Celebrating it's nineteenth anniversary in the nation's capital, Taberna del Alabardero has been designated as the “Best Spanish restaurant outside of Spain” by the Spanish government and has received recognition as one of the best restaurants in the country by Washingtonian magazine, Gourmet , The New York Times and Condé Nast Traveler.
Though Taberna del Alabardero regularly plays host to diplomats and dignitaries, General Manager Paco Pena treats all guests specially, and welcomes them as he would into his own home. Executive Chef Dani Arana continues the restaurant's mission of providing the best of Spain's cuisine by offering classical dishes, which reflect various cooking styles from the country's regions, including Basque, Andalucía, Valencia and Galicia. Chef Arana, a graduate of the Hospitality School of Seville, also incorporates locally grown, seasonal produce, not
commonly found in Spanish cuisine, into his dishes. In addition to lunch and dinner menus, guests may choose from a tapas menu and a complete vegetarian menu.
The wine cellar at Taberna del Alabardero offers one of the most extensive and varied selections of Spanish wines of any restaurant on the East Coast of the United States . Sommelier Gustavo Iniesta brings a life-long passion for wine to his position at Taberna del Alabardero, where he oversees the restaurant's list of over 315 different wines, including an extensive selection of Sherries.
The story of Taberna del Alabardero started over twenty-five years ago, when Father Luis de Lezama quietly rented a 16th century townhouse near the Royal Palace in Madrid, with no prior training in the restaurant business, and began serving meals. Thus, the fashionable locale La Taberna del Alabardero or “Tavern of the Palace Guards,” was born. In his first and only venture abroad, Lezama crossed the Atlantic to open Taberna del Alabardero in Washington, DC on March 27, 1989. Lezama also opened Taberna del Alabardero locations in Sevilla and Benahavis. Awarded the Chevalier de l'ordre de Merite from the French government, he is known for providing first-rate food and service. Please join us at Taberna del Alabardero, for traditional Spanish cuisine, in a beautiful atmosphere, evocative of Old-World Spain. We are certain you will enjoy your experience!
