Taberna del Alabardero
Golden Triangle, Washington DC
Restaurant in Washington DC, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Price
$50–100per person
Dress
Smart Casual
Why go
Taberna del Alabardero is a practical downtown Washington, D.C. pick when the goal is a relaxed sit-down meal with easy planning rather than a trophy reservation. Compare it with Casa Teresa for a more focused alternative, Barbouzard for French-Mediterranean energy, or Equinox - DC when the meal needs more polish.
About Taberna del Alabardero
Taberna del Alabardero is a Washington, D.C. venue with confirmed seven-day hours and a smart-casual dress code. The useful planning signal is its schedule: it opens late morning daily, runs until 10 PM Monday through Thursday, until 10:30 PM Friday and Saturday, and until 8 PM Sunday.
Because public pricing, chef details, awards, menu specifics, and service details are not part of the confirmed profile here, the safest decision frame is practical: consider it when you need a Washington, D.C. venue with daily hours and a smart-casual dress code. For anything more specific, confirm directly with the venue before making plans.
A Washington, D.C. choice for low-drama planning
This is not a place to over-specify from the available information. The confirmed facts support a simple use case: a Washington, D.C. venue with daily late-morning-to-evening hours and a smart-casual dress code. For a more comparison-heavy plan, scan our full Washington, D.C. restaurants guide alongside other profiles.
Choose it for convenience, compare it for ambition
The decision comes down to how much detail the visit requires. If the priority is confirmed daily hours and a smart-casual setting in Washington, D.C. Taberna del Alabardero can be a reasonable shortlist candidate. If the plan depends on specific menu details, pricing, awards, bar seating, or dietary accommodations, verify those details with the venue before booking. For the broader trip, Pearl's city guides for Washington, D.C. hotels, bars, wineries, and experiences can help decide whether this stop should be the anchor or just one part of the evening.
Planning details
- Location
- 1776 I St NW #255, Washington, DC 20006
- Reservations
- Book on OpenTable
- Website
- alabardero.com
- Phone
- +12024292200
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Taberna del Alabardero reads as a refined urban taberna that brings Iberian regional cooking to a Washington dining scene dominated by other fine-dining formats. The restaurant balances seriousness of technique with the looseness of tapas service, so meals feel composed but not overly rigid. Housed at the 1776 I Street address, it carries a sense of history and neighborhood permanence while translating Basque and Andalusian traditions for an American audience. Expect a polished yet approachable atmosphere that sits comfortably between businesslike formality and relaxed, convivial Spanish dining.
Best For
This is a reliable choice for midweek business lunches and evening pre-theatre dinners: the taberna format accommodates flexible pacing so groups can linger or keep to a schedule. Its downtown Penn Quarter/K Street location makes it convenient for office crowds and visitors heading to nearby venues. The kitchen’s focus on refined Spanish plates also suits special occasions and celebratory dinners where regional dishes and shareable plates are the point of the meal. Lunch and dinner are the clear service strengths here, with menus calibrated for both daytime meetings and evening dining.
Ordering Tips
Order to share and let the table set the rhythm: start with seafood-focused small plates like the salpicon of mussels, scallops, octopus, and shrimp, then move to richer selections such as braised oxtail or sautéed sweetbreads with scallops. The signature paellas—seafood or wild-mushroom—are ideal for groups and showcase the kitchen’s Spanish roots. Balance heavy dishes with lighter vegetable and salad plates to keep the meal flowing; for pre-theatre nights, ask staff for recommendations on timing so paella arrives when the group is ready.
Venue details
Ambiance
Resplendent crimson red walls adorned with Spanish art, tiles, and tapestry; gold chandeliers and wall sconces create a lively yet formal atmosphere that evokes a classic Spanish dining room with hints of romantic grandeur.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Smart Casual
- Noise Level
- Conversational
- Service Style
- Formal
- Meal Pacing
- Leisurely
- Capacity
- Large
- Kitchen
- Traditional
- Menu Format
- A la carte, Small plates, Prix fixe
- Wine Program
- Curated
- Drinks Focus
- Sangria, Wine
- Dietary
- Vegetarian friendly, Gluten-free options
- Private Dining
- Available
Signature Dishes
- paella with shrimp, mussels, and squid
- braised oxtail
- sautéed sweetbreads and scallops
- wild-mushroom paella
- salpicon of mussels, scallops, octopus, and shrimp
Know before you go
Know Before You Go
- Getting there
- 1776 I St NW #255, Washington, DC 20006
Planning details
Location
Also consider
Where to go if this does not fit
If the goal is a more cuisine-specific alternative, choose Casa Teresa. If the meal needs a more formal feel, move the search to Equinox - DC.
Restaurant context
How it compares in Washington, D.C.
Choose Taberna del Alabardero when convenience and a relaxed downtown setting matter more than chasing a harder table. Barbouzard is the better cross-shop if the group wants a French-Mediterranean direction and a livelier dining brief. Equinox - DC is the more polished comparison for a meal that needs to feel more formal or occasion-ready.
Casa Teresa is the clearest nearby alternative if the plan calls for a more focused Spanish-leaning choice. Rōti Mediterranean Grill sits at the opposite end of the decision: use it for speed and value, not for a lingering dinner. Toryumon Japanese House makes more sense when the group wants Japanese food specifically and does not need the same downtown taberna-style feel.
For an easy table, Taberna del Alabardero has the edge. For a stronger cuisine-led comparison, start with Casa Teresa or Barbouzard. For a more dressed-up evening, Equinox - DC is the safer upgrade.
Explore Washington DC
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Taberna del Alabardero guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Taberna del Alabardero
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taberna del Alabardero | Washington, D.C. | , | No published awards |
| Barbouzard | Washington, D.C. | French-Mediterranean | No published awards |
| Rōti Mediterranean Grill | Washington, D.C. | , | No published awards |
| Casa Teresa | Washington, D.C. | , | No published awards |
| Toryumon Japanese House | Washington, D.C. | , | No published awards |
| Equinox - DC | Washington, D.C. | , | No published awards |
How Taberna del Alabardero compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What should a first-timer know about Taberna del Alabardero?
Start with the confirmed basics: Taberna del Alabardero is in Washington, D.C. has a smart-casual dress code, and is open daily. Its hours are 11:30 AM–10 PM Monday through Thursday, 11:30 AM–10:30 PM Friday, 11 AM–10:30 PM Saturday, and 11 AM–8 PM Sunday.
What are other venues to compare with Taberna del Alabardero?
Other venues to compare include Barbouzard, Rōti Mediterranean Grill, Casa Teresa, Toryumon Japanese House, and Equinox - DC. Choose based on the details that matter to your plan, and confirm current hours, menus, and availability directly with each venue.
