Spanish Diner – Bethesda

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1. K

   Kyle

   Orange County

   5 reviews

   vip
   2.0

   5 reviews

   Dined on May 13, 2023

   overall2food2service2ambience3

   Spanish Diner was without a doubt, a disappointment. I had high hopes going in - and spent over $200 without drinks. The paella was mushy and lacked any crisp and was light and lacking in flavor. The small dishes were OK, but they were one dimensional in flavors. Truly a let down and I expected much more.
   

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2. AC

   AmaliaC

   Washington DC

   2 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on May 13, 2023

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   First time dining in the new concept that used to be Jaleo. It was my birthday brunch and it did not disappoint! Hubby and I had the croquetas, crispy chicken salad, and meatballs. Delicious! Service was on point and ambiance was great. Hope to check out the flamenco dancing next time!
   

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3. JC

   JConrad

   Chicago

   86 reviews

   vip
   4.0

   86 reviews

   Dined on May 5, 2023

   overall4food4service5ambience5

   The food was tasty and the service was efficient and friendly. I would recommend!
   

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4. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Washington DC

   9 reviews

   vip
   4.0

   9 reviews

   Dined on May 5, 2023

   overall4food4service4ambience4

   Food is excellent and great service. For Appetizer, we ordered cheese (sheep) garnished with small links crackers and fig jelly, sautéed shrimp in garlic, and flat bread with spread tomato; and for main entree, beef tripe with garbanzo and squid in ink. All are authentic and cooked to perfection. On top of that, the service is exemplary. Servers are continually checking on us. I plan to go back again to try their other delicacies.
   

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5. PK

   PatriciaK

   Washington DC

   3 reviews

   5.0

   3 reviews

   Dined on May 4, 2023

   overall5food5service5ambience4

   We thoroughly enjoyed our low key, middle of the week dinner. The food was, as promised, pure comfort food and excellently seasoned. We relied on recommendations from the wait staff and enjoyed delicious chicken and squid dishes paired with wines. The fruit-based dessert option was a wonderful mix of flavors and not too heavy. The restaurant was not crowded at 6 pm allowing us to catch up with old friends without distractions or noise.
   

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6. M

   Marc

   Washington DC

   7 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   7 reviews

   Dined on April 23, 2023

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   We were very careful with what we ordered based on some of the reviews, but everything we ordered was spectacular. Cocktails were fabulous. Will come again.
   

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7. OT

   OpenTableJB

   Washington DC

   12 reviews

   vip
   2.0

   12 reviews

   Dined on April 20, 2023

   overall2food5service1ambience3

   The food at Spanish Diner tonight was excellent. Unfortunately the service was perhaps the worst I’ve ever experienced in the DC area. I could not leave soon enough. And while I have always liked Spanish Diner it is unlikely I will ever go back. Service really effects the experience.
   

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8. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Washington DC

   2 reviews

   5.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on April 7, 2023

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Spanish diner is festive and food is delicious - try branzino - and the appetizers are fantastic with great specials. Also, the sangria turns an average date into something special - highly recommend!
   

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9. l

   lou07

   Washington DC

   60 reviews

   vip
   3.0

   60 reviews

   Dined on March 26, 2023

   overall3food4service4ambience3

   Delicious variety of Spanish foods with options for small plates to full entrees.
   

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10. LD

    LDubs

    Washington DC

    14 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on March 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great service by Emma. Amazing food and the paella was delish!
    

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11. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Charlotte

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on March 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    This was our first time and we really enjoyed it!!
    

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12. A

    Aaron

    Washington DC

    21 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    21 reviews

    Dined on March 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    I miss the old Jaleo interiors. This place is now much less of an experience than it was as Jaleo. Food and wine quality are consistently excellent.
    

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13. FL

    FoodLover

    Washington DC

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on March 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Wonderful home style food at a very good price.
    

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14. BC

    BruceC

    Washington DC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 10, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    We had a great time with friends visiting from the Midwest. Large round table was a little wobbly and needs to be fixed but other than that the experience was wonderful.
    

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15. BF

    BethFoodie

    Washington DC

    40 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    40 reviews

    Dined on March 5, 2023

    overall3food3service3ambience3

    Flamenco Dancing was a little loud. Limited menu. We miss Jaleo, would like that back.
    

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16. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on February 28, 2023

    overall3food3service4ambience3

    Food quality has been declining consistently over the years. The menu organization is confusing: the waiter has to explain what is a main dish or appetizer, tapas are there but not identified as such.
    

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17. S

    Steph

    Washington DC

    12 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on February 26, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience5

    Good food. Depending on what you order, portions may be small. Definitely challenging for those who are gluten free. They do not offer gf bread and with so many things bread based it makes it hard.
    

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18. AG

    ArlynG

    Washington DC

    36 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    36 reviews

    Dined on February 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Out of state friends get-together.
    

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19. MM

    MariaM

    Washington DC

    38 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    38 reviews

    Dined on February 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Our family adores Spanish Diner! Our kids love to try new dishes every time we come and already have developed their own list of favorites. The menu is truly Spanish comfort food at its best and is the taste of home cooking I crave. Bravo!
    

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20. MD

    MariaD

    Washington DC

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on February 24, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Excellent place to dine with friends or for any celebration
    

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21. D

    Deb1

    Washington DC

    69 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    69 reviews

    Dined on February 14, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience4

    Great food, good menu choices, service excellent. Waiting eagerly to go back.
    

