Award-winning

El Secreto de Rosita

Name: El Secreto de Rosita
Address: 1624 U St NW, Washington, DC, United States, 20009
Telephone: (202) 234-8400
Price range: $30 and under
Rating: 4.4

4.4 (738)

$30 and under

Latin American

1624 U St NW, Washington, DC 20009

Make a reservation

2 people

May 1, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 25 times today

Experiences are available.

About this restaurant

Good for special occasions
Charming
Great for creative cocktails

El Secreto De Rosita seeks to create great-tasting, authentic Peruvian street food, expertly crafted by Chef Kike Espinoza, that transports you to the vibrant flavors of Peru. With a warm, welcoming atmosphere reminiscent of your grandmother’s home, it’s a place where every bite feels like a cherished family tradition.

Additional information

Dining style
Home Style
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Latin American, Peruvian, Latin / Spanish
Hours of operation
Dinner Tue–Sun 5:00 pm–9:30 pm
Phone number
(202) 234-8400
Website
http://www.elsecretoderosita.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive chef
Kike Espinoza
Private party facilities
We welcome you to explore our Private Dining options, perfect for any occasion.
Private party contact
our Private Event Coordinator: (202) 234-8400

Location
1624 U St NW, Washington, DC 20009
Award-winning
1. MICHELIN Plate 2022
Neighborhood
Downtown
Parking details
Street Parking
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wine

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Experiences

Nabiha
Jan 14, 2025 - Dec 31, 2025
Palestinian Mezze Experience an experience dedicated to all the Palestinian grandmothers who filled our hearts and kitchens with love. No frills, just authentic, old-school goodness. Here, every bite transports you to the comforting, soul-satisfying flavors of a Palestinian grandmother’s kitchen, where tradition and warmth come together.

Private dining

Popular dishes

Nikkei Wings$14.00
Teriyaki sauce / green onion / sesame seeds
Calamar Frito$16.00
Yuca flour / leche de tigre / jalapenos / garlic aioli
Gambas al Ajillo$19.00
Prawns / extra virgin olive oil / garlic / pisco / red pepper flakes / toasted bread
Choros$16.00
Mussels / roccoto and panka creamy sauce / toasted bread
Ensalada de La Casa$12.00
Mixed greens / grilled apple / walnuts / cherry tomato / cucumber / avocado / oregano dressing
Yakitori$17.00
Rib eye / green onion
Burrata Salad$16.00
Burrata cheese / beets / orange / frisée / mango vinaigrette
Anticuchos de Corazón$14.00
Grilled beef heart / tomato / red onion / green onion / red wine sauce
Grilled Octopus in Roccoto Adobo$24.00
Grilled octopus / roccoto adobo / purple potato purée / salsa criolla
Oysters Acevichadas & Salmon Caviar$21.00
Half dozen oysters / roccoto / leche de tigre / salmon caviar
Salmon Tiradito$22.00
Sliced fresh salmon / salmon caviar / mango leche de tigre / olives calamata / jalapeños
Ahí Tuna Tiradito$20.00
Seared tuna / orange / ginger / chives / sea salt / passion fruit / leche de tigre

Ceviches

Ceviche Clasico$18.00
Corvina / aji limo / red onion / lime juice
Ceviche del Mercado$19.00
Corvina / fried calamari / rocotto / plaintain chips
Ceviche Mixto$20.00
Corvina / tuna / shrimp / fried calamari / aji amarillo
Ceviche Nikkei$19.00
Ahi tuna / avocado / green onions / sesame seeds / eel sauce

Platos Fuertes

Aji de Gallina$24.00
Shredded chicken / aji amarrillo sauces / potatoes / hard boiled egg / black olives
Seco de Res$36.00
Braised short rib / beer-cilantro sauce / pinto beans / salsa criolla / rice
Pescado a lo Macho$29.00
Mahi mahi / calamari / panka pepper sauce / sweet potato / rice
Lomo Saltado$29.00
Rib eye / tomatoes / red onion / scallion / soy sauce / rice / fries
Arroz con Mariscos$31.00
Prawns / tuna / mahi mahi / mussels / squid / seafood broth / aji amarillo / panka / salsa criolla
Churrasco a lo Pobre$32.00
Angus Rib eye / fried egg / sweet plantain / fried potatoes / rice
Gnocchi Lomo Saltado$32.00
Rib eye / tomatoes / red onion / scallion / soy sauce / potato gnocchi / pesto sause
Risotto Huancaina$22.00
Arborio rice / ají amarillo sauce / parmesan cheese / seasonal mushrooms
Lamb Chops and Risotto Huancaina$40.00
Grass fed lamb chops / risotto / huancaina sauce / parmesan cheese
Warm Acevichado Dorade$34.00
Whole dorade / sweet potatoes / Peruvian corn / red onion / roccoto / aji amarillo sauce
Kamlu Wantan de Camaron$25.00
Shrimp tempura / sweet & sour sauce / snow peas / pineapple / red pepper / crispy wonton / fried rice
Arroz Chaufa
Fried rice / ginger / scallions / egg. Choice of
- Chicken$22.00
- Ribeye$26.00
- Seafood$26.00
- Tofu$20.00

What 738 people are saying

El Secreto de Rosita reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.4

4.4 based on recent ratings

4.4Food
4.4Service
4.6Ambience
4.1Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

El Secreto de Rosita offers a vibrant dining experience, featuring "delicious, authentic Peruvian food" and a lively atmosphere with "incredible vibes." The restaurant is praised for its "great service" and "beautiful decor," making it a perfect spot for a romantic date or a night out. While some diners found the music a bit loud, the "amazing" lomo saltado and pisco sours are standout dishes.

