Jaleo

The story

Jaleo Washington DC: Spanish Tapas and Tasting Menus in Penn Quarter

Jaleo is a Spanish restaurant at 480 Seventh St. N.W. in Washington, DC, and it holds a Michelin Recommended distinction (2026). The Penn Quarter room is the original Jaleo, the place where José Andrés began his long career as a Washington chef.

Tasting menus and the kitchen

Head chef John White leads the kitchen through three tasting menus. Jaleo Classics ($70) follows traditional tapas with recipes passed down through generations. The Jaleo Experience ($90) adds seasonal and specialty dishes and heartier servings, and José's Way ($120) brings premium cuts of meat and the most luxurious bites.

Dishes from the tapas list

The patatas bravas, fried potatoes with spicy tomato sauce and alioli, are the house favorite. Other plates include croquetas, a tortilla de patatas with confit potatoes and onions, and Ibérico de bellota mini hamburguesas. Queso Mamá Marisa is an award-winning raw milk blue cheese named after José's mother, served with apples, fig jam and membrillo.

Sherry, wine and the room

A Sherry Tasting ($50) pairs sommelier-selected sherries with your meal. The restaurant also earned a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence in 2014. The design blends the festive spirit of Spain with José's personal style, and the location suits a stop before a Capital One Arena event or after a day on the National Mall.