Award-winning

El Secreto de Rosita

4.6

684 Reviews

$30 and under

Latin American

Make a reservation

2 people

Nov 30, 2024

7:00 PM

Booked 11 times today

Experiences are available.

Charming
Neighborhood gem
Good for special occasions

El Secreto De Rosita seeks to create great tasting food to be enjoyed in an eclectic "hacienda" atmosphere that warms the heart.

Order delivery or takeout

Private dining

Book your next event with us

View details

Additional information

Dining style
Home Style
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Latin American, Peruvian, Latin / Spanish
Hours of operation
Dinner Tue–Sun 5:00 pm–9:30 pm
Phone number
(202) 234-8400
Website
http://www.elsecretoderosita.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive chef
Cristian Granada
Private party facilities
We welcome you to explore our Private Dining options, perfect for any occasion.
Private party contact
our Private Event Coordinator: (202) 234-8400

Location
1624 U St NW, Washington, DC 20009
Award-winning
1. MICHELIN Plate 2022
Neighborhood
Downtown
Parking details
Street Parking
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wine

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Palestinian Mezze Experience an experience dedicated to all the Palestinian grandmothers who filled our hearts and kitchens with love. No frills, just authentic, old-school goodness. Here, every bite transports you to the comforting, soul-satisfying flavors of a Palestinian grandmother’s kitchen, where tradition and warmth come together.

Popular dishes

Nikkei Wings$14.00
Teriyaki sauce / green onion / sesame seeds
Calamar Frito$16.00
Yuca flour / leche de tigre / jalapenos / garlic aioli
Gambas al Ajillo$19.00
Prawns / extra virgin olive oil / garlic / pisco / red pepper flakes / toasted bread
Choros$16.00
Mussels / roccoto and panka creamy sauce / toasted bread
Ensalada de La Casa$12.00
Mixed greens / grilled apple / walnuts / cherry tomato / cucumber / avocado / oregano dressing
Yakitori$17.00
Rib eye / green onion
Burrata Salad$16.00
Burrata cheese / beets / orange / frisée / mango vinaigrette
Anticuchos de Corazón$14.00
Grilled beef heart / tomato / red onion / green onion / red wine sauce
Grilled Octopus in Roccoto Adobo$24.00
Grilled octopus / roccoto adobo / purple potato purée / salsa criolla
Oysters Acevichadas & Salmon Caviar$21.00
Half dozen oysters / roccoto / leche de tigre / salmon caviar
Salmon Tiradito$22.00
Sliced fresh salmon / salmon caviar / mango leche de tigre / olives calamata / jalapeños
Ahí Tuna Tiradito$20.00
Seared tuna / orange / ginger / chives / sea salt / passion fruit / leche de tigre

Ceviches

Ceviche Clasico$18.00
Corvina / aji limo / red onion / lime juice
Ceviche del Mercado$19.00
Corvina / fried calamari / rocotto / plaintain chips
Ceviche Mixto$20.00
Corvina / tuna / shrimp / fried calamari / aji amarillo
Ceviche Nikkei$19.00
Ahi tuna / avocado / green onions / sesame seeds / eel sauce

Platos Fuertes

Aji de Gallina$24.00
Shredded chicken / aji amarrillo sauces / potatoes / hard boiled egg / black olives
Seco de Res$36.00
Braised short rib / beer-cilantro sauce / pinto beans / salsa criolla / rice
Pescado a lo Macho$29.00
Mahi mahi / calamari / panka pepper sauce / sweet potato / rice
Lomo Saltado$29.00
Rib eye / tomatoes / red onion / scallion / soy sauce / rice / fries
Arroz con Mariscos$31.00
Prawns / tuna / mahi mahi / mussels / squid / seafood broth / aji amarillo / panka / salsa criolla
Churrasco a lo Pobre$32.00
Angus Rib eye / fried egg / sweet plantain / fried potatoes / rice
Gnocchi Lomo Saltado$32.00
Rib eye / tomatoes / red onion / scallion / soy sauce / potato gnocchi / pesto sause
Risotto Huancaina$22.00
Arborio rice / ají amarillo sauce / parmesan cheese / seasonal mushrooms
Lamb Chops and Risotto Huancaina$40.00
Grass fed lamb chops / risotto / huancaina sauce / parmesan cheese
Warm Acevichado Dorade$34.00
Whole dorade / sweet potatoes / Peruvian corn / red onion / roccoto / aji amarillo sauce
Kamlu Wantan de Camaron$25.00
Shrimp tempura / sweet & sour sauce / snow peas / pineapple / red pepper / crispy wonton / fried rice
Arroz Chaufa
Fried rice / ginger / scallions / egg. Choice of
- Chicken$22.00
- Ribeye$26.00
- Seafood$26.00
- Tofu$20.00

What 684 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6

4.6 based on recent ratings

4.6Food
4.5Service
4.7Ambience
4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

El Secreto de Rosita offers an exceptional dining experience with "amazing food" and "impeccable service." This Michelin-rated gem is praised for its "authentic Peruvian food," "delicious cocktails," and "beautiful decor." Standout dishes include the "Lomo Saltado," "ceviche mixto," and "Chilcano." Perfect for special occasions or a romantic night out.

