Taberna del Alabardero

Attentive service - classy, old school Spanish experience. Food was excellent. Ambiance was pleasant and quiet enough for a table of 8 to have a conversation.

El sommelier Álvaro Correas nos atendió súper bien. Encantador, súper educado y atento. La comida exquisita y el ambiente fabuloso. Música en español, qué más se puede pedir?

Well, I was hoping to have a wonderful experience, and I did not. Maybe because I went in as a solo eater, or what, but I did order an app as well as a tapas. The app came out first, but was missing salmon. After that wasn’t fixed, even though I mentioned it, the really kind waitstaff cleared my plates, glasses everything and set down a dessert menu. I don’t know where the miscommunication was with my tapas, but the staff seemed annoyed they had to reset a placesetting. After they finally brought the not very warm croquettes, I was fed up and didn’t even have dessert.

Maybe it was a new chef, or something was the problem, but I don’t think I’m ever going back. I just can’t imagine someone messing up literally every facet of a meal in a place that supposedly highly regarded. Here’s a picture of my salmonless tomato!

An Absolutely wonderful experience. I can't wait to go again.

Romantic and enjoyable evening. Food was elegant and delicious

Overpriced for what we got. Won’t be going back.

The food was good but the restaurant was almost empty. 175 bucks for 4 drinks, the lobster paella for 2, and an appetizers.

Place need a refresh.

The food was amazing! The paella was a little salty, but some pepper on it, and it’ll be just fine. They had live music this evening, and dancers too! It was a great way to spend our Anniversary!

A magical evening. The restaurant surprised us with rose petals, champagne, a personal note and dessert. The staff is extremely professional. The food was terrific. We will go back often.

Our group did not like the singer and guitar player WITH A MIKE. They would be fine in the little space there is without a mike. They could be heard but not make it impossible also to talk at the same time. The lady's voice and the guitar are strong enough withOUT a mike.

We went to Taberna for my wife's birthday and wedding anniversary. We've been a few times before but not in some time. The food is as good as I remember. The croquetas made with béchamel are perfect and come in a mini fry basket. We had seafood fideua which is the Catalan paella made with vermicelli noodles - delicious! The desserts were amazing including a dessert that was like an adult milkshake with liqeur. We were also there for flamenco night so it was a lively evening and unforgettable night in DC that transported us back to Spain.

Exceptional service and amazing Flamenco show. We were there for 3 hours and didn’t even realize it! We had the Garlic Shrimp, Serrano Ham Croquettes, Seafood Paella, and Crema Catalana. All excellent! The love show was the cherry on top. Bravisimo!

The food is exquisite, the service impeccable, the Flamenco show amazing, even better than the one we experienced in Barcelona!

If you want bad service and lackluster food come here

Excellent food and service. La Taberna never disappoints. I always keep coming back for work-related lunches or to dine with friends after leaving the office.

No tengo ningun comentario negativo. Todo lo contrario: tanto el pulpo como la paella fueron de nuestro agrado por su calidad. El servicio fue excelente y ademas sumamente complacientes.
Recomiendo vuestro restaurante sin ninguna reserva.

Nice traditional Spanish place, extensive menu, and loads of options for vegetarians as well. Paella was flavourful and the tapas excellent. Good choice of wines. Pricing a bit expensive so a place for special occasions only.

We chose this Taberna del Alabardero for my husband’s birthday. There was a live Spanish guitar and flamenco show that could not be missed. It made our celebration so very special. The music and dancing were authentic and moving. The food could not have been better and the service is always exceptional. As opposed to “formulaic” restaurants, the Taberna is cozy and has great atmosphere. We commented to each other that we need to come more often. Also, the wine pairing with our tapas was excellent. Don’t forget to try the sangria. We had a wonderful evening.

Great food and entertainment!

Always succulent and tasty food, service on point, and a great ambiance. While it is a spacious restaurant, there is a unique intimacy and romance about it - the decor, the furnishings... Jose, the maitre d' is very attentive and goes all out to ensure the client is fully satisfied. Very friendly and welcoming staff, and they make you feel right at home. My favourite dish is the calamari - order it every time. The tapas are good - jamon con queso, chorizo, etc., and you can be comfortably full on those alone. Muchas a todos!

Delicious food... we were there for restaurant week dinner... many selections... service for a table of 12 was outstanding.

A delicious meal served in a stunning dining room! The service was also absolutely top notch. A great destination for special celebrations.

The ambience and service is really nice, however, the food was average. It felt like I was eating food that I could have easily made at home, which is bad giving the fact that I am no professional chef and lack the finest ingredients. I went for restaurant week, which means there is a set charge for a three course meal (beware, they upcharge about half of the items in the menu). I got a salad, which was pretty nice but you can't really screw up a salad I think. Then, I got steak with potatoes. The steak was bland (Ruth Chris does it much better). I could have had better steak at home. The potatoes were alright, but not lackluster. For dessert, I got churros, which were delightful. However, they were served with plain store bought chocolate ice cream, instead of the traditional pot of hot thick choco. Very disappointed with that! It wasn't a bad experience, nor was it good. Pretty average.

Fabulous! We enjoyed the wonderful ambiance and incredible food. Somewhat pricey, but worth it!

Ambiance and service were excellent. We went for DC restaurant week: granted, it was a fixed menu for $35, but it should have been an opportunity for the chef to make the place memorable. My main course was composed of 3 grilled sardines on steamed broccoli! Nothing to add flavor or make the dish more palatable: it was something I would expect from my workplace cafeteria. The appetizers were good and so were the desserts, but nothing memorable like at other restaurants we tried on that week

Went for restaurant week, my choices and my friend's choices were excellent. I'll be back

Great experience for restaurant week. Food was wonderful and service excellent. Enjoyed the steak and potatoes and the gazpacho soap was a great appetizer. Wonderful place for a special occasion.

Always incredible, paired with the best service in town.

Unpleasant noise level needlessly augmented by background music which one can do without.
Bread was “wonder bread”. A real insult to serve such spongy bread. Quality of olive oil is less than appropriate for a restaurant that is supposed to be Spanish.

I have been a customer of this restaurant since it opened many years ago and have yet to have a meal where the food and the service weren’t outstanding, I can’t think of many places where the quality of the food and service remains top notch over time.

Fantastic food and wonderful atmosphere. Service was impeccable. Went for restaurant week with friends from work. Everyone tried a different dish and every dish was superb. I will add this to my must dine at list when I have friends visit. I Highly recommend this place.

Great table service and wait staff.

Authentic and excellent Spanish food; very attentive service.

Great experience all around. Food and service was wonderful, and great value. Definitely will be back.

Came for restaurant week; food was very good and service was excellent. I will come back!

Really enjoyed our lunch. Our waiter was excellent and service was great even in Restaurant Week. We had been to the original in Madrid and actually preferred the food at this one.

This place feels both elegant and easygoing. We felt so well taken care of! How could you NOT have a good time here?

Excellent service. One of the best! Good food, nice place!! Highly recommend!

The service was definitely outstanding and the food excellent! We were there for a special occasion, celebrating our 35th wedding anniversary and the staff certainly made it a memorable occasion.

Great food and wine, outstanding service. The flamenco dancer was a nice to see while enjoying dinner

The service was abysmal. It took 30 minutes to get water and bread. The waitstaff ignored us for the majority of the meal and they messed up a specific dietary need on one of the items.