dLeña by Chef Richard Sandoval

476 K St NW Suite D, Washington, DC 20001, United States
$$$ Restaurant
(1892 Reviews)
Price Range $50–100

Welcome to dLeña by Chef Richard Sandoval, a vibrant culinary gem nestled in the heart of Washington, DC. This exquisite restaurant specializes in modern Mexican cuisine, offering a delightful array of dishes that capture the essence of traditional flavors while adding a contemporary twist. Located at 476 K St NW Suite D, dLeña is more than just a dining destination; it’s an experience that entices all your senses.

As you step inside, you’re greeted by a warm and inviting atmosphere, characterized by elegant decor that harmonizes rustic charm with modern sophistication. The ambiance is perfect for any occasion—whether you're celebrating a milestone, enjoying a quick dinner after work, or unwinding during their famous bottomless brunch.

The menu at dLeña is a feast for the senses, with highlights that will tantalize your taste buds. Start your meal with the Ceviche Amarillo, featuring delicate hamachi paired with a refreshing mango and orange aguachile, elegantly served at just $20. For a heartier selection, dive into the Short Rib Tacos, where tender beef meets a kick of chile de árbol peanut sauce wrapped in warm flour tortillas, all for $22. And don't forget to indulge in the heavenly Carajillo Crème Brulée—a rich dessert that marries espresso with creamy delight, presented tableside for a unique experience, priced at $14.

Diners have raved about dLeña, with many praising the restaurant for its inviting vibe and delectable offerings. Customer Gabby Zamora highlights its perfect atmosphere for both solo dining and friendly gatherings, particularly enjoying the not-to-miss tacos and guacamole. Dana Kang, who celebrated a friend's birthday there, cherished the delightful mushroom queso and crispy pork rib tacos, complemented by attentive service that surprised them with complimentary churros—a thoughtful touch that speaks volumes about their hospitality.

However, it’s not all perfect; some guests have noted inconsistencies in service during peak times, indicating that while the food shines, the dining experience may occasionally hit a bump. Yet, the majority of patrons, like Samantha Tran who praised the attentive servers during their corporate event, are left enchanted by the flavors and overall vibe of dLeña.

The highlight of the restaurant’s offerings is undoubtedly its bottomless brunch—a delightful way to usher in the weekend with leisurely small plates that beckon to be shared. Each dish is thoughtfully seasoned and beautifully presented, from the fresh Ceviche to the delectable Mil Hojas Argentino dessert, ensuring you indulge in a feast for both the eyes and palate.

If you’re seeking a place that marries exceptional cuisine with a lively atmosphere and a dash of modern flair, dLeña by Chef Richard Sandoval is your go-to destination in Washington, DC. Whether it’s an intimate dinner or a festive brunch, every visit promises a memorable experience filled with delicious food and remarkable service.

Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Service options
Has outdoor seating
Offers kerbside pickup
Offers delivery
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
Highlights
Has fast service
Has great beer selection
Serves great cocktails
Serves great dessert
Has great wine list
Has live music
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves cocktails
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Serves happy-hour drinks
Serves happy-hour food
Serves small plates
Serves spirits
Serves vegetarian dishes
Serves wine
Dining options
Serves breakfast
Serves brunch
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Has catering
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has bar on site
Has gender-neutral toilets
Has toilet
Has Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
Cosy
Romantic
Trendy
Upmarket
Crowd
Family friendly
Good for groups
LGBTQ+ friendly
Popular with tourists
Planning
Brunch reservations recommended
Lunch reservations recommended
Reservations required
Dinner reservations recommended
Accepts reservations
Usually has a wait
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Credit cards
Children
High chairs available
Parking
Paid multi-storey car park
Paid parking lot
Paid street parking
Openings Hours
Checking

Monday

11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

,

5:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Tuesday

11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

,

5:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Wednesday

11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

,

5:00 PM - 11:00 PM

Thursday

11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

,

5:00 PM - 11:00 PM

Friday

11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

,

5:00 PM - 11:00 PM

Saturday

10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

,

5:00 PM - 11:00 PM

Sunday

10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

,

5:00 PM - 10:00 PM

1892 Reviews
Dana Kang

16 Sep 2025

celebrated a friend's birthday here and it was a great experience! the mushroom queso was amazing and had a fiery taste. I got the pork rib tacos and they had good crunch with just the right amount of spice. they also gave us free churros with a candle which was so nice of them! the food is served on a wooden plate that kind of adds to the whole aesthetic. 10/10 recommend for a special occasion!

