Washington D.C. Restaurants: 10 Spots Doing Incredible Latin Food

With its paint-splattered walls and graffiti-style murals, Tico exudes coolness. But it’s not only about looks here: The kitchen, helmed by James Beard-winner Michael Schlow, churns out Latin staples that are complex and full of contrasts, such as the duck tacos with mango salsa and charred serranos, and the yellowtail ceviche dotted with wasabi cream and watermelon. [pagebreak]

La Limeña

This small, 60-seat storefront had been hidden away in a Rockville strip mall until outlets like Washingtonian magazine and The Washington Post discovered its flair for bright Peruvian and Cuban dishes and drew it out of obscurity. Being named one of the best restaurants in Washington has made waits a little longer, but the dishes are worth it: The ceviche is brilliantly acidic, and at least one person at the table is obligated to order the fall-off-the-bone ossobuco.

Jaleo

José Andrés kicked off D.C.’s tapas trend when he opened this Spanish small plates repository almost 24 years ago. While the original Jaleo has seen some serious changes—an entire renovation in 2012, the evolution of its neighborhood, Penn Quarter—the food still attracts diners looking for creativity. On the menu, Andrés includes colorful paellas that he perfected as a boy in Spain and liquid olives inspired by his friend and mentor Ferran Adrià. Now, Jaleo has expanded to other locations, including Maryland’s Bethesda, Virginia’s Crystal City, Las Vegas and Mexico.

Peruvian Brothers

The dashing Lanzones brothers—one of them is a two-time Olympic rower—have refined the art of cuisine on wheels. For the last three-plus years, they’ve used a perennially popular food truck to sell homespun, comforting traditions inspired by their childhood in Peru’s La Punta. Find them in front of major Metro stations and queue up for the ultra-tender, slow-cooked pork butifarra or the buttery baked tilapia on a fluffy French roll. [pagebreak]

Del Campo (above)

The smoky, seductive flavors of South America are at the forefront of this stylish steakhouse. Chef Victor Albisu hails from Peru and shows off his heritage with Peruvian chicken and raw bar items, but he’s also a pro when it comes to fire-blasted meats from Argentina, Chile and Uruguay. If you snag some space at the nine-seat asado bar, you can watch the cooks expertly haul thick steaks, racks of lamb and Argentine chorizo in and out of the flame oven.

Fast Gourmet (right) 

Okay, we would be skeptical about a restaurant in a gas station, too, but the atmosphere is half of the experience here. The vibe is so casual and laidback that you’re not expecting the sandwiches to be among the city’s best, but we’ll always go to bat for the Chivito. The layered masterpiece pays homage to the owners’ native Uruguay with stacks of beef tenderloin, gooey mozzarella, Black Forest ham, bacon and a hardboiled egg. 

El Chucho

While this Columbia Heights go-to deals in tacos, the secret weapon here is the chipotle-drizzled elote callejero—corn-on-the-cob that tastes every bit like it came off of a sun-drenched street corner in Mexico City. Pair order after order with battered catfish or beef tongue rolled in warm tortillas, and don’t skip the massive margaritas. The best part? The kitchen doles out the menu’s best items until 1 a.m. on weekdays. [pagebreak]

Cuba de Ayer

Before this unassuming Burtonsville eatery opened, Washingtonians used to have to travel far for real-deal Cuban food, like, Miami-far. And while the Maryland suburb is still a bit of a trek from the city, it beats having to cross state lines. After you taste Cuban specialties such as the tangy beef picadillo, saucy ropa vieja and citrus-y lechon asado, you won’t mind the 45-minute drive, just ask the regulars who bestowed the place with Washington City Paper’s best Latin restaurant award this year. 

Oyamel

Grasshopper tacos, anyone? The Oaxacan delicacy is on offer at this lively dining room (another José Andrés baby) that channels the vigorous spirit of Mexico City. The surprisingly tasty insects come sautéed in tequila and served alongside homemade guacamole, but if bugs aren’t your thing, go for tried-and-true Mexican classics: pozole rojo, chicken enchiladas and chicharrón quesadillas.

Estadio

Intimate and dimly lit, this Logan Circle gem is known for packing intensity into small Spanish plates. Regulars swear by meaty dishes, such as the roasted baby chorizos with potato crisps and pork belly mini sandwiches, but the restaurant also deserves high praise for veggie-centric tapas (we love the Brussels sprouts with caramelized onions, pine nuts and currants) and artfully arranged cheese plates.