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  4. District of Columbia
  5. Dupont Circle
Malbec, Washington, DC

Malbec

4.3
4.3
452 Reviews
$31 to $50
Argentinean
Authentic Argentine Steak house & Wines . Now we are serving Argentine Beef. Grass-Fed-Hormones and Antibiotic free.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 2 times today

Additional information

  • Dining style

    Casual Elegant

  • Cuisines

    Argentinean, Steakhouse, Tapas / Small Plates

  • Hours of operation

    Mon–Thu 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri 5:00 pm–11:00 pm Sat 1:00 pm–11:00 pm Sun 2:00 pm–9:00 pm

  • Phone number

    (202) 232-0437

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Discover, JCB, MasterCard, Visa

  • Dress code

    Business Casual

  • Owned/operated by

    Latinx or Hispanic

  • Catering

    Authentic Argentine finger food and tapas. Call for your special event. Argentine Grilled barbeque for private home and company party.

  • Neighborhood

    Dupont Circle

  • Cross street

    Corcoran St and R St

  • Parking details

    Street Parking

  • Public transit

    Dupont Circle

  • Additional

    Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wine

What 452 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.3
4.3 based on recent ratings
  • 4.5Food
  • 4.3Service
  • 4.2Ambience
  • 4Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • District of Columbia

    Great for fine wines

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  1. OpenTable Diner

    San Antonio

    1 review

    vip
    4.0

    1 review

    Dined 3 days ago

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Very nice people, but waiter. Got the orders wrong on the temperature of our meat. The appetizers were really good says they don’t have to be made to order.
  2. ChiquitaB

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 3 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I selected this restaurant to celebrate my son’s birthday. We were so impressed with the restaurant. The food was amazing! The waiter was very professional and attentive! Malbec is definitely at the top on my list of restaurants.
  3. Average

    New England

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on March 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Second time back and food is amazing. Sangria loaded with fresh fruit. Prices cannot be beat. Need to come back and try the paella. Octopus weekly special needs to be on menu permanently. They know how to cook meat/seafood to perfection. Passion fruit crème brûlée was outstanding. Will be back soon. Definitely one of our favorite restaurants in DC. Thank you so much!

    MalbecResponded 6 days agoThank you so much for your review! We are so glad you enjoyed your dining experience with us. The octopus is *chefs kiss* AMA-ZING! We hope to see you again soon!

  4. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on March 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food is great. The melted cheese is great and the lamp chops are top notch!!
  5. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    1 review

    vip
    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 26, 2023

    overall1food1service1ambience1
    They don’t honor reservations. Absolutely embarrassing with my good friend who was in the city for the first time in a while. I feel embarrassed and disgraced. I will never come back.

    MalbecResponded on February 27, 2023Hi, I am sorry that this had happened, thank you for taking the time to bring this to our attention. We take these comments seriously and we will look into what had happened and ensure that it doesn't again. If you would like to us a direct email to discuss, it would help me understand the situation much clearer. Again I do apologize for your experience, we hope to be in contact with you soon.

  6. CharlesD

    Washington DC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 15, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    The food and wine select were excellent. Staff is attentive
  7. ONeill

    Chicago

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 15, 2023

    overall1food4service1ambience1
    Highly discourage visiting the restaurant. Went for Valentine's Day. Upon arrival the only option was a prix fixe menu. No notification that was the only option. Even in the confirmation email sent prior to arrival, it mentioned that the prix fixe menu was optional. My partner is vegetarian, so I would have never made reservations at a restaurant which only offers meat options on the prix fixe menu. His salad ended up costing $100. Kind of extorting the customer since all DC restaurants are booked out weeks in advance for V Day, so there's really no alternative for dinner the night of. They were also pushy about the reservation only being and hour and a half, which is understandable for Valentine's Day. However, it took 40 minutes for our appetizers to arrive, 20 minutes for the entree, and then an additional hour for the desert to be served. Slow service on V Day is to be expected, but two hours is pushing it, particularly when they were so assertive about the time limit. Bad service happens sometimes, but it really bothers me when businesses are dishonest, which is why, though the food was ok, I will never return and will actively discourage others from going to Malbec.

    MalbecResponded on February 25, 2023Hi Oneill, Our top priority is the guests experience at our restaurant, & I am sorry to hear we had failed you on that. Sudden changes to the operation were made due to the high volume of reservations & ultimately had to void the regular menu. Our staff also relaxed the time limit due to the ticket times being longer, so guests did not feel rushed. We will keep this in mind when planning future events and even adding flex entrees to support all dietary restrictions. Thank you for your feedback.

