What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
La Malinche
Review
About
At La Malinche, our tapas menu highlights authentic Spanish and Mexican dishes while also exploring more contemporary tapas, showcasing the very best of this unique and exciting style of eating. Come visit us in the very heart of downtown Silver Spring.
Features
CUISINES
Southwestern
Meal types
Dinner
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Gluten free options
FEATURES
Accepts Credit Cards
American Express
Delivery
Discover
Family style
Free Wifi
Full Bar
Gift Cards Available
Highchairs Available
Mastercard
Non-smoking restaurants
Outdoor Seating
Reservations
Seating
Serves Alcohol
Street Parking
Table Service
Takeout
Television
Visa
Wheelchair Accessible
Wine and Beer
Location
Street Parking
Does this restaurant offer free wifi?
Reserve a table
Order delivery
Save this restaurant
Hours
Closed now
• Opens at 4:00 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 8:30 PM
Monday
4:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Tuesday
4:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Wednesday
4:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Thursday
4:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Friday
11:30 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 8:30 PM
Contribute
4.4
178 reviews
Excellent
94
Very good
65
Average
13
Poor
3
Terrible
3
christopher w
11 contributions
Sep 2024 • family
The waitress was great. Very attentive & helpful. The owner was more reserved, but warmed to us as we engaged him in conversation. He told us to come back for the weekend brunch. Some portions were a little small, especially the expensive lamb chops. The desert combo gave everyone a chance to try different desserts.
Written September 16, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anne Vechery
Silver Spring4 contributions
Sep 2024 • couples
This restaurant has a nice bar and really friendly waitstaff. The atmosphere is also very relaxing. Drink menu is extensive with great homemade margaritas, and a variety of sangrias. The food is always great. Some of our favorites are the beef quesadillas, the montaditos de jamon y queso, the guacamole and any of the many shrimp entrees. They usually have a few great specials every night. Prices are reasonable.
Written September 14, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
erasmus94
Morro Bay2 contributions
Nov 2020 • couples
Cute little place with Covid- friendly outdoor seating and heat lamps! We got the $35 unlimited brunch and enjoyed an attentive waiter who truly ensured our mimosas were bottomless! The highlight of the meal was definitely the bacon wrapped dates, though my partner insisted the patatas bravas were the best. Whatever, they were all pretty good. The only underwhelming item was the empanadas, which were doughy and a bit cold. Overall, I left stuffed and very content. I thought this was a great deal for brunch. If you go on a Saturday you can hit up the farmers' market a few blocks away!
Written November 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nikzleez
Prince George862 contributions
Aug 2022 • none
We came for the Paella after doing a google search. The restaurant was nearly empty around 4:30 pm on a weekday. We put in our order for the paella right away as were told it could take 30+ minutes. It was well worth it. It tasted fresh and authentic. We had the empanadas and maduros for appetizers and I enjoyed a hibiscus margarita. Service was stoic yet friendly. I will be back again.
Written September 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maggie B
Washington DC3 contributions
Sep 2022 • family
What a wonderful treat this was! My mother and I were in town for the evening and decided to visit La Malinche to support a newish restaurant with a compelling story. We are so glad that we did!
Everything we ordered was fresh, authentic and delicious - from the Chuletitas de Cordero (grilled lamb chops with crispy fingerling potatoes) and Gambas a la Cazuela (sautéed shrimp in garlic and white wine) to the Esparragos con Jamon (asparagus wrapped in ham with a Serrano balsamic drizzle) and Champiñones con Ajo (mushrooms in garlic and olive oil) and finally the hot churros for dessert.
It was evident to us that this family of restauranteurs takes great pride in sharing fresh, home favorites made with heart and love. What an affordable, unpretentious gem in downtown Silver Spring. Highly recommend!
Written September 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Northern_traveler251
Ottawa50 contributions
Feb 2020 • none
This restaurant was exceptionally good, with many choices of small dishes (appetizer size) at reasonable cost, much more Spanish/Latin then typical Tex-Mex. For dinner, average appetite, we ordered two apiece. The garlic shrimp was fantastic and very flavorful; the steak fajita with slivered peppers and onions was wonderful and generous; crab cakes were excellent; yucca fries were crisp and the dipping sauce was tasty, but yucca is pretty mild tasting so perhaps a bit disappointing. Sopapillas for dessert (4 pieces) were delicious. The presentation of each dish was lovely, not with the sameness typical of many standard restaurants. The service was friendly and prompt, atmosphere casual. Definitely a great spot.