738 Reviews

E
Enrique
Tampa1 review
1.0
Dined on April 20, 2025
1. Overall 1
2. Food 2
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 3
Food and service was poor. Informed the server and did not receive any solution.
Is this helpful?
M
Marta VIP
Washington DC40 reviews
4.0
Dined on April 19, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Daniela was an outstanding waitstaff, and her recommendations were right on spot. She was very courteous, attentive and outgoing. The pisco sours and ceviche were delicious. A bit disappointed at the lomo salteado as well as at its cost. Nonetheless, we had a great time, and I would go back!
Is this helpful?
P
Paola
San Francisco2 reviews
5.0
Dined on April 12, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We are on the Palestinian side and had a marvelous experience. Everything was delightful! Can’t wait to come back!
Is this helpful?
N
Nate
Seattle5 reviews
4.0
Dined on April 12, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 3
Great food and service. We were seated right by a very loud speaker with clubby music playing so that it made it tough to chat with my family. Still would go again as the eats were sublime.
Is this helpful?
T
Tom
Washington DC1 review
3.0
Dined on April 12, 2025
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 3
This restaurant used to be amazing. However, we were underwhelmed this visit. Chicken was quite undercooked. Apparently the bottomless mimosas are no longer offered, although as of this writing they still appear on the menu.
Is this helpful?
J
Jacqueline VIP
Washington DC13 reviews
5.0
Dined on April 4, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Excellent service all around. The staff made my parents' anniversary very special. The food and drinks were great. We will definitely be back.
Is this helpful?
S
Sydney
Pittsburgh2 reviews
5.0
Dined on March 30, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
An absolutely amazing date night. I would totally recommend if you like Peruvian and Palestinian food or if you’ve never even tried it. It’s something that you will enjoy all the food is so fresh. The drinks were great. My fiancé and I had an incredible time. the vibes are immaculate. The decor is wonderful
Is this helpful?
C
Claire
El Paso4 reviews
3.0
Dined on March 29, 2025
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Not quite sure why it now offers food from a restaurant with completely different cuisine and puts less emphasis on what it’s supposed to be doing, Peruvian food. So the ceviche offer is less clear, the lomo sauce was heavier. The noise level is extremely high, we sat outside to avoid it but even there, the music is very loud. Overall, not a horrible solution if everything else is full, but I will stick to places like Causa or Pisco y Nazca for actual Peruvian food.
Is this helpful?
C
Cal
Unspecified1 review
5.0
Dined on March 29, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
My favorite spot in the city. It does not get better than Rosita!
Is this helpful?
M
Manuel
Washington DC1 review
1.0
Dined on March 28, 2025
1. Overall 1
2. Food 1
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 3
Food was bad, would recommend only to come for drinks
Is this helpful?

FAQs

El Secreto de Rosita offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (202) 234-8400.

El Secreto de Rosita is rated 4.4 stars by 738 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people

May 1, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 25 times today

Experiences are available.

1624 U St NW, Washington, DC 20009

Additional information

Award-winning
1. MICHELIN Plate 2022
Neighborhood
Downtown
Hours of operation
Dinner Tue–Sun 5:00 pm–9:30 pm
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Latin American, Peruvian, Latin / Spanish
Dining style
Home Style
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Street Parking
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Kike Espinoza
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wine

Website
http://www.elsecretoderosita.com/
Phone number
(202) 234-8400
Private party facilities
We welcome you to explore our Private Dining options, perfect for any occasion.
Private party contact
our Private Event Coordinator: (202) 234-8400

Featured in

Seek out these 5 unique restaurants in Washington, D.C.

El Secreto de Rosita

Make a reservation

About this restaurant

Additional information

Seek out these 5 unique restaurants in Washington, D.C.

Nabiha

Private Room

Custom inquiry

Arroz Con Mariscos

Ceviche Classico

Ceviche Roccoto

Cositas Ricas

Nikkei Wings$14.00

Calamar Frito$16.00

Gambas al Ajillo$19.00

Choros$16.00

Ensalada de La Casa$12.00

Yakitori$17.00

Burrata Salad$16.00

Anticuchos de Corazón$14.00

Grilled Octopus in Roccoto Adobo$24.00

Oysters Acevichadas & Salmon Caviar$21.00

Salmon Tiradito$22.00

Ahí Tuna Tiradito$20.00

Ceviches

Ceviche Clasico$18.00

Ceviche del Mercado$19.00

Ceviche Mixto$20.00

Ceviche Nikkei$19.00

Platos Fuertes

Aji de Gallina$24.00

Seco de Res$36.00

Pescado a lo Macho$29.00

Lomo Saltado$29.00

Arroz con Mariscos$31.00

Churrasco a lo Pobre$32.00

Gnocchi Lomo Saltado$32.00

Risotto Huancaina$22.00

Lamb Chops and Risotto Huancaina$40.00

Warm Acevichado Dorade$34.00

Kamlu Wantan de Camaron$25.00

Arroz Chaufa

Overall ratings and reviews

Review summary

FAQs

Does El Secreto de Rosita offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is El Secreto de Rosita restaurant rated?

Is El Secreto de Rosita currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Additional information

Featured in

Seek out these 5 unique restaurants in Washington, D.C.