), so you'd need to multiply the price by the number of people eating it. If you're sticking with tapas, like we did, you don't need to worry about this. While waiting for our food, one waiter came by with a bread basket and I selected a slice of their raisin bread. In general, the service was outstanding. They traded our plates out halfway through and kept our waters full. The waitstaff appears to work together on tending to all tables, which they did with great organization. + PULPO A LA GALLEGA ($20): Tender pieces of octopus were served with potatoes and sprinkled liberally with Spanish paprika. The octopus was perfectly firm and not rubbery at all. The dish overall tasted very natural. + TORREZNOS DE SORIA ($15): This cured pork belly had a super crispy exterior and was sprinkled with what I believe was paprika. The pieces of pork were meaty and had pretty proportionate layers of meat to fat. + GAMBAS AL AJILLO ($19): Plump and deshelled shrimp in a garlic olive oil. Between the crispy garlic pieces and mild heat from red pepper flakes, these shrimp had so much flavor. My favorite plate of the night! + TXIPIRONES EN SU TINTA CON ARROZ ($20): Baby squid with ink sauce and rice. The squid was so tender and I could not get enough of the creamy buttery rice. Definitely order this. + POLLO AL AJILLO ($16): Pan-seared rosemary chicken in a garlic & white wine sauce. While the chicken was nicely cooked, I actually didn't taste much garlic and instead, the rosemary dominated the flavor. Meh, I'd skip this dish. + MOLLETE DE TXANGURRO ($16): The menu describes this as just a crab cake, but it actually came in sandwich form, like a slider. The bread overpowered the crab cake which was somewhat bland by itself. It came paired with a small side of greens, tossed in a slightly tangy, sweet, onion-y dressing. + BERENJENAS FRITAS CON MIEL ($10): Thin slices of eggplant fried to a golden brown and drizzled with honey. I've never had eggplant like this before... it was truly addicting! We loved the eggplant and shrimp dishes so much that we got a second serving of both. At the end of our meal, they served complimentary butter cookies and chocolate crisp treats for a sweet ending. The classy atmosphere, attentive friendly service and variety of food made this a worthwhile splurge and wonderful experience. read more

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The hostess was very approachable and welcoming, and made sure that my suitcase was tucked in the storage area so I can get seated with the group for dinner. We ordered a whole bunch of tapas, especially the octopus and the rice plates. The sangria was amazing and definitely refreshing. The whole room was filled with Spanish decor in and a wonderful live guitarist serenading the whole restaurant. Will return for another meal next year read more

Taberna del Alabardero - Center entrance - Spanish Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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This is a truly exceptional restaurant. The food was outstanding; service was equally exceptional; the little touches the restaurant added for Valentine's Day was wonderful. For Valentine's Day dinner, they greeted waiting guests with complimentary Cavas and long-stemmed roses. The food was truly outstanding. We love good Spanish tapas, and the dishes we had (pork belly, crispy eggplants, Spanish cheese board, and wild mushroom from the "sides" section) were all better than those we've had at even some of our favorite Spanish restaurants in the region. The pork belly that they prepared using their own house style was especially memorable: crispy, perfectly seasoned, good texture. The seafood paella with lobster was also a wonderful surprise. It came with a whole lobster, and the table-side presentation was a very nice touch for the special dish. We were disappointed they didn't have the flamenco dancing that they supposedly normally have on regular Saturday nights, but before we could ask about it, one of the staff explained that because there were so many guests, they didn't have the space that they usually do to accommodate the dancing. That was understandable, and my wife and I will definitely have to come back for the dancing and to try more dishes from their menu. We would highly recommend Taberna del Alabardero for special occasions or just good food. read more

Originally came for restaurant week but was disappointed by the menu because it was the standard flat rate price but then most things had an add on price as well which is not what a restaurant week menu is supposed to be. So we ended up doing happy hour instead which worked out cheaper. There is indoor and outdoor seating. We originally booked outdoor but then asked to move inside after my companion was being bitten and they were very accommodating. We had two servers, Nelson who was very nice and then once we moved inside we had a young lady who was also working the bar. From the menu we had the Garlic shrimp and that was very good. If you haven't tried dipping the bread in that sauce, you should. And then we tried both the ham and mushroom croquettes- I preferred the ham. We also had the mixed seafood paella. Note that it's not $25 for the table but $25 per person eating. It comes in one big dish and they serve it to you table side into individual plates which was exciting. That was good as well. Overall I would probably do happy hour there again but know it's going to be a bit pricey. read more

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Amazing service, tapas and atmosphere. My cousin was in town and wanted Spanish tapas... we loved the shrimp, croquettes, pork belly... all great recommendations. What a beautiful restaurant. Fresh bread was amazing too. Highly recommend! read more

Authentic and excellent Spanish food in the middle of DC. Croquetas de Jamon are a must.

Absolutely delicious tapas. We tried the pork belly, eggplant, salmon, potatoes (bravas), and the mussels appetizer. We didn't leave a crumb behind, it was all so good! The restaurant also offers bread (3 different types to choose from) and will close out your meal with petite cookies. Service was delightful and so attentive. I wish this restaurant was local to me and not a vacation find--I'd become a regular. Definitely give this place a grey if you're nearby! read more

Taberna del Alabardero - Mussels - Spanish Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Our third restaurant week at Taberna! We looked forward to trying new items and we were not disappointed. However, many items you had to pay extra (only two out of like 6 dessert options were no extras). Service was amazing like before and we caught a bit of live music at the end! read more

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Went with family to have dinner and see the flamenco. We had an amazing time. Got there for happy hour which is a great deal. Salted cod balls were amazing. Drinks were good. Moved from there to dinner. Paella. Great. More drinks. Great music! Ended up spending 4 hours there and we loved it Would definitely recommend. read more

