Chicatana
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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.
📅 Upcoming Events & Specials
No upcoming one-off events listed yet — use Add an event above if you know of one.
🔄 Weekly Events
Live Music 🎶
Enjoy live music performances from local bands while dining on authentic Mexican cuisine.
Happy Hour
Chicatana features Happy-Hour food and great cocktails as part of their authentic Mexican dining experience.
📰 In the News
Finally, there is good Mexican food in Washington DC
Chicatana is highlighted as a premier destination for high-quality Mexican cuisine in Washington, D.C. The restaurant is credited with elevating the city's dining scene through its authentic flavors and sophisticated approach to traditional dishes.
Kitchen fire damages Chicatana restaurant in Columbia Heights
Chicatana in Columbia Heights sustained damage following a kitchen fire in June 2025. Local authorities investigated the cause of the incident, which impacted the Mexican restaurant's operations.
DC community raises funds for Petworth restaurant Chicatana after fire
Chicatana, a Mexican restaurant in DC's Petworth neighborhood, is receiving significant community support through a fundraiser following a fire at the establishment. Local residents and patrons have rallied to provide financial assistance to help the venue recover and support its staff during the rebuilding process.
Review | The 40 best restaurants in and around D.C.
Chicatana is recognized as one of the 40 best restaurants in the Washington, D.C. area by The Washington Post. The venue is highlighted for its culinary excellence and significant contribution to the region's dining scene.
Chicatana reopened on 14th Street “in this new location” in Columbia Heights!!
Chicatana has reopened in a new location on 14th Street in the Columbia Heights neighborhood of Washington D.C. The Mexican restaurant continues its operations in this updated space, maintaining its presence in the local dining scene.
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...
