Lacto
Ovo
Beer/Wine
Mexican
Non-veg
Serves meat, vegan options available. Mexican food served Antojitos style (similar to tapas). Has in-restaurant print menus labeled with vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free if you ask for one. Around a third of the menu is vegetarian and of that some dishes can be request vegan. Menu changes seasonally.
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401 7th St NW, Washington, District Of Columbia, USA, 20004
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- Outdoor seating
- Accepts credit cards
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Last update on 26 Mar 2016 by Guest
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14 Reviews
First Review by christopher.mannino
DianeMM
Points +1210
Clearly marked allergen menu! - Edit
I Our server was very knowledgeable and asked questions to help me choose my lunch safely! Guacamole was freshly made to order (and my chips were fried in a separate fryer to guarantee they remained gluten free). The salsa was just spicy enough with a smokey flavor. I enjoyed a refreshing hearts of palm salad with grapefruit/papaya dressing.
Read moreGuest
CaymanRaemsch
Points +107
Vegan-friendly and delicious! - Edit
One of the first things our waitress asked was if anyone had allergies or dietary restrictions, and when I told her I’m vegan she brought me the allergen menu, which has every item labeled if it’s vegan/vegetarian/etc. Super helpful! There’s a vegetable section on the menu with about a dozen dishes, and I saw at least 3 that come vegan as-is, plus several more which can be made vegan. Service was fast and friendly, and everything we ate was delicious. Best tortilla chips I’ve had in a long time. Would 100% recommend!
Read morePros: Very vegan-friendly , Delicious food , Fast service
Cons: Little pricey for the portion sizes
Guest
vibinravi7
Points +27
Lots of Vegetarian and Vegan options - Edit
Very good Mexican food and good vegetarian/vegan options. Staff are incredible
Read morePros: Choices
Cons: Quantities
Guest
Jazzman221
Points +193
Friendly staff, delicious food! - Edit
Modest but delicious selection of vegan and can-be-vegan tacos; also a robust frijoles white bean dish — and amazing spicy Brussels sprouts!
Read moreThe server was knowledgeable (and charming) but it would be great if the printed menu had (v) and (vg) symbols.
Pros: Fresh and tasty Mexican food, surely authentic!, Good selection., Casual setting, still a nice destination venue!
Guest
tlamadeo
Points +169
Fun and unique, pricey - Edit
**Ask for the allergen menu!** Had a great dinner drinks experience here. Started with chips and guac (ask for no cheese). The chips were thick and well seasoned, super tasty. The guac is made out in the open and is very fresh. Then had a couple of small plates - a pumpkin seed pate that was maybe not my favorite but super unique, and some Brussel sprouts which were not my usual favorite crispy style, but delicious nonetheless. Finally, had two tacos: wild mushroom (ask for no dairy) and cactus paddle, both very unique and flavorful. Unfortunately no vegan options for dessert, so I had another drink! Definitely recommended, just be ready to spend some money.
Read morePros: Helpful allergen menu , Lots of unique items on menu , Plenty of vegan options
Cons: Expensive, Busy / long waits, No vegan desserts
Guest
bknamaste
Points +835
Great Brunch - Edit
My boyfriend and I enjoyed our brunch here. Our server was helpful in letting us know what options could be made vegan. They have an allergy menu with labels of what is dairy free, vegan, and can be made vegan. I would absolutely come back! Their margaritas are great as well.
Read moreGuest
Stephanie509
Points +91
Unique small plates - Edit
Not run of the mill Mexican. Plenty of vegetarian options and several vegan options. Has full bar. Very tasty!
Read morePros: Lots of interesting vegetable and bean dishes.
Cons: A bit expensive.
Guest
Lynnspiration
Points +265
Interesting Mexican - Edit
I went here several times years ago before I became vegan and I loved it- has an interesting menu. I went again now while visiting DC and found many vegan options. There is a whole "vegetables" section that offers many interesting dishes and some unusual vegetables & different flavors. They have a way of putting cheese on/in some items (e.g., crumbled on top of the guacamole- why is that necessary?) so just make sure you ask for no dairy. I wish they had more vegan taco options... seems like there's just one but you'd have to ask for no cheese. Also the regular menu is not labeled as to what is vegan or vegetarian; I wish it were. I didn't see the info on HappyCow that you can ask for a labeled menu... (why can't I just order vegan food like everyone else orders theirs? I don't want to ask for something "special" and draw attention to myself!)
Read moreGuest
edgyveggie
Points +9
excellent menu - Edit
Close to the mall, excellent options and interesting variations. Not your average Mexican cafe!
