Tapas Restaurants near Arlington, VA

“Incredible food and atmosphere and service 5 stars all the way“

“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.“

“A fun spot for Spanish tapas in Arlington, especially if you're looking for vegetarian options. My favorites were the patatas, corn, and mushrooms definitely the highlights of the dinner.
Wine selection is good.

The squid paella was just okay for our family, but the service was good and the outdoor seating was a nice touch. We’ve also been to the Bethesda location, and personally, I prefer the Bethesda location for the overall experience.“

“This is my favorite wine bar in town because the food is delicious and the wine selection is plenty! I also love being able to taste the wines when I come in to pick up. It’s a nice little treat and more often than not, I am pleasantly surprised and buy a bottle of one of the tastings.“

“muy buena atención, exelente comida ahora con los piques machos y variedad de piques del Chillamicito funcionando con la comida boliviana“

“Excellent foods, good vibes, great services!“

“It was fabulous! I loved how much thought went into the meal and the whole place showed the care and love behind the creations. The food and service were spectacular!“

“Fun night for two out of towners! Food was amazing and the staff were incredibly friendly, even though we’re two or three times their ages and not cool at all! ;)“

“A thoughtful shared plates experience. We followed the wise recommendations of our server and were rewarded. Nice spot. Excellent yet not pretentious.“

“Food, service, and atmosphere were top notch. Would definitely go back.“

“I had an amazing experience hosting a large party at El Techo. The owner and team were great! As were the food, drinks, ambiance and service. 10/10, I would recommend this place to anyone“

“We had an early dinner before attending a performance at the Ford’s Theater. We made reservations through Open Table and were immediately seated upon arrival. The service was great. Our server recommended several dishes that we loved. There were abundant vegan and vegetarian options. Chilorio de Res tacos were mouthwatering as were the Hongos en Milto ones. In fact, every dish we ordered was delicious. One dish (chilaquiles) never arrived from the kitchen but we were pressed for time so we opted to have it taken off our bill instead of waiting for them to prepare it separately. Dessert, Cafe de Olla, was phenomenal. Pics are only some of the items we tried. Great atmosphere for date night and a milestone birthday celebration. Highly recommend.“

“Did the cocktail mixing class. Great food and awesome experience!“

“Had a great experience. I would definitely come back next time we are in DC.“

“We ate on the ground floor and were surprised at how quiet it was. Even though the restaurant was mostly full, we were able to talk and enjoy conversation throughout dinner. The food was fantastic. The mussels were prepared differently than we usually have them and they were fantastic. From the minute we walked into the restaurant the staff were all very friendly and helpful.“

“Great vibes and music here!!!😎“

“Absolutely in love with this place! 🍽️✨ The food is a beautiful symphony of flavors, and the atmosphere is just so warm and welcoming. The perfect spot for a cozy meal with friends or a special dinner. Every bite was a little piece of happiness. 💛“

“Good service, good food and awesome drinks!“

“Amazing food and a great environment.“

“Have dined at Reveler's Hour a few times over the years and it is excellent every time! The menu is always fresh and seasonal and they have the best wine list! Highlights are definitely the pastas and garlic knots. A good selection of NA beverages as well. Can't forget to highlight the outstanding staff and thoughtful service. We love taking out of town guests here!“

“I had the pleasure of dining at The Hitching Post DC. I ordered the grilled lamb chops, mac & cheese, collard greens. The lamb chops are in my top 2 of the best I've ever tasted. I don't normally order mac & cheese when I go out to a restaurant, but this order was perfect as well. The collard greens could use a little vinegar, however, they were still delicious. I will definitely dine there in the near future. The lemon cake had was flavorful, moist and delicious, too. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“

“um ambiente perfeito, a comida gostosa como as bebidas“

“Excellent customer service, breathtaking view of the Potomac River. Extensive variety on the menu. I highly recommend all items on the menu, and prompt turnaround time after placing an order.“

“Excelente lugar para despejar la mente y divertirte ala grande viendo tanta mujeres lindas“

“Everything was perfect, the service, food and cocktails! Look forward to returning.“

“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A Hidden Gem in Old Town Alexandria!

