If I could give El Secreto de Rosita more than 5 stars, I absolutely would. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The food here is truly incredible — easily some of the best Andean South American cuisine I’ve ever had. Every dish is packed with flavor and beautifully presented. And the pisco sours? Simply perfect.
But what makes this place really special is the atmosphere. The design of the space is stunning — elegant, warm, and filled with thoughtful details everywhere you look. It’s family owned, and you can genuinely feel that in the care put into everything: the beauty of the venue, the attention to guests, and the friendliness of the staff. It honestly feels like you’re a guest in someone’s home rather than just dining at a restaurant.
Another thing I love is that the experience doesn’t end with dinner. There’s always live music until late, incredible DJs, and a fun crowd. I’ve been many times, and I almost always stay after my meal to dance and enjoy the night. They even have a reverse happy hour — not just a normal one — and often discount drinks during the live music events, which makes the whole evening even better.
Every visit feels special, and it’s one of those rare places that gets everything right: amazing food, beautiful ambiance, great music, and a welcoming energy. I can’t recommend El Secreto de Rosita enough.
CW
Carl Weitz
1 day ago
1.0
Celebrated here for a friend’s birthday and expected a fun night, but it was a huge letdown. The DJ change completely killed the vibe, and the customer service was even worse. I respect giving DJs some freedom to play what they want, but the staff seriously needs retraining. Literally, zero customer service skills and no sense of hospitality. Definitely wouldn’t recommend this place. Matches the other recent changes in vibes in DC.
1H
14th St House
4 days ago
2.0
Tried to email the restaurant about accidentally being charged the incorrect amount after later seeing the receipt I was texted (because I was not shown an itemized receipt, just a total, when it was time to pay), and they did not respond even after I followed up with them an additional time.
TC
Tatiana Chichilla
Feb 20, 2026
3.0
This was really disappointing. The atmosphere is great, with live music and beautiful decorations. However, the service was incredibly slow and drinks ordered before dinner did not arrive until after we were done eating -- and even that required us to flag someone down. Our waitress disappeared for long periods and we never saw her. No one was checking on us or refilling waters etc.
I had the arroz chaufa. The rice was excellent and it came with a sweet barbecue type sauce, but adding chicken was $8 and it was the smallest, toughest grilled chicken breast you could imagine. The aji de gallina was good, but the potato was ice cold while everything else was warm. The starters, like the ceviche, were excellent and unfortunately that quality did not stick around.
Dinner took over two hours!! Insane.
AS
Animesh Shastry
Feb 8, 2026
1.0
Absolutely disgusting and completely unacceptable. I ordered the Lomo Saltado and Anticuchos, and I genuinely don’t understand how this place is still operating. The onions were outright spoiled-so rotten that I literally threw up at the table. The tomatoes were equally bad: sour, old, and clearly gone off.
As if that wasn’t enough, the meat in both dishes was served raw. No one asked how I wanted it cooked-they just brought it out that way. When I complained, they remade the Lomo Saltado, which was finally edible, but the Anticuchos came back still raw.
On the drive home my stomach was churning the entire time, and I’m honestly scared I’m going to get food poisoning. This isn’t “fine dining,” it’s a health risk. If this place really has Michelin stars, they need to be taken away immediately. One of the worst and most alarming dining experiences I’ve ever had. Avoid at all costs.
Frequently Asked Questions About El Secreto De Rosita
What are the regular operating hours of El Secreto De Rosita?
El Secreto De Rosita is open Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday from 5 PM to 10 PM, and Friday and Saturday from 5 PM to 11 PM. It is closed on Mondays.
Does El Secreto De Rosita offer delivery and pickup services?
Yes, El Secreto De Rosita provides both in-store pickup and delivery services.
Where is El Secreto De Rosita located?
El Secreto De Rosita is located at 1624 U St NW, Washington, DC 20009, USA.
How can I view the menu or place an order online for El Secreto De Rosita?
You can view the menu and place orders online at https://elsecretoderosita.com/menu.
What type of cuisine does El Secreto De Rosita specialize in?
El Secreto De Rosita serves Peruvian, Middle Eastern, Latin American cuisine, and offers fine dining with seafood, vegetarian, and fusion dishes.
What is the price range at El Secreto De Rosita?
The pricing at El Secreto De Rosita is considered moderate, fitting the 'Two' price range.
Are there any nearby restaurants close to El Secreto De Rosita that you would recommend?
Yes, nearby restaurants include Don Segundo, a diner, and Dear Pizza, a pizza restaurant that also offers delivery services. These can be good options if you're exploring dining choices around U Street NW.
What wellness or spa services are available near El Secreto De Rosita?
Near El Secreto De Rosita, you can find wellness and spa services such as the Javan Anti-Aging and Wellness Institute and Aura spa - U Street, offering skin care and beauty treatments.
Are there any art galleries or cultural spots close to El Secreto De Rosita to visit before or after dining?
Yes, The Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery and the Smith Center for Healing and the Arts are nearby cultural spots worth visiting.
Is El Secreto De Rosita family-friendly and does it offer a bar service?
Yes, El Secreto De Rosita is family-friendly and includes bar and wine bar services as part of its offerings.
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