50 Best Latin American Restaurants near Bethesda

“Buena atención, el ambiente se siente como en casa.“

“This is a cute tapas restaurant in the middle of Bethesda. The servers are very friendly. Among the tapas, we enjoyed the chorizo, shrimp, and lamb chops (which was tasty but not tender). The ceviche could have been better. It did not have enough fish with some of the pieces being chewy. The chef recommended white wine was decent but there was not much of a bouquet. We also ordered the flan, which was excellent. It helped finishing the night in a high note. Overall, it was a good experience. It seems they are usually open late for dinner.“

“Always love getting their grilled chicken, and Carlos always brings a smile to my face whenever he works. Jose got me hooked on their Pollo sauce and I keep begging them to sell the sauce in a jar (lol) love the friendly staff and the Bethesda spot is by far my favorite location“

“Great food great service!“

“Brunch is amazing. Bottomless margaritas and the churros are excellent!“

“Elegant setting. Beautiful decor. Stellar service. Innovative and delectable cuisine. Bonus points for mocktail options.“

“Great food! The only complaint I have is the laptop policy which prevents this from being a place to get work done especially over the weekend. However that’s subjective and I can understand some of the reasoning. The food is outstanding“

“With so many places to try, we rarely go back to the same restaurant. This is an exception. We've been going once or twice a year for 3 years, and it hasn't slipped a bit. This time we had the goat birria and chicken tinga tostada. Impeccable. The divey vibe lends to it's charm.“

“If you’re looking for casual dining in a unique ambiance and appointed outdoor courtyard/cafe setting, then Pikoteo is your place. With fine food that stretches across the Caribbean, Latin America spectrum of flavors, to sooth your palette, and a friendly staff. The Owner is very hospitable, and can typically be found greeting and meeting with diners, and making them feel welcomed If you are a fan of hot sauces, check out the variety of bottled sauces from Honduras, with a unique variety of spices. My favorite is a chocolate infused hot sauce.“

“Mita!!!! Wow!!! Well done We will savor those exquisitely delicious layered flavors, stunning presentations, delightful warm, personal service & outstanding ambiance & experience long after the last bite! Thank you so much for showing us just how incredibly tasty & flavorful plant based menus can be to enjoy fully. This was our first visit, but we can assure you we will be back soon & will let all our friends know to come & experience Mita for themselves. One of the best meals ever, truly!! Updated from previous review on 2026-08-14“

“Nice! The food was good and a very accommodating staff.“

“We had the lamb chili relleno weekend special and it was awesome. My wife had fish taco. This is definitely a gem. Would recommend trying. This is a mix of various ethnic cuisine styles. Definitely will be a regular stop for us moving forward.“

“Delicious neighborhood place serving Guatemalan food and some Mexican inspired dishes. The service is friendly. The food is dependable and always delicious. They make the chips for guacamole or salsa and chips to order. Entrees come with traditional warm Guatemalan tortillas which are thicker than Mexican tortillas. I use them to pick up the delightful sauces.“

“I don’t usually write reviews—when I do, it’s because the experience was either exceptionally bad or truly outstanding. This one might be a bit long, so let’s start from the beginning. It’s been 10 years since I moved to Virginia, and I have to say, I love it here. That said, I do miss the beaches and the incredible food from Miami. Ever since I moved, I’ve been searching for the perfect spot—a place where both the food and the service are amazing. Let’s be honest, that’s hard to find. Often, the food is great but the service is just okay, or the service is excellent but the food falls short. When looking for a place to celebrate my wedding anniversary, a few options came up, and one of them was Sabores Tapas Bar. Unfortunately, I couldn’t make it there at the time and ended up going to two other places—one was okay, the other was awful. Later, I told my wife we needed to try Sabores, maybe on New Year’s Day. Again, we ended up at a “safe” spot we like to visit. The food and service were good, but it was just our usual go-to. Fast forward to last week: my best friend from Puerto Rico came to visit with his family. He loves to eat, and his wife can be hard to please. This time, we decided to go to Sabores Tapas Bar. I’ll admit, I was nervous—I wanted them to have a great experience, but pleasing everyone is never easy. Finally, we went. What can I say? The food was amazing, and the service was just as incredible. It was so good we couldn’t stop eating. I had high expectations—growing up, my house was always full because my friends came over for my mom’s cooking. She’s an amazing cook. Mom, forgive me for saying this, but Sabores Tapas Bar is as good as, if not better than, your cooking, and the service was amazing. Wow. I’ve found the place. It’s so good that I want to go back and try dishes I normally don’t like, just to see if they can make me love them. I can’t wait to return. My taste buds have found the love of their life at Sabores Tapas Bar.“

