Latin American Restaurants in Washington DC
Café Atlantico
(Neuvo Latino, Between D and E Streets)405 8th Street NW, Second Floor
Washington, DC 20004
202-393-0812
Café Atlantico's three-level restaurant is filled with the sound of festive music. That and the great house designed cocktails take you to another place. The food is colorful, bright, and lively too. The Tuna Ceviche with Coconut Milk and Avacado is a favorite.
Lauriol Plaza
(South American/Mexican, Adams Morgan & Dupont Circle)1835 18th St NW # S
Washington, DC 20009
202-387-0035
This large, spacious, architecturally-acclaimed DC restaurant has a two-tiered dining room and a rooftop deck. Serves authentic Latin-American and Mexican dishes including pork tamales moistened with a splendid chile colorado, fine chiles rellenos, and beef quesadillas. Even 18 years out of college, I still love the swirled frozen margaritas.
Lima Restaurant and Lounge
(South American/Mexican, Downtown)1401 K Street NW
Wasington, DC 20005
202-789 2800
Most dishes are made or complemented with lime (as the name Lima suggests) and are full of flavor and include a number of ceviches. The restaurant has three floors: a lounge, restaurant, and bar. It also has a year-round outdoor patio.
Zengo
(Latin/Asian Fusion, Penn Quarter)781 7th St NW
Washington, DC 20001
202-393-2929
This Latin-Asian fusion restaurant by Chef Richard Sandoval is one of the many hip new restaurants in DC's revitalized Penn Quarter. Dishes are served tapas style and portions are generous. We enjoyed the Volcano Roll, Carnitas Rice Noodles, and Kobe Beef Wonton Soup. Try the Dulce De Leche Pudding or Mexican Chocholate Torte for dessert. The atmosphere is modern, bright, open, and colorful.