Expected the paella to rock my world - was just ok. Tortilla, manchego, paella - all just ok. Sangria was good. Nothing incredible but great place for a work lunch. read more

Taberna del Alabardero - Summary of review - Spanish Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

This place genuinely feels like a little escape to Spain in the middle of D.C. From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere was warm, intimate, and classic -- white tablecloths, rustic touches, and that cozy, old-world energy that makes you want to settle in and stay awhile. We leaned fully into the tapas experience, and I'm so glad we did. The pacing was excellent -- dishes came out in waves, not all at once, which let us actually enjoy each plate instead of feeling overwhelmed. Standouts for me were the gambas al ajillo (perfectly cooked shrimp with crispy garlic that you'll want to soak up with bread), the crabmeat fritters, and the fried eggplant with honey, which somehow managed to be light, crispy, and indulgent all at the same time. Truly one of those dishes you keep talking about after you leave. We also ordered a paella, which was flavorful and well-executed, and the pulpo was tender with just the right char. Drinks deserve a mention too -- the cocktails came out fast and were balanced and well-made, which is always a good sign. Service was attentive without hovering. Our server clearly knew the menu and made thoughtful recommendations, which made the experience feel relaxed and confident rather than scripted. It's definitely more of a sit-down, take-your-time kind of place -- perfect for date night, out-of-town guests, or anyone missing Spain. Traveler tip: If you're staying nearby and want to keep the night going after dinner, Pressure Deliveries is a great option for premier cannabis delivery -- super convenient for winding down back at your hotel or Airbnb. All in all, this spot delivers exactly what it promises: authentic flavors, strong hospitality, and a dining experience that actually feels like a journey. I'd absolutely come back. read more

Spanish restaurant with great atmosphere. Every worker was helpful and attentive. I was not very hungry so ordered a shrimp tapas and pork tapas and the shrimp was seasoned perfectly. The pork was cooked as advertised, but the shrimp was a hit. I completed the meal with apple pie and a coffee. The apple pie was so tasty! Two days later I ate here again and ordered a Tapas calamari and egg plant. I really enjoyed the egg plant it was cut very thin and was crispy like chips. I completed the meal again with another apple pie. Clean place and cool atmosphere. A must try place. read more

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Food was 3.5, only tried two of their appetizers, the crabmeat one was better than the potatoes. Service was dismal, they wouldn't seat us because it was already 8pm though they close much later. The host was rude to first turn us away when there were other customers who still haven't ordered yet. But then decided to seat us. We rushed to order then the host came by and asked if we wanted dessert, to which he said to take our time!!! We could have stayed to enjoy our meal. Ambiance is a 2, a little dated in decor and paint. read more

Taberna del Alabardero - Spanish Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Great location with a serious-about-food vibe that still manages to feel cool and approachable. The expansive outdoor seating offered a more casual dining experience, and the street noise was surprisingly low. Service was attentive, skilled, and intuitive. Just when you need something, someone shows up. The red sangria was light and refreshing, and their bar selection is impressive, including a mocktails menu, which delighted my daughter. The bread was gorgeous, airy and light inside with a delightfully chewy crust that begged for olive oil. The eggplant chips were crispy and lightly sweet. We also ordered the Serrano ham and cheese croquettes, and we were not wowed by those. They were fried to perfection, but the mousse-like texture of the insides was not a win for me. The beef tenderloin and mashed potatoes, though...that was an experience. Amazing. read more

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We made our reservation on Open Table. The food was good, atmosphere is ok. The service is ok; kind of all over the place. The person serving our water had a runny nose and kept on touching her nose . I had to tell her to stop pouring water for us. Servers were standing on the side the whole night blocking us from watching the Band . We were charged a Fare wage fee of 5%. My understanding is that the restaurant has to display that charge before customer orders and this charge was not displayed. read more

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Beautiful restaurant. Fun, live performers. Great service and food. The ambiance is warm and inviting; felt like a lot of patrons were regulars. I really enjoyed the Spanish vibe. The staff is incredibly attentive, and had helpful recommendations. For anyone who loves seafood or wants to experience a unique dish done to perfection, the pulpo/octopus here is an absolute must-try! read more

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5 stars for a really great hidden tapas spot. My wife and I were looking to complete a card for the Spanish embassy related to tapas and saw Taberna del Alabardero was near my work. We called ahead to see if the venue's patio allowed dogs (it does!) and headed over to check the spot out. Located near the intersection of 18th and I next to another tapas spot (Tia Pepa), Taberna doesn't look like much from the outside (honestly I thought it was a bar when I had previously passed it), but the venue is actually very nice. However, we elected to sit outside with our pup in the covered patio area. Our waiter came up soon afterwards to greet us and bring us menus. He and the staff were solid throughout the meal, except for taking a long time to bring the check at the end (a phenomenon that is resurfacing at many venues with the pandemic behind us). My wife and I decided to order a bunch of tapas rather than get main courses, and boy did we get a lot of food. This includes: 1) the bunuelos de txangurro (crab fritters), which were solid when dipped in a fun white sauce my wife ordered that I can't remember, 2) pork belly (solid), 3) berenjena Frits con miel (eggplant chips drizzled with honey that were awesome), 4) croquettas de Jamon (ham croquettes that were solid), and 5) gazpacho (solid). However, the true star of the show surprisingly enough was the shrimp mango salad. It came with pistachios, a huge piece of Carmelita's goat cheese, and a great vinaigrette. It was absolutely delicious and something I would eat for lunch any day. Overall, Taberna del Alabardero delivered us a great tapas experience. The solid service and food make this a great "hidden gem" spot to check out. read more

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