Alice Cocktail Bar exceeded every expectation and delivered an absolutely phenomenal dining and cocktail experience from start to finish.

The cocktails were outstanding. I started with the Alice, a beautifully crafted blend of Roku Gin, Elderflower Liqueur, Lychee Liqueur, Butterfly Pea, Yuzu, and Egg White. It was light, refreshing, and perfectly balanced. I also enjoyed the Gold Rush, made with Four Roses Bourbon, Cointreau, Honey, Yuzu, and Egg White—a smooth, flavorful cocktail that quickly became a favorite.

My partner ordered the Beach House and the Flamingo, both of which were exceptional. The Beach House combined Espolon Blanco, Banhez Mezcal, Passion Fruit, Pineapple, Aperol, and Lime for a tropical burst of flavor. The Flamingo was equally delicious and was served in an adorable tiki glass that added a fun touch to the experience.

For appetizers, we ordered the Crab Rangoon and the Grilled Pork Sticky Rice. Let me just say—both were A1 delicious. The pork was perfectly marinated and grilled, and paired wonderfully with the sticky rice and chili garlic lime sauce.

For our entrées, we had the Crab Fried Rice and the Phuket Seafood. Both dishes were absolutely incredible. The Phuket Seafood, loaded with mixed seafood, onions, scallions, bell peppers, young peppercorns, sweet basil, carrots, and roasted chili sauce, was bursting with flavor. Chef’s kiss! The Crab Fried Rice was equally impressive. In my book, both dishes are award-winning.

What truly elevated the experience was the service. Our waitresses were attentive, knowledgeable, and spot-on with their recommendations throughout the evening. Their hospitality made an already fantastic experience even better.

Overall, Alice Cocktail Bar earns an easy A++. Amazing drinks, outstanding food, exceptional service, and a great atmosphere. I cannot wait to return.

I’ll definitely be back SOON!“

“Great place to go after a long day or on a date . The staff was awesome when it came to what wine may be best to try with which dinner . First timers or old heads to wine excellent place to visit . Will visit every time I am in town“

“Amazing food and service.“

“Great place and great staff!“

“The service is excellent, and the food is beautifully prepared and delicious, served on lovely Armenian-style plates. You can also purchase products from Armenia. I wish you every success and offer a big Armenian shnorhakalutyun (thank you) ☀“

“Don’t let Atxondo’s modest looks deceive you. I was skeptical but some friends wanted to try this place so I went along. I was very pleasantly surprised. We ate vegetarian and everything was excellent. I can recommend the brussel sprouts, tortilla española, crispy potatoes, coliflor, golden beets, fried shishitos, and risotto. I almost forgot to mention the interesting drink menu and the best flan I’ve ever had. Service was great too. Go with a group so you can try everything!“

“If you’re looking for a place that serves up dry ciders, look no further. You have to order everything online and they bring it out to you. I’ll definitely return to buy some more ciders to-go.“

“This is my go to spot in Alexandria, especially for happy hour. The Gin Ramen is amazing and they have a great selection of Sake!“

“We made a reservation for Baan Mae, which wasn't necessary but we wanted to ensure we had a table. The food is so complex and fresh. I've never been to any restaurant that compare to this one. The spring rolls were delicious and came with fresh mint, lettuce, rice noodle and peanut sauce to put together. We ordered the catfish with tumeric sauce that was heavenly and complex, and the noodles with brisket. I cannot recommend this restaurant enough and will definitely return the next time we visit. Our waiter was extremely attentive and helpful.“

“The place is amazing . The food is good“

“I don't often write reviews, but La Plaza deserves one. This restaurant ranks in my top three across all of DC, over seven years of living here. Tasty, artisanal cocktails, delicious food (with beautiful, impeccable presentation), great wine selection, and excellent, friendly service. The restaurant is an intimate size, with half the indoor seating at the bar counter.