“We enjoyed our evening. It was raining and a Saturday in Memorial weekend and were able to get a reservation late afternoon for 7:30pm which usually unusual in DC. The cocktails were all superb including the mezcal cocktail, the gin cocktail, and the sangria. Definitely the best part. We did not order wine.
We ordered all vegetarian appetizers including the hummus(3/5 star), salad(4/5 star), carrots(4/5 star), tomatoe toast(4/5), Patatas bravas(5/5 star), entree roasted Cauliflower(4/5 star) and the vegetarian Paella(2/5 star as had too much beets and sweetness), flan(5/5 star), churros(4/5 star). It was a little dark and there were not many people this evening which was surprising. We enjoyed dinner for the five of us and was enjoyable. We parked in the Ritz colonial garage and received another ticket when leaving and parking was $10. Do not understand why they can’t comp us. It was pleasant but not out of world but I as enjoyable as healthy food with some good flavors. It was as about $90 a person total including tip reasonable for everyone who had a cocktail, apps, entrees and dessert in upscale DC restaurant. I would recommend a try as if ate fish or meat may be slightly better.“

“Wasn’t expecting such delicious Salvadoreño food here. We ordered the papusas revueltas and the tacobirria. The papusas were good, but as my husband said, the tacobirria was a banger. It had a crunchy exterior bursting with juicy, flavorful birria and the best cheese pulls. Absolutely mouthwatering. We also got a horchata based off of previous reviews and it did not disappoint. Perfectly balanced, light and sweet without being overpowering. The atmosphere was cute with great music playing. We had a great experience here.“

“Mi esposo y yo fuimos hoy por primera vez. Las atenciones fueron espectaculares y la comida riquísima. Esperamos volver pronto. Gracias a Rocio por tratarnos tan bien.“

“Consistently AWESOME!“

“First time here & very much enjoyed w/ my girlfriends. Exceptional fabulous service w/ our server, Miguel. All staff wonderful & friendly! This South American cuisine is delicious, the atmosphere & decor beautiful ?? I highly recommend this place , looking forward in going back to experience the night life w/ music & dancing:)“

“My son and I visited El Golfo Restaurant last weekend. The staff was very friendly, attentive and helpful with reviewing the menu options. Our meals were generously sized and delicious. Live music was playing and a nice addition to the atmosphere. We would highly recommend this authentic and reasonably priced restaurant.“

“10/10, took my wife for our 15 year anniversary and she loved, every delicious bite, every plate had a story to tell,such a wonderful and memorable experience. Gracias!!!“

“the best arepas i have had outside of Venezuela.“

“Had a wonderful dinner with friends - service was great and food unique and delicious! Highly recommend!“

“Excelente y rica comida! Lindo lugar y acogedor. Presentación de los platos sencillamente maravilloso! Y la cordialidad y atención de Marco Campero extraordinaria! Recomendados 100%“

“Buena calidad súper rico y muy buen servicio“

“Latin comfort food; good beer selection; everything on the menu is excellent“

“fast service, great food, and the best Peruvian-style chicken in Columbia Heights.“

“Un luga con un ambiente super higienico y fresco. Las atenciones fueron de primera, la comida fresca y con muy buen sabor. Yo sali muy satisfecha, ? por favor espero que sigan con la misma calidad. Muchas gracias al Señor Ariel y su equipo de trabajo. God bless you“

“Good and healthy easy ti get there and fast service“

“I've worked across the street since this place opened and never thought to stop by until today. I asked the cashier to ring me up for whatever he recommended and came back to the office with a pair of spicy beef and spicy chicken salteñas. The guy working the front had great hospitality; he walked me through how to eat it, and what I should expect through my new culinary journey. I loved it! The dough had a nice crisp bite on the outside, paired with the well-seasoned soup on the inside. Kind of reminds me of a South American take on a soup dumpling, and that sounds like all sorts of good. I'll be back for a quick luck break!“

“I went online....saw exactly what I wanted....ordered it...paid for it....picked it up and it was waiting for me exactly when the pick up time asked for..;.it was delicious and priced exactly how I expected for a tasty take out chicken dinner. Perfect.“

“Great service, friendly staff, deliciously flavorful food, reasonable prices. A great place for lunch. And a great place to watch the World Cup! Bucket of five beers for $25 and special price menu items just for the tournament 😋“

“A hidden gem in an industrial park of wonderful Salvadoran food.

I’ve sampled most of the menu and never been disappointed. Prices are great as well.

The Papusas are incredible, and they sling a mean breakfast burrito as well (get it with steak).