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22. SS

    SeldomScene

    Philadelphia

    11 reviews

    4.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on February 9, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience3

    All the food was excellent. Who knew a simple potato French fry could be so amazing? Flan was all exceptional. The sangria was the disappointment- quite diluted. Definitely would go back, but will not order the sangria.
    

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23. MM

    MariaM

    Washington DC

    38 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    38 reviews

    Dined on January 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Love the Spanish comfort food at Spanish Diner. I usually dine with daily but this time I had an opportunity to share a meal with friends and give them a glimpse of Spanish food beyond tapas. Everything from the food to the service was outstanding.
    

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24. AW

    AmyW

    Washington DC

    17 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    17 reviews

    Dined on January 22, 2023

    overall3food4service2ambience3

    My family has been coming here for years. Both as Spanish Diner and before as Jaleo. We love the food, and we love that we are now taking our kids here too. The fried eggs with french fries and different meats is delicious. Croquetas are such a treat, and we always save room for flan.
    

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25. g

    gypsyfoodie411

    Washington DC

    40 reviews

    4.0

    40 reviews

    Dined on January 21, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    Spanish Diner offers a change of scenery from the typical diner, but the food is just as satisfying. The service and presentation is what you would expect from Jose Andres and I was not disappointed. My favorites include the favorites of others like the croquetas, the patatas bravas, and pollo guisado. The ensalada de aquacate was both refreshing and hearty. The flan is silky and not overwhelmingly sweet. The lattes perfecty frothy and caffeinated.
    

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26. TT

    TimT

    Washington DC

    32 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    32 reviews

    Dined on January 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Second visit. This time for restaurant week. Great food and vibe. Love it!!!
    

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27. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    My husband and I went for restaurant week, the menu was tasty and the service was great!
    

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28. PR

    PhyllisR

    Washington DC

    3 reviews

    1.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on January 16, 2023

    overall1food1service1ambience1

    The lunch servings were ridiculously small and did not at all showcase anything positive about this place. Not worth the $25.
    

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29. JA

    JayA

    Washington DC

    7 reviews

    3.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on January 15, 2023

    overall3food2service4ambience3

    Tapas were not of high quality and entrees weee at best mediocre. Service was excellent.
    

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30. JF

    JulieF

    Washington DC

    1 review

    vip
    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 31, 2022

    overall2food2service1ambience4

    The food wasn’t good. We had paella , and it wasn’t good but expensive
    

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31. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 11, 2022

    overall5food4service5ambience5

    The Food was delicious! The waitress too!
    

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32. LV

    LeahV

    Washington DC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 10, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Excellent all the way around! Looking forward to my next visit.
    

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33. SL

    StuartL

    Baltimore

    23 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    23 reviews

    Dined on December 10, 2022

    overall4food5service3ambience4

    Food was outstanding! Service was occasionally spotty (was almost impossible to flag down ANY staff to get more water), and pacing of courses was uneven (second round of items arrived while still midway through previous course), but the atmosphere and food quality were excellent.
    

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34. h

    hungergames

    San Francisco

    44 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    44 reviews

    Dined on November 9, 2022

    overall5food5service4ambience5

    An enjoyable meal with many pleasing dishes (our party sampled the small plates only) served in Spanish Diner’s colorful dining room. The restaurant was not as busy on this weeknight as I remember it being prepandemic. Everything came out to our table quickly. The servers were efficient but, perhaps because it was a slow night for them, they seemed stoic, indeed almost grim. I don’t think any of the staff smiled the whole time we were there, which made an odd juxtaposition with the playful decor of the restaurant. Still it was a fine meal. I will be happy to return the next time I visit the area.
    

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35. M

    Mikie

    New York Area

    94 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    94 reviews

    Dined on November 5, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    If my friend, Natito’s abuela was not in heaven, I would swear she was in the kitchen! José Andreas creates more good will in the world than any other chef in-the-world , but somehow still maintains restaurants of superlative quality and absolutely perfect service. On a very busy ( no surprise) Friday, we were overwhelmed with kindness, patience and attentiveness thanks to a charming gentleman with GQ cover model looks, Orlando, who was our server. With so many dishes coming to the table with temperatures very important to quality, he sprinted every tapa and main course just in time. It was not just our table, but every table in our eyesight was enjoying the same excellence. It seems every plate ever ordered was has been good to memorable. The cannelloni, every egg entree, shrimp are superb. The salads for the price are a bit of a rip off , personally, especially the very plain garbanzo one- not flavorful, not interesting and about 30 cents per bean was very overpriced. The more visits I make; the more aware I become. You must navigate the menu carefully. You could feel overcharged and unhappy. Ask your server. If , for instance, you are fortunate enough to be seated in the area where Orlando is serving, he will help with — sincerity on the side.
    

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36. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on November 5, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Delicious Spanish food, good price, good service. We love dining at the Spanish Diner
    

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37. VS

    VSMS

    Washington DC

    17 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    17 reviews

    Dined on October 31, 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    Good tapas-type dishes. There weren’t many people the night we were there so was quiet and lots of staff available. Space has a nice funky vibe. We will go back.
    

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38. HB

    HappyBourbonLover

    Atlanta Metro

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on October 30, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Excellent experience
    

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39. m

    marlos

    Washington DC

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 29, 2022

    overall3food3service4ambience4

    Fried food not so good High price for a diner as it is advertised and decorated
    

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40. GG

    GrumpyGourmand

    Richmond

    100 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    100 reviews

    Dined on October 27, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Exceptional as always. Croquettas are a must.
    

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