  8. Wazza

    Washington DC

    77 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    77 reviews

    Dined on February 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Had not been here in a long time. Was VERY impressed with the food and the wine. Great taste, fun staff and pretty fair value! Meat-heavy menu, but definitely options for non- meat eaters, too. We'll be back, for sure!
  9. Jeff

    Washington DC

    16 reviews

    5.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on January 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience3
    The food was delicious and the service was very good. The major drawback was the cold air rushing in each time the entrance door was opened. They desperately need some type of door treatment to reduce this such as an outdoor entry vestibule or an inside drape/curtain.
  10. CHER

    Washington DC

    16 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on December 30, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    The service at Malbec is simply exceptional! The food is delicious and the wine list very impressive. All combine to make for a very enjoyable night out.
  11. MarcelS

    Washington DC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 29, 2022

    overall5food5service4ambience4
    Malbec serves original Argentinian food! Highly recommended.
  12. NickP

    Washington DC

    18 reviews

    3.0

    18 reviews

    Dined on December 25, 2022

    overall3food5service5ambience3
    The food is well prepared and seasoned. They had heating problems during a very cold evening. Some people wore coats for dinner. It’s not the first time and they really need to fix that. Love going there except for the cold.
  13. OHDC

    Washington DC

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 18, 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    The food was amazing, fresh and seasoned. Every time food came out for another table, we asked "what is that?" Great choices of Malbec. Coming back...didn't even get to look at the chicken options.
  14. DFXP

    Washington DC

    20 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    20 reviews

    Dined on December 8, 2022

    overall3food3service2ambience4
    The waiter did not speak fluent English but pretended to understand my order. After a long wait, he did not serve the soup or the side vegetable I ordered. The Argentinian steak was described as a NY strip but there was gristle 1/3 of the way through it. I have eaten here before COVID and was very pleased but now disappointed.
  15. JoannaL

    Washington DC

    19 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    19 reviews

    Dined on December 4, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We went in to celebrate a close friends birthday and the staff were just absolutely amazing! The customer service and the food was impeccable. They provided recommendations and they brought out a piece of cake for our friends birthday. Truly, it was an intimate venue and we were catered to by all of the staff.
  16. mina3333

    Washington DC

    14 reviews

    4.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on December 3, 2022

    overall4food5service4ambience4
    Our party chose Malbec as the finisher to our excursion to see the Spanish Ballet perform Doña Peron. We hadn’t quite factored in the excitement and noise level of the World Cup, but once the match ended we were able to get lovely Guitar music on the patio to go with our excellent repast and conversation. A wonderful end to our outing. Friendly and eager service as well. Overall enjoyable.
  17. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 26, 2022

    overall1food1service1ambience3
    I’ve had dinner here before, but today they did not honor the reservation made on OpenTable. There was a soccer game and told me they were full. Food is usually mediocre and overpriced, but it’s the only argentine restaurant in the area. The empanadas are ok, but their version of the “panqueque de manzana”, made with apple sauce, is ridiculous. It doesn’t even resemble my favorite desert.
  18. OpenTable Diner

    Indiana

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 18, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Hadn't been there in many years but recalled enjoying the quality of the meat and ambiance. Tbis time, it also didn't disappoint. Our waiter and staff were attentive in the perfect way...we never lacked anything yet they weren't hovering. Provolone and salsicha sausage starters did not disappoint. Quality and cook on steaks (churrasco and Argentinian boneless ribeye) were delicious, but I do wish my ribeye had been thicker to really enjoy the medium rare cook (was abt 1/2in.). The corner booth table was perfect. The food taste and quality were excellent and I am picky with meat. The restaurant was not busy on a very cold Friday night. They have heaters outdoors but advised that it is really too cold on such a night when it's in the 30s so we booked for indoors. The tables are wooden and the setting is elegant. Probably 3 or 4 staff took care of us including the waiter. Will definitely not yet years or even months go by before I am back!

    MalbecResponded on November 19, 2022We are so happy to hear you enjoyed your experience with us, again! Thank you for your kind words and we hope you visit again sometime soon.

  19. TracyH

    Washington DC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 12, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food, the ambience, the service were top shelf! Our party of six enjoyed a wonderful evening of dining and wine.

    MalbecResponded on November 19, 2022Hi Tracy, thank you so much! We are happy your party had a great time. We hope to see you again!

  20. Hhaynes

    Los Angeles

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on November 5, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    From the jump, the service was incredible! My server help me choose what wine to drink which was great. I had the scallops as a starter, chicken and pork palella and crème brûlée. Will def be coming back!

    MalbecResponded on November 19, 2022Delicious choices! We are happy to know you enjoyed yourself at our restaurant. Thank you!

