Cielo Rojo

“This is my favorite Mexican/South American restaurant in MD. As a southern, I don’t often find delicious Latin flavors in the northeast. I am always delighted with the selection and flavor here. I love the fresh and flavorful foods. I haven’t had anything here that wasn’t worth every calorie and penny.”

“Absolutely incredible!! I visited Cielo Rojo with a friend who lives in Takoma and is absolutely obsessed with this restaurant, and I can 100% see why. All of the food is expertly prepared and absolutely delicious, the staff is remarkably friendly, and the vibes are just unbearable. It’s also decently affordable for the DMV as well, at ~$15-20 per person for a delicious and satisfying dinner. We visited Cielo Rojo for a Friday night dinner, and the place was completely packed. You definitely need a reservation if you plan to visit during peak hours. They have great indoor and outdoor seating options, but we opted to stay inside this time because it was still a smidge chilly. Our server was incredibly friendly and, despite having only worked there for two days, had a remarkable handle on the menu and offered great recommendations. My friend is gluten free and I’m pescatarian / allergic to peanuts, but they did a great job navigating both restrictions. Plus, most items at Cielo are already gluten free and they have a separate vegan menu, so there’s a ton of great options built in for folks with dietary restrictions. We both decided to get three tacos, which was the perfect amount of food — not overly filling, but also plenty for a nice, satisfying dinner. I sampled their three veggie options: drunken mushroom, nopales (cactus), and papas con rajas (potatoes and cheese). All of them were packed with flavor; the mushrooms were delightfully umami, the nopales quite savory but with a slight pop of sweetness and freshness from the taco, and the potatoes were soft, tender, and went wonderfully with the cheese. I did find that all three leaned a bit on the saltier end, but they paired well with the super soft and delightful corn tortillas. All in all, this was such a fantastic meal, and I can’t wait to come back!”

“I had lunch with my daughter on a Friday afternoon and we both had a great experience. I ordered the Caldo Tlalpeño, a traditional chicken soup from Mexico City, and it was rich, and full of flavor. My daughter chose the Tacos Carnitas, which were equally delicious and perfectly seasoned and cooked. The staff were all very friendly and making us feel welcome throughout our visit. I rated the atmosphere four stars, but it has the potential to be a full five, especially on the first Tuesday of the month when the Mariachis perform, which I imagine adds a vibrant and authentic touch.”

“I had the most amazing brunch at Cielo Rojo Restaurant! Every bite was delicious, and the flavors truly stood out — you can tell a lot of care goes into the food. The staff was friendly and attentive, making the experience feel warm and welcoming from the moment I walked in. The ambiance is perfect for a relaxed brunch with friends or a special weekend treat. I especially appreciated how everything felt thoughtfully curated, from the presentation of the dishes to the cozy, vibrant atmosphere. I can’t wait to come back and try more of the menu — this spot is a must-visit if you’re in the area! Highly recommend.”

“Stopped here for lunch and this place truly lived up to its reputation as one of the area's best Mexican restaurants. We made a reservation but ended up not needing it. Service was friendly and attentive. We really enjoyed our drinks. The smoked salmon ceviche was very good and the homemade tortillas were delicious. I ordered the cochinita. It was presented very well, tender, flavorful and filling! For dessert, the crepas with caramel were perfectly sweetened, for me, and so tender. A great dessert.”