I almost don’t want to write a review lest people find out about my secret breakfast spot but these guys deserve every 5 star review.“

“Beatiful place! Sushi is tasty and fresh.“

“This Ricoton location in Petworth has really stepped up their game. Everything we’ve had at lunch and dinner time has been delicious. Their tacos, especially carnitas, are outstanding. The alfajores are one of the most delicious things you can get in DC right now. Now I just need to stop by for breakfast!“

“Crisp & Juicy delivers exactly what its name promises—perfectly cooked Peruvian-style rotisserie chicken that’s both mouthwateringly juicy on the inside and satisfyingly crisp on the outside. The chicken is marinated in traditional Peruvian spices, slow-roasted, and served with a smoky, addictive flavor that’s hard to replicate. Their signature green and yellow sauces take everything to the next level—whether you’re dipping the chicken, fries, or even just spooning it straight. It’s simple, flavorful, and consistently well-executed.

Beyond the chicken, the sides round out the experience: yuca fries that are golden and crunchy, flavorful rice, and plantains that add a touch of sweetness. The portions are generous, the service is quick, and the vibe is laid-back—perfect for takeout or a casual meal. Crisp & Juicy doesn’t try to be fancy—it just does one thing really well: comfort food with bold flavor. It’s the kind of place that turns first-timers into loyal regulars“

“Fantastic, fabulous, everything on the menu is amazing. Wait staff is really good as service and completely.“

“The food was delicious and the wait staff was great, although the service was a little slow. Definitely worth the wait, though!“

“the best arepas i have had outside of Venezuela.“

“What a great place!! Food: delicious 💯 Place: beautiful💘 Drinks: excelent 💯 Services: Fast and Friendly 🧑‍🍳 Yes, I recommend Cuba Libre Rest. DC“

“Good food! Fast service, friendly and Courteous staff.“

“🍽️ Benito’s: Incredible, Authentic Honduran Food – A Total Gem! A Must-Visit Central American Flavors

If you haven’t been to Benito’s yet, put it at the very top of your list. My little brother took me here for the first time, and it’s safe to say he completely knocked it out of the park with this recommendation. From the moment you see the menu, you know you’re in for an authentic, flavor-packed experience.

Here is the breakdown of the incredible spread we had:

The Main Event: Bistec Encebollado / Fajita Platter
The star of the table was a beautifully executed steak platter, packed with vibrant colors and rich, savory aromas.

The Meat: Tender, perfectly seasoned strips of steak seared to perfection.

The Mix: Sautéed with a generous mix of sweet onions, and crisp red, green, and yellow bell peppers that added the perfect crunch and sweetness.

The Sides: Served alongside a flawless mound of seasoned orange rice, a fresh, crisp salad topped with creamy avocado, diced tomatoes, radishes, and a squeeze of lime to cut through the richness.

The Ultimate Comfort: Pupusas
You cannot walk into Benito’s without ordering the pupusas. We got them served hot off the griddle with that signature, beautiful golden-brown char. They were thick, comforting, and stuffed generously. They came paired exactly as they should be:

Curtido: A crisp, tangy, lightly pickled cabbage slaw that adds the ultimate refreshing crunch.

Salsa Roja: A smooth, warm tomato salsa that ties every single bite together.

The Extras
To round out the meal, we had fresh, warm tortillas tucked in foil, a side of rich red beans topped with crumbled cotija cheese, and a sampling of vibrant green and orange hot sauces to kick the heat up a notch.

The Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Benito’s delivers massive flavor, generous portions, and that unmistakable taste of authentic, home-cooked comfort food. Shoutout to my little brother for introducing me to this gem. I will absolutely be back for round two!“

“Friendly service! Try the chicken baleada! Pair it with fried plantains and guanabana!“

“This was a great spot, we received excellent service and hospitality. The food is to die for and the drinks are superb! I highly recommend this place for brunch or for a chill spot to go to on a Saturday night. Good music vibes too!“

“We were a little hesitant because of how small the store front was but it ended up being absolutely delightful! We had the empanadas as an appetizer, they were delicious. The bread was such a great consistency, better than the best cornbread. I had the carne asada, and it was so fresh and delicious. All of the food was very authentic! I even tried a new drink, not alcoholic, it was like a tea that was cold but somewhat spicy. It was delicious !! We will definitely be going back for another round ;-) Service was very quick and polite as well.“

“This is my favorite place! I drive from Columbia to here almost every weekends because I love the vibe, the food, the drinks and they are very kind and professional and hard working. I love to support this business and I recommend it to anyone who is into Hispanic food and reggaeton! Absolutely amazing lounge!“

“This place is such a hidden gem. Been here twice now and keep accidentally ordering too much food because the portions are enormous are the prices are so reasonable. Everything I've ordered has been delicious and I especially love the tamales de elotes frito and the tajadas on the side.“

“good food --- many choices“

“La comida es riquísima y el hambre te ya no se diga y el servicio excelente … se los recomiendo 👍“

“La sopa de mariscos está muy rica La atención es excelente y familiar los recomiendo al 100%“