Read morePros: vegan options, small plates to try different thing
Cons: may have to wait for a table
Guest
marykjohnson
Points +68
Disappointed - Edit
I wanted to love the experience, but unfortunately, I didn't. The restaurant was beautifully decorated, clean, and modern. To begin, they gave me a breakfast menu at 4pm. I ordered Horchata, but they were out. Our waiter never came to check on us, refill our waters, etc... Fortunately, the waiter asked whether we wanted cheese or not on our guac. I ordered the Brussel Sprouts which I'd describe as overly citrusy and doused in oil (like a 1/4 cup). THESE ARE NOT TAPAS- THEY WERE SERVINGS FOR 3 PEOPLE! I also ordered Plantains which by no means I'd order again. The mole was very bitter.
Read morePros: Beautiful Restaurant , Amazing Guacamole!
Cons: Oily Brussels, Absent Waiter , Bad Plantains
Guest
Kimbala
Points +124
Delicious! - Edit
Went here for dinner and drinks. Ask for the allergen menu so you can easily identify vegan options. Very flavorful food and delicious margaritas. I'd suggest the brussel sprouts, guacamole, and cactus!
Read moreGuest
epizzl
Points +16
Modern Mexican, "sort of okay" - Edit
I previewed the restaurant's online menu and HappyCow before picking Oyamel, but was disappointed overall. Honestly, I was surprised this place was on HappyCow, even as Veg-Friendly, but I think that's a stretch for vegans.
Read moreMenu
- I was there for lunch and they gave my non-veg guest and I dinner menus; that is not ideal from my perspective. (I am just seeing that now as I go online to review the dish names, which is even more frustrating - I could have had a different meal altogether!)
- The menu did not identify which dishes could be made vegan; when I asked my server he pointed to the vegetables section and said that was it. However, there are mushroom tacos I see, on another page.
What I Ordered
- Overall, this was not a great value by any means, especially for vegans.
- I ordered the Machuco relleno de frijól con salsa negra and Frijoles Rebosero.
- The Machuco is basically fried plantain and carrot mush filled with black beans, and a black sauce. It had 5 or so fried pieces, but they didn't taste like plantains or certainly didn't taste like sweet plantains like I'd hoped and expected. Wouldn't order again.
- The Frijoles Rebosero honestly tasted like Amy's veg baked beans, with some added peppers and onions. I was unimpressed, especially at $10 a plate.
- There was another bean dish on the menu, and the served checked and confirmed with the kitchen that they were not veg even without the crema and cheese.
Chips and Salsa
- These were free and were very good! The chips had not too much salt, and a custom seasoning which was a pleasant surprise!
- I am curious if they offer a hot vs. normal salsa; I like hot salsa and the one served was relatively mild, though delicious!
Pros: Location, Atmosphere, Accessible to public transit
Cons: Expensive, Busy; you can feel like just another table, No parking validation / street parking
Guest
cookiem
Points +5888
Traditional modern Mexican cuisine - Edit
This is a festive upscale restaurant that makes me think classic Jose Andres eatery. The food has attention to presentation, local ingredients, traditional cuisine and flavor. The atmosphere is fun and downtown DC, meaning that it is not casual, more like business casual, night out on the town or good choice for most celebratory events.
Read moreAnyhow, the food. Like most of Jose Andres's restaurants, there is attention to those who have dietary restrictions. Ask, and your server will be more than happy to help you find the vegan dishes. There is a veg section, but half of the items have queso (including the guacamole)/ cheese... so, just ask. Very professional and accommodating. You will be fine here! Great ambiance too - decor is tasteful and representative of the cuisine, and there is good energy here for a vivacious dining experience.
My favorite items are the small plates and tacos - because, well, they were very easily bursting with fabulous vegan flavor. Table side guacamole is fun, but, the price tag just makes me cringe a little because I know I can make it at home for 3 time as much guacamole for that price, and with organic ingredients. Anyhow, think beans, tacos, mushrooms and cactus (nopales), and you will do well here! The mushroom tacos were probably my favorite.
A great place to have a fun time!
Pros: Vegan is not a confusing concept here, Mushroom tacos
Cons: Menu is not immediately marked vegan
Guest
christopher.mannino
Points +73
BEST RESTAURANT IN DC - Edit
Absolutely BEST restaurant in DC- can have a gourmet vegetarian meal that is tastier than anything else possible in the DC Metro area. This is a GOURMET place, so be prepared to pay a lot- but it is WORTH it. And don't miss the "salt-air" margaritas!
Read morePros: amazing food, fun vibe
Cons: price, need reservation
Guest
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