Del Mar

Was excited to go to Del Mar based on photos on Instagram. I came with the intention to spend lots of money. Made a reservation and got sat at a small table. When I asked for a booth they told me those table were for reservations. Even though I had a reservation they still sat me at the other table. There was no room for my purse and barely room for the food. I ordered several Tapas and drinks. They were delicious. I then ordered the Seafood Paella for 2 and we got 1 (ONE) Shrimp, 4 mussels, 1 oz of fish and 1/2 of a lobster tail for $68. Not to mention, some couple came in and the entire service staff waited on them hand and foot where as we got mediocre service. Maybe it was because we were not dressed up. I wasn't even interested in dessert or ordering anything else. we paid the $157 bill, left a $30 tip, left hungry and went to get ice cream at cold stone. Will not be back.

It was a great experience. This is my second time to Del Mar and it was awesome. This time it was not as busy due to the restaurant restrictions. My first time I was not pleased but Del Mar invited me back and I was not disappointed. The staff were extremely attentive, friendly, and professional. All the dishes I had including patatas bravas, jamon, garlic shrimp, and paella were delicious and of the highest quality in flavor and preparation. Del Mar is now on my list of DC’s best.

Meh. That’s kinda how I’d describe the food and the outside situation. The inside might be better. Possibly the worst patatas bravas I’ve ever had...

great outdoor seating. felt safe with the covid precautions taken

My first experience was much better than my most recent one unfortunately. Though I know we are in much different times being COVID and all, a few things remain 1) listen more than talk if you’re a server - our server talked so much he screwed up 2 dishes we ordered. He corrected the order after being called out but STILL charged us for everything, 2) don’t let the main course look like it’s leftovers from the day before - unfortunately the Paella looked like it was cooked 3 times before it got to us. The taste was ok, but it 100% was not fresh at all 3) if you’re going to charge almost $500 for a meal where 2 of the customers are 7 year old children, the food better be worth it. Unfortunately that wasn’t the case this time for us at Del Mar. The ambiance there is still stellar though.

Perfect service, beautiful ambiance at the terrace upstairs. Not enough time to enjoy such meal with the new restrictions (reservation limited to 90 minutes).

My parents came down to visit and we had a wonderful time at Del Mar. We sat outside at the side patio. We started with a pitcher of a pineapple citrus punch. It came in such pretty glasses and was the most refreshing drink for a late afternoon lunch. Our server perfectly paced our tapas based on our selections. So we always had something to nibble on and each dish progressed really well. The flavors of each dish were seasoned so well and elegantly simple. Just good food done right. We will definitely being returning to try out more things and make new memories.

Everything was perfect and Israel our waiter added the extra touch in providing us great service. Definitely going back!

Everything was perfect. I normally have the tapas calamari as one of the dishes, the server recommended octopus & it was sooooo good. He also recommended the cheese cake as it is made with goat cheese...it was yum! 😍

The food was delicious ! We had the pulpo and I was incredibly impressed at the texture. Will return back with my partner for a romantic evening for sure !

Food was overpriced and not very tasty. The two very small crab stuffed peppers were tasty but not worth $22. Our server didn't make us feel very good at all and pretty much stopped speaking to us after a while. Drinks were sub par at best. Manager brought us check but after letting him know of our experience, he took about $50 off bill. That was appreciated. Will not be returning though. Overpriced and over rated.

Delicious food and excellent service!

Birthday. The service was outstanding amid COVID

Solid food. Our favorite spot by far. Great paella, great serrano and delicious sangria not to mention the churros.

I had been to Del Mar for lunch and wanted to return for dinner. I was NOT sorry!
1. We had requested outside seating--about an hour prior to our reservation the restaurant called to let us know that--due to incipient rain--we would need to eat inside.
I was very glad they called because I had looked forward to being out and would have been disappointed had that been the first thing we were told upon arrival. AND-about an hour later it poured!
2. The only slight negative was regarding the need to use ones' cell phone to read the menu. My husband is a real technical person--but the waiters explanation just wasn't working for him. The server left us not knowing how to handle the situation. Slightly later another waiter came by--he obviously noticed our problem--and gave us paper menus (disposable) I am not sure why the first server didn't do that.
3. Wine was great--food fabulous--seats by the window perfect. We will definitely return---and ask for a paper menu right away!

We 3 had outdoor space to ourselves, food excellent (seafood & dessert, service attentive (but had to ask for forks & cleared table too fast, good virus procedure, definitely worth another visit. Thanks!
Hara Ann Bouganim, SW resident

We ate out on the Patio and felt entirely Covid-safe. The tables were over 6 feet apart; the servers all wore masks; online menus were available. Inside, the restrooms were clean and hand sanitizer was readily available.

Most importantly - the food was exquisite! We had Jamon summer melon and Paella for our entree. Everything was fresh, delicious, and presented artfully.