684 Reviews

S
Scott
Portland
1 review
vip
4.0
1 review
Dined on November 20, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Drinks and apps were amazing. A couple diners thought the beef was a little tougher than it should be, but the flavors were amazing.
Is this helpful?
J
Jack
Washington DC
19 reviews
5.0
19 reviews
Dined on November 19, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
Loved El Secreto de Rosita! — The food was outstanding; exceptionally excellent. — The atmosphere was sophisticated, cultured, but also fun. — The decor is great and the seats are comfortable, all in all makes one not want to leave. — Our waiters could have been a little bit more patient and poised, but still the service was a solid A. — I am excited to go back to El Secreto de Rosita!
Is this helpful?
R
Ron
Palm Springs
31 reviews
vip
4.0
31 reviews
Dined on November 15, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Great pisci sours. Good diverse menu. Nice ceviche but with they provided chips to co either it. Had to purchase plantains
Is this helpful?
A
Alyssa
Key West
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on November 14, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
As a Peruvian, sometimes it can be daunting trying to find authentic Peruvian food without being disappointed. It was my first time coming in last night and I have to say this food is amazing!! The calamari was so crisp and the ají amarillo sauce that came with it was so delicious and flavorful. The lomo saltado was so tender and amazingly seasoned and the rocoto spice that came with it was so good to pair with it as well!! Lastly we had picarones and I was so surprised how authentic they tasted!! I will be definitely be coming back🇵🇪
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M
MIchael
Washington DC
98 reviews
vip
4.0
98 reviews
Dined on November 12, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 3
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Been here a few times. Ceviche always a good choice. 3 persons ordered steak medium rare and all were overcooked. The steaks are so thin that they cannot be cooked medium rare. Disappointing experience.
Is this helpful?
J
Jas
Washington DC
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on November 10, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The service was great and our server was very helpful and knowledgeable about the menu. Great food we all enjoyed everything, definitely be coming back!!!!
Is this helpful?
R
Ricardo
San Francisco
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on November 10, 2024
1. Overall 2
2. Food 3
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 4
I've lived more than 4 years in Peru so I'm used to its local cuisine. The Aji de Gallina was a nice surprise but a tad different from the usual, worth trying. Although it was part of the menu the place did not have fried Yuca, a shame. Service was slow, bad, the churros were tasteless and the server could not care less. I would not visit again.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on November 10, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
El Secreto is a U street/Adams Morgan neighborhood gem that everyone living in or visiting DC has to try. They serve delicious, authentic Peruvian food and regularly add new menu items that keep you coming back.
Is this helpful?
M
Michal
Chicago
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on November 10, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
What a beautiful restaurant with outstanding food. Both sides of the restaurant are great. The owners are so welcoming. I'll be back.
Is this helpful?
J
John
Washington DC
125 reviews
vip
2.0
125 reviews
Dined on November 4, 2024
1. Overall 2
2. Food 2
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Rather excited by discovery of this restaurant and the friendly reception by the host and servers - but the food was disappointing. The menu of primarily Ecuadorian-Peruvian dishes is pretty limited to 5 or 6 entrees; the desserts even less. The menu probably needs to be more sensitive to non-local tastes. We ordered 2 pretty glasses of pretty good Malbec,the arroz de pescados and the pescado a lo macho. The arroz was a poor cousin of Spanish paella - stir fried with somewhat stody rice compared with the slow cooked in its juices paella. The pranzino was Ok but the (mild-ordered) panka pepper sauce was too tomatoey for us. The dessert menu was limited to bunuelos, which was a novelty for us, and OK. Service and excellent: friendly and efficient; and the ambience of the recently-refurbed restaurant was pleasant. We guess the food is a matter of taste, which was disappointing since we love most other south and central American cuisines.
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FAQs

El Secreto de Rosita offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (202) 234-8400.

El Secreto de Rosita is rated 4.6 stars by 684 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

Nov 30, 2024

7:00 PM

Booked 11 times today

Experiences are available.

Order delivery or takeout

1624 U St NW, Washington, DC 20009

Additional information

Award-winning
1. MICHELIN Plate 2022
Neighborhood
Downtown
Hours of operation
Dinner Tue–Sun 5:00 pm–9:30 pm
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Latin American, Peruvian, Latin / Spanish
Dining style
Home Style
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Street Parking
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Cristian Granada
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wine

Website
http://www.elsecretoderosita.com/
Phone number
(202) 234-8400
Private party facilities
We welcome you to explore our Private Dining options, perfect for any occasion.
Private party contact
our Private Event Coordinator: (202) 234-8400

Featured in

Seek out these 5 unique restaurants in Washington, D.C.

El Secreto de Rosita

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Private dining

Additional information

Seek out these 5 unique restaurants in Washington, D.C.

Nabiha

Ceviche Clasico

Arroz con Mariscos

Ceviche Nikkei

Cositas Ricas

Nikkei Wings$14.00

Calamar Frito$16.00

Gambas al Ajillo$19.00

Choros$16.00

Ensalada de La Casa$12.00

Yakitori$17.00

Burrata Salad$16.00

Anticuchos de Corazón$14.00

Grilled Octopus in Roccoto Adobo$24.00

Oysters Acevichadas & Salmon Caviar$21.00

Salmon Tiradito$22.00

Ahí Tuna Tiradito$20.00

Ceviches

Ceviche Clasico$18.00

Ceviche del Mercado$19.00

Ceviche Mixto$20.00

Ceviche Nikkei$19.00

Platos Fuertes

Aji de Gallina$24.00

Seco de Res$36.00

Pescado a lo Macho$29.00

Lomo Saltado$29.00

Arroz con Mariscos$31.00

Churrasco a lo Pobre$32.00

Gnocchi Lomo Saltado$32.00

Risotto Huancaina$22.00

Lamb Chops and Risotto Huancaina$40.00

Warm Acevichado Dorade$34.00

Kamlu Wantan de Camaron$25.00

Arroz Chaufa

Overall ratings and reviews

Review summary

FAQs

Does El Secreto de Rosita offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is El Secreto de Rosita restaurant rated?

Is El Secreto de Rosita currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Featured in

Seek out these 5 unique restaurants in Washington, D.C.