Taberna del Alabardero

As usual here the food was delicious. Service was good but hurried. The interior of the restaurant was so cold that we and several others kept our coats on.

Always a pleasure to come to the Taberna! Extra interesting restaurant week menu this time around. I had the artichoke main -- unusual, different, good. Tasty Tempranillo crianza. Espresso was just right o finish off relaxed meal. Fun to sit in the more cozy back room on a cold day. Small quibble -- would have been nice to see a hot soup on the menu.

I had an absolute wonderful experience and truly enjoyed their DC restaurant menu. I will definitely be back

Mr. Ramon and his staff are fabulous. Very elegant, professional, knowledgeable and gracious. I have been coming for more than 20 years and the food is consistently excellent.

Dinner and service excellent! Food quality and presentation delightful. Ambiance very nice.

Went during DC restaurant week - and to celebrate my birthday. The lunch was fabulous! The paella was Devine! Service was impeccable! We will be back!!

Will come back and will recommend to family and friends, we absolutely loved the food , the service , the ambience , the live performances. 10/10

We were initially assigned a table with no view at all of the Flamenco Show, but the staff acted promptly to fix that and moved us to a table inches from the Tablao, right next to the dancers. It couldn't have been better. Excellent customer service and delicious food!

The atmosphere is very nice, straight out of Madrid. However we found all the dishes too salty.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 2

Service: 4

Such authentic Spanish food, I felt like I was back in Spain, had croquettes, gambas, and a great Spanish White wine picked by our server.....the Jamon was out of this world.....Beautiful decor and ambiance.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

We chose this restaurant for a group gathering and made a reservation for 10 people in a private room, with a $200 deposit. At the time of booking, we were informed there would be a $500 minimum spend. About a week in advance, our group size changed to 7, and we proactively contacted the restaurant to move to the common dining area instead of the private room. After communicating with the coordinator, Rosemarie she agreed to waive the $500 minimum spend and instead apply a $55 minimum per person, which should have totaled $385. We appreciated her flexibility at that stage and felt everything was clearly agreed upon in advance.

However, when the bill arrived, there were several issues. First, the $500 minimal still applied due to bad internal communication. The mandatory 22% service charge appeared to be applied twice. Additionally, a $13 room fee was included, even though we were seated in the common area and did not use a private room. As a result, the total service-related charges were not reasonable and far exceeded what we had agreed to or expected.

We raised these concerns and had to ask multiple times for the bill to be revised. While the one double charge was eventually adjusted, there was very little explanation provided and no apology for the confusion. The lack of clear communication between management and billing staff made the experience frustrating and uncomfortable.

The food itself was okay, but the billing issues and unreasonable service charges overshadowed the meal. With clearer coordination, transparency, and better communication, this experience could have been handled much better.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 3

Service: 1

This restaurant genuinely feels like stepping into a traditional Spanish taberna without leaving the city. The space is cozy, elegant, and welcoming — perfect for a relaxed dinner where you can take your time and enjoy the experience.
We focused on tapas, and everything was beautifully paced. Standout dishes included the gambas al ajillo (perfectly cooked shrimp with crispy garlic), crabmeat fritters, pulpo, and the unforgettable fried eggplant with honey — light, crispy, and somehow cloud-like. The paella was also flavorful and well-balanced. Drinks were excellent and arrived quickly, which always adds to a great evening.
Service was attentive and knowledgeable, with thoughtful recommendations that made ordering easy, especially if it’s your first time. It’s a great spot for date night, special occasions, or bringing out-of-town guests who want something memorable.
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If you’re visiting D.C. and craving authentic Spanish flavors in a warm, classic setting, this place is absolutely worth the stop.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Food was amazing. We ordered the Paella which was fabulous. We haven’t had that good of a Paella since we were in Spain. The Sangria was also very good. The service was also top notch. All the staff were extremely professional and welcoming. The vibe was really good too. The restaurant is really elegant and it set the mood in a great way. There is a 20% service charge no matter the party size so that’s something to keep in mind.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Staff are not good

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 2

Service: 1

Everything at La Taberna del Alabardero was absolutely delicious! We started with the patatas bravas, gambas al ajillo and eggplant, both packed with flavor and perfectly prepared. Then came the stars of the night, the mar y tierra paella and the black rice… ufff ufff ufff! Truly incredible dishes, rich, hearty, and unforgettable.

If you’re craving authentic Spanish cuisine done right, this place is a must-visit!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5