A treat of a meal!

Del Mar is always excellent. Food came out temperature correct, tasted amazing and was timely coursed out. Benji was a great server and the other server that took over was very friendly and attentive as well. Precautions for Covid inside the restaurant were prominent and well handled. One thing I would enjoy seeing would be a different dessert.

Great service, food, and drinks. They took social distancing and coronovirus protocols very seriously.

Really enjoyed my brunch experience. Two tapas plus dessert was $34 a person. They had both outdoor and indoor seating. Felt very safe doing indoor dining. Tables were spaced properly and now everyone has to wear a mask indoors except when actively eating or drinking. Highlights were the delicious croquetas with Jamon and truffles, Calamares A la Plancha and the branzino. We also got the Jamon Iberico and paella. Service was great.

Because of the pandemic, we ate outside. The service and food were impeccable, as always. The ambience outdoors was not nearly as good as inside, but we gave that five stars in this review because we know this was not the typical Del Mar ambience. This is our favorite restaurant and we love coming to it when we can.

They have some a great job of arranging safe distancing for dining as well as ensuring surfaces clean. The outdoor dining area on the 2 nd floor porch gives a wonderful view of the river and the passing throng

But we went for the food and it exceeded our expectations. A must try is the soppresetta spread and the poached lobster. (Picture included). It was our wedding anniversary and we received glasses of cava and a lovely dessert on the house.

It was one of the best experiences and meals I can recall. Service, food, ambience are all tremendous.

Wonderful dining experience for a birthday dinner. Excellent seafood choices on the menu, all well prepared. Very good service and all employees were quite conscious and abiding by the health protocols.

Loved my first experience at Del Mar. The food was amazing and the service was impeccable!

The overall experience was well below my expectation. I traveled over an hour to get there and noticeably received less quality service than other people sitting next to me. The server was “ok”, food “ok” but place was beautiful. I won’t be returning but can at least say I had the experience.

Another outstanding time at Del Mar! HUGE kudos to the team for the incredible hospitality and delectable bites. Thank you for everything!

Me at first: why is this glass of sangria $17?
Me after my sangria arrives: This is the most beautiful glass of sangria I have ever seen in my life.

Friendly service, felt very safe, and the restaurant even provided QR codes so you don’t have to touch a menu!

Fantastic! Servers were great, everyone seemed careful about social distance & mask-wearing. Waiter was super helpful with our food questions. Our Branzini, garbanzos and manchego plates were all delicious & nicely done - this is not a low-priced establishment but it was worth the splurge!

We had a really good experience despite the covid situation. Thanks for your hospitality:)

The food at Del Mar is wonderful, and we have dined there before, but the service on Saturday night was terrible. We understand that these are trying times, but there was no excuse for how poor the service was that evening. There was mass confusion even attempting to enter, as the person checking in guests with reservations outside appeared not to know how to handle the system. After we were seated and our drink and food order taken, we waited almost an hour before any food was brought. When we inquired, the Maitre D did apologize for the problems with our order, and assured us that the time limit for a table would be waived given the slow service. When we finally received our food and were finishing dinner, another employee brought the check over and when I asked my party if they wanted dessert, we were told we had been there for two hours and made it clear we had to leave. Rather than cause a scene by calling over the Maitre D, we paid and left, and I do not intend to come back.

We sat outside on the covered patio and had front row seats to all of the fun activity going on at the Wharf. The food was exceptional - we ordered more than we could eat, but it was all good. The croquettes, crab filled peppers, grilled octopus and the blank ink squid paella all so yummy but our favorite was the melon with ham and cheese. Highly recommend and definitely going back!

We have been to Del Mar before and it was fantastic. This time however, it was a bit disappointing. The food was good, but the drinks were very weak and tasted more like juice with little alcohol which is disappointing when you are paying $18 for a craft cocktail. Where we sat wasn't great, but understanding the seating is different because of restrictions. I know how good this restaurant can be, so would be open to trying it again, but think it should certainly work on delivering value to the customer.

Good food but terribly over priced. It was god not Great... service was OUTSTANDING though!

Lovely food, lovely service & I appreciate having the outside option :)

Always a wonderful dining experience at Del Mar. We had a beautiful outdoor setting on the second floor balcony coupled with excellent service from their team. The croquetas, Branzino and paella were superb. We will definitely return.

Fantastic service and food. However the music kept skipping on the patio and the speaker was right next to our table. I wish that would have been addressed as it was quite distracting.

Had a wonderfully experience the food and service was definitely NEXT LEVEL Ish!

Thank you for a wonderful lunch. It was so nice to be back. 🖤

Celebrated my birthday at Del Mar. We’ve been here several times and like the others, it didn’t disappoint! Food, beverages and service was excellent.