  21. AntonioM

    Mexico City

    15 reviews

    4.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on October 22, 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Agradable lugar en Washington. Argentino auténtico. Probé unas mollejas deliciosas y un corte de temporada que me dejaron bastante satisfecho.
  22. HectorO

    Washington DC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 20, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Fantastic food and service; paired the steak with a DV Catena…simply delicious!
  23. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    5 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on August 6, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    True Argentine experience and absolutely amazing and attentive service!
  24. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    1 review

    vip
    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 5, 2022

    overall1food1service3ambience3
    The food quality was extremely poor. Worst steak that I have ever had.
  25. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 3, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food was spot on, super tasty and delicious! The service was super kind and really nice! Definitely coming back!
  26. MichaelO

    Washington DC

    2 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on July 19, 2022

    overall1food2service1ambience3
    We were the only guests and that should have already made us reconsider and cancel. The waiter was friendly but incompetent. I had to double check what he wrote down when I ordered. He poured wine over my napkin and hands twice. The salad my husband ordered was nothing like in the menu. It seemed they split salad made for me and him in two parts and only put some oranges on his, which was supposed to be arugula with oranges and figs. No arugula no figs to be found. But goat cheese that was supposed to be only on mine…. The main dish (parillada patagonia for 2) also missed items (the Argentinian blood sausage). This restaurant is dead. Don’t prolong their agony by going there like we did. Big mistake but we were fooled by extremely good reviews on google (???).
  27. OpenTable Diner

    Orlando

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on May 29, 2022

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    I love this place, when we come back to DC this will be a must
  28. RKDressel

    Baltimore

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 28, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Great service and food! Service staff couldn’t have been more friendly. Try the skirt steak!
  29. PESS

    Miami

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on May 15, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Service provided by Carlos, Daniel, Oscar, and Jonathan was exceptional.
  30. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 10, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    It was all great!
  31. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 7, 2022

    overall4food5service4ambience3
    Very tasty meat selection! We got the Parilla, and it was so good! Service was kind and solicitous. The restaurant is tiny and tables are very close together, which makes for a pretty loud experience, but I look forward to going again.
  32. RicardoM

    New Orleans

    17 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    17 reviews

    Dined on April 30, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    My second time at Malbec. Will be back again.
  33. DavidZ

    Anchorage

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on April 7, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Beautiful experience. Outstanding house Malbec. Excellent shrimp and garlic appetizer. The dulce de leche is exquisite and still tantalizing my palate. Fun little place.
  34. Leenda

    Washington DC

    64 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    64 reviews

    Dined on April 5, 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience5
    The service was professional, friendly, and accommodating of our special requests (for example, leaving the seasonings off the fries). Most of the food was delicious, only a few things a miss. The ribs, skirt steak, fries, and chicken Milanese were delicious. Also, the hearts of palm and avocado salad. The sweetbreads were tasty but not cooked long enough. The mashed potatoes were thin with no seasoning. Mixed vegetables were spiralized and were quite good. If you focus on the excellent meats, fries, and salads, you will dine very well here. We will definitely go back.
  35. OpenTable Diner

    Stuttgart

    8 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on April 5, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great Argentinian place worth a visit. Great steak, great wines. Nothing to be missed out.
  36. MartinB

    Washington DC

    6 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on April 2, 2022

    overall4food5service5ambience4
    Small restaurant with good food and great service. Small menu with good choices. The vegetables (side dish) were fantastic. Good wines, too. Simple but tasteful ambience. Overall, a very good option for an Argentinian restaurant.
  37. Familyman

    Cleveland

    11 reviews

    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on April 2, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Outstanding dining experience with excellent food. I highly recommend Malbec to anyone looking for an authentic Argentinian dining experience.
  38. RickS

    Kansas City

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on April 1, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    We routinely seek out Argentinian restaurants as we travel. Maulbeck did not disappoint! We will return on our next trip to DC.
  39. Natalie

    Washington DC

    57 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    57 reviews

    Dined on March 21, 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Good food and service -- excellent for a pre-theater dinner. Probably not the best place for non-meat-eaters, but there are some good options.
  40. MFlo

    Washington DC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 7, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This was my second time at Malbec and it did not disappoint. The food and service were top notch. Definitely going to return again for a third time.

Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

    • Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
    • Contactless payment available
  • Screening

    • Sick staff prohibited in the workplace
    • Staff temperature check required

FAQs

Malbec offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (202) 232-0437.

Malbec is rated 4.3 stars by 452 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 2 times today
Google Map for Malbec

1633 17th St. NW, Washington, DC 20009

Additional information

  • Cross street

    Corcoran St and R St

  • Neighborhood

    Dupont Circle

  • Hours of operation

    Mon–Thu 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri 5:00 pm–11:00 pm Sat 1:00 pm–11:00 pm Sun 2:00 pm–9:00 pm

  • Cuisines

    Argentinean, Steakhouse, Tapas / Small Plates

  • Dining style

    Casual Elegant

  • Dress code

    Business Casual

  • Parking details

    Street Parking

  • Public transit

    Dupont Circle

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Discover, JCB, MasterCard, Visa

  • Owned/operated by

    Latinx or Hispanic

  • Additional

    Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wine

  • Phone number

    (202) 232-0437

  • Catering

    Authentic Argentine finger food and tapas. Call for your special event. Argentine Grilled barbeque for private home and company party.

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