With too many mediocre restaurants receiving hype from influencers these days, a place like La Plaza stands out as a true gem that knows and appreciates the craft of good food and drinks.“

“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.“

“This was by far the highlight of any meal we had on a 6 day trip to Alexandria/D.C. The free bus (30/31) stops right across the street and only took 15 minutes from the metro. We had the Linguine Cacio de Pepe with Chicken, Mafalde & Sausage, garlic bread and the chocolate chip cookies for dessert. It was all outstanding, excellent price and our server Rees was awesome!!!“

“My favorite place in Takoma Park! Great food and drinks made and served with care.“

“Amazing place! We had a baby shower there and could not be more than perfect. The food and service were incredible. Tanya is a great manager and very helpful. We couldn’t be more than happy.“

“Truly excellent ramen. The broth is the critical element. Theirs is simmered for 18 hours to extract all of the umami. Our server, Karl, was friendly, knowledgeable and professional. He made our experience. Great cocktails on top of amazing food. Highly recommend.“

“Delicious food. Great service.“

“Service and food were very excellent!!!!“

“Excelente lugar, la comida, la atencion en especial la de Federico, nos dio muy burnas recomendaciones, es excelente.“

“This is our 5th time doing Restaurant Week at Alabardero and the food never disappoints. We have always loved the paellas and croquettes. The service is amazing, super fast, and the interior decor is beautiful. I know some folks mention the paella doesn’t have the crispy rice in the bottom but personally I prefer that way. A good selection of mocktail options.“

“the food 😋is delicious and the service is great“

“Best rooftop in Bethesda. Beautiful sunsets and fabulous cocktails! 🍸“

“HIGHLY RECOMMEND! The Bazaar at the Waldorf Astoria in Washington, D.C., offered a unique and vibrant dining experience that beautifully blends traditional and contemporary culinary influences. The restaurant boasts an elegant yet inviting atmosphere, perfect for both casual gatherings and special occasions. The decor reflects the sophistication of the Waldorf Astoria, creating a warm and welcoming space. The menu is a feast for the senses, featuring a diverse range of dishes inspired by global flavors. Standout items include the inventive tapas and small plates, which are perfect for sharing. The seafood options, particularly the fresh ceviches, are a must-try, along with the signature paellas that are rich in flavor and beautifully presented. The staff at The Bazaar is attentive and knowledgeable, providing excellent service that enhances the overall dining experience. They are happy to make recommendations and ensure that all guests feel well taken care of. The cocktail menu is creative and extensive, showcasing unique blends that complement the food perfectly. The wine selection is also impressive, offering a variety of choices to suit different The Bazaar at the Waldorf Astoria is a delightful dining destination that combines exquisite food, impeccable service, and a stunning setting. Whether you're visiting for a romantic dinner or a celebration with friends, this restaurant promises a memorable experience that captures the essence of fine dining in D.C. Highly recommended!“

“I visited Miss Toya"s Creole on Saturday September 30th. I took my oldest son for his birthday ?. My waitress Hope gave excellent customer service. The food was awesome as always. The manager Imai came to our table numerous times to make sure everything was good. Please go to Miss Toyas in Silver Springs Md the food and customer service will not disappoint you.“

“1331 Bar + Lounge was such a pleasant surprise during our stay at the JW Marriott.

What started as a convenient option quickly turned into a place we genuinely looked forward to returning to. The food was unexpectedly great, with a menu that goes beyond typical hotel dining and delivers on both quality and flavor.

Of course, you can’t skip the Rickey. It’s a must while you’re in DC, and 1331 does it right.

What really made the experience stand out, though, was the staff. Everyone we interacted with was warm, friendly, and attentive without being over the top. It created an easy, welcoming atmosphere that made it just as enjoyable to sit and unwind as it was to grab a quick bite.

Whether you’re staying at the hotel or just nearby, this is absolutely worth a stop.“