David Lazar

11 Sep 2025

I had dinner here on a Sunday night after wanting to try it for quite some time. The decor and atmosphere inside is unbelievable and worth the trip in and of itself. I was also impressed with the food. As others have said, the service was lacking. We started with the guacamole, which was delicious and came with particularly good chips. We also started with the Ceviche Amarillo and Wagyu Empanadas. We finished by splitting the Short Rib entree. This was the perfect about of food for the two of us. I wouldn’t have changed a thing. There is also a speak easy style bar in the basement that does not take reservations (unless you buy a liquor locker for thousands). Apparently the menu is different down there and I’d love to try it as well as the live music. I would highly recommend this place at least once. It is a great place to spend time!

Gabby Zamora

30 Aug 2025

dLeña has easily become my favorite place for a quick dinner after work in DC. The vibe is always on point, elevated yet relaxed, making it perfect whether I’m winding down solo or meeting up with friends. Their happy hour is solid, with great drink specials and some seriously crave-worthy bites (the tacos and guac are non-negotiable). But the real star for me is their bottomless brunch. It’s one of the best in the city; delicious food, flowing drinks, and a fun, lively atmosphere that somehow still feels classy.

Alex

28 Aug 2025

Absolutely fantastic food and atmosphere! All tasted exceptional and played beautifully. Service is pretty subpar, service is comparable to a chain restaurant like a cheesecake factory. Definitely not fine dining level service. They are quite inattentive in my visit, this was my first so unknown if that is a common issue. I added photos of all my dishes. They were all delicious except the crème brûlée. I would personally stay away from it, it tasted subpar and meaty if that makes sense? Also it’s about 2cm thick… extremely bad ratio, sugar was about the same depth as the filling.

Cindy Chiu

18 Aug 2025

Attended a corporate event here and loved the passed appetizers more than the usual menu items. The guacamole and ahi tuna were superb, especially when presented on homemade crunchy crackers. We split main courses of seafood enchiladas, short rubs and chicken, which were OK but none were memorable. Service was fantastic: I would go back just for the servers!

ming ming

04 Jul 2025

Visited dLena and had the bottomless brunch today. We enjoyed the great, attentive service and delicious dishes. The brunch had a variety of options and the style was small plates, which is great because we were able to try a lot of different dishes. The seasonal fruit cocktail was a perfect starter to stimulate your appetite. The dishes were thoughtfully seasoned and beautifully presented, making the overall experience stand out.

Samantha Tran

02 Jul 2025

dLeña hosted us for a large corporate team dinner and what a pleasure it was! The service was absolutely attentive and immaculate (shoutout to Troy and the team for being the best ever), and the food/drink were freaking fantastic. The highlights for me personally were the short rib tacos, seafood enchiladas, and the Greenwood cocktails with lemongrass mezcal and melon. I would highly recommend this place to others. Thanks for the excellent dining experience and can't wait for my next visit!

Jhon H

13 Jun 2025

I recently visited Dleña to celebrate my birthday with my family, and we were lucky to have Maria as our server. From start to finish, she went above and beyond to make our experience truly special. She gave us excellent recommendations for both food and drinks, ensuring we enjoyed every part of our meal. Her attentiveness, kindness, and genuine care made our family gathering even more memorable. Thanks to her efforts, my birthday celebration was perfect. I’m certain more customers would be thrilled to be served by Maria — she’s a true asset to Dleña!

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