Written February 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David R
Saint Louis314 contributions
Jan 2020 • none
They had 3 price ranges below... I checked fine dining due to the prices. However, this is a very casual restaurant and not fine dining. When they are using clothes pins to attach additional menu items to the main menu that sort leaves out fine dining out.
The service was fantastic and the staff more than friendly.
The beer prices were reasonable, the mixed drink prices were a bit high no bigger than they were. My wife never finishes a margarita and theirs was gone in no time with her.
The is a small plate restaurant. With the plates ranging from around $9 to $14. The wife and I shared 3 plates, I had 2 beers and she had a margarita. With tip our bill was $64. The couple with were with had 1 drink apiece and there total bill was $91. In my zip code that is a little pricey for beer and finger food.
I did have the Flautas de Barbacoa which was extraordinary. The rest of what I tried was nothing special.
I was a little irked that they put a charge on bill for using a credit card. At their prices they should just suck up whatever the credit card fees are.
If friends wanted to go here, I would not hesitate. However, I do not believe I will be going back at my own initiative.
Written January 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nikki L
55 contributions
Feb 2020 • friends
I had been hearing about this place for a minute and I finally made it in for their happy hour. I tried the patatas bravas, nachos, quesadilla, calamari and the mussels. The portions are great to get a bunch of things and share with a friend (or friends). The patatas, mussels and nachos were my favorites. We ended up ordering a second round of nachos because they were that good and I feel like they lowkey tried us cause the portion wasn't nearly as robust as the first plate LOL. The calamari was just okay and the chicken quesadilla did what it needed to do. For a drink, I had the rosada sangria and I enjoyed it.
Overall, I was very pleased with the food and drink situation at this place. The customer service was good as well. I will definitely be back for happy hour or any other time to try some more things.
Written March 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dream43735574488
1 contribution
Sep 2024 • family
Fantastic food, great prices and friendly service. The best Patatas Bravas I've had! And the drink prices are some of the best around.
Written September 14, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jaseaton
Silver Spring2762 contributions
Oct 2023 • friends
The four of us got the table right by the front window (feels private, and it’s much quieter than the rest of the restaurant because it’s off by itself and away from the speakers). Our white sangria was terrific and most of the small dishes we ordered were likewise wonderful,e specially the spinach salad (great dressing),:the pork, and the fried yucca (plantains?). The ceviche wasn’t to my taste (I prefer other local restaurants’ versions); our friends loved the meatballs, but again, not totally to my taste. But overall, this is a terrific place: service was wonderful, most dishes were super, and the atmosphere was calm and congenial…plus, it’s right across from the AFI theater where we were headed for an evening film.
Written October 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Arina01
Washington DC7 contributions
Feb 2023 • friends
Pathetic - overcooked "paella". Actually just yellow rice with calamar and chicken. No shrimp. Rice had no seafood flavor. Money thrown down the drain. Don't go.
Written February 17, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Katrina S
Middletown19 contributions
Feb 2020 • couples
This place is simply amazing. Service is fast and friendly, and everything is delicious. Highly recommend the cava sangria, calavo y limon, kale salad, empanadas de carne, gambas a la Cazuela, and calamares Aztecas. Check it out. You won't be disappointed.
Written February 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Derek S
38 contributions
Aug 2019 • none
Tried this place based on a recommendation and was not disappointed. Authentic tapas in a somewhat tight setting. Very reasonable prices compared to other tapas restaurants in DC or Bethesda. Strongly recommended.
Written November 5, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Janice M
4 contributions
Sep 2019 • friends
Went with a couple of friends. Great food! If you understand the sharing of tapas with friends, this is a perfect experience!
Written October 2, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JV S
Naples79 contributions
Sep 2019 • none
We recently tried this restaurant and liked it so much, we went back the next night. I had the shrimp tapas and it was amazing. Five large shrimp in a garlic sauce with garlic bread, YUM. My husband had scallops and wished there were more than two, but they were good.
Written September 22, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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