Chicatana
Category: Taco Bars, Mezcalerias, Mexican
Neighborhood: Columbia Heights
Price:
Address: 1400 Meridian Pl NW, Washington, DC 20010, United States
✨ Vibe
Chicatana blends modern Mexican sophistication with a warm, family-rooted atmosphere, offering an authentic taste of Guerrero in a vibrant, newly expanded corner space in Columbia Heights.
🍸 Best For
Artisanal mezcal cocktails, adventurous fine dining, lively group celebrations, and fresh coastal Mexican flavors.
🔥 Highlights
- Traditional meets contemporary with a menu featuring rare delicacies like chicatana ants and chapulines (grasshoppers) served alongside world-class handmade tortillas.
- A standout seafood-centric program highlighting octopus sopes, scallop tostadas, and the signature Pescado Zarandeado.
- An inventive beverage program headlined by the "Al Pastor" mezcal margarita and one of D.C.’s most curated selections of small-batch mezcals and tequilas.
ℹ️ Need to Know
- Recently relocated to a significantly larger location featuring a beautiful covered patio and expanded bar seating to accommodate its growing popularity.
- Authentic Mexican Happy Hour is available daily, and reservations are recommended for prime dinner hours.
Happy Hour
Chicatana offers special happy-hour food and great cocktails.
📰 In the News
Chicatana reopened on 14th Street “in this new location” in Columbia Heights!!
Chicatana has reopened in a new location at 1400 Meridian Place NW, occupying the space below Trini Vybez in Columbia Heights. The restaurant continues to serve its fine Mexican cuisine in this temporary 14th Street area location.
DC community raises funds for Petworth restaurant Chicatana after fire
Chicatana, a Petworth-based Mexican restaurant, is working to reopen following a kitchen fire that forced its temporary closure in mid-2025. The local D.C. community and fellow businesses have organized fundraisers and support efforts to assist the displaced staff and help the venue restore its operations.
DC community raises funds for Petworth restaurant Chicatana after fire
Chicatana, a Mexican restaurant in D.C.'s Petworth neighborhood, is receiving support from the local community through a fundraising effort following a fire at the establishment. The initiative aims to assist the restaurant and its staff as they navigate the recovery process after the incident.
A fire destroyed this beloved restaurant’s kitchen — and its supply of ants
Chicatana, a Mexican restaurant on 14th Street NW, suffered significant damage after an early-morning fire destroyed its kitchen in June 2025. The establishment, which was previously named the best place to eat in D.C. by food critic Tom Sietsema, lost its specialized supply of chicatana ants in the blaze.
Fire Devastates One of DC’s Top Mexican Restaurants
Chicatana has temporarily closed following a significant kitchen and bar fire at its 14th Street location caused by an electrical issue with an ice machine. While the restaurant remains shut for the foreseeable future, its sister location, La Plaza, remains open and has added select menu items from Chicatana to support the staff and business.
Recent Reviews from Google
I was pleasantly surprised as a Mexican 🇲🇽🙋🏻♀️person and from the DMV area. The sopes were so delicious. They’re definitely very modern, but tasted so good. My Mexican mom can’t even make this....
The service was absolutely fantastic. The food was ok. The brussel sprouts and passion fruit flan were really good, but I did not care for my quesadilla. My friend liked her shrimp tacos, but she...
Chicatana is INSANELY good. We didn't have any expectations coming here and were totally blown away by the quality of the food. Enmole was delicious. Creamy, spicy, not too bitter, and incredibly...
My girlfriend and I have now been twice and I don't know that we'll go anywhere else. The guacamole is the best- fresh with cilantro and chili oil and salsa matcha. We also had sopes de pulpo, al...
This place is a true jewel in the DC culinary scene! From the moment we stepped inside, we knew we were in for something special. The tacos here are on another level, thanks to the delicious homemade...
